What is fake and drive action in basketball
Fake and drive action occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball initially misleads one or more defenders with certain crafty fake maneuvers. Afterwards, that same offensive player drives the ball toward the basket to ultimately score points themselves or pass it to other teammates, which could then result in assists if those same teammates are able to score points as well.
In addition to that, fake and drive action typically happens when an offensive player gains possession of the basketball in their team’s frontcourt near the perimeter areas of the court, particularly behind the three-point line.
Nevertheless, it is technically possible, albeit less common, for an offensive player to execute fake and drive action in their team’s backcourt, assuming that same player would then follow up by driving the basketball towards the basket in their team’s frontcourt.
It should also be stated that upon receiving possession of the basketball, the offensive player could set up in the triple threat position prior to executing any fake and drive action.
The triple threat position is strongly recommended because it gives the offensive player an opportunity to pass, shoot, or dribble, which could be highly effective when used before fake and drive action.
What are the primary types of fake and drive action
Shot fake and drive
The shot fake and drive, as the name implies, consists of a shot fake, also known as a ball fake or pump fake, followed by drive action to attack the rim.
To clarify this with a simple example, let’s say that there are two teams playing a standard 5 on 5 basketball game with common basketball positions for offense and defense.
Let’s also say that the current offensive team, denoted as Team A, utilizes an alignment that is similar to the 5 out motion offense while the opposing team, denoted as Team B, executes man to man defense.
So, all five offensive players currently fill five perimeter spots, specifically, the top, the wings, and the corners behind the three-point line and those same offensive players would be guarded by five respective defenders.
Let’s say as well that the point guard of Team A has possession of the ball at the top and is the play initiator.
Furthermore, the offensive shooting guard and small forward occupy the right side and left side wing areas respectively while the offensive power forward and center fill the right side and left side corner areas respectively.
Next, let’s say that the offensive shooting guard near the right side wing receives the ball from the point guard at the top.
Afterwards, that same player could set up in the triple threat position, which also means that the defensive shooting guard as the on-ball defender has to be ready for the pass, shot, or drive.
Following that, let’s say that the offensive shooting guard makes it appear as if a field goal attempt is imminent by looking at the rim and performing the general motion as if to shoot the ball.
However, the shooting guard does not release the ball but fortunately for the offensive team, this basic shot fake trickery causes the defensive shooting guard to temporarily break out of their typical defensive stance to contest the perceived shot.
From there, since the defensive shooting guard is no longer in the proper defensive stance at that moment, the offensive shooting guard now has an opportunity to drive into the gap that was opened up by the on-ball defender, attack the rim, and score by way of a layup or dunk.
As another brief example of shot fake and drive action with the same offensive alignment, let’s say that the offensive point guard initially passes the ball to the offensive small forward near the left side wing.
When that occurs, this causes the defense, particularly on the weak side of the court, to shift towards the ball.
So, the defensive shooting guard would then be a help defender near the right side high post elbow while the defensive power forward might slide into the lane in front of the basket.
After that, let’s say that the small forward is able to throw a skip pass to the offensive power forward near the right side corner.
This passing action means that the defensive power forward would then have to sprint to execute an adequate defensive closeout so that the offensive power forward does not take a wide open jump shot.
Nonetheless, instead of taking a jump shot, especially from three-point range, the defensive power forward executes a shot fake.
This causes the defensive power forward to jump in the air to either contest or block the perceived shot.
Next, while the defensive power forward is out of proper defensive stance, the offensive power attacks the gap and drives to the basket to score via a layup or dunk.
Pass fake and drive
The pass fake and drive, as the name implies, consists of a fake pass followed by drive action towards the basket.
The pass fake and drive action is typically less common and probably not as effective as the shot fake and drive action.
However, the pass fake and drive could be beneficial in certain instances when the situation presents itself.
To give more clarity, let’s use an example with a 5 on 5 setup that is similar to the previous one.
Let’s say that the offensive shooting guard of Team A receives the ball near the right side wing from the point guard at the top.
Following that, let’s say that since the offensive team is already set up in an alignment similar to 5 out, the shooting guard simply passes the ball to the power forward near the right side corner and immediately cuts to the basket.
Let’s also say that the defensive shooting guard is not expecting this simple pass and cut action and therefore, allows the offensive shooting guard to execute a face cut in front of them.
Next, let’s say that the offensive power forward passes the ball back to the offensive shooting guard, who scores at the rim with a layup, to complete the simple give and go action.
From there, when Team A gains possession of the ball again, let’s say that the offensive shooting guard also receives it again from the point guard.
Let’s say as well that the defensive shooting guard presumes that the offensive shooting guard would throw the ball to the offensive power forward in the right side corner.
This time, though, the offensive shooting guard fakes the pass towards the right side corner and because the defensive shooting guard anticipated an actual pass, that same defender decides to jump to the ball, mainly to prevent the face cut.
Nevertheless, by jumping to the ball, which would actually be a good tactic to consider in most cases, the defensive shooting guard has now temporarily opened up a gap to the basket.
Once that happens, the offensive shooting guard takes advantage of that open space by driving towards the middle of the lane to score points or possibly execute a kick pass if help defense limits or prevents the scoring opportunity at the rim.
It should also be noted that this particular instance of pass fake and drive is probably most useful when the offensive shooting guard has a speed advantage over the defensive shooting guard.
Otherwise, the defensive shooting guard would most likely be able to recover and at least mitigate the dribble penetration after jumping to the ball.