What is a basic definition of speed in basketball
Speed, in general, is the ability for basketball players to move from one area of the court to another area, particularly as it pertains to moving fast in a vertical direction, which would be up and down the court, in the shortest amount of time as possible.
Essentially, one particular basketball player with a moderate to high degree of speed would almost certainly be able to move up or down the court from point A to point B at a much faster rate than another player with a lesser degree of speed.
Why is speed generally important for basketball players
Generally speaking, speed is important for basketball players because it can be utilized to create scoring opportunities on the offensive side of the ball and at the same time, speed can be utilized to prevent or mitigate scoring opportunities from a defensive standpoint.
Offensive players can use speed to score points
Perimeter-based basketball positions such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward could use their speed to score in a short period of time, particularly during full court transition offense but also within the half court such as 1-on-1 isolation situations.
For example, let’s say that an athletic point guard is able to obtain a defensive rebound after the opposing team misses a shot attempt.
From there, if that point guard possesses an elite level of speed, then it may be unnecessary or inefficient to slow down the offensive pace to initiate the team’s basketball offense strategy.
Instead, the point guard might be able to take advantage of the slower defenders by simply performing a one man fast break before the transition defense is able to fully react and stop the offensive attack.
Essentially, during the one man fast break, the athletic point guard would utilize a speed dribble to push the ball down the court as fast as possible to score via a layup or dunk while the opposition and perhaps, even other offensive teammates lag behind.
Also, as mentioned previously, speed could be very important for perimeter players in a half court setting as well. Essentially, if an offensive perimeter player is not able to use speed, primarily via a quick first step, to blow by the on-ball defender, then it could make the defensive team’s job much easier, which would be unfavorable for the offensive team.
In other words, if an offensive player, particularly in possession of the basketball, can use explosive speed to blow by a defender, that would result in dribble penetration, which could then lead to defensive breakdowns.
As an example of this, let’s say that an offensive point guard with the ball is able to penetrate into the gaps of the defense by using their speed to blow by the on-ball defender assigned to them.
When that happens, it would more than likely cause other off-ball defenders to collapse into the lane area. Off-ball defenders will typically do this as a way of stopping the point guard from easily scoring at the basket by way of the layup or dunk.
However, the downside to this defensive collapsing is that other offensive players would then be temporarily open near the perimeter areas of the court.
Therefore, if the point guard kicks the ball out to one of those players, it could result in wide open jump shots.
In addition to that, those other players could receive the ball and then drive it into the lane themselves due to poor defensive closeouts following the initial collapse.
Either way, the defensive team would be at a significant disadvantage, simply because of the initial dribble penetration, which occurred because of the offensive point guard’s speed ability.
It should also be noted that post players such as the power forward or center could also benefit from a high amount of speed in reference to their respective basketball positions.
As stated earlier, speed could be very useful during transition offense and this notion applies to power forwards or centers during that time as well.
Basically, if a fast breaking power forward or center has more speed than their defensive counterpart, then that same offensive post player could potentially run to the rim before the defensive post player is able to protect it.
For example, let’s say that a power forward gathers a defensive rebound after an opposing team misses a jump shot.
When that occurs, let’s also say that the current transition offensive team decides to implement a numbered fast break.
Therefore, the point guard receives the ball from the power forward via an outlet pass in the backcourt near the right side three-point line. The shooting guard and small forward run down the right side and left sidelines respectively towards the deep corners.
Moreover, in this instance, a fast-breaking center with more speed than their defensive counterpoint quickly runs to the rim down the middle of the court while the power forward trails all of the action.
Next, the point guard could throw the pitch ahead pass to the shooting guard who could then pass ahead to the center for a scoring opportunity at the basket.
Alternatively, if the center has a decent amount of fundamental dribbling skill, then the point guard could probably throw the pitch ahead pass to the center, who could then dribble it a few times before scoring via a layup or dunk.
Defensive players can use speed to prevent offensive scoring
In terms of defensive players, speed is primarily needed during transition defense.
Essentially, if the defensive team is not able to get back to protect the basket, stop the ball, and match-up with proper assignments fast enough, then the opposing offensive team will most likely be able to get score easy points.
Furthermore, during transition defense, one particular player’s speed can also be highly beneficial even if the other team members are not as fast.
For example, in certain instances, defensive players with an above average amount of speed can perform a special defensive stoppage play, commonly known as a chase down block.
