Andrew Pace
The layup is a fundamental basketball move that is considered the easiest shot in the game. It is a complex skill that requires practice to perfect, and there are several variations, including the finger roll, overhand layup, and the most difficult—the up and under. This paragraph will introduce the topic of how to do an in-between-the-legs layup in basketball and provide a basic understanding of the skill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of move | Layup, dribble |
| Who performs it | Offensive player |
| Who it is effective against | Not effective against aggressive on-ball pressure |
| Who uses it | Perimeter-oriented positions like point guard, shooting guard, small forward |
| How to perform | Dribble with one hand between the legs, then catch the ball with the opposite hand |
| Variations | Standard form, reverse between the legs dribble |
| Practice tips | Keep head up and eyes forward, practice until muscles remember the movement |
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What You'll Learn
Dribble close to the basket
Dribbling close to the basket is a crucial skill in basketball, and the between-the-legs dribble is a great technique to add to your arsenal. This move is typically used by perimeter-oriented players like point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards, but it can also be effective for post-oriented players like power forwards or centers if they understand the fundamentals of dribbling.
To perform the between-the-legs dribble, start by getting into a basic dribbling stance. Crouch down, keeping your knees bent and positioned about shoulder-width apart. Lower your back end and lean forward slightly, maintaining a stable stance. This crouched position helps protect the ball, as standing up makes it easier for opponents to swipe at the ball. Keep the ball close to your body, bouncing it at a steady, low rate near your knees.
Use your dominant hand, pushing the ball laterally across your body. Snap your wrist to bounce the ball with force, using your fingertips for precise control. Avoid bouncing the ball forward or backward, as this can disrupt your rhythm and make it harder to protect the ball.
As you dribble, raise your head and chest, looking straight ahead towards the basket. Avoid looking down, as this can impair your balance and limit your court awareness. With your chest up, you're less likely to look at the ball, helping you maintain focus on the court.
Once the ball has bounced back up towards your knees, shift your hand to the side, turning your thumb slightly upward. Use your fingertips to push the ball down and continue bouncing it at knee height. This technique is crucial for maintaining control and preventing defenders from stealing the ball.
The between-the-legs dribble can be used to create scoring opportunities near the basket. After dribbling between your legs, catch the ball with your opposite hand and consider taking a jump shot or driving to the basket for a layup or dunk. Remember, this move may be less effective against aggressive on-ball defenders, so be mindful of the defensive pressure and adapt your approach accordingly.
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Jump off your right foot
Jumping off your right foot is a fundamental aspect of performing a layup in basketball. This technique is considered the easiest shot in the game as it is taken very close to the basket, making it difficult for opponents to block.
To execute a layup, start by dribbling the ball and approaching the basket. When you are within a few feet of the basket, take a step toward it with your left foot and give the ball one last hard dribble to the outside of your left foot. As soon as your right foot lands, use it to jump in the direction of the basket. Your body should be moving toward the basket, but avoid bending forward. The ideal position is close enough to the basket that you can jump straight up to shoot. As you jump, bring the ball out of the dribble and position it near your chest in preparation for the shot.
It is important to practice shooting with both your left and right hands. This will help you become more versatile and unpredictable to defenders. When shooting with your right hand, angle your approach toward the right side of the basket. Conversely, when shooting with your left hand, angle toward the left side. Practicing this will help you develop a sense of how fast to approach the basket and from what distance to initiate your layup footwork and jump.
Additionally, performing specific jumping exercises will help improve your overall jumping ability, which is crucial for executing powerful layups. For example, try placing your feet hip-width apart, bending your knees, and then exploding upwards into the air. You can also do half squats to train your jumping power from a squatting position.
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Shoot with your left arm
To shoot with your left arm during an in-between-the-legs layup, you must first get comfortable with the basic movement of a layup. This is a fundamental basketball move that will become second nature with enough practice. Start by approaching the basket with a dribble in your left hand, and when you're just a few feet away, take a step toward the basket with your left foot.
Now, give the ball one last hard dribble to the outside of your left foot. As soon as your right foot lands, use it to jump toward the basket. Your body should be moving toward the basket, but avoid bending forward. Ideally, you want to be close enough to the basket that you can jump straight up to shoot.
