Galen Harkness • May 29, 2024
The Power of Cutting: Why Moving Without the Ball is a Game-Changer
In basketball, the spotlight often shines on the player with the ball. However, the real magic happens when players understand the importance of moving without the ball.
In basketball, the spotlight often shines on the player with the ball. However, the real magic happens when players understand the importance of moving without the ball. Here are three key benefits of cutting to the basket and three effective ways to execute these moves to elevate your game and help your team succeed.
Benefits of Cutting to the Basket
- Creates Scoring Opportunities
- Explanation: Moving without the ball allows you to catch defenders off guard, creating open spaces for easy scoring opportunities.
- Example: Think of Steph Curry, whose constant off-ball movement makes it nearly impossible for defenders to track him, leading to open layups or uncontested shots.
- Opens Up the Floor for Teammates
- Explanation: Your movement forces defenders to adjust and follow you, which can create open lanes and opportunities for your teammates to drive, pass, or shoot.
- Example: Imagine cutting to the basket and drawing a defender with you, opening up a lane for your teammate to drive and score.
- Increases Team's Offensive Flow
- Explanation: Constant movement keeps the defense on their toes and prevents them from settling into a comfortable position, making your team's offense more dynamic and harder to defend.
- Example: When everyone is moving and cutting, it creates confusion for the defense, leading to high-percentage shots and a fluid offensive game.
How to Cut to the Basket or What to Look for to Make the Cut
- Read the Defender
- How to Execute: If your defender is overplaying you, denying the pass by staying between you and the ball, this is the perfect time for a backdoor cut. Signal your teammate and cut sharply behind the defender towards the basket.
- Example: On the perimeter, if your defender is focused on denying the pass, fake like you’re moving toward the ball, then quickly change direction and cut behind them to the hoop.
- Timing and Space
- How to Execute: Look for moments when the defense is focused on the ball handler or when there’s an open lane to the basket. Timing your cut when your teammate is ready to pass can lead to easy scoring opportunities.
- Example: When your teammate drives toward the basket and draws your defender’s attention, use that moment to cut into the open space and be ready to receive a pass.
- Use Screens Effectively
- How to Execute: Utilize screens set by your teammates to lose your defender and create open lanes to the basket. Read the screener’s position and your defender’s reaction to decide the direction of your cut.
- Example: If a teammate sets a screen for you, cut sharply off the screen towards the basket. This makes it difficult for your defender to follow and gives you a clear path to the hoop.
Watch and Learn
To see these cutting techniques in action, check out the video below. It showcases 8 different cutting layups, demonstrating how effective movement without the ball can create high-percentage scoring opportunities. Watch closely to see how players read the defense, time their cuts, and use screens to get open.
[Insert Video Here]
Final Thoughts
Understanding and mastering the art of cutting to the basket and moving without the ball can significantly elevate your game and enhance your team’s overall performance. By creating scoring opportunities, opening up the floor for your teammates, and maintaining a dynamic offensive flow, you’ll become an invaluable asset to your team. Remember to read your defender, time your cuts effectively, and use screens to your advantage. Keep practicing these skills, and watch how your game transforms.
At EYG Basketball, we train players to play smarter and finish stronger. If you’re under 6'4", you can’t rely on size alone at the rim—you need solutions. Two of the most important: jumping up and jumping out. Why This Matters The game gives you different looks at the rim. Great players know how to read the help defense and choose the right finish. These two options help you avoid blocked shots, keep defenders guessing, and finish through or around contact. What’s the Difference? Jumping Up Happens closer to the rim Follows a bump, shot fake, or pump fake Uses power, balance, and verticality Creates space by initiating contact with the inside shoulder Effective when you’ve already earned position Jumping Out Happens earlier, before the shot blocker fully rotates Uses speed and quickness off one foot Avoids contact by getting the ball on the glass fast Useful when you don’t have time or space to absorb contact In the video examples, you’ll see both finishes. Watch how the offensive player creates space, reads the defenders, and chooses the finish that fits the moment. How to Train These Finishes Jumping Up Work on shot fakes, shoulder bumps, and strong two-foot finishes Focus on balance and lift Practice against contact or padded defenders Jumping Out Practice one-foot takeoffs Use floaters, scoop layups, and high glass finishes Rep it with a rotating help defender to train timing What to Watch For How the offensive player creates space Where the help defense is The timing and angle of the finish Whether it’s a contact finish or an avoidance finish Final Thought from EYG We don’t teach generic moves. We teach game decisions. Knowing when to jump up or jump out is the difference between getting blocked and getting buckets. If you want to finish like a high-level guard, this skill set is non-negotiable.
