How to Beat a Defender in One on One Basketball
Whether you're a life long gym rat or just tag along with your friends, knowing how to play one on one basketball has many advantages. Win or lose, one on one basketball is great exercise and can improve your abilities for use in a larger game.
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Instructions
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Defeat your opponent
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Evaluate your opponent physically. Many people have a set number of moves they like, and a few places on the floor that they will attempt to shoot from. While you shouldn't ignore the shots and moves that come naturally to you, a larger part of your game plan should be determined by the physical stature of your opponent. Is your opponent taller than you? Does he weigh more? Is he quicker, or shorter? Your opponents physical build wont completely determine how you should play, but if your opponent is a foot taller and a fifty pounds heavier than you are, chances are trying to play a power game won't get you very far, even if you are most familiar with a power game.
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Evaluate your opponent's abilities. This step is very much dependent on how you know your opponent. If he is a lifelong friend, you likely know every tendency he has. If you just met him in the gym, the evaluation of his abilities may have to be done on the fly. Know if you have to guard their long range shots, or if they will miss on their own. Know how close you can guard them without allowing a lay-up on a drive.
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3
Make your plan. Know which of you is the quickest and which is the strongest. If you are the quicker player, focus your offense on driving from the perimeter and quick lateral moves. If you are taller, take the ball to the post with your back to the basket and limit your face to face dribbling. If you are not in as good of shape as your oppenent, expand the majority of your energy on offense. This will create a game with a lot of offense and less defense, which will shorten the length of the game and help neutralize your athletic disparity. If you are in better shape, play relentless defense to try to demoralize your opponent and tire him in a longer game.
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4
Establish your rhythm on offense. It's always a good idea to take several long range jump shots on your first few possessions. Even if you don't make the shots, you will establish your willingness to shoot in the mind of your opponent, and you will have an easier time driving to the basket for the rest of the game. Take at least one mid-range jump shot for the same reason. Despite this, the majority of your shots should come close to the basket. Close shots are high percentage shots, and if you let your opponent turn you into a jump shooter, you have no more options if your shots don't fall. An emphasis on close shots will also free up your long range shots towards the end of the game, as your opponent will be less willing to defend hard far from the basket.
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5
Finish the game. In a one on one game, there are no teammates to bail you out when you get tired. For this reason, a one on one game is about physical endurance as much as basketball skill. Even if you and your opponent are both in good shape and are only a little winded by the end of the game, the player who has just that little extra bit of energy and will have an extra inch of separation on drives and shots. If you find yourself running out of energy, slow the pace of the game (especially on offense) to give yourself a chance to catch a second wind. Stall if you have to. Tie your shoes a lot. If you have the legs, the end of the game is a good time for long range shots as many times an opponent will be too tired to play consistent perimeter defense.
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Tips & Warnings
A good pair of basketball shoes and loose, flexible clothes will make playing basketball much easier.
Make sure to stretch and warm up properly before any athletic activity. This will both improve your in game performance and help you avoid injury.
