
The Jelly is a basketball movement popularized by Isaiah Washington, the reigning New York Mr. Basketball, and his friend Ja'Quaye James in 2015. Jelly is a type of finger roll layup with style and variations. It involves getting in the air, floating, kicking your legs open, and flicking the ball with different angles off the glass. Washington's signature move gained attention on social media, and he has since built a grassroots following, with Jelly Fam influencing basketball culture and showcasing the full power of ballers with finesse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Originator | Isaiah Washington |
| Origin year | 2015 |
| Origin place | New York City |
| Type of move | Finger roll with style |
| How to perform | Float in the air, flick with some English, use different angles off the glass |
| Variations | Left hand, right hand, reverses |
| Requirements | No high vertical jump required |
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What You'll Learn

The Jelly movement
The jelly is more than just a basketball move; it's a movement that showcases authenticity with finesse. It has spread beyond its NYC origins, with well-known players like Villanova commit Jahvon Quinerly and UConn's Sid Wilson adopting the style. The Jelly movement utilizes social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat to showcase their skills and build a community.
Washington's influence on basketball culture is significant, with terms like "JellyFam" and "the jelly" becoming part of the modern basketball lexicon. The movement has also spawned merchandise, with jelly t-shirts available for purchase.
The jelly move itself involves getting in the air, floating, kicking your legs open, and flicking the ball with different angles off the glass. It can be done with either hand and in reverse. Players can start learning the jelly with their feet on the ground and progress to adding more steps, such as the Mikan drill, to improve their skills and variations. The Jelly movement has brought a unique style and creativity to the game, showcasing the personalities and skills of its players.
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The signature Jelly move
To perform the Jelly, a player must get in the air, float, kick their legs open, and then use different angles off the glass to flick the ball into the basket. This can be done with either the left or right hand and can also be reversed, offering a lot of variations. The key is to add style and creativity to the finger roll, making it a flashy and entertaining move.
Washington, along with his friend Ja'Quaye James, started the Jelly Fam movement in 2015 to showcase their unique style of play. The movement quickly gained traction on social media, with Washington's influence and marketing genius playing a key role in its spread. The Jelly became so popular that it even inspired Nike to use the term for a colourway on Paul George's new shoes.
The Jelly is more than just a finger roll; it represents the essence of why people love basketball. It showcases the creativity, authenticity, and finesse that can be brought to the game. By adding extra layers of difficulty to a simple layup, the Jelly move adds a whole new dimension to the sport, making it more exciting and entertaining for players and fans alike.
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$21.99

How to practice Jelly layups
The Jelly layup is a signature move started by the Jelly Fam movement in 2015. It is an advanced version of the finger roll layup, made famous by George Gervin, and requires "years worth of practice" according to Jelly Fam founder Isaiah Washington. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to practice Jelly layups:
Mikan Drill
The first step is to master the Mikan drill. This is a fundamental basketball drill where you practice laying the ball into the basket from different positions under the hoop. Start with both feet on the ground and increase the height of the ball bouncing off the backboard by 4-6 inches each time.
Divide the Board
As you get better at the Mikan drill, divide the backboard into 8 zones - 3 on the left, 3 on the right, and 2 in the middle. Focus on making 5 shots from each spot as part of your warm-up routine.
Step and Lay
Take a step back from the basket and practice laying the ball into the target zone. This will help you develop a feel for putting English on the ball, or spin, which is a crucial element of the Jelly layup.
Variations
Once you have mastered the basic technique, add variations such as standing Euros, hop steps, slow steps, and pump layups. Focus on one element at a time and gradually increase the difficulty. Practice using both your left and right hands, and experiment with different angles off the glass.
Finishing Moves
Finally, work on your finishing moves. Jump up and touch the ball as close to the net as possible, then finish the layup from different angles and with different hands. Practice finishing on the same side you jumped from for an advanced challenge. Remember, the Jelly layup is all about adding flair to your moves, so get creative and develop your unique style!
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The hook shot
To perform the hook shot, start by getting low and wide, with your back to the basket and the defender behind you. Catch the ball with both hands and bring it to your chin, bending your elbows to protect the ball from defenders. Then, pivot on your non-shooting foot, turning your body sideways to the hoop with your off-shoulder pointing towards it. Keep your body between the ball and the defender to shield it.
Next, lift your shooting arm up and over your head in a graceful, sweeping motion, like a windmill. As your arm comes down, snap your wrist to release the ball from your fingertips. This will give the shot a nice arc. As you release the ball, make sure to keep your non-shooting arm up to protect the ball and create space between you and the defender.
Finally, be ready to rebound. Even the best hook shot shooters don't make every attempt, so it's important to anticipate a miss and be ready to retrieve the ball. As soon as you shoot, plant both feet on the ground and turn towards the basket to prepare for a rebound.
There are several variations of the hook shot, including the baby hook, jump hook, and skyhook. The baby hook involves jumping to gain leverage, while the jump hook combines the jump shot with the hook shot, with the player jumping off both feet. The skyhook, made famous by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, involves jumping off one foot while perpendicular to the hoop.
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Jelly Fam
Washington and James branded themselves as JellyFam, and their group now includes several well-known players with roots in the NYC area, such as Jahvon Quinerly and UConn's Sid Wilson. The movement gained a large following on social media, with Washington and Quinerly amassing over a million combined Instagram followers. They also sell Jelly Fam t-shirts.
To perform a jelly layup, you can start with your feet on the ground and practice the Mikan drill, gradually increasing the height of the ball bounces off the glass. As you improve, you can add standing Euros, hop steps, slow steps, and pump layups. You can also practice getting the ball to touch the net and swinging it around for a reverse layup.
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Frequently asked questions
A jelly in basketball is a type of fancy layup. It is more complicated than a finger roll and involves getting in the air, floating, kicking your legs open, and using different angles off the glass.
You can start practising a jelly layup with your feet on the ground. The first step is to learn the Mikan drill and do it with a twist. Each time you make it, increase the height of the ball bounces off the glass. As you get better, divide the board into eight zones and practice laying the ball into each zone.
No, you don't need a high vertical to perform a jelly layup. You can start practising with your feet on the ground and add steps as you progress.
Jelly Fam is a movement started by Isaiah Washington and his NYC crew in 2015. It includes well-known basketball players such as Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Jahvon Quinerly, and Sid Wilson. The movement showcases the full power of ballers with finesse.
A jelly layup is a fancier version of a regular layup. It often involves a double scoop or repositioning the ball mid-air and finishing with a nasty spin.










































