Reverse Layup

Skill drill

Finish on the far side of the rim to avoid the defender.

6 min any Half court
ShootingFootworkU12U14U16

Technique guide

Any group size · 1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone

Get everyone ready

Drive the baselineAttack along the baseline toward the rim. 1

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

A chair or cone just outside the ball-side block as the defender. Player starts on the wing with a ball.

Look for: Get under and across the rim.

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

A chair or cone just outside the ball-side block as the defender. Player starts on the wing with a ball.

  1. Drive baseline toward the basket.
  2. Go under the rim to the other side, keeping the chair behind you.
  3. Finish a reverse layup high off the glass.
  4. Use the rim to protect the shot.

Suggested reset

At a two-player basket station, the shooter retrieves their attempt and returns the same ball to the next shooter, then waits clear of the finishing lane. For a prescribed shooting set, finish the set before swapping. With more players, split across baskets or rotate short sets; keep spare balls off the active shooting line.

Coaching cues

  • Get under and across the rim.
  • Protect the ball with your body.
  • Soft, high finish off the backboard.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Start right under the rim, no dribble.

Harder: Add a defender trailing on your hip so you must finish away from a contest.

Both Sides: Alternate baselines every rep so the weak-hand reverse gets the same reps.

What this drill teaches

Finishing on the far side of the rim so the rim itself blocks the shot-blocker. Driving under and across with the chair behind teaches the path and the high glass finish before a real defender raises the stakes.

In games: The straight-in layup is the most blocked shot in youth basketball — the reverse gives your drivers a finish that taller defenders can't reach.

What good looks like
  • The drive going under and across to the far side of the rim
  • Body staying between the ball and the chair
  • A soft, high finish off the backboard

U12: start right under the rim with no dribble — clunky footwork is fine. U14–U16: expect full-speed baseline drives, both sides, with a trailing defender.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone

Setup

A chair or cone just outside the ball-side block as the defender. Player starts on the wing with a ball.

Steps

  1. 1Drive baseline toward the basket.
  2. 2Go under the rim to the other side, keeping the chair behind you.
  3. 3Finish a reverse layup high off the glass.
  4. 4Use the rim to protect the shot.

Coaching points

  • Get under and across the rim.
  • Protect the ball with your body.
  • Soft, high finish off the backboard.

Why kids love it

A grown-up finish that makes older players much tougher to block.

Variations

Easier

Start right under the rim, no dribble.

Harder

Add a defender trailing on your hip so you must finish away from a contest.

Both Sides

Alternate baselines every rep so the weak-hand reverse gets the same reps.

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