What is the athletic stance in relation to basketball
The athletic stance occurs when an offensive or defensive basketball player generally stands with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, knees bent, back straight, head up, and eyes forward.
Moreover, the player should not have their arms directly near the sides of the body during the athletic stance.
Instead, the arms should be extended away from the body depending on the player’s action in terms of offense or defense.
The player should also try to remain on the balls of the feet and not stand flat-footed, which helps to maintain balance.
Basically, the athletic stance helps a player become more aware and ready to react to actions of the opposition.
When is the athletic stance utilized during offensive action
The athletic stance is primarily utilized when an offensive player is in the triple threat position, or while an offensive player dribbles the basketball in certain instances, or when an offensive player establishes position near one of the low post blocks.
During triple threat
When a player gets into the triple threat position, this could also be considered a type of athletic stance.
Furthermore, the athletic stance of the triple threat position would be especially beneficial in terms of creating potential scoring opportunities via shooting the ball or driving to the basket.
In other words, to take a quality jump shot or attack the rim by way of dribble penetration while initially in the triple threat position, the player would need a certain amount of leg power derived from bending the knees alongside the other attributes that are a part of the athletic stance.
Additionally, even if a shot or drive is not viable, the player could still pass the ball to another teammate while using the triple threat position.
Essentially, without the initial athletic stance, effective triple threat would be improbable.
Moreover, as a result, it would be difficult for the offensive player to generate scoring possibilities and at the same time, it would be easier for an on-ball defender to contain the ball.
While dribbling, mainly to protect the ball
It is possible for an offensive player to use the athletic stance while dribbling the basketball, particularly as a way to protect the ball from a defender.
Basically, an offensive player in possession of the ball could turn to the side away from a defender with their knees bent, back straight, their head up, their eyes forward, and with their feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart while keeping the ball on their side that is opposite the defender.
The offensive player could also use their off-arm as additional protection as long as that same arm is not extended to push the defender away while still maintaining the athletic stance.
While posting up, especially prior to receiving the ball
An offensive player could use the athletic stance as a way to efficiently set up near the low post block.
In this instance, the athletic stance helps the offensive player, who would usually be a post player such as a power forward or center, keep a strong base in terms of their leg strength, near the low post area.
Otherwise, a potential post defender could simply push the offensive player away from the post block, which would make the post up action ineffective or completely pointless.
Afterwards, the offensive player could receive the ball and attempt to score via a low post move such as a hook shot.
While receiving certain types of passes, especially near perimeter areas
The athletic stance could also be utilized by offensive players, particularly near perimeter areas of the court, who would be a recipient of certain types of passes such as a chest pass thrown by another player.
Moreover, after the athletic stance occurs, the player should extend their arms out towards the passer with their hands slightly apart while their palms are facing outwards at a slight angle, ready to receive the ball.
Furthermore, after catching the ball and because the athletic stance was already established prior to the catch, the player could then utilize the triple threat position to either shoot, drive, or pass.
When is the athletic stance used during defensive action
The athletic stance should always be used during defensive action in general, particularly as a defensive stance sub-type.
That is to say, a defender should have their feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, their knees slightly bent, their back straight, their head up, and their eyes forward to execute a proper defensive stance.
This fundamental action should be executed by the defender regardless if the defensive team is implementing man to man defense or zone defense.
In addition to that, a defensive player should make sure their arms are extended away from the sides of the body while using the athletic stance to play on-ball defense or off-ball defense as well.
Also, if an offensive player has not dribbled the ball or that same player has already ended their dribble, then an on-ball defender in the defensive stance should generally have active hands that mirror the basketball.
By doing that, it could then lead to a potential deflection or an opportunity to contest a possible jump shot.
Moreover, the athletic stance could be very useful for on-ball or off-ball defenders as it relates to defensive sliding, a process that occurs when a defender moves their feet laterally from side to side.
Essentially, defensive sliding makes it easier for an on-ball defender to stay in front of an offensive player in possession of the basketball if and when that player attempts to dribble the ball anywhere within the boundary lines of the court.
Additionally, it is also more efficient for an off-ball defender to execute defensive sliding by way of an athletic stance in terms of providing help defense tactics on the strong side or weak side of the basketball court such as protecting the nail, jumping to the ball, or stunting at the ball.
Furthermore, the athletic stance could be beneficial for an on-ball defender and an adjacent off-ball defender in reference to defensive tactics such as hedge defense, ice defense, drop coverage, or possibly switch defense.
Besides that, the athletic stance is also useful when a defender executes the closeout tactic to mitigate or prevent a potential jump shot or drive to the basket by an offensive player.
Basically, the athletic stance helps the defender stay on balance while using short, choppy steps to decelerate their foot speed when closing the gap between themselves and the offensive player.
Why is the athletic stance generally important for basketball players
The athletic stance is generally important because if a basketball player does not use it, then that player is probably not going to be very effective in terms of playing offense or defense.
For example, let’s say that a perimeter defender plays straight up and flat-footed without getting into the proper defensive stance, which is a type of athletic stance.
When that happens, a perimeter offensive player would more than likely be able to easily blow by them with a quick first step or swiftly execute some kind of basketball move such as a step back to create space for a jump shot.
In a similar fashion, let’s say that a post defender also plays straight up without getting into the correct athletic stance.
When that occurs, an offensive post player would probably be able to move the post defender without much effort or simply go around them with a basic low post move such as the drop step.
Conversely, a perimeter offensive player would not be able to utilize the triple threat, especially to attack the basket or take jump shots, because the triple threat position is essentially a type of athletic stance as mentioned earlier.
Likewise, an offensive player near the low post block would not be able to post up effectively without using the athletic stance.
Basically, if that same offensive player attempts to post up near the low post block while standing straight up and/or flat-footed, then a post defender could simply use their own athletic stance to move the offensive player away from the post block, particularly with their own respective leg power.
In addition to that, the athletic stance is also significant to one degree or another in terms of boxing out for rebounds.
For example, let’s say that a defensive player attempts to box out an offensive player near the basket without bending their knees or spreading their feet slightly shoulder width apart alongside the other components of the standard athletic stance.
When that occurs, it would probably not be much of an issue for the offensive player to use their own athletic stance to move the defender under the basket and away from the ball’s trajectory after a shot gets taken.
Afterwards, the offensive player could potentially grab the offensive rebound, which could then lead to a second chance scoring opportunity.
If that were to happen, then it would most certainly be detrimental for the defender that did not use the athletic stance to properly box out.