Lay-ups are considered the easiest form of shooting in basketball, because they are shot at close range to the hoop, so you'll likely always get the ball in. Since you have to get close to the ring when you lay up, the most important part is mastering the correct footwork. Learning how to layup, both from the left and right of the ring, will improve your ability to score as you compete.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Right Lay-Up
Step 1. Dribble the ball near the hoop with your right hand
Since you're doing a right lay-up, aim your move toward the right side of the ring. Make sure you're approaching the ring just enough to make it easy to aim, but not so close that it's directly beneath it.
- Lay-ups are usually done by dribbling while running. Practice approaching the hoop slowly at first, and increase your speed as you master the footwork.
- The right lay-up is done if you start from a position near the center or right of the ring. If you're approaching the ring from the left, do a left lay-up.
Step 2. Step into the ring with your right foot
When you are a few feet away from the ring (1 foot = 60 cm), start walking with your right foot. Use this first step to ensure that your distance and body position are at a level that makes the shot easier. Dribble once again beside your right foot.
Step 3. Jump off with your left foot
As soon as your left foot takes a step, use it to push back and jump into the ring. The body should approach the hoop, but not lean forward. Ideally, you should be close enough to the hoop so you can jump up and shoot the ball right away. As you jump, move the ball in front of your chest to get ready to shoot.
Step 4. Shoot the ball with your right arm as you lift your right leg
As you jump, imagine that there is a rope connecting your right arm and leg. Move at the same time as you shoot the ball, as if someone was pulling the string up. Your right knee should be bent and pointed toward the hoop, with your right arm moving up to shoot the ball. Bend your arms toward the hoop. Shoot with your elbows slightly bent, so that your arms look like the neck of a swan.
- When doing lay-ups, the shooting technique will be slightly different than the usual shooting technique. Instead of using your left hand to stabilize the ball, shoot the ball using only your right hand. This gives you a wider range, and because you're close to the ring, your shots will be harder to miss. You don't need your left hand to stabilize the ball.
- When shooting, rotate your wrist slightly inward so that the ball rotates slightly, instead of moving your wrist forward (as you would with a normal shot). This spin will keep the ball from hitting the edge of the hoop or the board too hard.
Step 5. Navigate to a strategic point on the board
One of the reasons lay-ups have such a high success rate is that you can use a board in the hoop to help make it easier for shots to go through. When you lay-up right, this strategic point is slightly to the right of the square on the board. This point absorbs the impact of the ball impact and will drop it directly into the ring.
You'll get two points regardless of how you shoot, but it's better to aim the ball at the board instead of trying to hit it directly. The board provides a better chance if a mistake is made, but if you hit the hoop, your ball may bounce out of the way. There's nothing worse than failing to lay-up when your position is completely free, so try to hit that strategic point every time
Step 6. Practice until your muscles remember the movement
The lay-up is a basic basketball move that will come naturally once you get used to it. Your body has to remember what to do, and you don't have to think about which leg to step on and which foot to jump: you just have to do it. Do a lay-up every time you practice a game of basketball.
- As you practice, you'll begin to feel how fast you can get to the basket, and from which point you should start stepping and jumping.
- Practice doing lay-ups while you are being guarded, or immediately after receiving a long pass.
Method 2 of 2: Left Lay-Up
Step 1. Dribble towards the hoop with your left hand
Approach the left side of the ring while dribbling. Make sure you're close enough to have easy access to the hoop, so you can quickly lay-up within a few feet. Don't get too close to being right under the ring.
- If you're right-handed, a left lay-up is sometimes referred to as a reverse lay-up, because it's the opposite of your usual lay-up. If you are left-handed, the opposite is a right lay-up.
- Doing lay-ups with your non-dominant hand can be difficult, but it will be worth the time and effort you put into learning how. If you approach the ring from the left, there's no way you'll be able to reach your goal with a right lay-up. Your chances of scoring will be greater if you know how to do a left lay-up.
Step 2. Begin to step towards the ring with your left foot
When you're only a few feet away from the ring, start with your left foot to bring your body one step closer to the ring. Dribbling once again on the outside of the left foot.
Step 3. Jump on the right foot
As soon as your right foot hits the floor, jump into the ring. The body should approach the hoop without leaning forward. Ideally, you should be close enough to the hoop that you can jump while shooting the ball. As you jump, grab the ball and hold it in front of your chest to prepare to shoot it.
Step 4. Shoot with your left arm while lifting your left leg
As you jump, imagine a rope connecting your left arm and left leg. Move these two left body parts at the same time as you shoot the ball, as if someone were pulling the string up. Your left knee should be bent and pointing toward the hoop, while your left arm should move up to shoot the ball.
- When you do a lay-up, the shooting technique is a little different than the usual shooting technique. Instead of using your right hand to stabilize the ball, use only your left hand. This gives you more reach, and because you're so close to the ring, you're less likely to miss. You don't need your right hand to stabilize the ball.
- When shooting, rotate your wrist slightly inward to allow your ball to rotate slightly as well, instead of bending it forward (as you would with a regular shot). A small spin on the ball will keep it from bouncing off the hoop or the board too strongly.
Step 5. Aim the ball at strategic points on the board
When making a left lay-up, the ball must hit the board on the left side of the center box. When you hit this point, your shot will always go in, as the board absorbs the impact of the ball's impact and helps it fall into the ring.
Aim the ball at the board instead of trying to get it straight into the ring. The board provides a better chance if a mistake is made, but if the ball hits the inside or outside of the hoop, it can bounce out of the way
Step 6. Practice until your muscles remember the movement
The lay-up is a basic basketball move that will feel natural if you get used to it. You should reach a state where your body remembers what to do, and you no longer have to think about which foot to use to step and jump: you just have to do it. Do a lay-up every time you practice a game of basketball.
- As you practice, you'll get used to learning how fast you should approach the hoop and from which point you should start stepping for lay-ups, and when you should jump.
- Practice doing lay-ups while you are guarded or after getting a long pass.
Tips
- If you are coming from the right side of the hoop, aim the ball towards the right side of the square on the board, and vice versa. This point is called the "strategic point."
- Before you start doing lay-ups, make sure your jump is high while playing. Otherwise, the ball may fly wild and not even touch the hoop, so you'll be embarrassed.
- Try practicing your footwork without the ball first, so you get used to it.
- Practice doing lay-ups on a basketball court or city park.
- If you're having trouble getting your knees and hands to move at the same time as you shoot, try raising your knees and hands on the same side of your body at the same time.
Warning
- Make sure you don't go too far into the ring. This sometimes happens if you run too fast, so your shot will miss.
- Don't lay-up too hard if you don't want your ball to go over the board or not reach the ring.
