Q&A for How to Do a Layup

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  • Question
    What are the different types of layups?
    Ryan Tremblay
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Expert Answer
    Some players do zero-step layups, while other players prefer to go off different feet.
  • Question
    Which leg goes up on a layup?
    Ryan Tremblay
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Expert Answer
    Either or! Basketball is evolving to a point where players can go off whatever foot for a layup. Still, if you're just starting out, it's easier to learn how to go off your right foot first.
  • Question
    How can I practice laying up as a beginner?
    Ryan Tremblay
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try going off two feet instead of just one—this is also known as a jump stop. This method helps you to stay under control, concentrate well, and go up strong versus going off just one foot.
  • Question
    How many steps can be taken in this shot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You are allowed to take two steps after you have stopped dribbling when you shoot a layup. If you are referring to how many steps it takes to shoot the layup, it varies from where you are on the court.
  • Question
    How do I get a good left hand in basketball?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Do drills with your left hand, and make sure you dribble with your fingers, not your palm. This can cause a carry in a game.
  • Question
    What if I can't dribble with my left hand well?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Build up the strength in your left hand. Lift weights, do one handed pushups, anything that will strengthen that arm will work. Practice is also pretty much the only thing that will help you dribble better.
  • Question
    How can I make a left handed layup if I cannot palm the ball?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Give yourself the advantage of having a firm grip instead of palming the ball.
  • Question
    How can get better at handling the ball?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing drills each day.
  • Question
    How do I keep the ball away from defenders when I'm midair during a layup?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    During the layup, you can try to move the ball around the defenders while you are in the air so you can get a good, uncontested shot. This may take some practice.
  • Question
    Can you left hand a layup by jumping off of your left foot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but by doing so you are making things harder. This is because by using the shooting foot to jump, you are now off-balance.
  • Question
    How can I learn to do a reverse lay up?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's almost the same thing, just you are going under the net. If you are going from right to left you use your right hand, and left to right it's your left hand.
  • Question
    Do I have to shoot with my left hand on the left side of the hoop? Or can I shoot with my right hand on the left side of the hoop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. You may do whichever feels best to you.
  • Question
    Can I roll around on the ground?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It isn't the proper way to do a lay up and if you fall on the ground with the ball and get back up it's a travel.
  • Question
    How can I know when to use the different layups?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You just have to observe the defense and move to whichever side is open and do your layup from there. It takes quick thinking and reflexes, but you'll get better at it with practice.
  • Question
    How can I fake a layup?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go for the layup then pass to your teammates, or jump near the net and pass.
  • Question
    Why do we need to lay up if we can do jump shot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Because if you are going to shoot a jump shot you have a 70 percent chance of making it, but if you make a lay up you have a 95 percent chance of making it.
  • Question
    What are the advantages of layups?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    In a game scenario, there are times when you get the ball and the defense hasn't had time to get back to the basket to defend it. This gives you an open shot - or an undefended shot.
  • Question
    Is this for basketball or football?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This would be for basketball.
  • Question
    What happens if I'm fouled when performing a lay up?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will either get 1 or 2 shots, depending on where you were fouled. The foul shots will be free with no defender, so take your time.
  • Question
    When should I use a layup?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    When there is a clear shot with no defenders nearby. Bu it really depends on whether you think it is safe or not, because a layup is such a general shot that can be used anytime.
  • Question
    Will a soft touch help when shooting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It only helps if your doing a layup and it also depends how far you are from the hoop. Just hit the back board in the right spot and it's guaranteed to go in.
  • Question
    Why are lay-ups more important than regular shots?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Because in a game, a lay up will most definitely get in and it's an easier way to score.
  • Question
    What if I'm a small player, not over five feet tall?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Work on leg strength and train your vertical jumps. Since you're small, you should be agile enough to just drive in and lay up.
  • Question
    While doing a left hand layup, can I take the ball in my right hand and score around the basket?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can, but that would be harder and might cause you to lose your balance. It's better to score with your left hand.
  • Question
    What can I do if I are younger?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Practice your fundamentals, like offensive plays, dribbling and shooting. When you get a little bit taller you can try lay ups.
  • Question
    How many steps are there in a lay-up?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You have three steps after you stop dribbling the basketball to finish your lay-up. You can take as many steps as you need before then, as long as you're dribbling the ball.
  • Question
    How do I shoot a lay up over a defender?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wait until the defender gives you an opening and then shoot.
  • Question
    What do I have to do in order for the ball to go in the basket?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You have to aim at the white board of the backboard in order to get the ball into the basket.
  • Question
    Can I touch or slap the ball while someone is doing a layup?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    As long as the ball is out of their hands, you can. If you hit the ball before it leaves their hands, or if they still have a grip on it, it will be counted as a foul.
  • Question
    What do I do if I'm short and I can't reach the sweet spot on the backboard when doing a lay up?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just practice so you can get better at jumping. Then push it off with your hand more, again something you'll get better at with practice.
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