Andrew Pace
Finishing is an important skill in basketball, and one that even young players can benefit from learning early on. Finishing at the rim is a critical skill for players at every level, and there are a number of ways to improve in this area. Drills are a great way to practice finishing, with interleaving and random layup drills recommended for efficiency and transferability to games. Players can also study the finishes of the best players in the world, either on YouTube or by watching the NBA Finals, for example. It's also important to train on these principles and apply them in-game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Training | Training on finishing principles and applying them in-game situations is crucial. |
| Study and Practice | Study various finishes, including those of the best players, and practice them daily from different angles. |
| Touch | Improve your "touch" by working on it during workouts, varying speeds and angles to build confidence in finishing tough layups. |
| Creativity | Encourage creativity in your training, varying dribble moves, using screens, and exploring different ways to get the ball on the rim. |
| Ball Protection | Focus on ball protection, positioning the ball on the outside shoulder during "take-off" to account for defenders. |
| Go-To Move | Develop a "Go-To Move" but also have a repertoire of named finishes to adapt to the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of the game. |
| Interleaving | Practice interleaving by combining skills, such as dribble moves with finishing, to improve efficiency and simulate game-like situations. |
| Competitive Drills | Utilize competitive drills with defenders to simulate in-game scenarios and improve finishing. |
| Jumping | Jump before the defender to initiate contact and prevent them from blocking your shot. |
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What You'll Learn
Study and practice different finishes
To improve your finishing in basketball, you must study and practice different finishes. Finishing moves are the final shot a player takes to score a point, and there are dozens of different types, from basic layups to advanced pro-hop finishes.
A good starting point is to practice finger rolls, as they are the most common and reliable type of layup. Practice these over and over until you are comfortable and can perform them at game speed. You can start by standing right in front of the rim and making layups with both hands, hitting all spots on the backboard. Then, turn around and do the same backward. Once you've mastered this, you can try more advanced finishes such as off-the-glass-high, off-the-glass-low, floaters, baby hooks, and mistimed jumps.
It is also important to work on your weak hand until it becomes as good as your dominant hand. For example, if you have a good right-hand handle, practice moving to your left and finishing with your left hand. This will make you less predictable to defenders and improve your overall finishing ability.
Additionally, you can study basketball finishes on YouTube or by watching games at the "next level" to learn from more advanced players. Pay attention to the details of each finish and evaluate the technique. You can also use competitive finishing drills with defenders to simulate game situations and improve your finishing under pressure.
Finally, develop a sense of creativity in your finishes. Vary how you get to the basket and allow for variation in how you get the ball on the rim. Work on mastering difficult finishes in your workouts so that you can execute them in games when needed.
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Develop a Go-To Move
Developing a go-to move is an essential part of a player and team's success on the offensive end. This move should be simple, quick, and easy, as it is something that must be mastered and be comfortable with.
A good example of a go-to move is the Euro step, which was developed in European basketball. This move involves a player taking a step in one direction, bumping into their defender, and then quickly taking a second step in the opposite direction before attempting a layup. The Euro step works well as a counter, even when the defender is unfamiliar with your game.
Another example is the over-the-head move, where the player rotates the ball over their head in a circular fashion while stepping to one side of the defender, attempting to get past them and prevent the ball from getting stolen. This move is typically used when driving to the basket and on fast breaks.
When receiving the ball in the low post, a player can fake in one direction and then spin in the opposite direction, or immediately spin around the defender and go for a shot. This move is named after Jack Sikma.
It is important to practice your go-to move thousands of times to perfect it. You should also develop counter moves to use when your go-to move is stopped by a defender. For example, Michael Jordan's go-to move was a hard jab into a crossover dribble to the hoop, and his counter move was a hard spin changing directions into a scoop layup.
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Improve your touch
Improving your touch in basketball is an important aspect of becoming a better finisher. Finishing with contact, off-balance, and in other difficult scenarios are skills that can be improved with practice and dedication. Here are some ways to improve your touch:
Drills and Exercises
Basketball drills are a great way to improve your touch and finishing skills. One such drill is the "Windshield Wiper Toss Tennis Ball Drill", which helps improve dribbling skills and ball handling. This drill involves using a tennis ball and a basketball. You toss the tennis ball in the air, pound the basketball, and stay low. This helps you keep your eyes up while dribbling, allowing you to read the defense and make better decisions.
