NBA Basketball Techniques

Offensive Plays

• The NBA makes use of several offensive plays. The most common of these are found in the post-up, pick-and-roll and isolation plays. The post-up play involves a forward or center receiving the ball around the high or low side of the foul line. This play enables players with size advantages to try to score close to the basket or draw additional defensive help, which will leave players open on the outside for long-distance shots. The pick-and-roll involves a center or forward setting a pick for the ball-handler, which will cause the defense to pay more attention to the player cutting to the basket or the player with the ball. This enables an open look or an easy basket either way, as it is difficult to properly defend both players. The isolation uses the star player of the team by himself in order to create his own shot or draw additional defenders to get an open look for his teammate.

Offensive Schemes

• Two of the most common offensive schemes in the NBA, which uses set plays based on one main idea, are the motion and triangle offenses. The motion offenses utilizes a number of picks and screens in order to take advantage of the team's quickness. Constant movement and passing are characteristics of this offense, which employs a number of different plays and variations within these basic principles. The triangle is used by teams with superior post players or those who are effective driving to the basket. As a sort of motion offense (originally), the triangle uses three players in this shape by giving any of them the option of passing, shooting or driving when they have the ball. The remaining players cut to the basket and rotate according to where the ball is located, and additionally replace the side of the court where the triangle and ball are located.

Man-to-Man Defense

• Man-to-man defense was the only defense allowed prior to the 2001-2002 NBA season, and it's still the most common defensive system used. This defense uses the same position to guard an opponent on the opposing team (for instance, a point guard guards the opposing point guard), although switches are made for favorable match-ups. This defense allows every defender to guard a player, which can help in eliminating passes (as the defender is able to deny their defender the ball). This is not usually the case in zone defenses, and also represents why the man-to-man defense is more aggressive.

Zone Defense

• Since the rule change in the 2001-2002 NBA season, teams are able to use zone defenses. There are many zone defenses: for instance, perhaps the most common would be the 2-3 defense, which uses two perimeter defenders and three interior defenders to protect inside field goal attempts. In the NBA, however, teams are often able to take advantage of these zones. Such zones often allow shooters to fill the gaps that the zone naturally creates. It does, however, provide some value based on the other team's strengths and weaknesses.