20 Basketball Decisions That You Make In Every Game

By Shane Dreiling
  1. No Fade-away jumpers. - Shooting a fade away instead of taking it up strong and drawing a foul.
2. Failure to Use A Fake. Not using a fake on a pass to someone who is closely guarded. Notusing a fake prior to dribble penetration move or taking a shot.
3. No Box Out. Not boxing out your opponent after a shot is taken. (This includes offense, too!).
4. Improperly Catching passes, - or catching a pass on the wing without being in a triple-threat position.
5. Panicked Passing. -- Passing the ball to get rid of it instead of passing to a target.
6. Standing Around. Not giving a target or moving to the ball and expecting to get a pass.
7. Not Hustling. Not hustling back on defense after an offensive possession ends.
8. Not Closing Out Defensively. Not closing out on your opponent if he or she catches the ball.
9. Not Getting to Outlet Position. Guards not getting to the free-throw line extended for an outlet pass after a defensive rebound. - (Also dribbling around without a purpose. Always attack!)
10. Poor Post Passing. Post players passing the ball through the key on a defensive rebound. Instead of passing to a guard that is on their side of the court.
11. Dribbling With Wrong Hand. - Dribbling with your right hand while going to your left and vice-versa.
12. Allowing Easy Cuts In to the Lane. Not bumping a cutter or flasher in the key.
13. Not Using Good Angles to Pass.
14. Failure To Stop The Ball. Not stopping the ball when the opponent is coming down the floor.
15. Starting the Offense Too Early. - Starting the offense too far away from the 3- point line.
16. Using Improper Footwork. Not using a jump stop when you pick up your dribble or shoot a jump shot.
17. Poor Defensive Positioning. Not being in proper help or denial position on defense.
18. No Communication. Not calling out the following: “shot,” “pick,” “help,” “ball,” or “outlet.”
19. Selfish Play. Playing lazy defense but hustling on offense because you want to shoot.
20. Dribbling With Head Down. Not passing to open team-mates and dribbling with your head down (especially if they’re running ahead of you on a fast break).