Helena Frye
The floater is an elegant and skillful shot in basketball, used by offensive players to score over defenders who are positioned close to the basket. It is a high-arching shot, executed on a drive to the hoop, that seeks to exploit the space between defenders. The shot is designed to be more difficult to block, as it has a high release point, making it a good option against taller defenders. To defend against a floater, defenders should aim to prevent the offensive player from getting into a comfortable position to shoot. This involves maintaining a good defensive position and not allowing the offensive player to beat them to the spot.
How to Defend a Floater in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | Defenders should be aware of the distance from which a floater can be taken. A floater is taken from a slightly farther distance than a layup but is still closer to the basket than a jump shot. |
| Timing | Timing is crucial to blocking a floater. Defenders should be mindful of the shooter's rhythm and the peak of their jump. |
| Height | Defenders should be aware of their height advantage or disadvantage. Taller defenders can swat the ball away more easily. |
| Positioning | Defenders should aim to maintain a legal guarding position and beat the offensive player to the spot to avoid a charging foul. |
| Momentum | Defenders should be aware of the shooter's momentum and how it affects their shot. For example, jumping with one foot can cause the shooter's momentum to shift in a more upward direction, decelerating their final momentum. |
| Wrist Action | Defenders can look out for the shooter's wrist action. Excessive wrist flick during a floater can cause too much speed or backspin, making it easier to block. |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid jumping forward
Jumping forward when shooting a floater is a bad idea for several reasons. Firstly, it reduces the space between you and the defender, bringing you closer to the rotating defender's shot-blocking arms. Secondly, jumping forward increases the likelihood of an offensive foul.
So, how do you avoid jumping forward? Well, the key is to focus on jumping straight up, maintaining a near-vertical jump. This will help you create more space between you and the defender. Think about gaining height over the defender, rather than distance.
To achieve this, you need to control your forward momentum. If you jump off one foot, you can slow down your momentum by raising the knee of the opposite leg to waist height, acting as a counterbalance. If you jump off two feet, your momentum will naturally shift upwards rather than forwards, decelerating your final momentum.
Practicing your floater from different angles and with different moves will help you improve your balance and control, making it easier to avoid jumping forward.
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Use proper technique
To defend against a floater, you need to understand the technique and then apply the right strategy to counter it. A floater is a high-arcing shot, executed by an offensive player driving to the hoop, and shot over an incoming defender. It is a skilful and elegant shot that is difficult to defend against.
The key to defending a floater is to maintain a good defensive position and not allow the offensive player to get past you or create space for the shot. You want to stay between the offensive player and the basket, forcing them to shoot over you or make a pass. Keep your arms extended to challenge the shot and try to stay low to reduce the space available for the shot.
When defending a floater, it is important to time your jump. As the defender, you want to jump at the right time to block or contest the shot. Watch the offensive player's body movement and rhythm, and time your jump to reach the peak of your jump just as they release the ball. This will give you the best chance to block the shot.
Another important aspect of defending a floater is to be aware of the offensive player's options. If they are driving to the basket, they may have the option to shoot a layup, floater, or pass to a teammate. Try to take away their preferred options by staying with them on their hip and being aware of any help defence that is coming your way. This will force the offensive player to make a decision and may cause them to hesitate, giving you an advantage.
Practising defensive drills and techniques will help you become more comfortable defending floaters. It is important to work on your footwork, balance, and timing, as well as understanding the offensive player's options. With practice, you will be able to better defend against floaters and become a more well-rounded defensive player.
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Shoot from a distance
Shooting from a distance is a crucial aspect of basketball, and the floater technique is an effective way to score over defenders positioned near the basket. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master the art of shooting floaters from a distance:
Understand the Floater Technique
The floater is a distinctive basketball shot that combines the upward trajectory of a jump shot with the close-range execution of a layup. It is an in-between shot, taken from a slightly farther distance than a layup but closer than a typical jump shot. The key to a successful floater is a near-vertical jump, reducing the space between you and your defender. This enables you to release the ball with a high arc over the defender's fingers, making it challenging for them to block.
Practice Shooting from Different Distances
To master the floater, it's essential to practice shooting from various angles and distances around the basket. Work on both sides of the basket to improve your ability to execute floaters from different positions during a game. Practice floaters off the dribble and stationary shots to simulate different game situations. The more you practice, the better you'll become at reading the defense and determining when a floater is the appropriate shot choice.
Find Your 'Floater Zone'
Visualize the court and identify the 'floater zone,' which is the space between defenders. This area is typically beyond the reach of taller defenders, allowing you to release the ball high and soft over their outstretched arms. Court awareness is crucial for finding these open areas and executing your floater effectively.
