A Secret to Chris Paul’s Success – Change of Pace22 Comments / By Joe Haefner / April 28, 2008How does Chris Paul blow by defenders so easily?
I feel sorry for all of the defenders trying to guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets as he blows by them for a jump shot or dunk. I am amazed at the way he finds that 3rd and 4th gear and CHANGES PACE so quickly and effortlessly.
Chris Paul goes from really fast to super fast and he’ll stop at the drop of a dime which is nearly impossible to adjust to as a defender. That’s why he has asserted himself as one of the top NBA MVP candidates along with Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.
Do you have Chris’s amazing speed and quickness?
Most likely, you do not. Don’t worry. You can still be extremely effective by CHANGING SPEEDS. Change of speed or pace can make a slow player very difficult to guard. You think Larry Bird was quick? If so, think again.
Larry Bird might be one of the slowest players to play the game, but he still utilized the change of pace and was voted as one of the top 50 NBA players of all-time! Have you ever tried guarding somebody who changes speeds all of the time? I have and it sucks! You never know when he’s going to explode by you or slow down and pull up for a jump shot. You can never relax as a defender!
How You Can Practice Change of Pace and Become Harder to Guard
With that being said, you do need practice more than two speeds (Fast & Slow). Good defenders can adjust to this after just a few possessions. Many of the great players have 4 to 5 different speeds to throw the defender off. I remember watching Mike Conley of Ohio State in the NCCA Tourney in 2007. I thought he had 6 different speeds and he was never out of control.
In order to practice this you can simply dribble the ball up and down the court. Do your change of speeds at two to three times up the court. For example, change speeds at the free throw line, half court, and the opposite free throw line. You can practice different speeds…. 3/4 speed to full speed, 1/2 speed to full speed, 1/4 speed to full speed, and stop to full speed.
Try to minimize the time it takes you to reach that top gear. This basketball move is also known as the “hesitation dribble”. You can even practice using multiple speeds. For example, going from 1/2 speed to 3/4 speed to full speed. Mix it up to portray game-like situations. When you get the hang of this, you can practice at a hoop going in for lay ups and pull up jump shots. Once, you perfect this, this change of pace will have defenders’ heads spinning.
I feel sorry for all of the defenders trying to guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets as he blows by them for a jump shot or dunk. I am amazed at the way he finds that 3rd and 4th gear and CHANGES PACE so quickly and effortlessly.
Chris Paul goes from really fast to super fast and he’ll stop at the drop of a dime which is nearly impossible to adjust to as a defender. That’s why he has asserted himself as one of the top NBA MVP candidates along with Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.
Do you have Chris’s amazing speed and quickness?
Most likely, you do not. Don’t worry. You can still be extremely effective by CHANGING SPEEDS. Change of speed or pace can make a slow player very difficult to guard. You think Larry Bird was quick? If so, think again.
Larry Bird might be one of the slowest players to play the game, but he still utilized the change of pace and was voted as one of the top 50 NBA players of all-time! Have you ever tried guarding somebody who changes speeds all of the time? I have and it sucks! You never know when he’s going to explode by you or slow down and pull up for a jump shot. You can never relax as a defender!
How You Can Practice Change of Pace and Become Harder to Guard
With that being said, you do need practice more than two speeds (Fast & Slow). Good defenders can adjust to this after just a few possessions. Many of the great players have 4 to 5 different speeds to throw the defender off. I remember watching Mike Conley of Ohio State in the NCCA Tourney in 2007. I thought he had 6 different speeds and he was never out of control.
In order to practice this you can simply dribble the ball up and down the court. Do your change of speeds at two to three times up the court. For example, change speeds at the free throw line, half court, and the opposite free throw line. You can practice different speeds…. 3/4 speed to full speed, 1/2 speed to full speed, 1/4 speed to full speed, and stop to full speed.
