How to Improve Your Lay-Up

The lay-up is a basketball shot that players use when they are around the basket. Players often shoot uncontested lay-ups – such as when they are on a fast break – but they also can shoot them in heavy traffic. The latter are known as contested lay-ups. Because lay-ups are short shots, basketball players should make a high percentage of them. But even though lay-ups are one of the easiest shots in basketball, players can practice them to increase the number of lay-ups they make.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball hoop
  • Basketball
  • Friend
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand off to one side of the basket, just in front of the backboard. Hold the basketball in your right hand if you are on the right side of the hoop, in your left hand if you are on the left side of the hoop. Jump off the foot opposite the hand with which you hold the ball. Shoot the ball off the backboard and bank it into the hoop. Practice on both sides of the hoop, shooting with both your dominant and non-dominant hand.

    • 2

      Stand at half court. Run toward the basket as you dribble with your outside hand; this is the left hand if you are going to the left side the basket and the right hand if you are going to the right side. Jump when you are just in front of the basket and shoot the ball with your outside hand. Practice from both sides of the court.

    • 3

      Position a friend along the baseline, halfway between the basket and the sideline. Begin at the three-point line and run toward the basket. Have the passer throw you the ball so you catch it in stride. Shoot the lay-up on the run. Practice from both sides of the hoop.