Training Questions: The Jump Stop
I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately about jump stops and how to avoid being called for traveling. I think it is something that at the lower levels a lot of refs have different ideas of traveling and what it is. Make the time to talk to the ref before each game and get his understanding of traveling as it relates to the jump stop. Take a couple minutes and physically get their understanding of what a jump stop is what will they call for traveling.
I believe the jump stop is one of the best moves in basketball and of the most underutilized at lower levels. Players that are younger consistently get themselves in trouble by feeling they have to go off one foot for a layup or a floater and it usually leads to a charge call. If players can learn at a young age that a jump stop will keep them under control and allow them to gain a physical advantage over another player they will be that much better.
To practice the jump stop honestly just take a ball and bounce it once and practice coming to a jump stop by landing on both feet at the same time. Don’t worry about gaining distance on the jump stop, just worry about landing with both feet at the same time until you feel comfortable. Practice with both hands becase some players are more comfortable going into a jump stop off one hand more than another. Once you feel comfortable then start to add distance to the jump stop. That is when the move gets really powerful for you. When you are able to take one dribble from the foul line and end up under the basket or one dribble from the top of the key and end up in the middle of the key you will really start to learn how this move helps you. If i have a player on my hip i can take one dribble, jump and land and go right up into a shot or at least remain composed to be able to pass but you won’t get yourself into trouble.
I think it is important to add that the ref will most likely call you for traveling if you don’t land both feet at the same time. Dribble, jump, land, remain composed, power up for the shot all while understanding the point of the move is to gain an offensive advantage over the defender.