As you jump, bring the ball out of the dribble and position it close to your chest. Shoot with your left arm as you lift your left leg. Imagine a string attached to your left arm and left leg as you do this. This will help you coordinate the movement smoothly.
Practicing this move will help your muscles remember the movement, so it becomes instinctual. You can also try a drill where you stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart while holding the basketball. Move your left foot about a step ahead of your right foot, keeping your head up and eyes forward. This will help you develop a feel for the ball and improve your wrist action and finger pad control.
Remember, the in-between-the-legs dribble is typically used by perimeter-oriented players like point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards. It's an effective move for creating scoring opportunities near the basket, but it may not work well against very aggressive on-ball pressure.
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Practice the movement
To perform an effective between-the-legs layup, it is crucial to master the complex movement pattern involved. Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic steps: bring the ball between your legs from behind, allow it to roll over your shooting hand, and then quickly bring it back up in front to shoot the layup. Practice this sequence slowly at first, ensuring a smooth and controlled transfer of the ball between your legs. Gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable, aiming for a seamless and swift motion.
Begin practicing the movement without a basketball. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands in front of your body, as if holding an imaginary basketball. Practice bringing your hands down between your legs and then back up to shoot a layup. Focus on keeping your movements fluid and graceful.
Now, introduce a basketball into the drill. Start with your dominant hand, holding the ball at your side. Bring the ball behind your back and then quickly flick it downward, letting it pass between your legs. As the ball comes through your legs, use your other hand to catch it and immediately bring it back up for a layup. Practice this sequence until you can smoothly and quickly transfer the ball from one hand to the other.
To enhance your coordination and comfort with the move, it's beneficial to practice the movement with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. This will not only improve your overall dexterity but also keep defenders guessing when you execute this move during a game. Remember to focus on maintaining control and precision as you switch up your hands.
As you advance in your practice, incorporate dribbling into your routine. Start dribbling with your dominant hand, and then quickly switch to your non-dominant hand, mimicking a crossover dribble. As you do this, bring the ball low between your legs, and then quickly flick it upward with your non-dominant hand, catching it with your dominant hand to shoot the layup. This drill integrates dribbling skills with the between-the-legs motion, enhancing your overall ball handling and coordination.
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Use drills to improve
Drills are a great way to improve your between-the-legs layup in basketball. Start with the basics: get comfortable making basic layups without dribbling, then work on adding a moving dribble. Focus on your footwork, ensuring that your second step is the foot opposite the hand you're using for the layup.
Once you've mastered the fundamentals, you can break down the between-the-legs move into steps, practising each step individually before combining them. This will help you refine the technique and build muscle memory.
You can also incorporate dribbling drills into your routine. Practice dribbling without looking down, and use your off hand for protection. There are numerous dribbling drills available on YouTube that you can practice for 30 minutes every day to see improvement.
To simulate game conditions, engage in competitive finishing drills with defenders. These drills help prepare you for in-game challenges, such as dealing with defensive contact. For example, in Coach Teri Moren's 2-minute drill, players work on their layups while a defender offers token resistance without slowing the flow of the drill.
Another drill, used by Hall of Fame Coach Tara Vanderveer, focuses on passing, layups, and wing back-cutting. It's an excellent way to reinforce the "dribble-at, back-cut" rule used in many offences.
Remember to vary your drills and keep pushing yourself to improve. With consistent practice, you'll soon master the between-the-legs layup.
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Frequently asked questions
A between-the-legs layup is a dribble move where an offensive player dribbles the ball with one hand between their legs and then catches it with the opposite hand. This move is often used by perimeter-oriented players like point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards.
First, dribble the ball close to the basket with your left hand. Then, take a step toward the basket with your left foot and give the ball a hard dribble to the outside of your left foot. Jump off your right foot, bringing the ball to your chest, and shoot with your left arm as you lift your left leg.
Practice the move until your muscles remember the movement. Keep your head up and eyes forward, avoiding looking down at the ball. Be aware that this move may not be effective against aggressive on-ball pressure, so ensure you have sufficient space between yourself and the defender.
Start with a simple warm-up drill: stand with your feet shoulder-width apart while holding the basketball, then move your left foot a step ahead of your right. You can also practice the layup itself by approaching the basket with a dribble and working on your footwork and shooting form.
