Learning targets · Ball · attack
Lay-up and finishing
Scoring close to the rim, from a dribble or a catch, with both hands and different footwork.
Cue
Eyes on the box.
Why
The best shots in youth basketball are near the rim. The approach decides which finish is possible.
When can they do it?
| Layer 0Aware | Scores a lay-up from right and left after a step or two, on a low rim or with points for hitting the rim. |
| Layer 1Control | Chooses one or two steps, and a power lay-up after a hop or stride stop. Both hands. |
| Layer 2Shape your own | Finishes through contact and without the board, with hip movement. |
| Layer 3Shape others | Combines angle, hand, speed and footwork to the defender. |
Making it harder
One axis one step further at a time, the rest the same. The first axis is the base: everything after builds on it.
Entry: the starting dribble base
- same foot, same hand
- cross foot and hand
- varied starts
- speed change
Gather and steps
- one step
- two steps
- power after stride stop
- power after hop stop
- euro step
- spin
Court origin
- 45 right
- 45 left
- middle
- corner
- baseline
Finishing hand
- strong hand
- weak hand
- change in the air
Board
- with board
- without board
- vary height
- floater
Body
- upright
- hip movement
- absorb contact
What to watch
- Approach right, foot and hand
- Eyes open on the target
- Soft landing
What often goes wrong
Lay-ups with eyes closed, or always from the same side without an opponent.
Activities that train it
How it connects
Needs first Move and stop, head upDribbling
Needed for 2-on-1: go, the defender decides
Unlocks Drive first
Goes with Land softlyGood shot
Solves Shot selectionOrder