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The Euro Step is a basketball move that has gained popularity in recent years. It is used by a player with the ball to fake out a defender and create space for an easier shot opportunity. The Euro Step involves sweeping the basketball across the body and taking a second step in the opposite direction, which fools the defender into thinking the player is heading in a different direction. The move can be performed anywhere on the court and can be finished with a shot, or by passing to a teammate for a layup or three-pointer. To master the Euro Step, players must learn each step and practice repeatedly.
How to do a Euro Step in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Starting Position | Player with the ball attacking the basket |
| Dribbling | Doesn't matter which hand is used or which side of the court the player is on |
| Distance from the Body | Ball should not be dribbled too far in front of the player |
| First Step | Big outside step |
| Second Step | Big inside step |
| Third Step | Jump off your left foot |
| Fourth Step | Extend towards the basket with either hand |
| Finishing | Shoot or pass to a teammate |
| Variations | Sweep the basketball across the body at knee, chest, or above head height |
| Fake | Use the first step to move the defender in the direction of the fake |
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What You'll Learn
The Euro step can be used anywhere on the court
The Euro Step is a basketball move that can be used anywhere on the court. It is a relatively new move, having been popularized in the early 2000s, and is one of the most dramatic moves a ball handler can make while dribbling. The key to the Euro Step is faking out the defender by making them think you're heading in one direction, only to quickly change direction and head towards the basket. This creates space between you and the defender, making it easier to make a layup.
The basic steps of the Euro Step are as follows:
- Start with the ball while attacking the basket. It doesn't matter which hand you're dribbling with or which side of the court you're on.
- Ensure that you aren't dribbling the ball too far in front of you, as this could lead to the defender stealing the ball.
- As you get closer to the basket and the defender, pick up the basketball while your left foot is on the floor.
- Sweep the basketball across your body and take your second step with your left foot, going in the opposite direction.
- You can sweep the ball low (knee height), across the body (chest height), or high (above the head). Just be careful not to make contact with the defender's forehead if you sweep high.
- Jump off your left foot and extend towards the basket with either hand, releasing the ball into the hoop.
It's important to note that you don't have to finish with a shot every time you use the Euro Step. Sometimes, it's better to drop the ball off to a teammate for a layup or pass it out for a three-pointer, especially if a help defender steps in to contest your shot. To master the Euro Step, practice each step repeatedly and remember that there are many variations to this move that you can explore.
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How to perform the Euro step
The Euro step is a basketball move that has gained popularity over the last two decades, especially in the NBA. It is used by a player with the ball to fake out a defender and create space for an easier shot opportunity.
To perform the Euro step, start by dribbling towards the basket with a defender in front of you. Ensure the ball is not too far in front of you, or the defender may steal it. As you approach the defender, pick up your dribble with your left foot on the floor. Sweep the basketball across your body and take a large second step with your left foot in the opposite direction. This step fakes out the defender, causing them to move in the direction of your first step.
After the second step, you have several options. You can jump off your left foot and extend your arm to shoot the ball, or you can pass to a teammate for a layup or three-pointer. You can also add an extra dribble before taking your second step, as demonstrated by Kyrie Irving.
The Euro step is a versatile move that can be used anywhere on the court, regardless of which hand you are dribbling with or which side of the court you are on. Practice each step repeatedly to master the technique and execute it effectively in a game.
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Mastering the Euro step
The Euro step can be performed anywhere on the court and from either side. It starts with a player attacking the basket, dribbling towards it with a defender in front of them. It is important not to dribble the ball too far in front, as this could allow the defender to steal it. As you get close to the defender, pick up the basketball while your left foot is on the floor. Sweep the basketball across your body and take a second step with your left foot in the opposite direction. You can sweep the ball at knee height, chest height, or above the head—just be careful not to hit the defender with your elbows if you choose the latter!
If you've executed the move correctly, you should now be in front of the basket with space to shoot. Jump off your left foot and extend your arm to drop the ball into the hoop. You don't always have to finish with a shot, however—sometimes it's better to drop the ball off to a teammate for a layup or to pass it out for a three-pointer.
Some players struggle with the Euro step because they can't "sell" the fake when taking the first step. To mix things up, you can try slowing down your first step if the defender isn't jumping on it. You can also add an extra dribble before you begin the move, to really throw off the defender.
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Variations of the Euro step
The Euro step is a versatile move that can be performed from either side of the court and with either hand. It is most effective when used against an aggressive defender who is overly committed to blocking your driving path. Here are some variations of the Euro step:
- The James Harden Euro Step: This variation involves adding one extra dribble and then taking a step in the opposite direction before picking up the ball and skipping to the side you want to finish on. This variation is especially useful for guards, as it allows them to choose which hand to finish with.
- Sweeping the Basketball: When performing the Euro step, the offensive player can sweep the basketball across their body at different heights: low (knee height), across the body (chest height), or high (above the head). However, if sweeping the ball high, be careful not to make contact with the defender's forehead.
- Starting Position: The Euro step can be initiated from different starting positions on the court. For example, starting with the ball outside the three-point line can increase the effectiveness of the move by taking advantage of the defence's automatic reaction to collapse into the interior when you drive toward the basket.
- Finishing the Move: While the Euro step often sets up a layup or dunk, it doesn't always have to end with one. When facing taller defenders, you can utilise a soft floater or running jump shot to keep the ball out of their reach. Additionally, the Euro step can also be used to create space and then drop the ball off to a teammate for a layup or pass it out for a three-pointer.
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The history of the Euro step
The Euro step, also known as the two-step or long lateral, is a basketball move that involves an offensive player picking up their dribble, taking a step in one direction, and then quickly taking a second step in another direction. This move allows the player to evade a defender and attack the basket. While the exact origins of the Euro step are difficult to pinpoint, it is believed to have evolved over time in Eastern Europe, with its introduction to the NBA attributed to Šarūnas Marčiulionis in 1989.
In the mid-1980s, the modern era of the Euro step began. Toni Kukoc, a 17-year-old Croatian player, was practicing under coach Slavko Trninic, who emphasized finding creative ways to get to the basket. Trninic would set up a chair in the middle of the lane, challenging players to dribble from the 3-point line and finish at the rim while emulating a defender. This training likely influenced the development of the Euro step.
The move was popularized in North America in the 2000s, primarily by Manu Ginóbili, who brought it with him from his native Argentina. Other players like Dražen Petrović also contributed to its spread in the NBA. The Euro step gained traction among American-born players like James Harden and Dwyane Wade, who incorporated it into their gameplay.
The Euro step is particularly effective when a shorter guard goes up against a taller forward or center. It involves deception and quick direction changes, allowing players to create space and easily score. This move has stirred controversy due to its proximity to a traveling violation, as it pushes the boundaries of the two-step rule. However, it has become an essential part of modern basketball, with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo using it to revolutionize the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The Euro step is a move in basketball meant to fake a defender into thinking the player with the ball is heading to the basket in one direction, but the player quickly changes direction and heads to the basket in the opposite direction.
The Euro step can be performed anywhere on the court. It starts with a player attacking the basket. As the player is closing in on the defender, they pick up the basketball while their left foot is on the floor. Then, they sweep the basketball across their body and take a second step with their left foot in the opposite direction. Finally, they jump off their left foot, extend towards the basket with either hand, and drop the basketball into the hoop.
The Euro step is a move that must be practiced over and over again to be mastered. Players should be careful not to dribble the ball too far in front of them, otherwise, the defender might steal the ball. Additionally, players can finish the move with a shot, or they can drop the ball off to a teammate for a layup or pass it out for a three-pointer.
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