Step-Back Jumper
Create separation for a jump shot with a controlled step-back.
What this drill teaches
Creating space without losing the shot. The chair sells the drive, the push-back creates separation — and the discipline is landing balanced with normal form, so the step-back is a real shot rather than a fading heave.
In games: Gives older players a legal, repeatable answer on game day when a good defender takes away the drive — space is created backwards instead of a forced shot going up.
- Two hard dribbles that genuinely sell the drive first
- Balanced landing, feet set, no drift or fade
- Same follow-through as a normal jumper
U14: one-dribble step-backs from mid-range only — the three comes when the form holds. U16: full range, a chaser on the hip, and travels called honestly.
Equipment
1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone
Setup
A chair or cone inside the arc as the defender. The player attacks it, then creates space off it.
Steps
- 1Attack the chair hard, as if driving a defender off the line.
- 2Plant and push off into a step-back, gathering the ball.
- 3Land balanced with your feet set behind you.
- 4Rise straight up and shoot with normal form.
Coaching points
- Sell the drive first — two hard dribbles right at the chair.
- Push off hard to create real space.
- Land balanced — no fading, shoot straight up.
Why kids love it
A modern separation move older players want badly — taught with control so the form holds up.
Variations
Step-back off one dribble from mid-range before extending the range.
Add a chaser who must touch the shooter's hip before the step-back is allowed.
Call travel on any extra hop or dragged pivot and hand the ball straight to the next player.