Helena Frye
The floater is one of the most effective shots in basketball, favoured by NBA players such as Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Tony Parker. It is a quick-release shot with an unblockable high arc, used when a player is too close to the basket for a jump shot but too far away for a layup. There are three basic types of floater shots: a one-foot floater, a two-foot floater, and a Eurostep floater. The two-foot floater is the one that allows for maximum control, as landing on both feet gives the player extra time to read the defence and generate power for their jump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of floaters | One-foot, two-foot, Eurostep, running |
| When to use a floater | When you get past your defender but don't want to go all the way to the basket for a layup |
| Benefits of a two-foot floater | Maximum control, ability to pump fake, make an easy pass, and absorb more contact when attacking the rim |
| Benefits of a running floater | Allows you to shoot on the move and get your shot off before the defender can get to you |
| Technique | Shoot at your peak with a gentle flick of the wrist, aim for a high arc, release the ball while on your way up into your jump |
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What You'll Learn
- The running floater: Shoot on the move before the defender reaches you
- Jump-stopping: Allows you to gather yourself before releasing the ball
- Two-foot floater: Allows maximum control and more power for your jump
- One-foot floater: One of three basic types of floater shots
- When to use a floater: Use when you get past your defender but don't want to go for a layup?
The running floater: Shoot on the move before the defender reaches you
The running floater is an effective in-between shot and lay-up alternative. It allows players to shoot on the move and get their shot off before the defender reaches them. This technique is especially useful when players find themselves too deep in the paint with no shot or passing lane.
When performing the running floater, it's important to time your shot and maintain control of your body. You don't need to be at full speed, but you should jump into the floater as you would for a lay-up, then shoot at the peak of your jump with a gentle wrist flick. Aim for a high-arching shot, arcing the ball over the defender's outstretched hands.
To master the running floater, start by practicing no-dribble floaters with just a few setup steps. Then, progress to driving to the rim at half-speed before pulling up to shoot. As you gain control, gradually increase your speed. It's recommended to begin with a two-foot jump, as this provides more balance and control, before advancing to one-foot floaters.
Additionally, consider using basketball drills to simulate game-like situations. For example, use a teammate or a broom to mimic a shot-blocker, and practice driving towards the basket to perfect your timing and technique.
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Jump-stopping: Allows you to gather yourself before releasing the ball
Jump-stopping is an important fundamental footwork skill in basketball that allows players to stop on a basketball court without travelling. It is executed by taking a small step and landing on both feet simultaneously, in balance, without leaning forward. This technique can be used at the end of a dribble to prevent the player from falling forward from their momentum and getting a travelling call. It can also be used when receiving a pass, to get into the triple-threat position, or by a low post player catching the ball in the low post.
When performing a jump-stop, players should jump off one foot and then land in the same position, with their knees bent and head up. Landing with bent knees helps players stay low and balanced, while keeping their head up allows them to see the court. It is important to note that jumping too high will cause the player to land off-balance. Therefore, the jump should only be small, so that the player stays in control.
The jump-stop allows players to gather themselves before releasing the ball. When using this technique for a floater, players should stay low so they can explode into the shot. They should shoot over their opposite shoulder, so that if a defender tries to block them, they can take the contact and avoid getting their shot blocked. If there is no defender in range, players can square their shoulders to the rim and push the ball forward.
The jump-stop can be taught through various drills. One drill involves players lining up on the end line and jogging slowly down the court. When a whistle is blown, they must come to a jump-stop. This drill can be progressed by adding a ball, so that players are dribbling while they jog. Another drill for receiving a pass with a jump-stop involves players throwing the ball a short distance in front of themselves with backspin, so that they have to jump before catching it.
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Two-foot floater: Allows maximum control and more power for your jump
The two-foot floater is an essential shot to have in your arsenal. It allows for maximum control and more power for your jump. This type of floater gives you extra time to read the defense and generate a more powerful jump. It is also beneficial when you need to pump fake, make an easy pass, or absorb contact when attacking the rim. When using the two-foot floater, it is crucial to stay low so you can explode into the shot and shoot over your opposite shoulder. This helps you avoid getting your shot blocked by a defender.