Another drill is the "1 Hand Tips" drill, where players tip the ball off the backboard with their outside hand and then score the final tip. This improves touch and coordination. A more advanced variation is the "2 Ball Alternating Tips" drill, where players alternate tips with two balls, one in each hand, improving their touch and challenging their coordination.
Soft Touch
Developing a soft touch is desirable as it allows the ball to dribble softly around the rim instead of clanging off it. To achieve this, focus on increasing the rotation of the ball when shooting and creating a higher arch. This can be practiced by standing under the rim and bouncing shots off the glass, as demonstrated by Kyrire. Additionally, treat the ball as an extension of your hand during layups, using your legs as the power source and your arms and hands as guides.
Managing Perspiration
Perspiration can impact your touch and control of the ball. Finding the right balance between dry and wet hands is crucial. Bring a towel to wipe your hands when they become too sweaty, and consider using rosin to manage perspiration and improve grip.
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Jump before the defender
Jumping is an essential skill in basketball, and there are a variety of ways to improve your vertical leap. Firstly, you must understand the importance of practice and repetition. Jumping more often will help you increase your vertical leap. You can try this by simply jumping as high as you can every day, attempting to touch the rim. You can also incorporate plyometrics into your workouts, such as explosive jump exercises, which have been proven to increase vertical leap significantly. Consistency is key when it comes to these exercises.
In addition to plyometrics, you can try exercises that focus on strengthening your legs, such as squats, lunges, and calf raises. Working on your lower body strength will not only improve your jump height but also your endurance and explosiveness on the court. Uphill sprints are another excellent way to improve your endurance and explosiveness, as they skyrocket your lower body strength.
Flexibility is also important for improving your jump height. Make sure to stretch and warm up before each workout to prevent injuries and improve your mobility, which will lead to improved explosiveness.
When it comes to jumping before the defender, you can also utilize techniques such as the floater, a shot used to float the ball over the outreached hands of defenders. This technique is especially useful for guards who need to be craftier with their finishing moves as the competition level increases.
Lastly, when jumping before the defender, it is important to understand the rules to avoid committing fouls. Jumping into a defender who is jumping vertically is considered a foul on the offensive player. However, if the defender is moving forward, it may be called a foul on the defender, depending on the referee's judgment.
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Utilise competitive drills
Competitive drills are an excellent way to improve your team's skills and make them more successful. They simulate game situations and allow players to work on their finishing moves while feeling the pressure of a defender. Here are some tips and ideas for utilising competitive drills in basketball practice:
Drill Ideas
- One-on-One Full-Court Drill: This drill gives the offensive player a slight advantage at the start. The defender tries to back-tip/strip the ball, cut off the offensive player, or block their finish. This improves the offensive player's ability to handle the ball at full speed and maximise their dribbles.
- Offensive vs. Defensive Rebound Drill: Split your squad into groups of three or create two teams. A coach shoots the basketball, and the defenders must block out the offence. Points are awarded based on how the offence and defence interact with the rebound.
- Traditional Post Drill: This drill works on both offensive and defensive moves. Offensive players practice using different moves while defenders learn to battle, wall up, and play defence without fouling.
- Competitive Layup Drill: Set up a basic layup drill with cones or markers on the court to simulate defenders. Players must navigate the course while also focusing on finishing at the basket.
Tips for Competitive Drills
- Keep it Fun: Adding a competitive twist to drills can make them more engaging and help players stay motivated.
- Mix it Up: Vary the drills to keep players focused and listening. Combine different skills, such as dribbling and finishing, to make the drills more game-like.
- Simulate Game Situations: Competitive drills should replicate what happens in a game. Use defenders to contest shots and create challenges for the offensive players.
- Track Progress: Keep track of your players' progress to motivate them and identify areas that need improvement.
- End with a Scrimmage: After the competitive drills, end the session with a scrimmage to allow players to apply what they've learned.
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Frequently asked questions
Studying and practising different finishes is key. Watch film, not just of your own games but also of the best players in the world, and study basketball finishes on YouTube. Work on your "touch" by finishing from different angles in practice and drills. Develop a "go-to move", but also have a repertoire of other finishes.
For beginners, a simple "layup line drill" is a good starting point. Once players are comfortable with basic layups, progress to "interleaving" and "random" drills, which mix skills and change the situations and types of shots to more closely simulate actual game conditions. Competitive drills that utilise defenders to contest shots are also a good way to simulate game conditions.
Try to jump before the defender jumps and initiate contact before they leave their feet. Jumping into a defender is a reactionary move to prevent them from blocking your shot.
