ball fake

Pretend to throw

A ball fake is a deceptive move in basketball and other sports where a player pretends to pass or shoot without releasing the ball, hoping to draw defenders out of position: He used a ball fake to get his defender in the air, then drove to the basket.

The move exploits opponents' tendency to react to anticipated ball movement.

Related

pumpFluid-moving machine
jukeDeceptive athletic sidestep
deceptionIntentional misleading of others
play actionFootball fake-handoff tactic
crossoverGenre-blending work or transition

hesitation · feint · triple threat · dribble · quarterback · receiver · defender · fooled · sell · move · stutter · misdirection · pass · shot · quick release · freeze · ankle breaker · shake

Categories

basketballrebound, dunk, dribble, layup, assist
ball skillsdribbling, crossover, stepover, throwing, kicking
post playpost, post up, post-up, post move, post moves
Quarterbackingpassing, throwing, accuracy, arm strength, quick release

Opposites

authenticity of action

ball fakelive ball

Ball still in play

follow-through · execution

deception vs. straightforward play

ball fakestraight play

Theater without musical numbers

direct attack · power play · no-look pass · downhill run

Family

ball, fake, balls, balled, balling, fakes, faked, faking, faker

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G