The reverse layup and its variations, such as finger roll and teardrop, have been made famous by NBA champions such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Stephen Curry. To make this shot, you have to carry the ball from one side of the court to the other and shoot for a basket on your hand. It may seem simple, but it takes time and training to be able to perform the mechanics of this fundamental in a fluid way. Once you have mastered the reverse layup, there are methods to improve your technique and variations you can adopt to make the shot more versatile.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Learn the Simple Reverse Layup
Step 1. Warm up
To shoot a reverse layup you need to make a quick, dry penetration from one side of the basket to the other. This athletic gesture can easily strain the leg muscles. To avoid the problem, you should warm up before training. Try the following exercises:
- Do light stretching exercises. Touch your toes. Lean against a wall and tilt one foot at a time to stretch your calves, until your muscles warm.
- Do light calisthenics, such as lunges, jumping jacks, a couple of laps of the field, or other types of light aerobic exercise.
Step 2. Start the layup off the line, on either side
Technically it is also possible to perform the shot starting from closer. However, to master the mechanics you should start where indicated.
- You can go to the basket from many angles to make a reverse layup, but the traditional version of the move starts on one side of the free throw line and ends on the opposite side of the basket.
- If you are a complete beginner, the bezel is the painted semicircle above the free throw line.
Step 3. Create space between you and the defender to cut inside
If the marker sees you coming, it may prevent you from going inside (towards the basket) and reaching the opposite side of the iron. Try to create enough distance between you, so that you have the green light to the bottom line.
- The end line is the line that marks the end of the field under the basket.
- As you approach the basket for the reverse layup, you can feint outward (away from the iron) to disorient the defender, then cut firmly inside and reach the other side of the backboard.
Step 4. Penetrate to the bottom line
Now that you have created enough space to go to the basket, proceed to the baseline on the opposite side of the iron. When you are about two steps away from your target, you need to hold the ball well and prepare for the shot.
You may need to change your defense work plans. This means you may have to skip a step first or move to one side
Step 5. Jump to the opposite side of the basket
As you penetrate from the free throw line to the end line, one side of the leg will be facing in (the iron) and the other out (towards the court). Push on the inside leg and jump to shoot over the basket.
- You can perform the reverse layup starting from either side of the free throw line. Regardless of which side you choose, always jump with the inside leg.
- During the jump, you will have the instinct to look at the ball or down. However, losing sight of the basket makes you less accurate. Tilt your head slightly as you play, so you always have the basket in your line of sight.
Step 6. Wait a few moments before picking up the dribble when you are preparing to shoot
A moment before you jump, you need to grab the ball and make the shot. When it comes to catching the ball, it slightly delays the pickup, so that you can hold it higher after bouncing to the ground. The ball should be about chest height before the shot.
Step 7. Make the shot
At this point, one of your hands will be on the inside (the basket) and the other on the outside (the court). Hold the ball with your outside hand as you jump, extend your arm and bounce it off the backboard and into the basket.
Contrary to many long shots, the contribution of the knees is not important in the reverse layup. Instead, focus on a strong, steady and clean shooting motion
Method 2 of 3: Improving the Reverse Layup Technique
Step 1. Shoot closer to the baseline to protect the ball
The closer you are to the baseline, the more your shot will be protected by blocks from the backboard. However, the angle for the conclusion will be getting tighter and tighter. This can make shooting more difficult.
- In many cases, the movements of the defense will decide how close you can get to the basket. You won't always be able to layup near the baseline.
- Taller, more aggressive defenders can force you to shoot very close to the baseline.
Step 2. Add rotation to the shot to get a more effective bounce on the board
The spin of the ball makes it stick to the board, allowing you to use a larger area to score. When you let go of the ball, give it a light whip with your wrist to make it rotate.
All players are different, so experiment to figure out how to move your wrist and how hard to whip for best results
Step 3. Practice reverse layups
To be able to perform this shot without hesitation on the field, you must make it a natural movement. This means that you need to practice until you have mastered the mechanics and have developed good muscle memory. Try the following exercises:
- Place four pins on the painted area. One cone at each elbow and one on both second notches of free throws.
- Start behind one of the cones on the elbows. Fake the shot, as you would to create separation with the defender and penetrate inside, then take a single step back with your right foot.
- Push on the right foot and penetrate to the basket passing the outside of the cones. When you are next to the cone on the second notch of the free throw, turn towards the baseline.
- Roll the reverse layup. Jump with the inside foot, slightly delay the collection of the dribble and use the outside hand to bounce the ball off the backboard and inside the basket.
Method 3 of 3: Perform the Variations
Step 1. Try a finger roll
This type of shot has a higher parabola than the traditional reverse layup and is therefore useful for getting past the hands of defenders attempting to block. However, it is a difficult movement to master and has the disadvantage of being performed with one hand, thus exposing the ball more. To do it:
- When picking up the dribble to make a layup, hold the ball tight with your palm and begin to extend your arm towards the basket.
- As you approach the backboard, straighten your fingers and let the ball roll onto your fingertips, sending it against the backboard and into the basket.
Step 2. Test the teardrop
The main feature of this shot is the early release of the ball, which serves to anticipate the defenders attempting the block. This way you will take the defense by surprise and find the opening you seek. To run it:
- Approach the defender and interpret the situation. If you find yourself facing an opponent much taller than you who can stop you, this is the right opportunity to attempt the teardrop.
- Approach the basket as you would for the traditional reverse layup, but detach with the inside leg when you are still on the edge or in the center of the painted area. Do this when there is still distance between you and the defender.
- Raise your outer leg as you jump to follow the upward motion of your outer arm with which you must hold the ball. Extend your limbs when you reach the top of the jump and throw the ball towards the basket.
- Execute the shot with a very high parabola and a light touch, making sure to give it little rotation, lightening the final part of the movement.
Step 3. Alternate the variations to be more versatile
The traditional reverse layup, finger roll and teardrop have strengths and weaknesses. The best conclusion depends on the circumstances of the game, so learn how to use all three versions with ease, in order to enhance your offensive skills.
