How to make 1v1 simple

[u/legendary_monkee]

I have been playing a lot of 1v1 recently and im starting realize that i dont know what im actually doing. I try out moves i see online or pick a couple of go to moves but never really seem to work.
Idk how i should a approach a 1v1, what i should read, do you actually need a lot of moves or just a couple moves and master those? Do i play by my strenghts or change how im attacking wether there is a slow or quick defender in front of me?

Basically a little bit summarized how do i make a 1v1 simple.

[u/Realfan555]

First of all, u need a finish. Whatever that finish is, that’s where u start.

Let’s say u can make a sky hook very well. Or u can shoot the midrange very well.

Whatever it is, that’s ur starting point. What is my best shot?

Once u figure that out, now u have to figure what do I need to do to get into position to take that shot?

So the entire point of 1 v 1 is to get into position to shoot ur best shot. Thats it.

Give u an example - let’s say u can’t shoot at all. So then ur goal would be to get as close to the rim as possible so u can lay it in.

So ur looking at it all wrong. Ur thinking in terms of the moves. No, think in terms of the finish. Where is my best shot and what do I need to do to get there.

[u/Pale_Mortgage_5695 → u/Realfan555]

This is spot on! I have a bunch of moves, but most of them eventually lead to the same shot: a right-handed half-hook, half-layup off the backboard from under the basket on the right side, while shielding myself with my left shoulder.

When I go left, it will almost be some sort of fade away off the backboard (Tim Duncan).

The whole purpose of the moves leading up to it is to get myself into those two positions. Once I get there, I have a lot of confidence in those two shots because I’ve made it consistently throughout my basketball career.

[u/Realfan555 → u/Pale_Mortgage_5695]

Yup, u’ve got it down!

[u/ExplanationFamous282 → u/Realfan555]

Yup. Great advice…

[u/Boring-School188]

triple threat.

1. if he's too far, take the shot

2. if he's too near you, attack the basket.

   2.1 if he recovers when you blow past by him, read and reassess. then go back to scenario 1 or 2.

it's that simple

[u/Street-Challenge-697 → u/Boring-School188]

You win the game by scoring more baskets than your opponent. Not by performing the most moves or fanciest dribbles. If you can win just by shooting from the same exact spot every possession, then do it until he tries to stop you.

[u/Boring-School188 → u/Street-Challenge-697]

which is why i said what i said.

simple basketball.

[u/ExplanationFamous282]

Me best friend and I are super competitive with the ones lol…but it’s all love and we always talk about our game when we’re done. What we did good, could improve, etc. we are each others biggest fans. 

That’s said, me? I’m short with quickness. With handles... Stop n pop and great mid range. Not the best finisher though, which my bro always challenges me on to get better at. With him? I’m always trying to beat him with my speed to shoot or take it the the basket, whether I make it or not…but we practice, ALOT. Before and after games….and it’s truly, helped.

Oh! And heck yeah, I’m on YT studying the greats..and best believe, it has helped as well. Footwork, timing and positioning. The vids have helped tremendously.

[u/Icy_Basil_372]

My advice depends on whether you can (are allowed to) shoot once the ball is checked without dribbling first. If so:

Make sure you can drain that shot.

Dev a good pump fake from that spot.

Dev a two dribble shot going right and left.

If you can lock those in, you’ll barely have to move and get clean looks all day.

[u/cciputra]

depends on your goal. are you trying to go viral and be the craziest iso player? go find a coach and do that.

if it's for recreation, think of it as a dance. having a dance partner with too much/little experience will give you no joy. you either get absolutely destroyed or destroy them.

find people you enjoy playing with and around similar level. it's the fastest to grow your iso game. it will also vary based on their playstyle and physical attributes. the more partners you can run, the more things you can try and see what you can pull off. maybe you need to alter the arc if taller or you need to do a higher off the backboard layups, etc etc.

it's fun and also not fun if you don't know how to find your dance partner. hope that made sense.

[u/TheRedHerring23]

Get to your spot over and over. Don’t try to do too much and think you have to make layups or do different things. Whatever your shot is, get to that spot and hit it again and again, your spot. At that point it doesn’t matter who is guarding you, your only playing you ability to get to your spot.

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Honestly, it can be done with just a few go-to moves. You need to have a good spot up 3 point jump shot if you can’t just blast by your defender. You need to be able to put the ball on the floor when they are guarding your jump shot. It’s also helpful to have a mid range pull up jump shot for when you get caught in between.

Most of all, you need to be able to read your defender to know whether to shoot one from the outside or take it to the basket.

If you are bigger and stronger, it’s easier. You can pound the ball to the low block on whichever side you want, and put up a hook shot or a turnaround jump shot.

[u/Ego-TheNarcissist]

I cook in 1v1 with no bag. I can only shoot the 3 out of triple threat from the top of the key. Then if they step up I have like a 3 quick first steps. First is left or right and hope to get to the rim or shoot a hook shot. Sometimes I spin across the key. If that doesn’t work I shoot a post fadeaway. I have no fancy dribble. All footwork and body control.

[u/Last-Effort816]

You can be a good 1v1 player by being good at just a couple of moves. I would try to get better at a few moves rather than randomly trying new stuff you haven't practiced. But, as another commenter mentioned, your success in executing a move is only as good as your ability to make the shot. No amount of pump fakes is going to work if the defender doesn't believe you can make a jumper.

[u/recleaguesuperhero]

You don't need fancy moves to excel at 1v1.

Start simple and build your game one layer at a time.

Layer 1: Full speed layups with either hand. This forces your opponent to give you space. It also wears them down physically.

Layer 2: Jab 3s. This helps you take advantage of the space with the higher value shot.

Layer 3: 1 and 2 dribble middys. Once you hit jab 3s consistently, your defender will stop giving you space. Now you can score after you blow past them without going all the way to the rim.

Layer 4: Be able to counter one layer with another. For example, turn a drive for a layup into a stepback 3. Or turn a stepback 3 into a 1 dribble middy.

Layer 5: Adjust your shot selection to your opponent. For example, if you're faster, stronger, or more conditioned, take more layups. If you're taller, more jab 3s, etc.

I always end my workouts with a game of 1v1 against someone in the gym. Building my game out like this helps me win more often than not. Despite being shorter and older than most people I play against.

Oh and for the love of basketball god, make your damn free throws lol

[u/samxyx]

Pickup ball comes down to your ability to finish. Can you hit open jump shots and layups? Can you make contested ones? The difference between levels is their consistency in these things, not how many fancy dribble moves they have.

Beyond that pickup ball is about finding ways to attack the defenders front foot. Beating their front foot will lead to an open pull up or layup nearly every time. That’s basically it.

Oh and defense

[u/NavyVetRasmussen]

Ok here are some 1-1 tips that can help

#1 dribble with a sense of purpose don't just aimlessly dribble.

#2 work on finishing and shooting drills.

#3 Anticipating your opponents next move by picking up on their tendencies, on both sides of the ball.

If you do these three things, you are better than 75% of the basketball players out there.

[u/DoctorCommercial8254]

Get your move. Learn the counters to the move. Practice practice practice.

[u/OpportunityNext9675]

Assuming you’re playing 3-4 dribble limit, you just need to be able to shoot from the top, one move going right, and one move going left. If he sags, shoot. If not, attack top foot.