Triple Threat (lower body)

            The first and most important aspect of basketball is the athletic stance, or the triple threat position. Basketball is a game that requires a high level of athleticism and skill. This means that players must understand how to have their body in a balanced yet explosive position on both offense and defense. This is why it is important to teach begin teaching players by showing them the athletic stance.

            I like to teach this position as the athletic stance. Many coaches will call it the triple threat position, because when you use the position on offense it allows a player to have the option to shoot, pass, or dribble. I like to use athletic stance because the triple threat position is also the same position that a player should also assume when on defense. Whether on offense or defense a player must put themselves in an athletic stance so that they are ready to make quick and explosive movements either horizontally, laterally, or vertically. The stance that must be assumed is similar to a boxer’s stance.

Feet

            In the athletic position, feet should be about shoulder width apart. When on offense the feet should be shoulder width apart, but on defense they should be a little bit further than shoulder width apart. If the feet are too close together or too far apart then a player will be off balance and will lose their speed and explosiveness.

            Legendary coach Morgan Wootten had a saying when describing triple threat position, “heel-toe action.” Heel-toe action allows for comfort and balance in the triple threat postion. To have heel-toe action a player will want to slightly move their dominant foot forward just a very little bit so that the heel of their dominant foot is in line with the toe of their off foot. This heel-toe action allows for balance, and will set up a player offensively to pass, shoot, or dribble.

Knees/Hips

            Once a player’s feet are in the correct positon, they must now assume the athletic stance. I tell the players to drop their hips. This means that a player should drop into a squat position with their knees bent and their butt down. It is important that a player is not too low in the squat position and not deep enough. If a player is not deep enough then their balance and strength will be compromised whereas if a player is too deep then they will lose their speed and quickness. I prefer that the players squat to be between 45 degrees and 60 degrees, whichever is most comfortable for the player. Some players like to be a little lower, whereas some just refuse to get low. An angle of 45 to 60 degrees is ideal for having good balance, speed, and explosiveness.

            Key to squat position: The knees should not bend past the toes but aligned with the balls of the feet. The hips should also be dropped, not stuck out backwards. If the knees are behind the toes and the hips are dropped to about 45 degrees then the weight of the lower body will be over the balls of the feet, which is key for explosiveness, balance and strength.