Head Fakes

One of the simplest ways to create an advantage on your man is to use Head Fake Deception.  On the flip side, the worst thing you can do is signal or project your intended direction to your opponent when you dodge.  If you subtly look off your move, you will create more separation allowing you to make more plays.  In the video examples below, you'll see delayed head turns on Spin Moves and Question marks as well as look offs and Head Fakes on cut backs. 

The concept of looking off where you're going is both obvious and basic, yet most coaches and most players teach / practice the opposite in the structured dodging drills against cones or in endless on command repetitions of various techniques. Interestingly, many times there is a discrepancy between optimal movement efficiency / mechanics and utilizing deception. For example, have you ever heard coaches teach turning your head first on a spin move or a roll back because it's quicker?  Turn your head and the body will follow?  While this may be true, it also tips off your defender to your direction.  In reality, it can be impactful to make your defender late than it is for you to be a little quicker.  If you watch Lyle or Rambo on Spin Moves or Rob Pannel on his question mark, the subtle delayed head turn gives them the edge they need!  

Watch how Rob Pannell delays his head turn on his patented Question mark move making the defender late on his trail check even though he knew what was coming! 

Watch Lyle delay his head turn on his inside roll, holding his defender and the double team to the topside as he spins underneath!

Rambo was totally holding the defender on the wrong side of his spin move, (the double came and flushed the play), but you can see this high level of patience and deception.

Here Chris Gray makes this Up The Hashes Jump Shot look effortless!  How?!  Because he looks it off!  He uses a subtle Head Jab to the middle just after he bounced for space and just before he stepped back looking like he was going to feed and not engaging the goalie.  

 Connor Fields uses a jabbing head fake to the right on his Hitch and dodge to the left.

Jeff Teat is a master of the look off.  Look at the way he buckles the ankles of the insanely athletic Challen Rodgers on his jabbing head fake look off!