Helena Frye
The floater is an advanced basketball move that can be used to score points and avoid committing a charging foul. It involves an offensive player jumping near the basket and shooting with a high arc over the front of the rim. This move is particularly effective for players who want to avoid a charging foul, as it allows them to slow down their momentum and avoid crashing into a defender. When teaching the floater, it's important to emphasise the need for balance and control, as well as the correct footwork and timing of the jump and release. The player should also be aware of their surroundings, keeping their head up to identify the space between defenders to exploit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To exploit the space between defenders and take advantage of their height |
| Footwork | Jump off one or two feet depending on the situation and comfort level |
| Angle | Shoot from a variety of angles to keep the defender guessing |
| Timing | Release the ball just before the peak of the jump to prevent the defender from blocking |
| Body Position | Keep your head up and shoulders square to the rim |
| Shot Type | Shoot with a gentle flick of the wrist for a soft, high-arching shot |
| Practice | Start with no-dribble floaters and build up to more advanced techniques |
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What You'll Learn
- When to use a floater: Understand the situations where a floater is the best option?
- Footwork: Know how to position your feet when jumping for a floater
- Wrist action: Avoid using too much wrist action to prevent hitting the backboard
- Jumping technique: Learn how to jump with one or two feet to shoot a floater
- Practising floaters: Drills and exercises to improve your floater technique
When to use a floater: Understand the situations where a floater is the best option
The floater is an effective shot to use when you want to exploit the space between defenders. This shot allows you to take advantage of defenders who are back-pedaling to the rim or drop coverage. The timing of a floater's release is often unpredictable for blocking defenders as it is executed in the flow of movement. It is also a great alternative to layups when trying to finish a shot over a taller player.
You can use the floater to counter a defender near the basket who attempts to take a charge. This situation would typically result in a foul being called on the offensive player. However, the floater allows the player to jump and shoot a layup attempt without crashing into the defender.
The floater is especially useful for players who are undersized as it does not require range, size, or power. It is also a good option when you want to slow down your momentum to avoid crashing into a defender. This can be achieved by jumping with one foot in the air and raising the knee of the opposite leg to counterbalance, or jumping with both feet to shift your momentum upwards rather than forwards.
When practicing the floater, it is important to start slow and work on your balance and control. You can practice as if there is a defender on your hip and another defender stepping up late to provide help. The space between these two defenders is where you want to take off from, releasing the ball high and soft over the second defender.
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Footwork: Know how to position your feet when jumping for a floater
Footwork is an important aspect of shooting a floater in basketball. The positioning of your feet depends on whether you choose to jump off one or two feet. Some sources recommend starting with a two-foot jump as it offers more balance and control, making it easier to execute.
When practising a two-foot jump, you should aim for a near-vertical jump, keeping your shoulders square to the rim. This helps you avoid drawing a foul. Additionally, ensure you don't lean too far forward, as this reduces the space between you and the defender, limiting your shooting space.
For a one-foot floater, you can perform a jump stop, which allows you to gather yourself before taking off and releasing the ball at its peak. To execute this effectively, stay low so you can explode into the shot.
Regardless of the type of jump, it's crucial to maintain balance and control. Start practising with slow, no-dribble floaters, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable.
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Wrist action: Avoid using too much wrist action to prevent hitting the backboard
When shooting a floater, it is important to minimise wrist action to prevent the ball from hitting the backboard. A floater is a shot that occurs when an offensive player jumps near the basket and shoots with a high arc over the rim. The shot is typically utilised by perimeter-based players such as point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards.
To master the floater, players should focus on their technique when releasing the ball. The wrist should be relaxed with minimal flicking motion to avoid generating excessive speed and velocity, which can cause the ball to hit the backboard or the back of the rim. Instead, a soft touch with a gentle wrist flick is preferred, allowing the ball to swish through the net.
Additionally, players should aim for a vertical jump to avoid drawing a foul. They should also keep their head up to maintain awareness of the space between defenders, as this is the area where the floater is most effective. The footwork before the floater is also crucial, and players should practice various drives and moves to improve their balance and coordination.
Practicing different scenarios and getting multiple repetitions will help players master the floater. It is beneficial to start with a two-foot jump for better balance and control before progressing to one-foot floaters. Players should also be mindful of their momentum, ensuring they don't jump too far forward, which reduces the space to shoot effectively.
