Basketball Skills: Footwork and Pivoting

The way you move your feet on the basketball court can be the difference between success and a misstep.

A major part of the game is proper footwork and pivoting. Your pivot foot is your anchor, and it’s important that it always remains grounded once you pick up your dribble.

You should keep your body and pivot foot balanced as you move around in the triple-threat position. You should be able to move your non-pivot foot in all directions while your pivot foot remains fully anchored in its location.

Two of the most common mistakes made with the pivot foot are:

• Dragging Your Pivot Foot: If your pivot foot doesn’t stay anchored in its original location and you drag it as you move around, you will be called for a traveling violation and will turn the ball over to the other team.

• Picking Up or Changing Your Pivot Foot: Before you take a dribble, if you pick up your pivot foot or attempt to change pivot feet, you can also be called for a traveling violation.

Proper footwork when pivoting can aid in increasing your offensive efficiency. It can also help you better protect the basketball and limit turnovers, too.

To find success on offense, you will want to work on your ball-handling skills in practice. The Cross-Walk Drill can help improve your skills in game situations.