Lateral movement, basketball defense, and persistent myths

Last week, I attended a high-school varsity girls basketball game between good teams with college-bound players, and it was evident that the players had been taught never to cross their feet on defense. When I lamented this instruction via Twitter, several people questioned my lamentations. These questions spurred a few videos this week on defense, lateral movement, and the crossover step. For more information, check out Fake Fundamentals.More information on basic lateral movement, and the drill that I use to teach lateral movement and begins individual defensive instruction:To describe the crossover step in more detail:To differentiate the defensive step-slide that I was taught as a young player, and a general lateral shuffle that is used more widely across sports:Finally, the difference between the hip turn and drop step when changing directions on defense:And, the final product. The crossover step and hip turn demonstrated in a game:By Brian McCormick, PhDDirector of Coaching, Playmakers Basketball Development LeagueAuthor, The 21st Century Basketball Practice and Fake Fundamentals