Permanent Pivot Foot or Inside Pivot Foot

In a "catch and shoot" situation. We feel that a player must KNOW if he is open before the catch, when he/she is on the move. If he KNOWS he is open, he should plant the inside foot and rise into the shot. As he is heading towards the pass and he plants the inside foot, and it squares you to the basket a lot faster and is probably more comfortable. Quickness is the key to getting off a good shot. The emphasis on preparing their feet and being "shot ready" gets the player to be thinking about shooting on the catch - that's when a player should be most open. Also emphasize that this is a great time to use the defenders positioning against himself. Making a move to attack that defender is more often than not the best time to do so. But we are not really talking about establish a pivot foot for future use - we are simply talking about preparing the body to rise into the shot in the quickest manner possible. If it turns out that he ISN'T open and he's stuck on the wrong pivot foot (not the end of the world) then we have a discussion about the definition of KNOW !:?) If there is any doubt - he's probably not open for a shot.

So if there is any question that he is not open for a shot or immediate attack, he should establish his PERMANENT pivot foot and "free his shooting foot". This enables him to go into a "rocker series" of moves to attack the front foot (the one that is closest) of the defensive player. Establishing a pivot foot when catching the ball out on the floor is essential to "squaring up" (facing the basket) and getting into triple threat position (the ability to pass, dribble or shoot effectively) The pivot is a fundamental skill that can get a player relief from pressure defense, and can be a great skill to have to begin an offensive move.

HOW to square up (although I don't think you really want to be 100% square) is the question. There are a couple of schools of thought. The conventional method is to plant the inside foot (the foot closest to the middle of the floor when you are moving to the ball. Contrary to that is the method that many coaches and players are using today, and that is to use a "PERMANENT PIVOT FOOT". A permanent pivot foot simplifies the learning process, especially with younger players, and cuts the number of moves to learn in half. In this method, the player plants the SAME foot all the time.

The object is to "free your shooting foot". Now, you don’t shoot with your foot - it’s the foot on the same side as the hand that you shoot with (right handed-right foot). You plant the opposite foot, and now your shooting foot can move to either step into a shot, or use foot fakes (rocker moves) to attack the defense. I think this is a far more comfortable action that allows the player to develop the best rhythm. Given a choice I think most players would prefer to have their shooting foot free. If we watch the NBA, Some of the best perimeter players of the era (Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Mcgrady, etc) are using the PERMANENT PIVOT FOOT and always have their shooting foot free.

All other things being equal, the players with the best feet are usually the best players.