The hop step, sometimes called the pro hop, combines the euro step and jump-stop movements. This particular move can create a powerful tactical advantage on the field and increase your team's chances of shooting. Enrich your ammunition supply by mastering these moves and attacking the ring like a pro.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Mastering Footwork and Standing
Step 1. Get in the habit of standing properly when landing
It's not easy to coordinate footwork, dribbling, and making new shots all at once. By sorting it out, it helps you to focus on doing the right poses and proper execution.
Step 2. Bend your knees and keep your body in a low position
It improves your balance, stability and responsiveness.
Step 3. Keep your head straight
Knowing the situation on the field often determines your chances of dribbling (drive) into the ring and shooting.
Step 4. Practice small jumps
Although this movement is called the hop step, many players have difficulty controlling the height of this jump. Jumping too high can seriously upset your balance.
Step 5. Land both feet together
This is the most important thing in learning the hop step. If you fail to land your feet together, you can be considered a traveling violation by the referee.
Step 6. Limit your pivots
When you land on both feet, you can pivot with one foot or the other, but not both.
- Even though it has been executed perfectly, the referee can still assume that you have committed a traveling violation because it is difficult to distinguish between a hop step and traveling.
- Ball possession and pre-use of the pivot by the player can affect the occurrence of a traveling offense.
Part 2 of 4: Practice without the Ball
Step 1. Go for a jog or jog down the field
At random intervals, or while training with your team or friends, on the signal of the whistle, perform a jump step.
Step 2. Perform the drive by stepping on the front foot
With whichever foot you stop or the forefoot (non-pivot foot), on the signal of the whistle, perform a drive with that foot and make a small jump.
Step 3. Alternate the legs you use to do the drive, to build symmetry and prevent it from being easy to tell which side you prefer
Step 4. Land both feet together
Remember to use proper standing: knees always bent, body low and head held high.
Step 5. Perform only one pivot
You have to switch sides so that it is not easy for your opponent to predict. You should practice being able to stop completely after landing your pivot foot to minimize traveling offenses.
Step 6. If you had control of the ball before doing this move and already pivoted, you will no longer be able to pivot after the jump
Part 3 of 4: Practice with the Ball
Step 1. Dribble the ball slowly down the court
Focus on the movement of your feet and how you stand on landing. At random intervals or on the signal of the whistle, combine the footwork you've learned with dribbling and doing hop steps.
Step 2. Jump into the hop steps in a controlled manner
Jumping too high can damage your balance, or add momentum that results in unnecessary footwork resulting in a traveling violation.
Step 3. Land both feet together
This is the important point in the hop step. Landing both feet at the same time allows you to pivot with either foot and provides more mobility on the court.
Step 4. Keep your knees bent, body low, and head straight as you land
Step 5. Practice your sole pivot
If your body is used to stopping momentum in doing a hop step, you won't be doing an illegal pivot/second step either.
Step 6. Complete the move by passing or shooting
It's also great for practicing reflexes that you can use in a match when you're under pressure.
Part 4 of 4: Receiving Bait with Hop Step
Step 1. Find friends and balls
Once you know the basics of doing the hop step, you should enrich your functional knowledge of this move by practicing in actual match scenarios, such as passing.
Step 2. Coordinate movement with a friend who is in possession of the ball
To receive a pass while performing a hop step, you must jump “before” catching the ball. Make sure your friend is ready before executing.
Step 3. Do a drive with your front foot, then make a small jump
Always keep your head straight while doing this so you don't miss a pass from a friend.
Step 4. Catch the ball and land on both feet
Take a moment and have a friend evaluate you. Do you land on both feet at the same time? Are your knees bent, body low, and head held high?
Step 5. Pivot and shoot or pass
Try to complete the movements smoothly and without interruption. You'll avoid making stuttering stops in the middle of a match.
Step 6. Practice taking the bait to yourself
Although many experienced players consider it a basic move, the mechanics in the hop steps make it challenging to perform smoothly. Practice taking bait to yourself by:
- Throw the ball slightly in front of you by twisting it backwards (backspin).
- Make small jumps as the ball bounces off the floor.
- Catch the ball in the air as it bounces back.
- Do a pivot with one leg.
Tips
- If an opposing player is keeping you on one side, you are more effective at jumping to the other side. For example, if an opposing player is guarding your right, jump to the left.
- Landing on both feet after catching the ball in the air allows one last footstep to throw a lay up.
Warning
- You can be considered a traveling violation by some referees.
- You can be considered a charging violation if you collide with a guarding player.
