Passing, the set shot and the lay-up

1Why this matters

A pass moves the ball across the court much faster than anyone can dribble it, and a team that passes well finds free players. Every attack then ends in a shot. This session recalls the three main passes, the set shot, which is a shot taken with both feet on the floor, and the lay-up, the shot you take on the move close to the basket.

2Three passes

For a very long pass, some players throw one-handed from the shoulder, like a cricket or baseball throw. It covers distance but is less accurate.

Receiving: show a target with both hands, step towards the ball, and let your hands "give" as you catch, pulling the ball in to your chest.

3The set shot: BEEF

1. Balance: feet shoulder-width apart, shooting-side foot slightly forward, knees bent.
2. Eyes: on the ring from the moment you decide to shoot.
3. Elbow: the shooting elbow is under the ball and in line with the ring, not pointing out to the side. The other hand rests on the side of the ball as a guide only; it does not push.
4. Follow-through: straighten your legs and arm together and flick your wrist, so your fingers point down at the ring as the ball leaves them. The ball should fly in a high arc with backspin.

4The lay-up (right-handed, from the right side)

1. Dribble towards the basket at an angle, taking your last dribble with your right hand.
2. Step with your right foot as you pick the ball up.
3. Step with your left foot and jump from it, driving your right knee upwards.
4. Carry the ball up with your right hand and lay it softly against the backboard, aiming at the top corner of the small box painted on it, so it drops into the ring.

From the left side you mirror everything: left hand, and step right-left becomes left-right, jumping off the right foot. Using the hand further from the defender protects the ball. The two steps fit the FIBA travelling rule.

Figure 2. Right-handed lay-up footwork: "right, left, up". Diagram: Ganzaa.

Worked example

Uwase drives in on the left side of the basket and shoots her lay-up with her right hand. The defender, standing on her right, blocks the ball.

Decision. On the left side she should shoot with her left hand and jump off her right foot. Her body is then between the defender and the ball, and the shot is much harder to block.

5The session (about 40 minutes)

Warm-up (8 minutes). In pairs, side-step across the court passing chest passes to each other. Then dynamic stretches: arm circles, trunk twists, walking lunges and gentle squat jumps.

Skill drills (22 minutes).

• Partner passing. Stand 3 m apart: 10 chest passes, 10 bounce passes, 10 overhead passes. Then move back to 5 m and repeat.
• Form shooting. Stand 1 m from the ring, facing it. Shoot with your shooting hand only, the guide hand behind your back, until you make 10. Then step back and use both hands.
• Lay-up lines. Two lines at the free-throw line extended: one line shoots, the other rebounds and passes back. Walk through the footwork first ("right, left, up"), then jog, then run. Change sides after five turns, so you practise the other hand.

Game (6 minutes): around the key. Shoot from five marked spots around the key. Move to the next spot only when you score. The first player to score from all five wins.

Cool-down (4 minutes). Walk, then stretch the shoulders, wrists and forearms, the calves and the thighs, 20 seconds each.

6Safety

• Wait your turn in the lay-up line; never run under a player who is in the air.
• Land on both feet with your knees bent after a jump, and keep the landing area under the basket clear.
• Never hang on the ring. It is not built to hold your weight.
• Pass only when your partner is looking and ready.

Practice

Solution. A bounce pass. It travels under the raised arms.

Solution. Bring his shooting elbow under the ball, in line with the ring, so that the ball travels straight.

Solution. Last dribble with the right hand; step with the right foot; jump off the left foot; lay the ball on the backboard.

Solution. A ball dropping steeply sees more of the ring's opening, so it has a better chance of going in. A flat shot tends to hit the front or back of the ring.