Look away from the ball
Your eyes naturally follow the ball during a basketball broadcast. Following one off-ball player for a few possessions reveals a different game. Waiting in the corner, cutting towards the basket or preparing a screen can alter the defence. The scorer is rarely the only player who contributed to creating the opportunity.
Space is a tool
The distance between offensive players influences defensive help decisions. Good spacing does not always mean moving: staying in the right place may clear a path for a teammate. Watch where players go after a screen to understand why a pass was delayed or how a shot became open.
A viewing exercise
Choose three possessions in a quarter and note the last two off-ball movements before each shot. Discuss how the opportunity was built regardless of whether the shot went in. This small exercise shifts attention from a player’s points total towards decisions, timing and contributions that may not appear in a basic box score.
Curiosity continues with the next question.
