Basketball Tactics You Can Use Right Now

Ever wonder why some teams just seem to find the right shot every time? It’s not magic – it’s good tactics. On this page we break down the most useful strategies, give you simple drills, and show how UK Rebels players think about the game.

Read the Defense, Play the Offense

The first thing to do when you get the ball is scan the defense. Look for where the help side is, whether the opponent is playing a zone or man‑to‑man, and spot any gaps. If the defense is squeezing the paint, pull the ball out to the wing and look for a quick pass to a shooter. If they’re over‑committing to the ball side, a backdoor cut can be deadly. A quick habit of asking yourself “Where’s the open man?” before you dribble can turn a half‑court set into a scoring chance.

Practise this in a simple 3‑on‑3 drill. One player is the ball handler, the other two move without a set play. The handler has 5 seconds to read the defense and either drive, pass, or swing the ball. Repeat until the decision comes instinctively.

Master the Pick‑and‑Roll

The pick‑and‑roll is still the backbone of most offenses. The key is timing – the screener should set the screen just as the ball handler gets close enough to use it, then roll hard to the basket. If the defense shoots the ball handler, the screener can pop out for a mid‑range jumper. If they stay home on the roll, the ball handler can either drive or dish to an open shooter on the opposite wing.

Try this drill: Two players start at the top of the key, one as ball handler, one as screener. A third player acts as defender. After the screen, the ball handler attacks the rim while the defender decides to help or stay. Rotate roles so everyone gets a feel for both sides of the play.

Another tip – keep the screen low and angled. A low, angled screen forces the defender to go around the screener, opening a clear lane for the roll.

Spacing and Movement

Good spacing gives you more room to operate and makes the defense work harder. In a 5‑man set, keep about 15‑18 feet between shooters and make sure the bigs stay near the paint. When you run a screen, the other players should shift to fill the space left behind; otherwise the defense can rotate and collapse.

Quick drill: Set up a half‑court offense with five players. Run a series of screens and watch how the spacing changes. Have a coach call out "tight" or "wide" and adjust on the fly. This builds the habit of keeping the floor open without thinking too much.

Defensive Tactics Worth Knowing

On defense, know the difference between a zone and a man scheme. In a zone, your job is to protect the gaps – the short side, the high post, and the baseline. In man defense, communicate switches and help. One common mistake is forgetting the defensive 3‑second rule in the NBA, but in FIBA you don’t have that, so you can camp in the lane longer. UK Rebels play both styles, so we train players to adapt on the fly.

Defensive drill: 4‑on‑4, two teams defend a half‑court. One team uses a 2‑2‑1 zone, the other a man‑to‑man. After five minutes, swap. Talk about what worked and what didn’t. This simple drill shows how different tactics change the flow of the game.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hoopster, integrating these tactics into your practice will make you a smarter player. Keep asking yourself what the defense is doing, practice the pick‑and‑roll until it feels automatic, maintain good spacing, and stay flexible on defense. That’s the recipe UK Rebels use to stay ahead, and it works for any level of basketball.