Cunningham Says Off-Ball Game Left Unused

Sophie Cunningham says she stopped practicing off-ball movement and shooting off screens, limiting her offensive versatility.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Basketball

Cunningham Says Off-Ball Game Left Unused

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham admitted she has been limiting her own game by not practicing off-ball movement and shooting off screens. The admission came on the No Hesitation podcast, where trainer Drew Hanlen reviewed her game footage.

Why it matters

Cunningham shot 43% on catch-and-shoot attempts last season, making 65 of 151, but her percentage dropped to 38% when guarded. Revisiting off-ball work could give her more ways to get open shots.

Cunningham made 65 of 151 catch-and-shoot attempts last season, a 43% clip, but shot 38% when defenders were close and 48% when left open. Player tracking does not yet show whether added off-ball work would close that gap.

The players

Sophie Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham is a guard for the Indiana Fever who co-hosts the No Hesitation podcast.

Drew Hanlen

Drew Hanlen is a basketball trainer who works with professional players and co-hosts the No Hesitation podcast.

The details

On the No Hesitation podcast, Cunningham said she had stopped practicing off-ball movement because it was not frequently featured in her team's offense. Hanlen reviewed old clips of her moving off screens, running pin-downs and flaring out for shots, and recommended she revisit those skills.

Last season: Cunningham made 65 of 151 catch-and-shoot attempts at 43%.
Wednesday: The No Hesitation episode reviewed her game footage.

Season Trajectory

Cunningham's off-ball work matters as the Fever look to add scoring options beyond the ball handlers. A more versatile guard could shift how the team spaces the floor in future seasons.

Fantasy managers relying on Cunningham's catch-and-shoot volume may want to watch whether her shot diet changes in the coming season. Adding off-ball work could create more open looks, which would matter for her scoring totals.

The takeaway

Off-ball movement can turn a shooter's strong percentages into more open looks, which is why practicing those actions matters even for players who already hit from distance.