Layup Lines

Warm-up

Warm up finishing and get reps on the correct layup footwork.

8 min 3–12 Half court
ShootingFootworkU8U10U12U14U16

Step-by-step walkthrough

3–12 · 1 ball, 1 hoop

Get everyone ready

One queue · one rebounder · one ball1 shoots first; 2 rebounds. 3–6 wait in order outside the key. Coach supervises from the sideline; spare balls stay off court. 123456

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

One shooting queue at the right wing, outside the key, and one empty-handed rebounder beside the basket, clear of the finishing path. Only the first shooter holds a ball. Park all spare balls off court, clear of running routes. The coach watches from the sideline. With six players: P1 shoots, P2 rebounds, P3–P6 wait in that order at the wing.

Look for: 'Right hand → right foot, left foot, up' (and reverse for lefties).

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

One shooting queue at the right wing, outside the key, and one empty-handed rebounder beside the basket, clear of the finishing path. Only the first shooter holds a ball. Park all spare balls off court, clear of running routes. The coach watches from the sideline. With six players: P1 shoots, P2 rebounds, P3–P6 wait in that order at the wing.

  1. P1 drives from the wing and finishes; P2 retrieves the ball after either a make or a miss. Everyone else stays outside the key.
  2. P1 moves to the rebounding spot, clear of the hoop. P2 passes to empty-handed P3 at the front of the shooting queue, then returns outside the key to the back of the queue. Keep the return route away from the drive and passing lane.
  3. P3 starts only when P2 has cleared the passing/driving lane, P1 is ready to rebound and P3 has secured the ball. P3 now shoots, P1 rebounds, and P4 is next. Repeat the same role changes; one ball and one shot at a time.
  4. After everyone has shot, stop, collect the ball and move the queue to the left wing to repeat on the other side. With other group sizes, keep one rebounder and everyone else in the shooting queue. For larger groups, shorten each turn or use a separate supervised activity in genuinely separate space; do not add a crossing line or extra active ball at this hoop.

Suggested reset

The rebounder collects the same ball and outlets to the next shooter. The shooter becomes the rebounder; the old rebounder joins the shooting queue at the back. Start the next attempt after the outlet and a clear finishing lane. Change sides after everyone has had turns.

Coaching cues

  • 'Right hand → right foot, left foot, up' (and reverse for lefties).
  • Lay it high off the backboard square.
  • Call for the ball with a target hand.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: No dribble — start one step from the hoop and just work the footwork.

Harder: Add a defender who gives token pressure, or require a specific finish (reverse, off two feet).

Watch it runAI-generated demonstration
What this drill teaches

The layup footwork pattern — outside-hand shot off the inside foot — grooved at game speed, plus a clear shoot–rebound–pass rotation with one active ball.

In games: Turns fast breaks into points — the breakaway layup that gets missed or travelled on game day is almost always a footwork problem, and this is where the footwork gets grooved.

What good looks like
  • Right hand off the left foot without stopping to think
  • High, soft finish off the square
  • Rebounders passing on time with a target

U8–U10: walk-pace footwork beats speed. U14–U16: full speed, weak hand, varied finishes.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop

Setup

One shooting queue at the right wing, outside the key, and one empty-handed rebounder beside the basket, clear of the finishing path. Only the first shooter holds a ball. Park all spare balls off court, clear of running routes. The coach watches from the sideline. With six players: P1 shoots, P2 rebounds, P3–P6 wait in that order at the wing.

Steps

  1. 1P1 drives from the wing and finishes; P2 retrieves the ball after either a make or a miss. Everyone else stays outside the key.
  2. 2P1 moves to the rebounding spot, clear of the hoop. P2 passes to empty-handed P3 at the front of the shooting queue, then returns outside the key to the back of the queue. Keep the return route away from the drive and passing lane.
  3. 3P3 starts only when P2 has cleared the passing/driving lane, P1 is ready to rebound and P3 has secured the ball. P3 now shoots, P1 rebounds, and P4 is next. Repeat the same role changes; one ball and one shot at a time.
  4. 4After everyone has shot, stop, collect the ball and move the queue to the left wing to repeat on the other side. With other group sizes, keep one rebounder and everyone else in the shooting queue. For larger groups, shorten each turn or use a separate supervised activity in genuinely separate space; do not add a crossing line or extra active ball at this hoop.

Coaching points

  • 'Right hand → right foot, left foot, up' (and reverse for lefties).
  • Lay it high off the backboard square.
  • Call for the ball with a target hand.

Why kids love it

Players take turns shooting and rebounding, building a rhythm together. Keep queues short so each player gets regular turns.

Variations

Easier

No dribble — start one step from the hoop and just work the footwork.

Harder

Add a defender who gives token pressure, or require a specific finish (reverse, off two feet).

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill