Cutting

In this video we take a close look at a class of offensive movements without the ball called cuts. These moves are used to create space between you and your defender so that you will be open to receive a pass. Cut moves have several elements in common. All involve a change of direction along with a change of speed. They also involve another key element -- surprise. Only you will know when your cut will begin and that fact alone will give you a small amount of separation. We look at the flare cut, the V-cut, the L-cut and the backdoor cut. We also look at how a good fake pass can free up a teammate for an easy shot.

In summary:
• change speed from slow to fast when changing direction
• make contact with your defender at the point of the cut
• stay low as you approach the cut and as you start the cut
• push off the side of your outside foot, don't rotate on the ball of your foot
• do rotate your hips at the start of the cut to face in the direction you're sprinting
• make the first step out of the cut a big, explosive one