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neurologyYou need to know

• The triple threat position allows a player to shoot, pass, or dribble from the same stance, making it easier to evade a defender.
• Effective evasion in basketball involves creating space from a defender using changes of pace, changes of direction, and protection of the ball.
• In a stable dribbling stance the feet are shoulder-width apart, knees are slightly bent, and the trunk leans forwards to keep balance and readiness.
• A controlled dribble is driven down with the fingertips rather than the palm, improving touch and reducing the chance of losing the ball.
• During a dribble, elbow extension and wrist and finger flexion propel the ball down, while the hand follows the rising ball and the elbow flexes to absorb its return.
• Keeping the head up while dribbling supports scanning for defenders and teammates, rather than watching the ball.
• Keeping the bounce close to the side and slightly in front of the body helps protect and control the ball, while its height and distance can be adjusted for speed.
• A lay-up is a close-range shot taken after a drive, where the ball is released safely off the backboard near the basket.
• After gathering the ball for a basic lay-up, a player may take no more than two steps: for a right-handed lay-up, the player steps right then left and takes off from the left foot, while for a left-handed lay-up, the player steps left then right and takes off from the right foot.
• For lay-up control, the ball is brought up between the shoulder and ear before release, supporting a protected, accurate finish.
• A successful lay-up release uses wrist and finger direction towards the basket, releasing at the highest point of the jump.
• A lay-up follow-through finishes with the shooting arm extended and the palm facing down, held until the ball reaches the basket.
• The BEEF set-shot cues are Balance, Elbow in, Eyes on target, and Follow-through, which help produce a consistent shot.
• In set-shot balance, the feet are shoulder-width apart with the shooting-side foot slightly in front, knees bent, and hips square to the target.
• In man-to-man defence, an effective defensive stance uses a wide base on the balls of the feet, bent knees, and an upright, ready posture for quick lateral movement.
• In man-to-man defence, active hands in front of the body can deflect passes and contest shots without fouling.
• On-ball defence aims to stay between the attacker and the basket while keeping enough space to react to a drive.
• Off-ball defence aims to keep the body between the assigned player and the basket while staying close enough to discourage or intercept a pass.
• A zone defence assigns players to guard areas of the court rather than specific opponents, aiming to protect key spaces such as the paint.
• In a 2-3 zone defence, two guards position at the top and three players form a line/triangle closer to the basket to protect the lane and rebounding area.

• Adopt a triple threat position with a stable base, ball protected, and hips and shoulders ready to shoot, pass, or dribble on the next movement.
• Dribble with either hand while moving, using fingertips to push the ball down, keeping the head up, and controlling the bounce with wrist flexion.
• Change direction to evade an opponent by lowering the centre of mass, planting the outside foot, and accelerating into space while keeping the dribble protected.
• Perform a right- or left-handed lay-up by dribbling towards the basket, gathering the ball a few metres out, taking no more than two steps by stepping right then left for a right-handed lay-up or left then right for a left-handed lay-up, taking off from the foot opposite the shooting hand, and releasing high off the backboard with a held follow-through.
• Execute a set shot using BEEF: set balanced feet and bent knees, keep the elbow aligned under the ball, fix eyes on the target, and flick the wrist with a controlled follow-through.
• Apply on-ball man-to-man defence by staying between the attacker and the basket, maintaining a low stance on the balls of the feet, and moving laterally without crossing the feet.
• Apply off-ball man-to-man defence by maintaining ball-and-player awareness (head on a swivel) and positioning to deny an easy pass while still protecting the basket line.
• Set up and shift within a 2-3 zone defence by placing two guards high and three players near the basket, sliding as the ball moves to cover gaps and protect the paint.
• Carry out role-specific actions in a 2-3 zone: guards pressure the ball and contest outside shots, forwards cover wings and help on drives, and the centre protects the paint and rebounds.