MEED HOOPS LAB

Triple Threat & Attacking Position

Module — Triple Threat
Master the position that controls the entire game.
Module 4 · Triple Threat - Attacking Position

Control the Defender. Control the Game.

Triple Threat is the starting point of every scoring, driving, or passing action. Players who master it become unpredictable, balanced, and difficult to guard at any level.

This module breaks down every component: stance, pivots, jab system, rip-through attacks, shot fakes, reads, timing, and decision making — with film for each concept plus coach notes.

Foundational Stance Pivots & Footwork Jab Series Rip-Through Attacks Shot Fakes Reads vs Defender Attacking Options
Section 1 – Stance & Setup Section 2 – Pivots & Footwork Section 3 – Jab Series Section 4 – Rip-Through Attacks Section 5 – Shot Fakes Section 6 – Reads vs Defender Section 7 – Attacking From Triple Threat
Section 1

Triple Threat Stance – Balance, Vision & Control

Great triple threat begins with posture and balance: if your feet and hands aren’t right, everything else breaks down.

Base & Foot Position

  • Feet slightly wider than shoulders.
  • Inside foot forward (toward the rim or open space).
  • Weight on balls of feet — heels light.
  • Knees bent, hips loaded, back upright.

Ball Position & Protection

  • Ball locked between shoulder and hip (“hip shelf”).
  • Elbows strong; ball not exposed to easy digs.
  • Never rest ball on the floor or swing it behind your body.

Vision & Threat Posture

  • Eyes up: see rim, help, and two teammates, minimum.
  • Body language should say: “I can shoot, drive, or pass at any moment.”
  • Hold the stance for 2–3 seconds in drills to build strength and balance.

Coach Notes – Teaching the Stance

  • Use a 10–20 second “triple threat hold” segment early in practice.
  • Walk around and try to knock the ball loose; reward strong bases.
  • Use verbal cue: “See the rim, see help, see a teammate.”
Section 2

Pivots & Footwork Map – Owning Angles

Footwork controls the defender’s hips and determines whether you create or lose advantage.

Front Pivot

  • Used to face the rim and open passing lanes.
  • Pivot on the inside (lead) foot to square your shoulders.
  • Perfect entry into jab → drive or jab → shot packages.

Reverse Pivot

  • Used to create space away from pressure.
  • Open your chest as you step back and around the defender.
  • Great for swing → face-up footwork on the wing or high post.

Footwork Rules

  • Pivot on the ball of the foot, not the heel.
  • Keep chest level; don’t stand up during pivots.
  • Land in balance after every pivot, ready for a shot, drive, or pass.

Coach Notes – Pivot Drills

  • Partner pivot drill: catch → front pivot → reverse pivot → pass back.
  • Call out pivot type (“front”, “reverse”) before each rep.
  • Track travels in live segments – travel = automatic turnover in your games.
Section 3

Jab Series – Moving Defenders Without Dribbling

Jabs force defenders to react and reveal their coverage before you ever put the ball on the floor.

Basic Jab

  • Short, sharp step at the defender’s top foot.
  • Sell with eyes, shoulders, and ball – not just the foot.
  • Snap foot back quickly; no dragging or sliding.

Jab → Read → Reaction

  • If defender drops back: shoot in rhythm.
  • If defender jumps forward: rip and drive.
  • If defender shifts heavily one way: attack opposite hip.

Advanced Jabs

  • Double jab to freeze defenders.
  • Long jab → quick drive opposite.
  • Cross jab into step-back (for older / advanced players).

Coach Notes – Jab Teaching Cues

  • “Short and sharp” — no lazy, long, slow jabs.
  • Film freeze: pause clips right after the jab and ask players, “What did the defender do?”
  • Limit young players to 1–2 jab options so it doesn’t become choreographed.
Section 4

Rip-Through Attacks – Winning the First Step

Rip-throughs create instant driving lanes when defenders lean, reach, or crowd your space.

High Rip

  • Ball starts near shoulder, rips down across the body.
  • Explode off the inside foot on the rip.
  • Great vs high-hand, aggressive closeouts.

Low Rip

  • Ball stays below the knee; hips protect the ball.
  • Perfect for attacking defenders who swipe at the ball.
  • Pair with strong, long first step to the rim.

Side Rip & Angles

  • Rip sideways into the defender’s top foot.
  • Drive on the outside hip to avoid straight-line charges.
  • Flow into finishes or drive-and-kick reads.

Coach Notes – Rip Progressions

  • Start 1-on-0: catch → rip → one-dribble layup (both sides).
  • Add dummy defender with pad; require rip first, then drive.
  • Finish with 1-on-1 from triple threat with rip as first move rule.
Section 5

Shot Fake Package – Low, High & Counters

Shot fakes create vertical movement from defenders and open driving lanes and fouls.

Low Shot Fake

  • Bend knees more than you lift the ball.
  • Sell with eyes at the rim.
  • Drive immediately when defender shifts weight forward.

High Shot Fake

  • Ball rises into your regular shot pocket.
  • Same speed and rhythm as your real shot.
  • Drive on the defender’s high foot if they leave the floor.

Counter Fakes

  • Shot fake → side-step jumper.
  • Shot fake → step-through finish.
  • Shot fake → pass fake → drive.

Coach Notes – Don’t Over-Fake

  • Limit young players to one simple fake per catch.
  • Emphasize: fake → read → immediate action (no holding the ball).
  • Use small-sided games where a foul on shot fakes is worth bonus points.
Section 6

Reads vs Defender – What to Do When They...

Every defender makes a choice. Great players read it in under a second.

Defender Backs Off

  • Immediate shot if you’re in range.
  • Jab into space → rhythm jumper.
  • Step-in three if they never close distance.

Defender Crowds or Pressures

  • Rip-through opposite direction.
  • Shot fake → drive.
  • Reverse pivot into open space or passing angle.

Defender Overplays One Side

  • Backdoor rip and cut.
  • Hard jab toward overplayed side → drive opposite.
  • Spin back to middle if they jump the first move.

Coach Notes – Read It Out Loud

  • Have players call the defender’s choice out loud (“back”, “up”, “overplay”).
  • Require the correct counter to earn a point in 1v1 from triple threat.
  • Use film freeze-frames and ask: “What’s open right now?”
Section 7

Attacking From Triple Threat – Shot, Drive & Pass

The entire point of triple threat is to threaten all three options at all times — shot, drive, and pass.

Shooting From Triple Threat

  • Step with inside foot into your normal shooting rhythm.
  • Use jab → rhythm jumper when defender flinches.
  • Keep the ball tight to the shooting pocket on the lift.

Driving From Triple Threat

  • Attack the defender’s top foot to force a hip turn.
  • Explode off the inside foot and cover ground on first step.
  • Protect the ball with your body on the first dribble.

Passing From Triple Threat

  • Jab to shift defenders, then hit the open teammate.
  • Rip → drive → kick to shooters on help rotations.
  • Reverse pivot into skip passes vs zones.

Coach Notes – Games & Constraints

  • 3v3 “Triple Threat Only” – every catch must start in TT for 1 count.
  • Scoring bonuses: +1 for attacking out of triple threat without dribbling first.
  • Film grading: chart shot/drive/pass outcomes on 10–20 possessions from triple threat.