To execute the two-foot floater effectively, focus on your footwork. The more varied your footwork patterns are, the harder it is for defenders to guard you. Stepping left-right, right-left, or performing a jump stop before elevating for the shot can throw off your defender. Maintaining balance is critical; keep your center of gravity in the middle of your body to execute moves with greater speed and efficiency.
Additionally, timing is key when releasing the ball. Avoid holding the ball for too long, as it gives defenders an opportunity to block or alter your shot. Aim to release the ball while on your way up into your jump, ensuring a quick release and an unblockable high arc. Practice releasing the ball around forehead height, as this reduces the chances of your shot being blocked.
The two-foot floater is an effective tool when you've gotten past your defender but don't want to go all the way to the basket for a layup. It is a quick shot with a high arc, making it challenging for defenders to block. This technique is commonly used by NBA guards such as Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Tony Parker as one of their main ways to finish around the basket.
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One-foot floater: One of three basic types of floater shots
The floater is a high-arching shot over an incoming defender, executed on a drive to the hoop. It is a close-range field goal shot that is not as easy to master as the basic layup, especially for beginners. However, if a player becomes adept at shooting floaters, it can be one of the most difficult shots for the defence to block or contest.
The one-foot floater is one of the three basic types of floater shots. It is an excellent weapon for neutralising the disadvantages of having a defender who is bigger or more athletic than you. If you can read a defender and adjust your arc accordingly, the one-foot floater can be extremely difficult to block.
To perform the one-foot floater, you must first develop a high arc. As the floater is mostly used in and around the paint when there is a defender closing you out, the arc needs to be higher than a regular jump shot. To help increase the arc of your floater, think "Elbow-to-Eyebrow" when shooting. For example, if you are shooting with your right hand, your right elbow should be up near your right eyebrow when releasing the ball.
Second, you must learn how to execute a controlled deceleration before taking off. When you get to the paint, your momentum is horizontal. When you explode up to jump into your floater, the movement must be more vertical. By decelerating before your takeoff, you reduce the risk of this type of jump.
Third, you want to practice releasing the ball on the way up. This requires less energy and often results in a much softer touch, which should result in more buckets.
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When to use a floater: Use when you get past your defender but don't want to go for a layup
The floater is an effective shot in basketball, especially when you get past your defender but don't want to go for a layup. This situation typically arises when you are too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot but too far away for a layup. Instead of challenging a good shot-blocker under the basket, you can use a floater, which has a quicker release and makes it harder for the defender to block your shot.
When using a floater, it is important to stay low so you can explode into the shot. You should also aim to shoot over your opposite shoulder to avoid getting blocked. Additionally, you can use a pump fake to deceive the defender and create more space for your shot. The two-foot floater provides maximum control as it gives you extra time to read the defence and generate power for your jump.
When executing the shot, release the ball while on your way up into your jump to prevent defenders from blocking or altering your shot. You want to aim for a high arc on your floater, which will make it softer and harder to block. Practice shooting with different arc heights and angles to build your confidence.
The running floater is a variation that allows you to shoot on the move, getting your shot off before the defender can reach you. You can jump into the shot like a layup and then gently flick your wrist at the peak of your jump to release the ball. Timing your shot and maintaining control of your body are crucial when using this type of floater.
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Frequently asked questions
A floater is a shot that is used when a player gets past their defender but does not want to go all the way to the basket for a layup. It is an in-between shot, meaning you are too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot but too far away to shoot a layup.
You should use a floater when you are too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot but too far away to shoot a layup. Floaters are also useful when there is a good shot-blocker under the basket who would likely block your shot.
There are three basic types of floater shots: a floater off one foot, a floater off two feet, and a Eurostep floater. Out of these three, the two-foot floater allows for maximum control as landing on both feet gives you extra time to read the defence.
The running floater allows you to shoot on the move and get your shot off before the defender can get to you. You want to jump into the floater like you are shooting a lay-up and then shoot the ball at your peak with a gentle flick of the wrist.
It is important to release the ball while you are on your way up into your jump. If you hold the ball for too long, you give defenders more time to block or alter your shot. You should also aim to release the ball around your forehead to avoid having your shot blocked.
