How to improve basketball layup skills

The layup shot is one of the most fundamental shots in basketball. It is also widely used because it is hard to defend against. A perfectly executed layup can be a beautiful thing to behold. This is not the easiest shot to perfect and those who play the game professionally know that it takes a great deal of practice to perfect it. The following are 5 tips to improve your lay-up shot.

Jumping - A lay-up requires the player to jump relatively high in order to "lay" the ball onto the backboard and into the net. This also allows you more time to perform the necessary moves in order to get the ball in without committing a traveling foul.

Touch the Backboard - One way to practice the lay-up and a technique that works for shorter players is to stand under the basket and find a spot on the backboard and continuously jump and touch it. If you can do this with your hand, you can easily execute a lay-up no matter how short you are.

Running Touch - Once you have been able to touch the same spot continuously by using a standing jump, you need to incorporate the run before the basket into the jumping. Again, pick a spot on the backboard and run and jump to touch it.
Add the Ball - After being able to touch the same spot with a running start, you should start attempting the movement with the ball. If you do not make the shot, ensure that the ball is hitting the same spot each time.

Ball Placement - The ball should be hitting the center of the painted square on the backboard. When the ball rolls off the fingertips, it should hit this same spot and it does go in each and every time.

Once you can perfect the lay-up shot, your basketball game does improve and does make you a much better player. One of the biggest mistakes that are made when shooting this shot is taking too many steps and being called for a traveling foul. Practicing hitting the backboard, running and jumping and touching the backboard and ball placement can alleviate any chance of creating a foul and allows for more shots to be made successfully. Finally, roll the ball off of the fingertips when laying the ball up onto the backboard and it goes in each and every time.