Start Slow and Build Up
When learning how to shoot floaters, it's important to start slowly. Begin with no-dribble floaters and take a few steps to establish your rhythm. Gradually increase the speed by practicing half-speed drives and pull-ups until you have complete control over your movements. As you gain confidence, you can start speeding up your drives and incorporating more advanced techniques.
Focus on Balance, Touch, and Timing
Mastering the floater requires a delicate balance between power and finesse. Practice releasing the ball with a soft touch, aiming for a high arc that makes it challenging for defenders to block. Proper timing is also crucial. Release the ball just before reaching the peak of your jump to ensure a smooth shot and reduce the chances of the defender blocking it. Experiment with different release points to find what works best for you.
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Avoid a wrist flick
When executing a floater, an offensive player should avoid flicking their wrist as much as possible. This is because, in reference to a jump shot, a player would usually flick their wrist upon shooting the ball, especially with an arm-extended follow-through action, as they are further away from the basket. The wrist flick and follow-through help to create more speed, velocity, and backspin, which could increase shooting accuracy. However, when performing a floater, too much wrist flick and/or follow-through would generally result in too much speed and velocity. This would likely cause the offensive player to hit the back part of the rim or the backboard, leading to a missed floater attempt.
To avoid this, players should use a soft touch when releasing the ball, allowing it to swish through the net, which is ideal for scoring points via the floater. The goal is to make the shot before the defender can block it, and a soft touch can help achieve this. A gentle wrist flick with the fingertips can impart a backspin on the ball, helping it drop softly into the hoop. However, too much wrist action can result in too much backspin, causing the ball to bounce off the rim or backboard.
When performing a left-hand floater, a player should dribble with their left hand while moving towards the front of the basket in a straight line. They should then take the final step with their right foot in the middle of the lane, directly in front of the basket, and immediately jump with that same foot. While in the air, the player should raise their left knee parallel to the waist and release the ball with their right hand, taking a high-arching shot over the front of the rim with the left palm facing up and minimal or no wrist flick.
The right-hand floater follows a similar technique but with the opposite hand and footwork. It's important to note that the player's momentum and footwork for a floater are similar to a basic layup. Additionally, when jumping, players can release the ball without a jump stop to increase momentum and reduce the need to shoot as hard. This allows for a softer touch, which can help the ball roll into the net or play the bank for more control.
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Practice
To effectively defend against a floater, you must first understand what makes this shot unique. A floater is a high-arching shot executed by an offensive player driving to the hoop, releasing the ball at its highest point to score over defenders near the basket. It is commonly used by perimeter players like point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards, but can also be used by traditional post players like power forwards or centers. The floater is an elegant and skilful shot, offering a unique way to score against defenders positioned close to the basket.
Now, let's get into the specifics of how to practice defending against this challenging move:
When practicing defence against a floater, it's important to simulate game-like conditions as much as possible. Set up a scenario where you are guarding an offensive player who is driving towards the basket with the intention of shooting a floater. You want to be positioned on the offensive player's non-dominant hip, acting as if you are guarding against both a floater and a potential layup. Practice staying light on your feet, maintaining a low centre of gravity, and being ready to react quickly to the offensive player's movements.
Work on your lateral quickness and agility to mirror the offensive player's movements. The key is to stay with your player without reaching or committing a foul. Practice keeping your hands up and active, disrupting their shooting motion and vision without making contact. You can also use tools like resistance bands or agility ladders to improve your footwork and quickness, which are crucial for effective defence.
Additionally, focus on improving your vertical leap to challenge shots without fouling. Practice jumping straight up without lunging forward, maintaining your position while reaching for the ball with your fingertips. Another important aspect is anticipating the shot timing. Watch for the offensive player's shooting cues, such as their gathering motion or the ball coming up to their shooting pocket.
Remember, defending a floater is about patience, quick reactions, and disrupting the shooter without committing a foul. Practice these techniques repeatedly to improve your defensive skills against this challenging shot. With consistent practice, you'll develop the instincts and agility needed to effectively defend against floaters during game situations.
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Frequently asked questions
A floater is a high-arching shot that is executed over an incoming defender on a drive to the hoop. It is used to score against a defender in front of the basket who is trying to block a potential layup.
To defend against a floater, try to get into a legal guarding position and beat the offensive player to the spot. This will make it more likely that a charging foul is called on the offensive player.
When shooting a floater, release the ball just before the peak of your jump. Avoid jumping too far forward, as this reduces the space between you and the defender, making it easier for them to block your shot. Practice shooting floaters as part of your training routine to improve your accuracy and confidence.
