Lay up

Lay up gives rise to basketball scoring without halting a burst. Once you get up in the air, there are many ways to maneuver the ball provided you increase your vertical jump to certain level. Yet, before you take off in the air, there are basically two ways to approach the basketball hoop and lay the ball in. Let's take a look at lay up in a nutshell.

• (Reverse everything if you are left-handed)

• Start by dribbling the basketball towards the right side of the basketball hoop with your right hand.

• Then you have two options:

• 1a) As you approach the basket, you may carry the ball and take one and a half steps.

• 2a) Leap towards the basketball hoop with your left foot and bring your right knee up

• Or Alternately, you can

• 1b) Perform a power-hop towards the basket

• 2b) Elevate towards the hoop with both feet

• Protect your position & the ball with your body

• Release the ball lightly on the backboard

Tips on perfecting a basketball lay-up

Doing a basketball lay-up slowly with no defenders is very easy but not so when you are guarded. Here are the tips for scoring in a lay-up under pressure

• Take BIG strides when you are carrying the ball for a lay up

• Glance at the hoop while you are carrying the ball towards the basketball hoop

• If you are driving full speed, convert the horizontal momentum to vertical by jumping higher before release

• Sometimes, changing your pace when taking the steps or power-hopping works well

• Place the upper arm of your non-dominant hand on the side to resist defender's pressure

• When you are about to get up in the air, turn your hip and upper back towards the defender to push yourself away

• Add a slight spin onto the ball to further reduce the horizontal force it carries

Basketball moves derived from the lay-up

Finger Roll: The most widely used lay-up method in basketball nowadays

Three Pointers: The threes seem to be a blessing when it comes to outscoring the opposition, but...

Reverse lay-up: two defenders jumps at you on the near side, go to the other side

Tear Drop: Oh yeah, make the hoop cry and make your defenders cry

Up-and-Under: The move spells out, "I refuse to commit myself."