Helena Frye
One of the most important skills in basketball is being able to score layups consistently. However, players often struggle with layups when going at full speed, which can cause them to miss their shots. To improve your ability to score layups at high speeds, you need to develop a softer touch when releasing the ball, which can be achieved through practising underhand layups and varying your speed and angle to throw off your defender. Additionally, you can work on your technique by taking the time to understand the game and the defender's moves, so you can react to their weaknesses and make the best decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed | Slow down when going full speed |
| Body | Turn your body mid-air while laying it up |
| Jump | Jump higher than normal |
| Momentum | Control your momentum with your gather step |
| Practice | Practice jumping with one leg and landing with the other |
| Balance | Emphasize balance and stabilization when landing on one leg |
| Strategy | Vary your speed, angle, release point, and foot you shoot with to throw off the defender |
| Mindset | Make a move, pause, survey, react, and repeat |
| Defense | Read the defense and react to their weaknesses |
| Technique | Use an underhand layup for a softer touch |
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What You'll Learn
Take longer first steps to gain control of your body
Taking longer first steps is a great way to slow down and gain control of your body when performing layups in basketball. This is especially important when you are sprinting towards the hoop and need to prevent yourself from launching the ball off the backboard too hard.
To execute this effectively, the first step you make after picking up the basketball should be with your "outside" foot, which is the foot closest to the sideline. If you are performing a right-handed layup, this will be your right foot, and if you are performing a left-handed layup, it will be your left foot. This first step should be a long one, helping you to gain distance and control.
It is crucial to maintain control of your body throughout the layup. Young players often rush towards the hoop and then release the ball with too much force, resulting in a missed opportunity. By taking that longer first step, you can slow down and increase your chances of scoring. This also helps to create space in front of you, allowing you to finish with a floater or pass the ball to a teammate.
Practicing different footwork drills will improve your agility, balance, and ability to change direction swiftly. This will enable you to have better control during layups and make you less predictable to defenders. Remember, mastering the layup involves not only technique but also precision and body control.
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Jump higher to finish with upward momentum
Jumping higher is a great way to finish with upward momentum and make successful layups in basketball. Here are some tips to help you jump higher and improve your layups:
Practice Jumping Higher
First, work on your jumping technique. When approaching the hoop, run for two or three steps to build momentum, but be careful not to run too fast, as maintaining control is crucial. During your penultimate step, swing your arms back, then swing them forward as you plant your feet to take off, helping you generate more upward momentum.
Lower Your Centre of Gravity
Before taking off, lower your centre of gravity by bending your knees slightly during the penultimate step. This will help convert your forward momentum into greater vertical jump height.
Raise Your Centre of Mass
When taking off, raise your centre of mass as fast as possible by extending your ankles, knees, and hips fully before your feet leave the ground. Once your feet have lifted off, your jump height is set, so be sure to extend these joints quickly and completely.
Drive Your Shooting-Side Knee Up
When jumping, drive your shooting-side knee up into the air as you jump off your opposite foot. For right-handed layups, use your right knee, and for left-handed layups, use your left knee.
Control Your Momentum
If you're shorter, focus on controlling your momentum with your gather step. Practice jumping with one leg and landing with the other, emphasising balance and stabilisation. This will help you manage your speed before the layup.
Use Your Momentum to Your Advantage
When attacking from the right side, use your right foot to step, then take your second step with your left foot, directing your momentum upward as you finish with your right hand. When attacking from the left side, do the opposite, finishing with your left hand.
By following these tips and practicing your jumping technique, you'll be able to jump higher and finish with more upward momentum, improving your layups and overall basketball performance.
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Slow down by turning your body mid-air
Slowing down during a layup is an important skill to master in basketball. One technique to achieve this is by turning your body mid-air. This manoeuvre allows you to adjust your momentum and angle of approach, giving you more control over your movement and helping you avoid defenders.
When approaching the hoop at high speed, it can be challenging to execute a successful layup without losing control or being blocked by a defender. By turning your body mid-air, you can alter your trajectory and create the necessary space to make a more precise shot. This technique is particularly useful when you need to adjust your position quickly and unexpectedly to avoid a defender or to find a better angle for your shot.
Mastering this skill requires an understanding of your body's movement and coordination in the air. It involves using your arms, legs, and core to adjust your body's orientation and direction. This can be practised through drills that focus on body control and air awareness. For example, you can try jumping and spinning in the air while maintaining balance and a stable form.
