What is Kobe's Favorite Move?

What is the move most of the NBA's top scorers use all the time?

It's a mis-direction, lean-and-go dribble move that is very, very effective. You can learn this move by watching Kobe, Grant Hill, and various other NBA players break guys down off the dribble.

I watch a lot basketball (both college and NBA games). I watch because I love basketball, but also because I study the game.

I study which moves work and which ones don't work. I watch good players to see what they do that makes them good.

Recently, I've watched a lot of Orlando Magic and LA Laker games, specifically to watch Grant Hill and Kobe Bryant, two very good offensive players, to see what makes their dribble-drive moves so effective.

And the more I study video of them breaking guys down off the dribble, I've come to the conclusion that they both use one simple move to get to the basket: a stutter-step and change of direction move.

I've always known they use this move, but the more I watch them play (the more I rewind, watch in slow motion, rewind again, watch again in slow motion, reviewing their moves over and over again) the more I realize that this is one of their key offensive weapons.

Here's why it works: both guys can shoot from outside, and both guys have a quick first step. These are two of the most critical parts of being able to take a guy off the dribble.

Why?

Because if you can shoot from outside, the defense has to honor that and guard you closely. Then, with the defense close to you, that quick and explosive first step gets you by the defender. But what really makes their move effective is the first part of the move, which is a little stutter-step, change of direction move that gets the defense off-balance.

You see, in addition to forcing the D to guard them closely (because they can shoot from outside), and having an explosive first step which gets them past the defender, they both use a stutter-step and lean in one direction to get the D leaning that way, and then they explode in the other direction. It almost always works. I've watched it over, and over, and over again, and that's one of the move these guys use all the time.

In fact, I think Grant Hill is even a little better at it than Kobe, but Kobe has a better all-around game than Grant. But watching the most recent Magic-Lakers game convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is one of their most effective offensive weapons, and is something that any player can use.

So to recap, here are the keys:

• Have a solid oustide jumper so the D has to respect your outside shot
• Work on an explosive first step to get by the defense (with both the right and left hand)
• Work on a stutter-step and lean move where you lean in one direction to get the D moving that way, and then explode with your dribble and first step in the other direction

Sound like a lot? It is and it isn't.

You work on your jump shot anyway, so keep working on that part of your game. You should be working on quick, explosive dribble-moves to the basket, and the change-of-direction stutter-step move should also be part of your practice plan. Add all three of these components together, and work on them over and over and over again and you'll become a better offensive player.

Watch Grant Hill or Kobe the next time they play and tell me if you don't see them use this move over and over again. I've studied video and I'm convinced this is one of their signature moves, and something you can use to become a force on offense.

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