Basketball Training Tips - Offense (part 2)

Move without the Ball
The most dangerous player on the court is that player without the ball who will move. Defenses have a tendency to focus on the ball, so if you will move without the ball when on offense, you will often find yourself getting open for easy shots.
Keep moving
We often say that the biggest mistake you can make, is to stand. Always move with a purpose. When the player does not have the ball he should move to the ball, fake, move away from the ball, set a screen, get rebounding position, or improve spacing, but never just stand. Think about the players that you don`t like to guard. They probably are the ones that are constantly moving, requiring you to stay alert or else he will sneak free for an easy shot. BE THAT PERSON, AND KEEP MOVING!
Create Spacing
Move to create proper spacing , using the three point line and marks on the floor as a spacing guide. Try to maintain 12`-18` spacing and don`t get bunched up. The floor should be balanced (don`t have four guys on one side of the floor and only one on the other - unless it is an isolation play designed to take advantage of something in particular).
Cut backdoor
Get open when the man with the ball is in a position to pass the ball by faking one way and using a V-cut or an L-cut to elude the defense.If that player without the ball is being overplayed he should cut backdoor (behind the man and to the basket).
Getting open using V-cuts
The best way to get open to receive a pass is through the use of V-cuts. A v-cut is a cut by which you take your defender further in the direction in which he plays you, then plant and go the opposite way. If the defender is laying off, go toward him, then pop back. If the defender is overplaying you, take him higher, then cut toward the basket.
L-Cut
When executing an "L-Cut" you start at the block on the edge of the free throw lane and walk your defender up the side of the lane. When your teammate is ready to deliver the pass you step into the defender, make contact, and change speeds quickly by pushing off of your inside foot to pop out to the wing.
Screen to Get Open
A screen may be a method of helping a teammate get open, but a good screen forces the screener´s defender to "help" and becomes one of the best ways to free yourself for a shot.
Proper Screening Angles
When setting a screen, the screener should have their shoulder blades pointing to the “shot-spot” (destination of the users cut where they want to get the shot). The user of the screen is usually open wherever the screeners back is facing.
Going to set a downscreen
When setting a down screen for a player, the screener should "Head Hunt" and find the defender guarding the player that is being screened for. The screener should go directly to the defensive man to set the screen. The screener should then come to a stop with a wide base and knees flexed, immediately before contact with the defense, to avoid a moving screen.
Meet the ballWhen a teammate passes you the ball, come and meet it - don`t wait for it to get to you. Passes are usually stolen the last third of the pass--it is the receiver´s responsibility to step to and meet the pass aggressively.