Additionally, when turning your body mid-air, it's crucial to maintain control over the ball. Ensure that you keep the ball close to your body and use strong hands to prevent defenders from stealing it. Practising this technique will help you become more comfortable with handling the ball in various positions and angles.
By incorporating this skill into your game, you'll be able to add more variety to your layups and become less predictable to defenders. This will keep your opponents guessing and improve your chances of scoring. Remember, practice is key to perfecting this technique and integrating it into your gameplay seamlessly.
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Vary your speed, angle, release point, and foot you shoot with
One of the main reasons players miss layups is that they are going too fast. To slow down, use a long first step to gain control of your body, and then jump high off the second step to finish. Control is key. Teach players to step in front of the defender to "lock them behind", creating space to finish with a floater or to draw the defence before dropping the basketball off to a teammate.
To improve your layups, vary your speed, angle, release point, and foot you shoot with. By varying these factors, you can throw off your defender. For example, if you do a two-step, shoot on the first step or shoot with the wrong foot. You can also use your body to keep the defender away from the ball or use the rim to protect against a block.
The launch angle and release velocity are variables that are directly under the player's control. The launch angle is the angle at which you launch the basketball towards the basket. The release velocity is how fast the ball is released. These factors determine the ideal launch angle for a slow-moving ball at the rim. The closer you are to the basket, the higher your launch angle will be. For example, a two-foot shot released from a height of 8 feet requires a launch angle of 72 degrees to produce the slowest-moving ball at the rim. As you move away from the basket, your launch angle decreases.
Players with a shooter's touch can release the ball with the optimum angle for the slowest-moving ball as it nears the rim. For example, James Harden, who is 6'5", shoots with a 49.6-degree launch angle, which is optimal for his height.
Additionally, a steeper entry angle is associated with a larger margin for error as it allows the ball to "see" more of the rim. Studies suggest that optimal entry angles range from 43 to 47 degrees for high-probability shots. However, a higher arc requires more force to propel the basketball higher, making it harder to control the shot.
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Watch and learn from good players
Watching and learning from good players is an excellent way to improve your basketball skills. Here are some tips on how to effectively watch and learn from skilled players:
Watch Full Games
Watching full games allows you to see the ebb and flow of the sport and how players adapt their strategies throughout. Observe how players get open, pivot upon catching the ball, and set up for shots. Notice their footwork, how they get into space away from the ball, and their movements in response to defensive schemes. See how teams deal with shot clock and game clock situations.
Study Player Positions
Each position on the basketball court has a unique role. Study professional players who excel in the position you want to play and understand their movement, decision-making, and specific skills. If you're a beginner, focus on the "core four" skills: shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense.
Observe Offensive and Defensive Strategies
Pay attention to how players and teams coordinate their movements and execute their plays. Learn how to attack a weak defender with screens, posts, and isolations. Notice how teams defend common plays, such as ball screens, pin downs, cross screens, and out-of-bounds plays. Understand the difference between man-to-man defense and zone defense, and when to use each strategy.
Study Shooting Techniques
Analyze the shooting form of skilled players. Notice their posture, the arc of the ball, and how they maintain balance, even when shooting under pressure. Good shooting form includes a proper grip on the ball, correct alignment, full extension of the arms, and a consistent follow-through.
Observe Mental Toughness
Basketball is as much a mental game as it is physical. Observe how experienced players handle pressure situations, how they communicate with teammates, and how they react to adversity.
Learn from Your Favourite Players
Watching your favourite players can be inspiring and educational. Focus on one or two aspects of their game that you want to improve in your own. Study their movements, techniques, and strategies, and try to embody those qualities in your own gameplay.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to watch and understand the game, paying close attention to the defender's moves. This will help you develop a set of different moves that you can practice and use effectively during the game. Additionally, vary your speed, angle, release point, and shooting foot to throw off your defender.
Slowing down during a layup is about maintaining control. Take a long first step to gain control of your body, then jump high off the second step to finish. You can also control your momentum by practicing jumping with one leg and landing with the other, focusing on balance and stabilization.
It is beneficial to watch and learn from good players. For example, Chris Paul (CP3) switches speeds and suspends his dribble to survey the game and make the best decision. You can also practice with others to simulate a game, so you know how to react in different situations.
You can improve your layups while sprinting by focusing on having a softer touch. This can be achieved by practicing laying the ball up softly with your wrist or spinning the ball with topspin at a slower speed to help it fall in. Additionally, you can jump higher than usual to compensate for your speed.
