Blog Posting #33, February 24, 2009

THE FUNDAMENTAL OF FAKING
CATEGORY: FUNDAMENTALS

Ever thought of faking as a fundamental? In Coach Wooden’s words, “The ability to make your opponent commit himself by making him think that you are going to do one thing and then doing something differently is one of the most important fundamentals of the game.” He goes on to say, faking and feinting are generally thought of as offensive maneuvers, but that they are also necessary and valuable on defense.

OFFENSIVE FAKING 
Offensive faking can be broken down into two parts: Faking with the ball and Faking without the ball. Both are valuable to effective individual and team offensive execution.

Faking With The Ball:
The purpose of faking with the ball is to cause the defender to get off balance, move laterally, freeze, or rise up. When we think of faking the shot, we envision a player bringing the ball up above the head. However, faking with the ball is the least effective method of causing defensive reaction. The head, shoulder, foot, and eye fakes are more effective than ball fakes when trying to get away from the defender. The reason is, as fakes must be followed by immediate drives or shots, it takes time to bring the ball down. With only a momentary opening to react, that opportunity may be missed not only for the individual but also for the team. If a player fakes the shot by moving the ball, he should do so with quick movements of the ball by the wrists and fingers, while keeping the elbows in contact with the body.

A fake is always followed by a move of some sort and, therefore, requires excellent footwork and balance in order to execute that move quickly and properly. Straightening the knees, for example, like bringing the ball above the head, slows down the move.

Deceiving an on-ball defender by faking a shot or drive not only freezes or moves him, it very likely may move the other defenders as well. The promise of a shot moves off-ball defenders out of pressure defensive positions as well as rebounders toward the board, even though it may be just inches. Faking a drive may cause off-ball defenders to take a step in the ball handler’s direction.

One of the most effective low-post moves begins with a head and slight ball fake, over the baseline shoulder. While keeping the knees bent, the player turns his head to look at the rim and raises the shoulders. He shows a little of the basketball but keeps the elbows tight to the waist. The defense often freezes and the middle drive is open. His balance will enable him to make that quick move. 

Faking Without The Ball:
As mentioned in a previous blog posting, the weak side makes the strong side go. In other words, purposeful cuts and screens by weak side players keep their defenders busy and moving. This allows the strong side players to make plays. Weak side fakes are also essential components of effective weak side play. For example, a weak side post player faking a cut to the high post may allow a strong side driver to get to the rim. 

Faking without the ball is not limited to the weak side. One of the most effective offensive plays is a slip screen. Faking the ball screen, down screen, or up screen, and quickly changing direction and pace toward the basket, can result, not only in scoring, but more effective screening the next time.

DEFENSIVE FAKING
 A stagnant defense is a readable defense. But, a defense where players are constantly faking is difficult to read; what seemed like an opening a moment ago, appears not to be there anymore. Whether in a zone or man-to-man, every defensive player is responsible for more than his immediate area as all are potential helpers. Players that fake appear to be covering more than the immediate area around them. Not only that but, since faking causes uncertainty in passers, it slows the offense down, making it more manageable.

For example, faking the steal of the point-to-wing pass will cause one of three things to happen: The receiver moves farther away from the basket to receive the ball, he cuts backdoor, or the passer hesitates. The same is true in the low post. If a defender is actively faking side defense or faking the front, one of three things will happen: The receiver moves away from the basket to receive the pass, he cuts to the weak side, or the passer hesitates. If a defensive player causes any of the three to happen, he has served his teammates well.

FINAL WORDS
Effective faking, at both ends of the floor, is dependent on two principles:

ONE: Mix it Up
During a recent NCAA Men’s basketball game, the TV commentator mentioned the players on one team always shot faked when receiving the ball on the perimeter. At first, this may seem like good teaching, but a deeper look reveals that a team that fakes every time is as predictable as one that never fakes. Selective faking keeps the defense guessing.

TWO: Study the Opponent
In Practical Modern Basketball, John Wooden wrote, “Every player should be constantly studying his individual opponent and the general defensive principles of the opposing team to find out the individual habits, strong points, weaknesses, or any peculiarities that can be used to your advantage.” What an opponent does when you fake can be valuable information.

RELATED POSTINGS:
THE WEAK SIDE MAKES THE STRONG SIDE GO, Blog Posting #25, January 2, 2009
INTRODUCTION TO THE FUNDAMENTALS, Blog Posting #15, September 22, 2008
DEFENSE: “THINKING” STEALS AND BLOCKED SHOTS, Blog Posting #24, December 27, 2009