Basketball Moves Breakdown - Kobe drives, spins and fades

Kobe Bryant has one of the best post games in the league. I say has, not had, because there is no question he intends to come back to the league after recovery from the Achilles tear. He has told his trainer, Tim Grover, that he doesn’t want to come back like he was. He wants to come back even better.

Kobe has always emphasized the importance of footwork. The precision of his movements is no less than a ballerina’s. Here’s a look at one of his simpler go-to moves, where he drives, fakes and fades away.

First he gets the ball at the top of the key. After sizing up his man for a quick second, he begins his drive with his right foot.

 

Quite often, players choose to pull back their back foot and get into a runner’s stance before driving in. In this case, Kobe just drives with his back foot.

 

He takes one dribble and two steps before spinning backwards on his right foot. Look at the position of that foot when he spins.

 

After having initiated the spin, Kobe does a little bounce and splits his legs to cover more ground. Look at the position of his right leg now.

 

Now Kobe pushes off hard off his right leg first and then his left leg to lead into a fadeaway jumper

 

Although he is being played very tight, he still makes the shot because of the space he managed to create. This in spite of the help defense.

 

To recap-

- take one hard dribble in, with two steps.
- pull back by spinning on the foot you drove in with.
- after initiating the spin, split your legs to cover more ground.
- push back hard to spin back into a fadeaway.

Every complex move is just a series of simple steps broken down. You can read more here: Basketball Moves Breakdown