Places for Basketball Players to Look—and Why 🎥 Clips of the Week What’s Happening: Three game clips show players making passes that lead to scores by: Looking In – Inside the paint to find cutters Kicking Out – To perimeter shooters Passing Up – The floor in transition Why It Matters: Great decision-makers scan all three zones—In, Out, & Up—to find the best option. This habit leads to smarter decisions, better shots, and more team success. Who Can Learn From It: Guards, wings, and any player who handles the ball. Learning to scan in these three directions keeps pressure on defenses and opens up opportunities. https://youtu.be/Ec1RWcIYnqw?si=NfmzLwPkWZ-KuanX Don’t just see the game. Scan it. 🛠️ How to Apply This Players: As you dribble or catch, train your eyes to scan: In – Cutters and post mismatches Out – Perimeter shooters and spacing Up – Rim and teammates in transition Build the habit. Clip it. Study it. Rep it. 👋 Final Note This one decision-making pattern—In, Out & Up—can shift how you play. It’s not flashy. It’s just smart basketball. Thanks for being here. Let’s keep learning. Let’s Play Smarter. Elevate Your Game.
Summer is the season where real growth happens. Summer is the season where real growth happens. For serious high school basketball players, this isn’t the time to coast. It’s the time to separate yourself. If you want to take your game to the next level, take a page from WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s offseason playbook. Here’s what she focused on—and how you can apply it this summer: 1. Get Stronger to Play Stronger The game only gets more physical at higher levels. Caitlin Clark used her offseason to build strength so she could handle contact, maintain her balance, and stay efficient even when tired. You can do the same: Bodyweight strength work like pushups, squats, lunges, and planks builds a powerful base. Core strength helps you finish through contact and protect the ball under pressure. Strong legs = better defense, more explosiveness, and more consistency in your shot. This summer, commit to strength training 2–3 days per week. 2. Recovery Is Part of Training Recovery is not just for pros—it’s what allows you to train hard again the next day. Clark’s offseason wasn’t just about grinding—it was about taking care of her body with sleep, nutrition, hydration, stretching, and downtime. What does recovery look like for you? Go to bed early. Drink water throughout the day. Take time to stretch, roll out, and cool down. Don’t train yourself into the ground—train to be consistent. Recovery helps you show up every day with energy and focus. 3. Work on Game-Specific Skills Clark didn’t just shoot 1,000 shots a day. She trained the shots she actually takes in games: pull-ups, deep threes, quick releases, contact finishes, tight handle under pressure. This is where most players fall short—they train skills in perfect settings instead of game situations. This summer: Add contact to finishing drills. Practice handling under pressure, not just cones. Get game-speed reps on your shot. Compete in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 as much as you can. Your training should look like the game you want to play. 4. Put It All Together Clark’s offseason success wasn’t magic—it was a smart, consistent plan. She got stronger. She recovered with purpose. She trained her game with intensity. You can do the same. Strength builds your body. Recovery protects it. Skill work sharpens your game. This summer, train with a purpose—not just sweat, but skill. Final Thought: The offseason is where players are made. The ones who train smart, recover well, and stay consistent will come back in the fall stronger, sharper, and more confident. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up and doing the work. Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways EYG Basketball can help you this summer: Committed Skills Academy – Weekly high-level skills training for players who want consistent work on ball-handling, finishing, shooting, and playmaking. Summer Camps – Fun, challenging, and competitive camps in Superior, Northglenn, and Longmont. 1v1 to 3v3 play every day. Training Memberships – Serious about your game? Memberships are for players who want more. Train 2–3 times per week with a structured plan and coaching. Check out all our summer training options at www.eygbball.com