Wing Play

So I wanted to write a post on Wing play as a companion to the Guard play post I wrote awhile back (link here),  for the purposes of understanding what I mean by wing play is a player that primarily is on the receiving end of passes within half court offense.  They will dribble the ball, but most of their offensive opportunities come off the catch.  The video in this post will be of Ryan Arcidiacono from Villanova (congrats on the Natty BTW).


UNDER CONTROL
A theme throughout all these clips is how under control Arc is.  His footwork is on point, he makes moves that are effective but not necessarily sure athletic in terms of speed or vertical ability, and he creates quickness by having NO EXTRA or WASTED MOVEMENT.


ALWAYS SHOT READY
When playing without the ball and spacing on the perimeter its important that your ready to catch and shoot at all times.  The game has changed to a 4 out 1 in pick and roll to drive and kick style, this means you need to be fundamentally sound in terms of having your hips downs, eyes to the rim, hands up, and feet ready to 1-2 step for the entire possession.  The Spurs teach players to play .5 basketball (you have .5 when you touch the ball to shoot, pass, or drive in that order), Jay wright tells player they are most open right when they catch the ball.  By being shot ready you maximize the time you have to potentially score, too of ten a player is not ready to shoot when they catch or doesn't even face the rim.  Furthermore they have have excessive movement in their shot that doesn't allow for a quick release.

It should probably be noted that if you can't shoot, this foot work becomes even more important because you'll probably have to play a .3 style of basketball(where you're looking to pass or drive).  Arc doesn't need much room or time to get his shot off because of what he does in preparation for his shot.  Note the 1-2 step, the hands and the hips.  Since he shows the ability and propensity to look to shoot right away, he's putting his defender in a difficult position where he can't help too far off.

SHOT FAKE
Since he's always prepared to shoot, defenders are constantly moving towards Arc with the threat of his shot in his mind.  So since his shot is a threat, he can use a shot fake to draw mistakes from defenders who are out of control (while he of course is completely in control).

If I were to be picky here, Arc needs to make sure both feet stay on the floor when he shot fakes.  I really like that he gets the ball to his forehead and raises his hips because that makes the fake look more like his shot.  The two footed finish is super fundamental and under control.

MID RANGE GAME
Really pay attention to the footwork in these clips, there is no wasted movement, Arc's steps are precise. His speed comes from the compact movement.

All theses shots are off one dribble and 1-2 steps.  No wasted movements!

PIVOT GAME
When Arc gets in the paint but is not open for a speed lay in, he is able to stay under control and get to two feet.  He then will pivot and force defenders to make multiple efforts to continue to guard him.   This is not a move or concept that requires a 40 inch vertical or a 4.3 speed, just decision making and sound fundamentals.

STRIDE STEP
When Arc does see that he has a lane to get all the way to the rim he is a able to do so with long strides and no excessive dribbles below the foul line.  Watch in the clip as Arc turns the corner on his defender and Strides to the rim once he sees the lane.

Really pay attention to how he doesn't take a dribble be low the foul line and takes two long strides.

CATCH and SHOOT GAME
Wings are going to have sets run for them and so along with Arc ability to be shot ready, he must be able to cut and move off actions and still be ready to catch and shoot.  The clip below shows him making a straight cut off a double screen into his shot.

This will also involve the ability to read your defer in screening actions, here Arc's man tries to shoot the gap, he immediately fade cuts to get a catch and shoot opportunity.

CUTTING GAME

Everyone knows what a back cut is, but usually it is against denial.  I know this is a principal they teach at Villanova where after the driver ends their attack, player off the ball make a second cut.  Since almost everyone helps instead of denying any more, moving and cutting off of and after penetration when your defender is more concerning with helping on penetration.

CRAFTY, GETS DEFENDERS IN THE AIR

These two clips will show Arc getting defenders in the air by using a shot fake, AT THE END of an attack, these are fouls he creates be decisions he's made, furthermore since he's so in control if he wasn't able to create a foul, he could still shoot or pass.

POST UP GAME

Every player should be able to post up, if your player is in foul trouble or just simply undersized it can get you to higher percentage shot and its a super simple skill.  The biggest concept may be the idea that you don't panic when dribbling around a crowd.  Watch how Arc remains under control throughout this possession.

The best part about all the skills shown in this post is that they are all super fundamental skills.  IT bears repeating that even though it will help the more athletic you are, these are all skill plays that any level of athlete should be able to do.  Furthermore these are great examples playing the game UNDER CONTROL.