How to Shoot a Lay Up
The easiest shot in basketball is the lay up. Whether it is on a fast break, off a pass from a teammate or from an offensive rebound, a lay up is a shot that must be made.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Align yourself for the shot. To shoot a lay up your shoulders should either be parallel with the backboard if you are in the middle of the floor or perpendicular with the direction of your shot if you are on the side.
-
2
Explode towards the basket. It is important that you jump as high as you can when you shoot a lay up. There is a good chance that someone will be challenging your shot.
-
-
3
Shoot with your outside hand. If you are on the right side of the basket, shoot a lay up with your right hand. If you are on the left side of the basket, shoot a lay up with your left hand. If you shoot with your inside hand, you are less likely to make it. The rim will obstruct your angle to hit the top corner of the box you are aiming for. In order to shoot a lay up with your outside hand, you will have to jump off of your inside foot.
-
4
Aim for the top of the square above the rim on the backboard. You have a much better chance of making a lay up if you use the backboard.
-
5
Use the proper amount of force. If you are running full speed, you will need to soften the ball's impact with the backboard. Lay the ball off the backboard with the back of your hand facing the backboard. This will allow you to cushion the impact of the ball against the backboard so that it does not hit so hard that it bounces over the rim. If you are shooting from a stand still, shoot a lay up like a normal shot pushing the ball up with your arm and flicking your wrist as your arm reaches full extension.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When attempting a running lay up, jump off of the opposite foot from the hand you are shooting with. As you jump and raise your arm to shoot, raise the corresponding leg as if there were a string attached from your elbow to your knee. If you are shooting a right-handed lay up, jump off of your left foot and raise your right leg as you extend your arm.
