Explaining the key to Anthony Davis defense | It's all in the hips
Explaining the key to Anthony Davis defense | It’s all in the hips | NBA skills, biomechanics, and sports science | Dr. Raj, DPT explains how Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis’ elite hip swivel aka “flip the hips” is the physical key to his defensive versatility.
Here’s a table of contents, header (sub-headings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:51 What is hip flip aka hip swivel? (common term in American football, what factors into hip swivel, steering wheel analogy)
- 1:51 AD’s hip swivel (elite especially at his size 1v1 on the perimeter, off ball help & recover, technique variations, full body coordination, did AD’s hips just did this?)
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on YouTube so sound isn't required.
For reference, I’m a DPT (Doctor of Physio) and youth basketball coach well-versed in sports science and biomechanics, and owner of 3CB Performance — online health content, telehealth services and 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 follow on social media:
Script:
Hey, it’s Raj from 3CB Performance. Back at it again with LakerFilmRoom.
Anthony Davis’ defensive versatility is unmatched due to his combination of physical tools - length, size, speed, agility, etc - and mental skills - composure, anticipation, reaction time, and so on.
That versatility has been on full display in his inaugural season with the Lakers and allows incredible switchability and scheme versatility.
When I watch how AD moves in space defensively, there’s one movement detail that separates him from nearly everyone else: his ability to turn and open up his hips aka hip swivel or hip wiggle.
In this video, I’ll explain what that means, how AD accomplishes it, and why it makes him such a devastating defender.
What is “hip flip” aka hip swivel?
“Flip the hips”, plant, and go
Hip swivel refers to the ability to rotate and “open up” the hips during change of direction movements.
The quicker the hip swivel, the quicker you can adjust, change direction, and go.
Common term in American football
It’s a term that I commonly hear when evaluating american football players because both are open field sports that require constant, quick change of direction.
What factors into hip swivel?
Great hip swivel is a combination of great mobility, neuromuscular coordination and control, and functional strength.
It’s a unique underlying characteristic of elite change of direction players.
Steering wheel analogy
To use an analogy, think of the hips like the steering wheel of a car. The quicker and tighter the steering wheel, the more nimble the car.
AD’s hip swivel
Elite especially at his size
AD’s hip swivel - especially for a player his size - is elite and incredibly fluid which allows him to switch onto quicker players on the perimeter while giving up less of a defensive cushion than most bigs
Aides with off ball help and recover
and cover tons of ground defensively off the ball.
Technique variations
Additionally, he utilizes a few different techniques to make the swivel even more effective.
Lastly, his upper and lower body are extremely connected and fluid. He’s able to turn his hips at speed while getting bumped and continue to have his torso and hands in a ready position.
This play vs BI shows the entire package. That’s just unfair.
There’s at least a couple times each game where I’ll think to myself “did AD’s hips just did this?”. As Shakira said, hips don’t lie.
That’s a wrap for this video. Thanks for watching. My goal is to provide you with in-depth, evidence based, narrative free analysis and you can always find me on IG and Twitter @3CBPerformance. 3CB out.