Bit of basketball footwork

PIVOT

This move lets a player with the ball change direction while keeping one foot planted—often used to fake out defenders. Think of a dancer’s spin, but on the court.

In basketball, a "pivot" is a quick foot movement where a player keeps one foot planted while rotating the other to change direction or protect the ball. The clue hints at this fundamental skill without any wordplay—it’s a straightforward reference to the action itself. Since "bit" suggests a small or basic part of something, it reinforces that a pivot is a key but simple footwork technique. The answer fits neatly as both a basketball term and a concise five-letter word for crossword puzzles.