A “hesi” in basketball refers to a “hesitation move,” which is a dribbling technique used by players to fake out a defender. The move involves a sudden, brief pause or slowdown in the player’s dribbling speed, followed by a quick change of direction or acceleration. The hesitation makes the defender think the player is about to stop or change direction, causing them to react too early. The player then uses the hesitation to blow by the defender with a burst of speed or to create space for a shot or pass.
The hesitation move is commonly used in one-on-one situations and is effective for breaking down defenses, especially when combined with other moves like crossovers or behind-the-back dribbles. It requires good ball-handling skills and timing to be executed successfully.
