Basketball Skills > Offense > The Sweep
Overview
The sweep is a basic basketball skill that all players should master, whether youngsters or professionals. To Sweep The Ball means to swing the ball from one side of your body to the other while in the triple attack position. When you sweep the ball, you bring the ball so close to the ground that it almost hits the floor. Use the sweep against an aggressive, in your face defender who is extremely close to you.
To improve basketball skills such as the sweep and see results, it takes sweat and effort. But you must first learn the proper technique, and that's what we teach at Better Basketball. Then you can do basketball skill drills to make the techniques a subconscious part of your game.
When should you use the sweep?
As the rules and officials have evolved, basketball has become an extremely physical and aggressive game. Many good defenders get “up in your grill.” This means they crowd your standard triple threat position by having their hands right near your midsection, or by digging and reaching for the ball, or even by placing a forearm on your stomach. By doing this, they are so close to you it becomes impossible to get in a triple threat position.
In fact, many poor offensive players actually step back to protect the ball when defenders challenge them. This gives them no opportunity to get in an aggressive offensive stance and drive or shoot. In fact, they probably can’t see the court well enough to make a good pass. Bottom line: basketball is a battle for space and you must create some of your own and make the defender pay for taking some of yours! This is one of the basic skills in basketball that you must master. |
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NBA Star Chauncey Billups effectively uses the sweep. He also appears on Better Basketball's newest video, Better 1 on 1 Offense. Click here to read about this video, which can help improve your basketball skills. |
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How does the sweep work?
Picture yourself in a pivot situation with your left foot as your pivot foot, with the defender right up on you. The ball is on your right side, with the defender’s hands all over you. Don’t step way back with that right foot to protect the ball. That’s what the defender wants, because it would mean you’re not in "attack mode." As you're developing and learning basketball skills, always think "attack" on offense. It's the only way to keep defenders honest, rather than just anticipating your pass or helping on your teammates.
Get low. Getting low puts you in a more athletic, aggressive stance. Think of a sprinter on the blocks, ready to explode. The lower you are, the more explosive you are. Picture two opposing linemen in football awaiting the snap on a 4th and 1. The guy who gets lower will almost always be able to push the other guy backwards. This is like a basketball skills test where the lower guy usually wins.
Rip the ball hard through your defender’s hands and arms to the other side. Swing the ball low, and swing the ball hard. Keep your elbows bent so that you can really squeeze/protect the ball as it flies past his intruding hands. Picture yourself breaking his hands and arms like toothpicks as you rip the ball to the other side, where he thought he had prevented you from going. And whenever you're doing basketball skills training, work at full speed, as if it's a real game.
Take a big step with your right foot just after you rip through. Your step will follow the ball, which you’ve brought to the left side of your body. |
As you rip through and take that step with your right foot, dribble just outside your own right foot. Dip your inside shoulder as you brush body-to-body by your opponent. This will help clear your shoulders past him, putting him on your back. It will also keep him from being able to reach in and deflect the ball. When you put your body between your defender and the ball, you're practicing perfect fundamental basketball skills.
Get an “attack mentality.” The sweep is not for players that are scared to challenge the defense, players that are afraid to create offense. Use the sweep if you want to make defenders pay the price for getting too close to you! SWEEPING THE BALL: It’s an aggressive weapon you must have in your offensive arsenal.
You can learn a lot more about the sweep from the 3 hour and 44 minute DVD, Better 1 on 1 Offense. The level of detail on it is unparalleled in basketball skill videos and DVDs. And it will be a lot easier for you to learn Better Basketball Skills from our videos than from written text like this. Click here to read about Better 1 on 1 Offense.
Good luck with your game,
Rick Torbett |
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The basic basketball skills taught on this page are brought to you by Better Basketball, and written by Rick Torbett, the lead instructor on the world famous Better Basketball videos. Click here to learn more about our world famous improvement DVDs. |
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Editor's Letter: We hope you enjoyed Rick Torbett's thoughts on improving basketball skills. Coach Torbett is widely recognized as among the very best at teaching basketball skills in the world. However, it's impossible to get a true feel for the kind of cutting-edge detail that makes him famous until you get the Better Basketball DVDs, which teach the most basic basketball skills to youth players, and have truly groundbreaking techniques for older players and high level coaches.
The very best players are always trying to do a basketball skills assessment on themselves, asking "where can I improve?" And more importantly, "how can I improve basketball skills?" The answer for these players in 86 countries has been the Better Basketball videos. So whether you're looking to improve as a professional, or you're a youngster looking to improve your youth basketball skills, you can find the answer with the Better Basketball improvement DVDs. Click here for our home page to learn more.
We wish you the very best in your basketball career. We're here here to help all the advanced players improve your basketball skills, and all the young players improve every youth basketball skill. And we are happy to provide this free page on basketball skills and drills. Sincerely, The Better Basketball Staff |
