MEED HOOPS LAB

Basketball IQ & Decision-Making

Player Skills Library
Smart players create wins—even without scoring.
Module 7 · Game IQ

Decision-Making, Court Vision & Basketball IQ

Learn how elite players read defenders, recognize advantages, and make decisions that win possessions.

Basketball IQ is a trainable skill—built through scanning, spacing, timing, and film.

Reads Spacing Decision-Making
Court Vision Advantage Creation Drive–Pass–Shot Reading Defenders Help Defense Reads Closeout Reads PNR Reads Transition IQ Off-Ball IQ Late Clock IQ Defensive IQ Film Library
Section 1

Court Vision & Scanning

Vision begins before the catch. Great players scan early and often.

Scanning Priorities

  • Scan before receiving the ball
  • Recognize matchups & gaps
  • See help defenders early
  • Know where shooters are located

Film

Section 2

Advantage Creation & Spacing

The offense's job is to create and maintain an advantage—your decisions determine if it survives.

Spacing Rules

  • Fill corners first
  • Maintain passing windows
  • Don't crowd the ball
  • Move with purpose, not randomness

Film

Section 3

Drive → Pass → Shot Decision Tree

Every touch creates a three-way decision. Great players decide early and decisively.

Section 4

Reading Defenders (On-Ball & Off-Ball)

Defender's feet, hips, and angles tell you everything about your next action.

Section 5

Reading Help Defense

Help defenders determine whether a drive becomes a pass or a finish.

Help Defense Indicators

  • Early help → pass early
  • Late help → finish strong
  • No help → straight line drive
  • Switching help → skip pass

Film

Section 6

Closeout Reads

Every closeout creates a binary decision: shoot or drive.

Section 7

Pick-and-Roll Reads

PNR IQ determines how well players manipulate two defenders at once.

Section 8

Transition Decision-Making

Transition IQ is built on spacing, numbers advantages, and timing.

Transition Reads

  • See numbers early (2v1, 3v2)
  • Angle attack on last defender
  • Hit wide runners first
  • Finish before shot blockers arrive

Film

Section 9

Off-Ball IQ & Movement

Off-ball players generate more scoring opportunities than ball handlers—if they move with purpose.

Section 10

Late Clock Decision-Making

Under 6 seconds, the game becomes a controlled advantage hunt.

Late Clock Principles

  • Create an advantage immediately
  • Use ball screens or handoffs
  • Attack mismatch quickly
  • Get a clean shot—no turnovers

Film

Section 11

Defensive IQ & Anticipation

Smart defenders anticipate actions, bait poor decisions, and rotate early.

Section 12

Game IQ Film Room & Drill Library

Study elite decision-makers. Learn spacing, timing, reads, and advantage creation.

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