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I am, of course, talking about the ball fake which has become his signature move. So why is it a magic trick? It is because he uses it to distract his opponents, and even fans, from what he is really doing when he does it.

Rondo will swing the ball behind him, which we all know, using those huge hands of his. The trick is that he takes a HUGE step while doing this, and uses that step to clear his shoulder past the defender (he usually does a 90 degree turn at the waist when making the fake). So instead of coming at his man squared up, he is showing him a profile view from the waist up. while also taking a huge step. When he brings the ball back, he closes his shoulder behind the defender. Voila, the guy is out of the play. If the guy is lucky enough to stay with him, when he brings his shoulder back it basically bumps the guy off so that he can get a shot off. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

I first realized this when he used the fake to split a double team against the Hawks last season. He threw the fake and exploded through Bibby and whoever else was there with one step. So it isn't just that he's faking with the ball, it is the explosive step and shoulder action which really makes it all work. Go back and look at some of the footage on you tube, you'll see what I'm talking about.

He uses it to freeze people, but no idea why people bite on it anymore.

Captain_Caveman wrote:He uses it to freeze people, but no idea why people bite on it anymore.

There aren't "biting" just on the fake. It is the huge step and what he does with his shoulders that really does the damage.

It's OK if you didn't spot that, you know.

What I am saying is, once he goes behind the back with it, they should know what's coming.

It's not going to be a pass. Ever.

It's going to be a scoop shot. Always.

You just noticed this move?

I'm with Caveman on this. Rondo never actually passes the ball, so its surprising that players are still falling for it. It would be a better trick if he actually made the basket too since the majority of the time he misses the layup. Rondo should be averaging 15+ pts per game with the way he maneuvers around the basket, if he can to learn finish a lot better he can be close to 20 which is the flashy offensive stat all the experts like to see to anoint someone elite status.

I've had to stop doing that move because of Rondo. I've done that for 15 years and now every time I do it someone will say, "ahh you got that from Rondo". So I just don't do it anymore.

vct33 wrote:I've had to stop doing that move because of Rondo. I've done that for 15 years and now every time I do it someone will say, "ahh you got that from Rondo". So I just don't do it anymore.

Call Help me Hank on channel 7 news. "uh yeah Hank, Rondo stole my move..."

Scalamental wrote:

vct33 wrote:I've had to stop doing that move because of Rondo. I've done that for 15 years and now every time I do it someone will say, "ahh you got that from Rondo". So I just don't do it anymore.

Call Help me Hank on channel 7 news. "uh yeah Hank, Rondo stole my move..."

I don't know who Hank is but Rondo can have the move if he uses it successfully to help the Celts. I'll tell you what though. In pick up games against guys that don't know me, it's almost 100% gold. Especially on a 2-on-1 fastbreak.

Why did Rondo stop using the fake he was using in the championship season. The move I'm talking about is the one he did against Rasheed Wallace I believe that was the C's forst lost at home that season.

its just one of those moves
kobe, lebron, wade
lots of good players just have a move that ppl know about but it still works

I'm not sure its the arm motion that freezes the defenders as the head fake and little bit of a stutter he does during the move. Rondo never passes when he does that specific move, but he does shot dump passes in the pain all the time. So I'm guessing just about any arm motion he decides to do would help freeze the defender looking for the pass.