Mastering The Pro Hop: Basketball's Secret Weapon

how to do pro hop in basketball

The pro hop, also known as the hop step, is a basketball move that combines the euro step and jump-stop. It's all about gaining balance and control while dribbling down the court. To execute the pro hop, you need to pay attention to your footwork and stance. The key is to land on both feet simultaneously, which allows you to pivot in either direction and gives you more mobility on the court. You can then finish the move with a pass or a shot. While practising the pro hop, it's important to start with small hops and maintain a low body position with bent knees to improve balance and stability.

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Land with both feet

Landing with both feet is an essential part of the pro hop in basketball, also known as the hop step. Failing to land on both feet simultaneously can result in a travelling call by a referee. Landing with both feet at the same time allows you to pivot in either direction, giving you more mobility on the court.

When landing, keep your knees bent, your body low, and your head up. This improves your balance, stability, and response. It also helps you maintain court awareness, which is crucial in deciding whether you will be able to drive to the hoop and make a shot.

To practice landing with both feet, start by dribbling the ball slowly down the court, paying close attention to your footwork and stance. At random intervals or on a signal, combine your footwork with the dribbling and take your hop step. Try to get close to the rim, as this will draw the opposing defence, creating openings for your teammates.

Remember, the key to the pro hop is not jumping too high, as this will negatively impact your balance and may lead to an unnecessary step, resulting in a travelling call. Instead, focus on small hops and always aim to land with both feet simultaneously.

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Limit your pivot

Limiting your pivot is an important part of the pro hop move in basketball, but it's a technique that can be tricky to master and may result in a travelling call from officials. The pivot is the action of turning on one foot while keeping the other foot planted on the floor. When performing a pro hop, you must limit yourself to one pivot.

The pro hop is a move that involves hopping and landing on two feet. After landing, you can pivot with one foot or the other, but not both. This is because the first step in a 1-2 step establishes the pivot. If you lift that foot, you must then shoot or pass before it touches the ground again.

It's important to note that the pivot does not count as a step. However, once you are pivoting, you must shoot or pass before your feet touch the floor again. If you had possession of the ball prior to the move and used your pivot, you may not pivot a second time following your hop.

Some officials may still call a travelling violation when performing a pro hop, even when executed perfectly. This is because the move can be difficult to discern from a travel, and it may also be underutilized or look odd to those who are unfamiliar with the rules. Therefore, it's important to practice the move and understand the rules to avoid travelling violations when using the pro hop in a game.

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Practice small hops

To practice small hops, start by bending your knees and staying low to the ground. This improves your balance and stability. Keep your head up to maintain court awareness and help you decide if you should drive to the hoop and attempt a shot. Practice jogging slowly down the court and, at random intervals, execute a jump step with a small hop. Focus on landing with both feet simultaneously, as this is the key to avoiding a travelling call and allows you to pivot in either direction.

Alternate the foot you use to drive downward to build symmetry and prevent over-reliance on your dominant side. You can also practice dribbling the ball slowly while paying close attention to your footwork. At random intervals, combine your dribbling with the hop step, trying to get close to the rim. The closer you are to the rim, the more likely the opposing defence will react, creating opportunities for your teammates.

Remember that the height of your hops is important. Jumping too high will negatively impact your balance and may lead to an unnecessary step, resulting in a travelling call. Practice controlling the height of your hops and always aim to land on both feet simultaneously. This will enable you to pivot and make the most of your mobility on the court.

Additionally, practice your single pivot to get comfortable with halting your momentum after the hop step. This will help you avoid taking an illegal second step or pivot. Finish your moves with a pass or a shot to develop good reflexes, which will be beneficial during game pressure situations.

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Dribble slowly

To perform a pro hop, also known as a hop step, you must begin by dribbling slowly down the court. Keep your head up to maintain court awareness and stay close to the rim. This will draw the opposing defence, opening up opportunities for your teammates.

While dribbling slowly, pay close attention to your footwork and stance. At random intervals, or when signalled by a whistle, combine your footwork with the dribbling and execute a jump step.

When performing the jump step, it is important to jump with restraint. Avoid jumping too high, as this will throw off your balance and add unnecessary momentum, leading to an extra step and a potential travelling call. Instead, focus on gaining balance and control by bending your knees and staying low. Drive downward with your leading foot, performing a small hop. This will help you build symmetry and prevent favouring your dominant side.

Remember, the key to a successful hop step is landing with both feet simultaneously. This allows you to pivot in either direction, increasing your mobility on the court. Once you land, keep your knees bent, body low, and head up. Finish the move with a pass or a shot to improve your reflexes.

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Finish with a pass or shot

Finishing with a pass or a shot is the final step of the pro hop in basketball. This step is crucial for improving your reflexes, which will be beneficial during a game when you're under pressure. When landing, make sure your knees are bent, your body is low, and your head is up. Landing in this position will give you more balance and stability, allowing you to make a pass or shot with precision.

Once you've landed on both feet, you can pivot with one foot to set yourself up for the pass or shot. It's important to note that you cannot pivot with both feet, as this will be considered travelling. After you've pivoted, you must shoot or pass before your feet touch the floor again.

Practising small hops is crucial for mastering the pro hop. Jumping too high will negatively impact your balance and make it challenging to control your movement. Therefore, focus on small hops and work on landing simultaneously on both feet. This will ensure you don't get called for travelling and give you the option to pivot in either direction, providing more mobility on the court.

Additionally, when practising the pro hop, try dribbling the ball slowly down the court, focusing on your footwork and stance. At random intervals, combine your footwork with dribbling and execute the hop step. The closer you get to the rim, the more the opposing defence will be drawn to you, creating opportunities for your teammates. Practising this way will help you refine your pro hop and finish with a pass or shot effectively.

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Frequently asked questions

The Pro Hop, also known as the hop step, is a move that combines the euro step and jump-stop. It involves hopping and landing on two feet, which allows you to pivot in either direction and gain more mobility on the court.

It's important to maintain proper balance and control during the Pro Hop. Keep your knees bent, stay low, and always be aware of your surroundings by keeping your head up. Practice small hops to control the height of your jump, as jumping too high can disrupt your balance.

Start by dribbling the ball slowly down the court, focusing on your footwork and stance. At random intervals or with a signal, combine your footwork with the dribbling and execute the hop step. Practice landing on both feet simultaneously, as failing to do so can result in a travelling call.

Yes, you can pivot after landing from a Pro Hop. However, remember that a pivot does not count as a step. Once you land, you can pivot with one foot but not both. Finish your move with a pass or a shot to improve your reflexes.

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