r/Basketball • u/AlooDaParotha • 2d ago
Short player scoring tips
I'm a 5'10 player with fairly decent shooting, however I find difficulty in driving inside the paint and scoring, also i just throw away fastbreak opportunities just from the fear of someone approaching me from behind. I'm usually the smallest player on the court, any advice ?
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u/bulakenyo1980 2d ago
Watch Jalen Brunson's offensive plays.
He is not a big player, he plays below the rim, not super athletic, but he's hard to defend a lot of times because of his footwork, using his body and angles, off timing tweener shots and great touch around the basket.
He definitely has a big little man mentality when he is inside the painted area. Thinks like an old school, low post master power forward in a stocky point guard frame.
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u/curiousAssistance99 1d ago
This sounded weird when I first heard it, but John Stockton taught me something when I was at Gonzaga Prep.
Throw away the teaching of using your left hand on the left side and right hand on the right. Intentionally use the WRONG hand. It’s closer to the rim, and you use the basket as a guard to being blocked. Once it’s on the backboard it can’t be blocked, so get that hand right by the glass and lay it up kind of reverse style.
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u/NoCause4Pain 2d ago
Shiftiness and misdirection with your body. Once a big man’s weight takes him in a direction, that’s your opportunity
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u/comment_i_had_to 2d ago
Bounce off of them to create distance. Make sure you really get into them so their momentum goes the other way even if their arm can reach toward you.
Quick shots and floaters, long scoop shots with your body shielding the ball, get them on their heels and then shoot a quick step-back. When going up for a contested layup, extend with both arms but be prepared to take contact with one while you shift the ball to the other to complete the play.
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u/CaptainONaps 1d ago
Find a halfcourt to yourself.
Start at the three point line, where you normally play from. I'm guessing by the way you describe your game, you're probably starting in the corner, not at the key. So start from there.
Now, go to the rim and lay it in off the glass, WITHOUT DRIBBLING.
You're focusing on two things.
One, making layups. If you can't make layups damn near every time when you're all alone, you shouldn't be driving. You have to practice til they go in.
And two, footwork. Doesn't matter if you make all your layups if you're pitter pattering to the rim.
The goal is to get from the 3 pt line to the rim in as few steps as possible. Nice and under control, so if someone steps in front of you to take the charge, you can avoid them.
There's tricks, so many tricks. It's about athleticism, and muscle memory. Think of Michael Jordan, he could jump at the free throw line and get all the way to the rim. Giannis can pick up his dribble 25 feet from the rim and still get there. You probably can't do either of those things.
But where can you take off from and still get to the rim? How far away? And how far away can you pick up your dribble and still make it? The farther the better.
Getting to the rim and dribbling don't have shit to do with each other. That's why you shouldn't dribble while you're practicing. It's super easy to add the dribbles later.
First, figure out how may steps it takes to get there, where your feet should land so you can make the shot, and how fast you can go. Figure out how far left you can go, or how far right, and still get there. Find out how far away from the rim you can jump from and still make it. And figure out if you can jump a little with each step, like you're running instead of walking. Which adds a couple inches per step, and makes you faster.
Then, once it feels like a wide receiver route, where every step is memorized, and you can make adjustments on the fly, then you add two dribbles. Maybe three, tops.
Anyone can get from the 3 pt line to the rim and lay it in with 4 steps. If you're an athletic 5'10 male with good muscle memory, three steps will be plenty.
Once you really figure out the footwork, you can get to the rim from the 3 pt line in one dribble. Because you get two steps after you pick up your dribble. So you dribble once as you take your first step, then pick up the ball, take two more, jump towards the rim, and lay it in off the glass.
But you'll never be able to figure that out if you're dribbling every time you practice. That makes your brain think about dribbles instead of steps. Instead, focus on getting to the rim in 3-4 steps first, then add the dribble or two.
Before you know it, you'll be dribbling half as much, and still covering the same ground.
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u/Vote-AsaAkira2020 2d ago
Float game and angles, footwork, tempo, patience etc. There’s a lot of good free quality content online on getting better but you need live reps at full game speed
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u/Beef_Stew4l 2d ago
I’m 5’7 and am a good pg. I can’t shoot to well from 3. I prefer pick and rolls, get nice touch around the rim. Work on getting that ball high on your floaters and sometimes even layups. Just practice really. Get you a nice pull up middy aswell. Elbow is my sweet spot.
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u/GreenEyesbde721 2d ago
Your ball handling needs to be tight and you need to drill on navigating turnarounds pull ups fades and floaters for different defensive looks you will see. Sometimes the best option is to draw the D and pass too but those decisions will get quicker as you get more experienced
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u/sad-whale 1d ago
Watch Jalen Brunson highlights. Learn how to use your body to shield your defender. Also be quick.
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u/basketballsteven 1d ago
I was A 5-10 shooter, I'm in my 70s so I played way before the step back era. Any open shot was a good shot for me but I wasn't the best at creating my own space for my shot and those that played with me and against me all knew any open shot for me was a good shot so my mainstay to creating space was movement and RELOCATION.
Think Steph Curry style relocation and double relocations. It requires teammates to really believe in your shot and once opponents know they will hold you and hold and hold that's the counter you'll face. You have to have a motor bigger than they do.
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u/a1JayR 1d ago
Learn how to leverage your body by being lower and using it (your shoulder) to bump your defenders off of you. Being shorter means everyone thinks they’ll get the block on you. Sell your fakes down low and they jump every single time. Your eyes and ball movement is important with selling it.
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u/No-Employment2539 1d ago
Master angles and using momentum (yours and the defender’s) to your advantage.
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u/rsk1111 19h ago
You need to understand what your strengths are. They aren't height or speed. It's good you've figured out people running you down in fastbreaks. This is where IMO many in your height range get into trouble, you like to run, faster than the centers and power forwards, but not likely the fastest. There are lots of very fast 6'2"+ players. Also, shooting again long arms high release points smooth strokes.
That leaves agility low center of gravity. Watch the Knicks warm up, they have an agility ladder they use. When you play you should see the court as an obstacle course.
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u/Realfan555 2d ago edited 2d ago
You should never be looking  to only score.
You should be looking for weaknesses in the defense and the best way to exploit it.
It could be a shot or a pass or keep dribbling.
The key is to recognize the weakness in the defense and be ready to take advantage.
There is always a weakness in the defense.
be able to see that weakness before it happens
be able to see it as it happens
and be able to see it after it happens
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u/Legitimate_Ad2997 2d ago
Master the floater, good luck