By focusing on technique, practicing various scenarios, and understanding the tactical applications of the floater, players can improve their shooting accuracy and minimise the risk of hitting the backboard.
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Jumping technique: Learn how to jump with one or two feet to shoot a floater
Jumping technique is an important aspect of shooting a floater in basketball. Here are some key considerations and steps to improve your jumping technique for shooting floaters:
One-Foot vs Two-Feet Jump: There is some debate about whether a floater should be shot with one or two feet. Some people insist that a true floater is taken off two feet, while others argue that it can be shot with either one or two feet depending on the situation and personal preference. Ultimately, it is essential to feel comfortable with both options and choose the one that suits your playing style and the specific game situation.
Jumping Technique: When jumping to shoot a floater, it is crucial to maintain proper form and technique. Here are some tips:
- Vertical Jump: Ensure that your jump is vertical, whether you jump off one or two feet. This helps avoid drawing a foul and maintains your balance.
- Jump Height: Focus on jumping high enough to release the ball over the defender's fingers. The floater is meant to exploit the space between defenders, so jumping too high or too far forward can reduce the available space for your shot.
- Jump Timing: Time your jump to release the ball just before reaching the peak of your jump. Releasing too late can disrupt the shot's rhythm and give the defender more time to block it.
- Balance and Control: Start practising floaters with a two-foot jump, as it offers more balance and control. As you become more comfortable, you can progress to one-foot floaters, which can provide better balance and slower forward movement for landing.
- Footwork: Practice various drives and footwork patterns leading up to your floater. Different moves, such as the euro step floater, will require adjustments to your jumping form and technique.
- Head Position: Keep your head up while dribbling and driving towards the net. This helps you see the defender and maintain awareness of the available space for your shot.
By focusing on these jumping techniques and practising different scenarios, you can improve your ability to shoot floaters effectively and make them a valuable part of your basketball arsenal.
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Practising floaters: Drills and exercises to improve your floater technique
The floater is a valuable skill for basketball players to develop, allowing them to score against even the most intimidating defences. It is a high-arching shot designed to go over taller defenders, typically taken while on the move. Here are some drills and exercises to improve your floater technique:
- Drills with Defensive Pressure: Simulate in-game conditions by introducing defensive pressure into your practice. This will help you improve your ability to convert floaters under pressure.
- Use Cones or Markers: Set up cones or markers on the court to create specific zones for floater practice. Develop the ability to adjust your shot based on your position relative to these markers.
- Study Professional Players: Observe professional players who excel in floaters. Watch their footwork, body positioning, and release points, and try to incorporate elements of their technique into your own game.
- Finesse Finish: Treat the floater as a finesse finish. Unlike a power move, a floater relies on finesse and touch. Practice generating enough lift to clear defenders while applying the right amount of finesse for a soft finish.
- Spot Shooting with a Floater: Place markers around the paint and practice floaters from different spots to build confidence in shooting floaters from various locations.
- Running Floater: The running floater is an in-between shot and lay-up alternative. Jump into the floater like a lay-up, then shoot the ball at your peak with a gentle flick of the wrist. Keep your shoulders almost square to the rim.
- Jump Stop Floater: This is usually the most explosive and controllable floater. Jump stopping allows players to gather themselves before taking off and releasing the basketball at its peak. Stay low so you can explode into the shot.
- Practise at Half-Speed: Start by practising no-dribble floaters at half-speed to focus on getting a perfect high arc. As you grow in this type of training, you can then progress to more advanced moves.
- Bank Shots: Practise shooting your bank shots on the move, jumping and releasing the ball at the highest point of your jump. This is similar to a floater, helping you develop the right skills for this shot.
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Frequently asked questions
A floater is a shot executed by an offensive player jumping near the basket and shooting with a high arc over the front of the rim. It is an alternative to a layup, allowing players to finish a shot over a taller defender.
The floater is a great way to exploit the space between defenders, especially when they are back-pedaling to the rim. It can also be used to counter a defender attempting to take a charge, which would result in a foul.
The best floaters are fast, mid-run, high-arching shots. It is important to jump near-vertically, releasing the ball just before the peak of your jump. You can shoot with one or two feet off the ground, but two feet provide more balance and control.
When practicing, start slow and work on your footwork. Act as if there is a defender on your hip and another stepping up to defend. Shoot the ball high and soft over the second defender. Practice from a variety of angles and distances to improve your technique.
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