This video includes a couple of very easy drills.  The pace of the drills makes it easy for you to follow.  Each of the skills in this video are used in real game situations.  Going between the legs, behind the back, and “machine gunning” the ball are skills you need to have in your game.  As you get used to performing the drills under control you can increase the speed and add defensive pressure.  Start slow and work up the intensity.  Remember if you can’t do the move and stay under control you shouldn’t be doing the move at all.

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Indeed, a player with a mean lay-up seems unstoppable. Here are some tips to get you going.

1. Dive Forward

Never pause to think or set up for a lay-up-you should always be pushing forward. If you have to slow down to make sure you hit the right spot on the backboard, it is only because you haven’t practiced enough. Practice until it is intuitive and make sure when you play you are always running into your lay-ups.

2. Spring from Your Dominant Leg

As you move into a jump, you want to leap from one leg-whichever is strongest-rather than square up and try to get the power of both. This also helps to keep in motion. As you put your leading leg forward, bend the kneed and use the leg to propel yourself into the jump.

3. Use Your Arms for Momentum

As you launch off your leg, give your arms and upward swing to get them up as far towards the basket as possible without loosening your control of the ball (it should be in two solid hands). The ball will stay in both hands until you reach the peak of your jump and then you can transfer all control into the hand that will be performing the lay-up movement.

Do not release it prematurely.

4. Positioning is Key

Always avoid laying up while facing the basket directly on-it is too difficult to establish the correct depth perception when you do this. Instead, approach the basket from either side. Your focus should be on the basket the entire time, all the way through your jump, rather than on other players, and this will help you get the smooth, confident momentum you need.

5. Practice Without Opposition

Watch a player with strong lay-ups and you will see that they lay the ball up into the basket as if no one is even there, even when they are crowded in. This type of smooth shot takes lots of practice, so that every move in the lay-up is intuitive and doesn’t have to be thought through. Then you just look for your opening and go for it.

Spend lots of time practicing with no one else around so when it comes time for group practice or games, you have the movements down pat. Proper lay-up technique is a crucial skill, and any skill in basketball takes hours of repetition.

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Running up the lane:

One of the best ways to get open on the wing is to simply run your defender up the wing. To do this, simply start low by the low block. As the point guard looks ready to start the offense, start your move up the lane by using the key as your guide. Stay on the line on the way up to the foul line. As you get to the foul line make a direct and hard cut out to the 3 point line. What this does is keep the defender on your hip. All good defenders are taught to stay between the man and the basket so use that. Run them up the lane and then make a direct line cut and you’ll get open every time. For coaches, this can be practiced over and over and will be something your kids will never forget to do when they want to get the ball.

Hard V-Cut:

The most popular way players are taught to get the ball is by the hard v-cut. This is done by acting as if you are going to the basket or going to cut to the basket only to back right out and catch the ball where you began. The principles applied are similar to the ones we went over earlier. The defense needs to stay between the man and the basket so they have to respect the cut. Once you go down then the cut back to where you were has to be hard or else the defense will catch up.

For coaches: on both of these drills the point guards must be drilled at making sure the ball is passed at the correct time. The moves work but work for a limited time. If the point guard is late on passing the ball then no matter what the wing player does they won’t be able to get the ball. Work with them on what to look for and when to pass the ball.

Please visit HoopSkills.com for even more helpful tips and to see the many basketball training aids we have available.

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