Ayrton Oneill
A floater is a basketball shooting technique that is used when a player is too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot but too far away to shoot a layup. It is an effective shot to use when there is a defender near the basket who is attempting to take a charge, which would result in a foul. Floaters are also useful for shorter players who are looking to finish a shot over a taller player. The shot is executed with a quick release and an unblockable high arc and can be performed with one foot in the air or both feet.
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What You'll Learn
When you're too close to the basket for a jump shot but too far for a layup
A floater is an effective basketball shooting technique, especially for guards and shorter players. It is a quick-release shot with an unblockable high arc that is used when you are too close to the basket for a jump shot but too far for a layup.
When executing a floater, the offensive player jumps near the basket and shoots the ball with a high arc over the front of the rim. This shot can be performed with one foot or both feet in the air, depending on the player's preference and comfort level. Jumping with one foot allows the player to slow down their initial momentum by raising the opposite knee, while jumping with both feet shifts the momentum upwards rather than forwards, resulting in a slower final momentum.
To master the floater, it is important to keep your head up to exploit the space between defenders. The shot should be released high and soft, with less wrist flick and a soft touch, to avoid hitting the back of the rim or the backboard.
Practicing floaters during workouts can help improve this skill. It is recommended to start with a two-foot jump before progressing to one-foot floaters, as this provides more balance and control. Additionally, practicing no-dribble floaters with a couple of setup steps can enhance your floater technique.
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To avoid a charging foul
A charging foul, also known as a charge or offensive foul, is when an offensive player makes illegal contact with a defender who is in a legal guarding position. The defender must be facing the opponent and have both feet on the court. To avoid a charging foul, an offensive player should look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defenders in a legal guarding position.
A defender in a legal guarding position can move sideways or backward, and any contact they take on the torso is considered legal. However, if the defender moves forward toward the dribbler or makes contact with their hips rather than their torso, it will likely result in a blocking foul. It's important to note that the defender cannot extend their arms, shoulders, hips, or legs outside their cylinder to stop the offensive player.
When performing a floater, an offensive player can slow down their momentum by jumping off one foot and raising the knee of the opposite leg parallel to the waist area. This counterbalance effectively decelerates their final momentum. Additionally, jumping with both feet causes the momentum to shift upwards rather than forward, also decelerating the final momentum. Therefore, using a floater can help offensive players avoid charging fouls by reducing their momentum and providing more control over their movement.
In the NBA, officials do not consider the position of the defender's feet when determining a charging foul during contact on a move to the basket. Instead, they focus on whether the defender's torso was set in position before the offensive player's upward motion. A charging foul is typically not called if the offensive player is within a 4-foot (1.22 m) radius of the basket's centre, known as the "restricted area."
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To exploit the space between defenders
A floater is a distinctive basketball shot that has been gaining traction among players across all skill levels. It is a quick-release, high-arc shot that can be used to exploit the space between defenders.
To use a floater to exploit the space between defenders, it is important to first identify where on the floor you will be using it. This shot is most effective in the space between two lines of defence. When practising, imagine there is a defender on your hip and another 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.
When shooting a floater, it is important to jump near-vertically, releasing the ball just before the peak of your jump. This will help to ensure the ball floats over defenders and increases the chances of it dropping into the hoop. Jumping forwards too much can reduce the space between you and the defender, making it easier for them to block your shot. It can also make it more likely that you will pick up an offensive foul.
The floater is especially useful for smaller players, giving them a way to score against taller opponents. It is also a good strategy for players who are guarded by defenders with a significant height advantage. By using a floater, you can slow down your momentum, making it harder for the defender to block your shot.
To perfect the art of the floater, it is important to practice relentlessly. Even top players like Steph Curry use this strategy, so it is a useful skill to master.
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To finish a shot over a taller player
The floater is an effective shot to finish over a taller player. It is an in-between shot, which means that you are too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot, but too far away to shoot a layup. In this situation, instead of shooting a pull-up jump shot, you can shoot a floater, which has a much quicker release. This makes it harder for the defender to block your shot.
To shoot a floater, you need to jump and release the ball just before the peak of your jump. It is important to put a good amount of arc on the shot, so it goes over the defender. You should shoot off both feet, but you don't have to land on both feet simultaneously. Landing on one foot at a time can slow down your forward movement and help with your balance.
When practising your floater, start by practising no-dribble floaters with just a couple of steps to set yourself up. Then, drive to the rim at half-speed and pull up at a similar range. It is recommended to start with a two-foot jump before moving on to one-foot floaters, as the more balance and control you have, the easier they are to execute.
The floater is a highly replicable shot, especially useful for undersized players, and extremely helpful against modern defences. It can be one of the most difficult shots for the defence to block or contest.
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When you're moving downhill at speed
The floater is an effective way to exploit the space between defenders and can be used to slow down your momentum when you are moving downhill. It is important to keep your head up when performing a floater to ensure you can see and take advantage of the space between defenders.
When shooting a floater, you can jump off one or two feet, depending on your preference and comfort level. Jumping off two feet can provide more balance and control, while jumping off one foot allows you to slow down your momentum by raising the opposite knee.
To perform a floater, shoot the ball high over the defenders' fingers with a soft touch and follow through with your hand until the ball is in the net. It is important to avoid using too much wrist action to prevent hitting the back of the rim or the backboard.
The floater is a useful shot to have in your arsenal, especially for shorter players, as it can help increase your efficiency and scoring options near the basket.
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Frequently asked questions
You should use a floater when you are too close to the basket to shoot a jump shot but too far away to shoot a layup. It is a great way to exploit the space between defenders and can be used to avoid a charging foul.
You can shoot a floater with one or two feet off the ground, whichever you are more comfortable with. It is recommended to start with a two-foot jump as it is easier to balance. Keep your head up, drive towards the net, and shoot the ball high with a soft touch.
NBA players such as Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Tony Parker are known for using the floater as one of their main ways to finish around the basket. James Harden is another player who frequently uses the floater to create opportunities for his teammates.
