The Micro-Skills of Spacing and Angles
In his influential book, “Stuff: Good Players Should Know,” PGC founder Dick DeVenzio believed that mastery isn’t just about talent; it’s about an obsession with the tiny, invisible details that dictate the flow of the game. One of the most vital pieces of “stuff” is the understanding that basketball is a game of geometry. While most people see ten players running, elite players see a shifting map of lines, triangles, and pockets of air.
They don’t just find space, they manipulate it.
The Art of the Cut & The Power of Gravity
Most players feel like they are “playing” only when the ball is in their hands. In reality, your most important work happens when you are “off” the ball.Understand Your Gravity: Just like Stephen Curry, your presence on the floor has a pull. If you are a threat, you draw defenders away from the paint.
When you hold your spacing, you are effectively “scoring” by creating a lane for a teammate.
Teaching the “Why” Behind the Details
Teaching the “Why” Behind the Details. As coaches, we spend hours drawing plays, but the play only works if the players understand the geometry beneath it. It’s our job to move beyond the “where” and teach the “why.”
When you break down film, don’t just focus on the missed shot. Focus on the spacing that led to it.The Post-Pass Cut: Teach your players that the moment they pass the ball, they are at their most dangerous.
When players understand that an inch of spacing creates a foot of advantage, their buy-in sky-rockets.
The Magic of Watching the Other Nine Players on the Court.
Watching the “Other Nine” It’s easy to get caught up following the ball, but the real “magic” of basketball happens everywhere else.
If you want to enjoy the game on a deeper level, and better support your athlete, try watching the other nine players on the court. Instead of watching the dribbler, watch: The Screeners, The Relocators,The Communicators.
When you shift your focus, you’ll stop seeing a game of “makes and misses” and start seeing a beautiful, complex dance of angles and off-ball action.
Final Thought, Dick DeVenzio knew that the “stuff” made the player. This week, challenge yourself to see the floor differently. Don’t just watch the game—study the geometry.
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About PGC
PGC Basketball provides intense, no-nonsense basketball training for players and coaches. Our basketball camps are designed to teach players of all positions to play smart basketball, be coaches on the court, and be leaders in practices, games and in everyday life.
We combine our unique PGC culture with a variety of teaching methods and learning environments to maximize the learning potential of those that attend our sessions. In addition to spending 6-7 hours on the court each day, lessons will be reinforced through classroom sessions and video analysis.
Our goal at PGC is to empower you with the tools to fulfill your basketball dreams, while also assisting you in experiencing the joy of the journey.
To learn more about PGC Basketball, including additional basketball training tips and videos, visit our YouTube Channel or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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