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When teaching lay-ups, it is important for developing players to learn the correct footwork. The following teaching progression is a great way to teach developing players the correct way to shoot lay-ups.
The drills are introduced from a basic level to advanced. Players should master one skill before moving on to the next. Be sure to praise correct footwork, even if the shot is missed. Making the shot will come with time and practice. Players need to develop the correct footwork first, and worry about making the shots later. Hopefully many of the players will learn the correct footwork and at the same time make the shot!
1. No step, imaginary lay-ups: Using the correct footwork is so important when teaching players how to properly take a lay-up. Before complicating the skill by adding a ball and dribbles, it might be a good idea to have the players take an “imaginary” lay-up, shooting an imaginary ball. This is a drill for players first learning how to shoot a lay-up.
The player starts with his plant foot forward (left foot for right-handed players and right foot for left-handed players) and the shooting foot slightly behind. On the coaches command, players should lift the shooting elbow and shooting knee at the same time.
Once players have taken (and MADE) several imaginary shots, it is time to add the basketball. For all the shooting lay-ups have the left-handed players start on the left block and the right-handed players start on the right block. Move the starting point back when the drills become more advanced. When moving the lines back, be sure to make sure the players are provided with the proper angle to make the shot.
2. No step lay-ups: Once you have introduced the basics of the lay-ups, have the players take a no-step lay-up. Players start very close to the basket in good position to shoot the ball at the top corner of the square. (Cones might be helpful so the players understand the proper positioning for using the backboard). Like the imaginary lay-up, a player starts with his plant foot forward (left foot for right-handed players and right foot for left-handed players) and the shooting foot slightly behind. The player will lift the shooting elbow and shooting knee at the same time at shoot the ball using the backboard. After shooting the ball, the player goes to the end of the line.
Simple Steps:
- Plant foot slightly forward.
- KEEPING THE PLANT FOOT IN PLACE, drive the shooting knee to the basket and raise the shooting elbow at the same time: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING.”
- Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square.
3. 2 feet together, one step, no dribble lay-up: This drill adds a step, but no dribble. Hopefully, the majority of the players have successfully completed the previous drills. It is important to allow for success and not rush players to the next drill until they have mastered the previous drill.
The starting point for this drill should be nearly identical to the previous one, maybe a few inches back. The player starts with both feet together. The player steps with the plant foot and drives the shooting knee and shooting elbow to the rim. The player shoots the ball.
Coaching point: Driving the knee to the basket is a very important coaching that not all players can master. Identify a player who drives his knee the best and have this player demonstrate for the others.
Simple Steps:
- Start with both feet together.
- Take one step with the plant foot.
- Raise shooting elbow and drive the shooting knee to the rim: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING.”
- Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square.
4. One Dribble Lay-up: This drills add the difficulty of using a dribble. The player uses the same starting point and the same footwork as the previous drill. The player executes a strong hand dribble, at the same time he steps with the plant foot. The player will pick up the dribble and proceed to shoot the lay-up, using the correct footwork. This is a great time to teach the concept of taking the ball from “hip to rim.”
Simple Steps:
- Both feet together
- Dribble and step with plant foot
- Raise shooting elbow and shooting knee: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING”
- Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square
5. Full Speed Lay-up: Set up a cone at the free throw line extended. Set the cone up so players can take a good angle when approaching a lay-up. (It also might be helpful to set up two cones to the outside of the spot where the player should be shooting the ball.) The player dribbles in to take the lay-up.
Simple Steps:
- Start at a good angle to take a lay-up.
- Dribble to the basket on a 45-degree angle.
- Use correct footwork – “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING.” Go at a slower speed if necessary.
- Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square.
COACHING POINT: Review each skill until it has been mastered, once a step in the lay-up teaching progression has been mastered, it is not necessary to continue to use the drill. If players have difficulty with a particular drill, review the previous drill to reinforce the fundamental.
Only after a player has mastered a step should he progress to the more advanced skill. If a player moves to the more advanced skill yet does not execute the fundamental properly, he should return to the previous step to review the skill, practice, and gain more confidence.
As the players become more skilled, beginning steps should be reviewed briefly before emphasis is placed on a more advanced fundamental skill.