OffensiveIntermediate

Reverse Pivot

A pivot on the outside foot (furthest from basket) to swing away from the defender and create space.

When It's Used

When a post player catches on the block and reverse pivots for a shot or drive.

What It Creates

Creates separation by swinging the body away, opens driving lanes and shot angles.

About This Action

The reverse pivot is a fundamental offensive footwork technique, particularly effective for post players, designed to create immediate separation from a defender. When a player receives the ball in the low post, block, or short corner, they establish an 'outside' pivot foot—the foot furthest from the basket and often furthest from the primary defender. The player then swings their non-pivot foot and body away from the defender and the baseline, effectively turning their back to the basket momentarily before facing up or attacking. This action creates a wider arc of movement compared to an inside pivot, which typically involves pivoting towards the basket or baseline. This sophisticated footwork is crucial because it significantly opens up offensive angles. By swinging away from the defender, the offensive player disrupts the defender's balance and positioning, making it difficult for them to maintain tight coverage. The immediate purpose is to gain space for a clear look at the basket for a turnaround jump shot or a fadeaway, or to create a driving lane, often towards the middle of the floor or baseline, depending on the initial catch and defensive positioning. The timing is critical; it's often executed as the defender commits to denying a direct drive or is overplaying a specific side, leveraging their momentum against them. Beyond just creating space, the reverse pivot allows a post player to transition from a back-to-the-basket stance to facing up the defender, thus expanding their offensive repertoire. It connects seamlessly with other post-up moves, serving as a powerful precursor to a post-fadeaway jumper, a dribble-drive to the paint, or a drive-and-kick out. Its deliberate nature means it takes slightly longer to execute than a quick drop step or inside pivot, but the payoff is often a more substantial amount of separation, making it a valuable tool in a skilled offensive player's arsenal.

Connections

Post-Up, Fade" class="inline-link">Post Fade / Turnaround, Dribble-drive

Common Mistakes

One of the most frequent errors in executing a reverse pivot is failing to properly establish the pivot foot, leading to a travel violation. Players often lift the established 'outside' foot before initiating their dribble or releasing the ball for a shot, particularly when rushing the move or trying to generate too much power. To correct this, players must drill the discipline of firmly planting the pivot foot and ensuring the non-pivot foot completes its swing and the ball is secured or released *before* the pivot foot is allowed to lift. Emphasizing a strong, balanced base from the initial catch can mitigate this issue. Another common pitfall is the lack of a full, aggressive swing, resulting in insufficient separation. Players might be tentative, fearing they'll lose control or turn their back too much, leading to a shallow pivot that doesn't effectively displace the defender. This makes the shot or drive easily contested. The correction involves encouraging a more expansive swing of the non-pivot foot and hips, maximizing the arc and distance created. Players should be taught to 'turn and look' or 'swing to face' the rim, using their peripheral vision to track the defender throughout the movement, ensuring they don't over-rotate out of bounds or lose sight of the target. Practicing the move with active but controlled resistance from a coach or teammate can help players develop the confidence and body control to execute a powerful, effective reverse pivot. Finally, players often struggle with decision-making immediately after the reverse pivot. They might execute the pivot flawlessly but then hesitate, force a contested shot, or fail to recognize an open driving lane or passing opportunity. This stems from a lack of integrated offensive reads. The reverse pivot should open up options, not just lead to a predetermined outcome. To improve this, training should not only focus on the mechanics of the pivot but also on reading the defense as the pivot unfolds. Drills should progress to include live situations where players must pivot, then immediately choose between a shot, a drive, or a pass based on the defensive reaction. This 'read-and-react' approach ensures the pivot serves its ultimate purpose: to create a high-percentage scoring or playmaking opportunity.