Master the Spin Move Into the Shot: Create Elite Separation
This intermediate-to-advanced drill is essential for guards and wings who need to manufacture points when the lane is clogged. It combines aggressive ball handling with precise footwork to turn a cut-off drive into a high-percentage mid-range jumper. By drilling this specific movement, you develop the ability to counter physical defense and maintain shooting balance under pressure.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Start at the top of the key in a triple-threat stance, visualizing a defender guarding you tightly.
- Attack: Take one hard, aggressive dribble toward the elbow with your outside hand, selling the drive to the rim.
- Plant and Spin: As you reach the elbow, plant your inside foot firmly (the foot closest to the paint) and execute a quick reverse pivot (spin) back toward the middle of the lane.
- Gather: As you complete the spin, pick up the ball cleanly and bring it directly into your shooting pocket, squaring your shoulders to the rim.
- Finish: Elevate straight up into your jump shot and hold your follow-through until the ball hits the floor.
- Repeat: Grab your rebound, reset at the top of the key, and execute the move attacking the opposite elbow to ensure you can finish from both sides.
Why This Drill Works
Great scorers don't just rely on speed; they rely on counter-moves. This drill works because it conditions you to react instinctively when a defender cuts off your driving angle. Instead of picking up your dribble in a panic, you learn to use the defender's momentum against them, spinning off their body to create open space in the "kill zone" (the middle of the paint). It reinforces the vital connection between lower-body stability and upper-body shooting mechanics.
Pro Tips
- Stay Low: Maintain a low center of gravity throughout the spin. If you stand up straight during the rotation, you lose balance and explosiveness.
- Snap Your Head: Your eyes should find the rim before your body finishes the turn. The sooner you lock onto the target, the higher your shooting percentage will be.
- Protect the Ball: Keep the ball tight to your body during the spin ("chin the ball") to prevent defenders from stripping it as you rotate.
- Sell the Drive: The spin only works if the defender respects your initial drive. Attack the elbow at 100% speed to force them to commit their hips before you counter.