SIMPLIFYING THE PUMP FAKE

Here is a simple point that is very often missed that can simplify the pump fake and increase its effectiveness.  

It makes sense to start with discussing what players often do wrong when they use pump fakes so that the solution makes more sense.  Usually, when a player executes a pump fake, they do exactly that, they pump the ball - with far too much force - starting around the stomach area and stopping near the chin.

 

For less proficient players, I sometimes think that if they actually ended up shooting the ball it might stand a better chance of hitting a light than going through the basket.  They are using way too much force and not making the shot believable (I should clarify that I am talking about perimeter pump fakes intended to bring the defender up out of her stance, losing balance so that the ballhandler can drive past her to make a scoring move.  I am not speaking about pump fakes in the basket area).

Here's a simple solution…bring the ball up near the shooting shoulder (right shoulder for right handed shooters, left shoulder for left handed shooters) stop, and cock back both wrists.  That's it.  Cocking back the wrists shows the defender the ball and invites a response.  

In order to execute the move effectively, most players have to slow down their fake slightly, making it more believable.  It probably goes without saying, but the more believable any fake is, the higher the likelihood that it be effective at getting the defender off balance and setting up the scoring move that follows.

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