Helena Frye
Layups are considered the easiest shot in basketball, as they are taken close to the basket, giving you a high chance of scoring. To perform a layup, you must master your footwork and practice until your muscles remember the movement. It is worth learning how to do a layup with both your left and right hands, increasing your ability to score against opponents. When performing a right-handed layup, angle your approach to the right of the basket and vice versa for your left hand. You can practice your footwork by slowly approaching the basket and increasing your speed once you feel comfortable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easiest shot in basketball |
| Importance | Footwork is the most important part of a layup |
| Mastery | Practice until your muscles remember the movement |
| Sides | Learn to do a layup from both the left and right side of the basket |
| Dribbling | Dribble close to the basket with your dominant hand |
| Angle | Angle your approach toward the side of the basket you're dominant in |
| Distance | Get close enough to have easy access to the basket, but not so close that you end up directly under it |
| Footwork | Start your layup footwork by taking a step toward the basket with your non-dominant foot |
| Jumping | Jump off your dominant foot |
| Body movement | Your body should be moving toward the basket, but don't bend forward |
| Aim | Aim for the backboard instead of trying to tip the ball over the rim |
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork: Lead with your outside foot, then step with your inside foot
- Protect the ball: Keep it close to your body, using your non-shooting hand to protect it
- Aim: Go for the backboard, not just over the rim
- Practice: Drill until your muscles remember the movement
- Variations: Try the underarm, overarm, reverse, and Euro-step layup
Footwork: Lead with your outside foot, then step with your inside foot
Footwork is the most important part of a layup to master. This is because you're moving toward the basket when making a layup. You should learn how to do a layup from both the left and right sides of the basket to increase your ability to score against opponents.
When performing a layup, lead with your outside foot, then step with your inside foot. For example, if you're doing a right-handed layup, angle your approach toward the right side of the basket. You want to get close enough to have easy access to the basket, but not so close that you end up directly under it. When you're just a few feet from the basket, take a step toward it with your left foot. Give the ball one last hard dribble just to the outside of your left foot. As soon as your right foot lands, use it to jump in the direction of the basket.
If you're doing a left-handed layup, the process is similar but mirrored. In this case, you would lead with your right foot and then step with your left foot. The ball should tap the backboard slightly to the left of the center of the square. When you hit this spot, you'll sink the shot every time since the backboard absorbs the ball's impact and helps it drop through the net.
Practicing your footwork is key. Over time, your muscles will remember the movement, and the layup will become second nature. Eventually, you'll get to the point where your body automatically knows what to do, and you don't have to think about which foot to put forward and which one to jump off of.
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Protect the ball: Keep it close to your body, using your non-shooting hand to protect it
Protecting the ball is an important aspect of performing a layup in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this skill:
When approaching the basket, keep the ball close to your body. This helps shield the ball from defenders and reduces the risk of it being knocked away. Hold the ball with your shooting hand, which should be positioned under the ball, and place your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball to protect it. For right-handed shooters, this means your right hand will be under the ball, and your left hand will be on the side.
As you get closer to the basket, continue to maintain a low, protective stance. Keep the ball tucked in front of your shooting-side shoulder. For right-handed shooters, this would be your right shoulder. This position allows you to keep the ball secure while also preparing for the next steps of the layup.
When you're just a few feet away from the basket, start your layup footwork. This involves taking a step toward the basket with your non-shooting foot. For right-handed shooters, step with your left foot. At this point, give the ball one last hard dribble just to the outside of your non-shooting foot. This dribble helps create momentum and sets up the next move.
As you jump toward the basket, keep the ball protected by your body. Extend your arms to release the ball with a backspin, ensuring it goes up and then down, making contact with the backboard. Aim for the spot slightly to the left or right of the center of the square on the backboard, as this will help absorb the impact and increase your chances of making the shot.
By following these steps and keeping the ball close to your body, you can better protect it during a layup. Remember to practice this move repeatedly until your muscles remember the movement and it becomes second nature.
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Aim: Go for the backboard, not just over the rim
When performing a layup, it is important to aim for the backboard, rather than just trying to tip the ball over the rim. The backboard provides a larger target and more room for error. If you hit the rim directly, the ball is likely to bounce out, whereas the backboard absorbs the impact of the ball and helps guide it through the net.
For a right-handed layup, the ball should make contact with the backboard slightly to the right of the centre of the square. This is the "sweet spot" that will ensure the ball drops through the net. Conversely, for a left-handed layup, aim for the ball to tap the backboard just to the left of the centre.
Practising your layups will help you develop a feel for the correct technique and improve your accuracy. Over time, the movement will become second nature, and you won't need to consciously think about your footwork or which hand to use. You'll be able to instinctively make the layup with fluidity and precision.
In addition to aiming for the backboard, it's crucial to master the footwork involved in a layup. For a right-handed layup, approach the basket from the centre or right side, and use your left foot to jump. Conversely, for a left-handed layup, approach from the left side and jump off your right foot. This will help you maintain balance and control as you move towards the basket.
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Practice: Drill until your muscles remember the movement
To perform a layup, it's important to get the footwork right. This involves stepping towards the basket with your left foot, then dribbling the ball to the outside of your left foot. You then jump off your right foot, keeping your body upright and moving towards the basket. Practice this footwork until your muscles remember the movement.
Drilling this movement will help you to perform layups instinctively and without hesitation. Start by approaching the basket slowly, and increase your speed as you get more comfortable with the footwork. Practice both right-handed and left-handed layups to improve your versatility and ability to score from different angles.
When performing a right-handed layup, angle your approach to the right side of the basket. You want to get close enough to have easy access to the basket, but not so close that you're directly under it. For a left-handed layup, remember to tap the backboard slightly to the left of the center square. Hitting this spot will ensure you sink the shot every time.
As you practice, you'll develop a sense of how fast to approach the basket and from what distance to begin your layup footwork. The more you drill this movement, the more natural it will feel, and you'll eventually get to a point where your body remembers what to do without you having to think about it consciously.
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Variations: Try the underarm, overarm, reverse, and Euro-step layup
Variations
Try out the underarm layup, also known as the finger roll. This involves using your wrist and fingers to gently place or roll the ball into the net or off the board. Wilt Chamberlain, Mike Bibby, and Allen Iverson are all known for their underarm finger rolls.
The overarm layup, or overhand shot, is similar to a jump shot but from a much closer range. It almost always involves using the backboard. Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone are both known for their overarm layups.
The reverse layup is used to evade a block. Face away from the basket and toss the ball backwards. You can use this when you want to finish on the opposite side of the basket or when a defender is blocking one side of the rim. Michael Jordan famously used this move to score against taller defenders.
The Euro-step is a move that involves picking up your dribble, taking one step in one direction, and then quickly taking a large step in the other direction to evade a defender and create space for a layup. This move was introduced to the NBA by European players and is mainly used by guards and forwards due to its reliance on agility and footwork.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step to performing a layup is to dribble towards the basket with your dominant hand.
For a right-handed layup, the first step should be with the right foot, and the second with the left. For a left-handed layup, it is the opposite.
Use your non-dominant hand to shield the ball from defenders. Keep the ball close to your body and have strong hands to prevent it from being stripped.
Practice layups as part of every basketball practice. Attempt layups at game speed to mimic in-game scoring mechanics and improve your muscle memory.
