"The Rip Step" pivot maneuver.

Pivoting could be considered the most overlooked, under-taught, and therefore under-drilled skill in basketball.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

To help our players learn the skill and get the most out of it, we evolved what we call the Rip Step--a pivot maneuver that enables the ball-handler to see the court and effectively pass, dribble, or shoot (if in range of the basket).

It is actually a moderately wide forward (cross-over step) pivot toward the defender and is usually followed immediately by a reverse Rip Pivot.

Depending upon the position of the players, the reverse Rip Pivot is executed first, then followed by the forward pivot. This simple aggressive pivot towards the defender, along with vigorous rotation of the ball from one side of the body to the other, can give a player vision of the court that enables him to face-up and establish a triple threat position--pass, dribble, or shoot (if within range of the basket).

Establishing the face-up triple threat position is tough to do against a competitive defender. On-ball defenders are taught to steer or force the ball-handler toward the sideline or baseline (outside of the court). Aggressive defenders can eliminate the ball-handler's pivoting options by immediately establishing a tight, crowding position that will force the ball-handler to go backwards or toward the outside of the court.

The movement on the court will be dictated by whichever player is more determined (or prepared) to complete his task.

Many players never learn the footwork that will enable them to square up to the basket and establish a triple threat.

Players usually gain possession from a pass, a rebound, a tip from a jump ball, or a steal. In any of these situations, the defensive pressure will dictate the amount of caution or the abandon a player can use to establish and maintain the squared-up triple threat position and then execute one of his three options--pass, dribble, or shoot (again, if in range of the basket).

The Rip Step should be used whenever a player encounters strong defensive pressure. This commonly occurs when a defensive rebounder attempts to make an outlet pass, in the backcourt vs defensive pressure, or on the perimeter of the frontcourt vs defensive pressure.

The Rip Pivot can also be used in the post area. It is therefore imperative to teach and drill on the Rip Pivot in these areas of the court.

The fundamentals of the Rip Pivot maneuver on a defensive rebound include holding the ball with a firm grip, and never bringing it below the chest/arm pit area.

Many coaches use the term "Chin-It" to emphasize keeping the ball high, and gripping the ball firmly on each side (Photo 1).

This will make it difficult for the defense to deflect or steal the ball. If the rebounder encounters pressure making the outlet pass, he should execute a moderately wide Rip Pivot with the non-pivot foot (leg) toward the defender.

Note: We call the non-pivot leg the Power Leg for simplicity.

Most right-handed players prefer to use the left foot as the pivot, and the right leg as the Power Leg. A player can use either foot as the pivot whenever he jump-stops upon alighting on the floor. If he alights with a staggered 1-2 stop, he must use the foot that first alighted to the floor as the pivot foot.

The first pivot should be a moderately wide/extended crossover step towards the defender (forward pivot) while simultaneously moving the firmly gripped basketball in the same direction, rotating the ball from one side of the body to the other (Photo 2). It is important not to fully extend the arms and move the ball away from the body. Extending the arms and exposing the ball could allow the defense to deflect or steal it (Photo 3).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Immediately after the first pivot, a reverse Rip Pivot maneuver could be executed (if necessary) to prevent the defender from tying up the ball-handler, or causing him to turn his back to his teammates (Photo 4).

This pivot should also be executed very forcefully, and as the Power Leg is pivoted across the body, the arms should move simultaneously, rotating the basketball from one side of the body to the other. The hands should firmly grip the basketball and keep it in close to the chest/arm pit area. The arm movement is completed when the ball reaches the other armpit area.

Whenever a defensive rebound is gained near the basket, there is likely to be a great deal of congestion. It's thus essential not to lower the ball during the pivot.

Summing up: The Rip Step pivot is useful for a ball-handler in the backcourt or on the perimeter of the frontcourt. In these areas of the court, the ball-handler must establish a pivot foot and grip the ball firmly at the side of the torso/hip area opposite the defender.

The ball-handler should attempt to establish a moderately low, flexed, balanced, "Outside Tuck" stance (Photo 5).

The Rip Step pivot should then be immediately executed with the Power Leg. It is important to pivot toward the defender in order to create space between the two players.

After executing the pivot, the ball-handler should be able to see the court by looking over his shoulder (Photo 6). He should not pivot too wide or turn his back completely to the inside of the court (Photo 7).

To face-up and establish a balanced stance, the player must now execute a reverse Rip Pivot (Photo 8).

Note: The player's body angle toward his defender (after catching the ball) will determine which kind of forward or reverse Rip Pivot should be executed first (Photo 9 illustrates this type of awkward angle). In this case, a reverse Rip Step pivot should be executed first. The offensive player has gained operating space, and the defender is not crowding or dictating movement (Photo 10).

The fundamentals of the Rip Pivot maneuver on the perimeter of the frontcourt or in the backcourt are identical to those used after a defensive rebound. However, the position for holding the ball will be slightly lower than the chest. It is essential for the ball-handler to grip the ball tightly and closely on the side off his body and away from the defender.

This is called an Outside Tuck stance. The ball-handler should vigorously move the ball from one side of the body (outside hip/torso area, away from the defender) to the other.

The arm movement should be done simultaneously with the leg pivot, and the trunk should be slightly flexed forward.

If a player is within shooting range after executing the Rip Pivot, he should jab step to gain a heal-toe stance--giving the player a balanced/shooting stance and placement of the ball in front of the stomach area. When the ball is held firmly and close to the body, in front of the stomach area, it is called an "Inside Tuck" stance. This is also called moving the ball into the shooting pocket (Photo 11).

COMMON MISTAKES

1. Over-extending the crossover step and losing sight of the court/teammates (turning the back).

2. Rotating the ball from one side to the other, but forgetting to Rip Pivot with the Power Leg.

3. Rotating the ball above the head while Rip Pivoting.

4. Not successively executing a forward Rip Pivot, and then a reverse Rip Pivot, in order to gain offensive position. The forward and reverse Rip Pivots act as a one--two punch combination to create offensive space.

5. Many players catch a pass and immediately begin to dribble. Instead, the player should catch and immediately Rip Pivot in order to see teammates cutting and screening.

6. A defensive rebounder will rotate the ball from one side of his body to the other while having his elbows lifted and extended, and forget to pivot vigorously with the Power Leg. This will often result in a technical/flagrant foul for excessive swinging of the elbows.

I first started using this maneuver and terminology in 2000 when I was the head boys basketball coach at Ridgefield Memorial (NJ) H.S. When I observed my defensive rebounders having difficulty maintaining possession while attempting to execute an outlet pass, I began emphasizing a vigorous pivot with their Power Leg and abrupt movement of the ball from one side of their body to the other in rhythm with their leg pivot.

I implored my players to use this aggressive Rip Pivot maneuver for defensive rebounding and after catching a pass against pressure defense. As a result, my teams started making fewer turnovers.

Anyone interested in receiving a copy of my drills on pivoting and/or a copy of my first pivoting article ("Turning on the Power Leg on Offense"), can reach me (Dan Jones) at: 50 Freemont Court, Somerset, NJ, 08873.

By Dan Jones, Varsity Asst. Basketball Coach

Teaneck (NJ) High School