Try to minimize the time it takes you to reach that top gear. This basketball move is also known as the “hesitation dribble”. You can even practice using multiple speeds. For example, going from 1/2 speed to 3/4 speed to full speed. Mix it up to portray game-like situations. When you get the hang of this, you can practice at a hoop going in for lay ups and pull up jump shots. Once, you perfect this, this change of pace will have defenders’ heads spinning.
THE POWER OF THE PIVOT - Trent Meacham
It’s the smallest movement, but the strongest move. It’s the most basic skill but often overlooked.
Watching Michael Jordan highlights on “The Last Dance” has me contemplating the power of the pivot. Many kids can maneuver an advanced cross-over or “euro-step,” but they cannot perform a simple pivot. Basketball 101. It might not be sexy or land you on a highlight reel, but skipping the fundamentals will limit your entire game.
When coaching, I explain it this way -- Mastering the pivot unlocks the game. It gives you options. You’re no longer bound to one direction. Instantly, you’re more agile and better balanced. Automatically, you’ve become quicker and stronger. More importantly, learning to pivot expands your vision. Your sight is no longer limited to what’s in front of you.
What’s overlooked in the game of basketball? Your pivot foot doesn’t even move. But it's where the power lies. With a slight shift, you’re headed in an entirely new direction. Put another way -- a nearly immeasurable move has the potential to alter the trajectory of your life.
A minor shift in my thinking had a transformative impact on my post-basketball career. Upon retirement, I thought I needed to abandon the athlete in me. But I forgot that when pivoting, your strength doesn’t come from the lead foot. Your power is harnessed in the back - the pivot foot. So instead of detaching from the game, I decided to take the game with me. I may not be dribbling a ball into meetings, but I’m discovering how to transfer the lessons from the court into new arenas.
I’m now a rookie in all things -- financial services, sports media, podcasting, writing, fatherhood. But I don’t need to completely reinvent myself. I need to pivot. I need to take the lessons I’ve learned -- performing under pressure, leading others, being a great teammate, attacking challenges, etc. -- and transfer what’s already been instilled into whatever comes next.
Subtle shift. New outlook. Small change. Major potential.
Questions to consider:
It’s the smallest movement, but the strongest move. It’s the most basic skill but often overlooked.
Watching Michael Jordan highlights on “The Last Dance” has me contemplating the power of the pivot. Many kids can maneuver an advanced cross-over or “euro-step,” but they cannot perform a simple pivot. Basketball 101. It might not be sexy or land you on a highlight reel, but skipping the fundamentals will limit your entire game.
When coaching, I explain it this way -- Mastering the pivot unlocks the game. It gives you options. You’re no longer bound to one direction. Instantly, you’re more agile and better balanced. Automatically, you’ve become quicker and stronger. More importantly, learning to pivot expands your vision. Your sight is no longer limited to what’s in front of you.
What’s overlooked in the game of basketball? Your pivot foot doesn’t even move. But it's where the power lies. With a slight shift, you’re headed in an entirely new direction. Put another way -- a nearly immeasurable move has the potential to alter the trajectory of your life.
A minor shift in my thinking had a transformative impact on my post-basketball career. Upon retirement, I thought I needed to abandon the athlete in me. But I forgot that when pivoting, your strength doesn’t come from the lead foot. Your power is harnessed in the back - the pivot foot. So instead of detaching from the game, I decided to take the game with me. I may not be dribbling a ball into meetings, but I’m discovering how to transfer the lessons from the court into new arenas.
I’m now a rookie in all things -- financial services, sports media, podcasting, writing, fatherhood. But I don’t need to completely reinvent myself. I need to pivot. I need to take the lessons I’ve learned -- performing under pressure, leading others, being a great teammate, attacking challenges, etc. -- and transfer what’s already been instilled into whatever comes next.
Subtle shift. New outlook. Small change. Major potential.
Questions to consider:
- What are the fundamentals in your craft which are easy to overlook but essential to you reaching your potential?
- What’s one area in your life where a minor pivot could have the greatest positive outcome?
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