Are You Reading Defenders When You Drive?
Video Overview & Insights
This video breaksdown the concept of 2-level reads. When you're driving to the basket, you'll almost always have 2 levels of defense you have to read and react off of. Understanding this concept can make the chaotic task of making good decisions at full-speed much easier to understand.
This is a super important video. Really changed my perspective when it comes to reading the defense. Thanks
When driving to the basket, the 1st level is the nearest defender to you, and will typically be the guy guarding the perimeter player closest to you. If he stunts (or helps) you should pass it to the guy he's guarding.
If you're able to get past him, you need to get your eyes to the 2nd level defender, who will typically be the "rim protector" (or the player who's guarding your biggest teammate). If they help, pass it to that defenders matchup, and if they don't you'll be clear to shoot it.
“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22
This concept might be one of the most valuable things to understand if you want to play high-level basketball.
I do not own the rights to this music or the videos.
4:23 wont that be a tough pass to make to the corner, once he has fully committed to the drive
More User Perspectives
Hey! Love the content. Any chance you could do a deep dive into short roll reads? I’m a non-spacer who plays a ‘Draymond’ role setting on-ball screens, but I struggle with making quick 4-on-3 decisions. I’d love to see a breakdown on how to be a scoring threat while still managing those playmaking reads
@keewanwilliams1146This is a great video!
@charlescarter9508i watched it coach
@mariikirkkI watched it coach
@hesiuni24Tuff🔥🔥🔥
@Rizz_packsIve always felt like the first level is the guy thats directly guarding you and the second level is the ws help or the big man
@OmarYasserbasketballOne of The best explanation I ever saw!. Congrats and kepp going!🙌👏🫡
@GoodMenGodMenokay what if i dont have a big to hand it off too
@t1234-q5zAs a training to be big guard 6”6 200 pound this year I’m a junior, ive noticed thT it’s about body language and keeping ur head up to be able to react and make the correct play, I love this video because it shows me that there’s levels to basketball that take a lot of brainpower and reaction time so thank you for encouraging me to dribble with my head up at all times to make plays
@wadlyhater1002 levels of defense tatics are gapping your man if the ball handler comes dribbling I look at gapping as is it's where you give enough for yourself to get back to your assignment and still play the passing line in your direction the 2nd level is locate your the offensive player
@CoachJayBallReally helpful thanks man for posting this.
@KREITZG3Unreal video. Helped me a lot.
@melodeonman06Notes(Pls just reply if you have anything to clarify and add hehe)
There are two levels of defense(1st and 2nd level).
Top of the key:
The first level is usually closest to you(always), but the help will come from the second one, if neither commits, drive then finish.
Keep driving if the 1st level doesnt commit(now you deal with the 2nd)
If the right defender commitd, pass to their man
Same applies to left
If neither commits, drive.
Usually it's just pass to thejr man if they commit.
CORNER:
The first level is usually in the paint
2nd level being just behind, if they dont commit, you can dump(pass)
If they do both commit, pass it to shooter/someone open.
Summary:
There are 2 levels of defense+qst and second)
Top of the key: Usually it's just pass if they commit, keep driving if they dont
Corner: 1st level will always commit, if the 2nd level doesnt, pass it.
The big man's shoylder angles matter, if they dont commit, finish.
As much as I look to who’s next to me , I always think about the deepest or farthest from me. Off a pnr Ik that helpside is tight
@spidamit5278is there any situation where when driving you can try to get a pull up jumper before the 1st/2nd defender can go and pick you up on the perimeter? or does it just overall make more sense to kick it out to the corner or dump it off to the big
@noahdeboa4362Fyp
@GledAEIs the 1st level always 3 defenders and the 2nd level 2?
@EddieJMThere’s 3 levels of defense. The one ball defender, help side, and paint defense
@PlayboygingaSo when do I actually have the chance to score some points while I’m driving like I understand when I’m supposed to kick out and dump off bet when do I js lay it in
@Elhadj1610How could I score against the second levels
@VictorUgwueze-l1kNice video. While driving, how to decide between going for layup or (mid range) pull up shot?
@FredMSP18Great content. Thnak you.
@yahemosganado5715Best video ive ever seen! More vids like this! Im having a hard time after reaching the paint, i got froze.
@Focusgrid-22ive been whatching just highlights and this is way better thanks
i subed and liked
Love these bc not only does it improves the kids basketball lingo , but your film is just easy to break down and dumb it down to my kids .. I got 4-5 year olds make the right reads!!!
@MisohnIm a smaller guard i struggle to finish against the second defense any tips?
@11beatsThis is very helpful. I know what reads the players will do but in game I don't remember them or make the play. I just end up driving into the help defense and get myself trapped. How can I fix this problem?
@FISR00Thank you sir, this is what i believe that I struggle with most during games and pickup, knowing when and where to pass the ball.
@Normal1-1but if i have to drive through it how do i drive in ?
@ctrl6350My daughter’s studying your film today. Sophomore and 10 year old getting better 👊🏼
@TFAGirlsBasketballThe ball defender at that considered the first level?
@edwardsmith7160What if u can’t even beat ur own defender lol any tips for that ? Is that defender consider first level or is it only the help defense ?
@junyuzhang414Is there a3rd level
@Prince10KPYear old but this is a great video. I just started relearning basketball and going from 1v1 to playing with a team I noticed that the biggest difference is having that IQ on drives. This definitely gave me some pointers.
@triggatrey2112That changed my perspective on the game i always pass the ball just in case i feel i will miss the shot and didnt aboit defenders ty
@Ali-io5wvI need this.
@HarryCheng-bt7suI don’t understand, when should I drive and when should I not?
@Tomasvideos94Thanks sir really needed this , I am currently suffering going to the rim this helps a lot. 🙏
@viditlohia24i always get stuck when i'm driving to the rim, i don't really know when to attempt a lay, floater, or a pickup on help defenders. My issue isn't passing, i don't score enough. Could really use advice, a linked resource, or anything regarding how to score once you get into that awkward space when there's some someone waiting in the paint but you've got your defender tailing you from the side
@frederickrohnCooked
@ramondickens5906Yo I needed this ❤ thanks
@CaelCoganVideo really helped me improve my IQ when I drive, Good video!
@Feastonem881This is one of the best explanations I have every seen. Amazing
@purplewombat6735This youtube channel deserve subscribe 🔥
@fergiesantoso357Nice idea to talk about, yet it has so little to do with the driver and everything to do with proper spacing and the abilities of 4 others.
@EffectivebasketballNeed to be reading BOOKS while you LIVE
@aoe2023This is the main difference between NCAA and NBA, in all these clips notice that strong side defender helps on the drive and leaves shooter, this in NBA is instant punishment and doesn´t happen. That´s why is harder to drive on NCAA.
@martinmillan625