Kobe Bryant's devastating first step technique: Detailed biomechanics & sports science breakdown

Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT breaks down former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant’s (RIP) first step and blow-by ability via biomechanics, sports science, and his youth basketball coaching background.
Subs, likes and comments/questions are always appreciated. I have one question for you: What's your favorite Kobe move?
Here’s a table of contents, header (sub-headings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:29 The setup (calm composed calculated, creating an opening, cross sport examples, mental speed, elite athlete = physical & mental)
- 3:57 The drive (balance, movement synergies, weight shift & elastic recoil, hit them hit them angles)
- 6:03 The upshot
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on UA-cam so sound isn't required.
For reference, I’m a DPT and former youth basketball coach well-versed in sports science and biomechanics, with sports rehab & performance clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA. Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or on social media:
Website: www.3cbperformance.com/
Twitter: / 3cbperformance
Instagram: / 3cbperformance

[@kunxv15]

he freezes defendrers with a shimmy before exploding, I learned this from watching kobe ans this is extremely effective even for me who is average

[@3cbperformance]

Good eye. It’s that slight hesitation

[@JO-nz9yw]

Your very underrated man. You should get more views by how much work you put in.

[@3cbperformance]

Appreciate you watching; I don't worry about the views, just the quality

[@freddyls7616]

Goated vid keep it up brotha :)

[@3cbperformance]

Appreciate it

[@jafarcurryjr]

Great video.

[@daman_r]

Great video

[@3cbperformance]

Daman Rangoola ty

[@123123000000]

Great analysis man. Can really tell you know the game on a deep level

[@3cbperformance]

Thomas Liu thanks man. Appreciate it

[@mariogv4083]

👌👌👌

[@rm-rc7zj]

huge kobe fan and im trying to make my first step better without traveling, but it seems like everyone with a first step is actually traveling? They decide pivot foot and other foot leaves ground before ball leaves their hand... will most refs just let you do this if you are fast enough?

[@rm-rc7zj]

Is it an extention of how when you have one hand on the ball before or after having 2 on it its considered part of the gather or dribble even if you have full control of the ball?

[@3cbperformance]

Kobe was really sly with it which allowed him to get away with it. His footwork was so quick and sharp that it's not easy to spot with the naked eye

[@DennisColoma]

4:35 he traveled? great video 👍

[@3cbperformance]

Good eye mate

[@SK20271]

KB alway traveled look same EX
ua-cam.com/video/nh5nkESu5TA/v-deo.html

[@big504easy]

What did you use for editing the video?

[@3cbperformance]

Premier Pro

[@big504easy]

@@3cbperformance thanks

[@samuelloetscher1815]

So this isn't a travel (when you lift your pivot foot before releasing the ball into your dribble)? A lot of people telling me it is.

[@3cbperformance]

It is but clearly wasn’t being called. You take what the refs give you

[@LOL-ro9ef]

@@3cbperformance refs never call it bruh

[@dawb86]

@LOL the refs call what they want to 😂

[@journeytothenba9580]

if you lift your pivot it isnt a travel BUT you cant put it back on the ground without dribbling. 4:26 is an uncalled travel, 6:14 is legal.

[@vytautasnar6338]

In Europe it’s always called. To be honest I am always a bit afraid to be called for a travel when I go to my right after jab in triple threat position, I feel much more comfortable when going to my left, no danger to be called for a travel. I am right handed and 95% of the time I have my left leg as a pivot in triple threat position

[@wizzjo1nt5]

You didn't use his tripple threat pivot shimmy drive he uses all the time. Goes to it when he has to blow by a defender to get to the rim. Easy money every time.

[@3cbperformance]

By shimmy, you mean the start-stop where he’s first step-hesitate for a split second - and then bang

[@wizzjo1nt5]

@@3cbperformance Yeah when he gives a hesitation fake going left then explodes by going right.

[@wizzjo1nt5]

@@3cbperformance Heres one example of many. ua-cam.com/video/UwrNxDLqveE/v-deo.html

[@wizzjo1nt5]

@@3cbperformance All of these are similar though. Such a smart and effective move that is truly underrated. He uses footwork and technique to get to the rim to create that lightning quick first step rather than just true outright speed and athleticism. Truly a pure master of the game. I don't see really anybody that plays the way he did. The only player that somewhat does this at times that I have seen is Jimmy Butler.

[@3cbperformance]

I see pieces of his game in a lot of players, most notably Devin Booker