In a nutshell, a chase down block occurs when an offensive player is ahead of most (if not all) of the defenders, which usually happens due to an outlet pass being thrown quickly down the court or a turnover transpiring before the defense can get back to fully protect the basket.
Afterwards, that same offensive player will dribble the ball towards the basket to score via a layup or dunk. However, a very fast defensive player chases them down and blocks their layup or dunk attempt.
In this instance, speed would be one of the main key factors for the defensive player that was able to execute the chase down block because without it, the offensive player would have more than likely scored at the rim.
Related: The Most Emphatic Chase Down Blocks Of The 2021-22 NBA Season – YouTube
What is general information about acceleration and deceleration in relation to speed
Generally speaking, basketball players should have a basic knowledge of acceleration and deceleration in relation to speed because without it, players will most likely go too fast or simply be out of control, which could possibly lead to negative outcomes.
In other words, players should be able to read the defense and then speed up or slow down based on the situation, especially when in possession of the basketball.
As a very simple example of this process, let’s say that a basketball player such as an offensive point guard has possession of the ball near the right side wing while being covered by a defensive point guard.
Let’s also say that there is at least one additional defender standing near the left side low post block for the time being.
Furthermore, let’s assume that the offensive point guard has a higher rate of speed than the defensive point guard.
From there, the offensive point guard could use their speed to accelerate and blow by the defensive point guard with a left-handed straight line drive into the middle of the lane with the main objective of getting to the basket.
Once that occurs, the defender that is near the left side low post block, which is also the weak side in this instance, slides into the lane in front of the basket above the restricted area to provide help defense.
When that happens, the offensive point guard should decelerate or slow down their speed and then consider a field goal attempt such as a mid-range jump shot or a floater in the lane.
Moreover, if the offensive point guard does not shoot the ball, then it could also be possible to perform a kick pass to another teammate near the perimeter or even a lob pass, which could potentially lead to alley-oop action for another teammate near the basket.
Conversely though, if the offensive point guard continues to accelerate and drive all the way to the basket, especially after the help defender already moved into the lane following the initial dribble penetration, then the offensive point guard would more than likely be called for a charging foul.
This foul would typically be called in a majority of cases because the help defender was able to establish a legal guarding position above the restricted area prior to the offensive point guard driving to the basket.
As another brief example, let’s say that the opposing team scores a basket and after that, a very fast point guard, who is now on offense, receives the ball in the backcourt from another teammate via an inbound pass.
From there, the offensive point guard with above average speed begins to dribble the ball down the middle of the court, initially at a moderate pace, while being covered by a slower defensive point guard.
However, upon reaching the frontcourt, the offensive point guard recognizes that the basket is currently not being covered by any other defenders.
In other words, if the offensive point guard can get by their own defender, then it could lead to an easy scoring opportunity.
Therefore, the offensive point guard executes a hesitation dribble and decelerates their speed, which causes the on-ball defensive point guard to relax momentarily.
Immediately afterwards though, the offensive point guard increases their acceleration speed, blows by the on-ball defender and scores at the basket via a layup or dunk.
What is the general relationship between speed and quickness for basketball players
Generally speaking, speed primarily emphasizes how fast a basketball player moves to a destination while quickness focuses more on how fast a player reacts to a situation.
Also, in terms of the basic cardinal directions of a basketball court, speed is generally more important when moving north and south (or vertically) while quickness is more essential when moving east and west (or laterally), particularly as a player faces a basket.
Offensive players typically need speed to blow by defenders and quickness to counter against certain defensive actions.
For example, if an offensive player near a perimeter area such as a wing or corner cannot receive the ball because of denial defense, then that same player could react to that situation by executing a backdoor cut to the basket, which would require a certain level of speed and quickness to get open.
This would also apply to most (if not all) of the standard basketball cuts as well.
In other words, offensive players that are trying to get open via basketball cuts would require a certain level of speed as well as quickness, depending on the situation.
On the other hand, defensive players primarily need speed during transition to protect their basket. However, defensive players also need at least a decent amount of speed while playing on-ball defense, especially man to man defense, to stay in front of the ball.
Moreover, defensive players commonly need at least an average amount of quickness to move laterally, which also makes it more easier to stay in front of the ball.
Additionally, defensive players could also utilize speed and quickness for other tactics such as when executing a defensive closeout, a defensive hedge, jumping to the ball, or stunting at the ball.