Kobe Bryant's Pump Fake & Pivot

You can see this play in the video at 5 minutes and 33 seconds, where Kobe Bryant explains it graphically.

First you have to go into a triple threat position, then you make a jab step, then you drive by, pump fake and pivot on your left foot.

Athletic defenders like to block shots. They are very active; they go after you. You can use that against them. When you drive by, they think that they are playing great defence, and a highlight for them is blocking a shot. When you show the ball, they go for it. There are two ways to create space.

You can step through directly. But a lot of defenders are very physical, and they like to keep their bodies against you. Even when they go for a pump fake, they like to stay on you, so now you don't have any room. So the best thing is to pivot on your left foot to go around and just get free. Then, if a big man comes to block the shot, you can pass the ball to a teammate, but if you have a clear shot, you can shoot over the top.

Watch Kobe Bryant's Signature Moves tutorial on YouTube.

Video reference updated on 13 October 2026: the unavailable video has been replaced with another upload of Nike Basketball's Signature Moves compilation.

Related moves / Movimientos relacionados

• Forearm block / Bloqueo con el antebrazo: another entry about creating separation when a defender maintains close body contact. Otra entrada sobre cómo crear separación cuando el defensor mantiene el contacto.
• Filigrana Petroviana / Petrovic-style filigree: an alternative way to evade a defender, combining changes of direction with a left-handed lay-up. Una alternativa para superar al defensor, combinando cambios de dirección con una bandeja con la izquierda.