How to Do a Basketball Hop Step

Co-authored by Taylor Rochestie

Last Updated: November 18, 2023 References

The hop step, sometimes called the pro hop, is a combination of the euro step and jump-stop. This particular move can create a powerful tactical advantage on court and improve your team's chances of getting a shot. Add more variety to your arsenal by mastering this move and storming the net like a pro.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Mastering Footwork and Stance

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1
Familiarize yourself with the right landing stance. It can be difficult coordinating footwork, ball handling, and a new shot all at once. Breaking things down will help you focus on correct form and proper execution.
- Doing the hop step is all about gaining balance and control in what you're doing.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Taylor Rochestie
  Professional Basketball Player
  
  Expert Interview. 13 July 2021.}
This improves your balance, stability, and response.^{[2]
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Research source}

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Court awareness is often the deciding factor in whether or not you will be able to drive to the hoop and make a shot.
Although this move is called the hop step, many players typically have difficulty controlling the height of this jump. Jumping too high will negatively impact your balance.^{[3]
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This is especially important when learning the hop step. Failing to land simultaneously on both feet can result in a traveling call by a referee.
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Limit your pivot. Once you land on both feet, you can pivot with one foot or the other, but not both.
- Even executed perfectly, some officials may still call you for traveling, as it can be difficult to discern a hop step from a travel.
- Possession of the ball and prior use of a player's allotted pivot can also influence traveling calls.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Practicing With the Ball

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1
Dribble the ball slowly down the court. You should pay close attention to footwork and stance. At random intervals or at the signal of a whistle, combine the footwork you learning with the dribbling and take your hop step.
- Try getting close to the rim. The closer you are to the rim, the more help the opposing defense will create. Once the defense comes in, other players on your team will be open.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Taylor Rochestie
  Professional Basketball Player
  
  Expert Interview. 13 July 2021.}
Jumping too high will throw off your balance or add to your momentum, which can lead to an unnecessary step and a traveling call.
3
Land with both feet simultaneously. This is the key point of the hop step. Landing with both feet at the same time means you can pivot either direction, giving you more mobility on the court.
- Keep your knees bent, body low, and head up after landing.
If your body is familiar with the halting of momentum that the hop step requires, you are less likely to take an illegal second step/pivot.
This also trains good reflexes which will be of use to you during game time when there is pressure.^{[5]
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Research source}^{[6]
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Expert Source

Taylor Rochestie
Professional Basketball Player

Expert Interview. 13 July 2021.}

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Practicing Without the Ball

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At random intervals, or if practicing with your team or friends, at the signal of a whistle, execute a jump step.
2
Drive with your leading foot. On whichever foot you stop or the leading foot when the whistle blows, drive downward with that foot and perform a small hop.
- Alternate which foot you drive with to build symmetry and prevent the predictability of favoring your dominant side.
Remember to use proper stance: keep your knees bent, body low, and head up.
4
Pivot once. You should switch between sides so that you aren't predictable to your opponents. You should practice coming to a complete stop following the pivot to limit traveling calls.
- If you had possession of the ball prior to performing this move and have already used your pivot, you may not pivot a second time following your hop.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Receiving a Pass with the Hop Step

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Now that you know the basics of the hop step, you should expand your functional knowledge of the move by practicing a real game scenarios, like passing.
To receive a pass while doing the hop step, you need to jump before catching the ball. Make sure your teammate is ready before executing.
Keep your head up while doing so you don't miss your teammate's pass.
Take a moment and have your teammate evaluate you. Did you land with both feet simultaneously? Are your knees bent, is your body low, and is your head up?
Attempt to complete your motions smoothly and without interruption. This will prevent you from stutter-stop performance during the game.
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Practice receiving a pass on your own. Though many experienced players consider this move to be basic, the mechanics involved make it challenging to do cleanly. Practice receiving a pass on your own by:
- Throwing a ball slightly in front of you with backspin.
- Executing a small hop while the ball rebounds from the floor.
- Catching the ball in the air on its return.
- Pivoting on one foot.

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Tips

If the defender is playing you to a certain side, it can be effective for you to hop to the opposite direction. For example, if the defender is playing you to the right, then hop to the left.

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Land on both legs after you have the caught the basketball mid-air to leave yourself a final step for a lay up.

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Warnings

You may get called for a travel by some referees.

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You may get called for a charge if you run into a defender.

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