Triple threat is the stance a player takes after he catches the ball and before he dribbles. He faces the rim, knees bent, ball on the hip of his shooting side, eyes up. From that one position he can shoot, pass or drive, and the defender cannot tell which.
Why coaches use it
Because the moment of the catch is when the defender is least sure what to do. A player who catches and immediately dribbles has used up one of his three options without getting anything for it. A player who catches in triple threat makes the defender guess.
It also protects the ball. Held at the hip with the body between it and the defender, it is far harder to reach than a ball held out in front at the chest.
How it is done
- Catch ready. Both feet ready to pivot, hands up.
- Face up. Pivot so your chest is to the rim.
- Ball on the hip. Elbows out, ball protected, not swung through the defender’s hands.
- Read the feet. A defender who does not react to a jab can be driven; one who drops back can be shot over.
The jab step is the natural next move: a short, quick step at the defender’s front foot to see how he reacts. The triple-threat jab series teaches the stance and both reads, drive and shot, against a chair first and then a live defender. In red light, green light, young players stop on “red” and bring the ball straight to triple threat.
Triple threat matters most against a closeout: a defender running at you is the easiest one to drive past or shoot over.