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V-Cut

V-Cut Overview

What is a V-Cut?

The V-cut in basketball is an off-the-ball movement technique used by offensive players to create separation from their defenders and get open for a pass. It is called a “V-cut” because the movement pattern resembles the shape of the letter “V.”

The V-cut is a fundamental basketball skill, especially for perimeter players, and is commonly used in various offensive sets to maintain spacing and create scoring opportunities.

V-Cut Benefits

  • Create Separation: Helps the offensive player get open for a clean pass.
  • Disrupt Defender’s Balance: By forcing the defender to react to the initial movement, the offensive player can catch them off guard.
  • Maintain Offensive Flow: Keeps the defense moving and helps the offense execute plays effectively.

V-Cut Coaching Points

  • Sell the Initial Move: The initial cut toward the basket should be convincing to make the defender commit.
  • Quick Change of Direction: A sharp pivot or plant is essential to create separation.
  • Timing: The V-cut must align with the play, ensuring the pass arrives as the player gets open.

V-Cut

Overview

Performing a V-Cut

1

Setup

The offensive player begins near their defender, typically around the perimeter or near the wing area.

The shooting guard (2) is set up on the wing and ready to perform a V-cut in our example diagram [1].

V-Cut

1

2

Initial Movement

The player makes a sharp move (cut) toward the basket or another area of the court. In some cases, this movement will trigger the defender to follow on their own, creating the illusion of a potential play (like cutting to the hoop). In other cases, the offensive player may need to initiate light, legal contact with a lowered forearm or hip to “walk” the defender towards the basket with them to draw them out of position.

V-Cut

2

3

Change of Direction

The offensive player executing the V-cut quickly plants their foot, makes controlled, legal contact with their defender using lowered arm or hip without pushing, and reverses direction, and sharply cuts back away from the basket, toward the desired spot on the court (e.g., the three-point line or wing).

The contact with the defender along with the sudden change of direction and sharp reverse movement creates space between the offensive player and their defender, allowing for pass/play opportunities.

V-Cut

3

4

Receiving the Ball

Once separated from the defender, the player quickly moves into position, extending a target hand outward away from the pursuing defender to receive a pass.

V-Cut

4

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