Layup

lay*up

What is the definition of a layup in basketball?

1. A layup is a one-handed basketball shot that is made near the basket. This shot is usually banked off the backboard near the side of the basket before it goes in. Each layup is worth two points.

How many steps can you take for a layup in basketball?

While dribbling to the basket, the ball handler can take as many steps as they prefer as long as they do not stop dribbling. However, once the ball handler picks up their dribble, the maximum amount of steps they can take is two. After the ball handler takes the third step, they will be charged with traveling and the ball is then turned over to the opposing team.

What’s the difference between a layup and a bank shot?

A layup is to not be confused with a bank shot. The definition of layup is limited to shots made near the basket, usually within a few feet. Bank shot is the term used to describe jump shots taken from other areas of the frontcourt.

Furthermore, layups may touch the rim before they go in the basket, and they may or may not involve a bounce off the backboard. However, a bank shot always uses the backboard and goes directly into the basket, avoiding the rim entirely.

What are the types of layups?

There are several types of layups, but some of the most common include the underhand layup, overhand layup, reverse layup and Euro step layup.

Underhand layup

In an underhand layup, the arm brings the ball up smoothly and the wrist and fingers are used to direct the ball. When the ball is released, the momentum from the arm movement keeps the ball moving toward the basket. This type of layup is also known as a finger roll and uses only the left or right hand when the ball is released, as opposed to having a guide hand up for a traditional shot.

Underhand layups sometimes bounce off the backboard, but many have an arcing path that goes directly into the basket. It is easier to execute this type of layup when there is less pressure from the defense, like on a breakaway.

Overhand layup

The overhand layup is similar to taking a jump shot very close to the basket. With the ball held above their head, the player pushes the ball toward the basket. It is laid up with more intentional force from the player rather than the gentler release used in an under hand layup.

Most overhand layups bounce off the backboard before going in the basket. This type of layup is more common in situations where the player is under a lot of pressure from the defense.

Reverse layup

In a reverse layup, the player drives toward one side of the basket. As they do this, it’s likely that a defender will try to block a layup on that side. To evade the block, the player feints a shot on that side, but then finishes with an underhand shot on the opposite side of the basket.

Euro step layup

To do a Euro step layup, the player picks up their dribble as they near the basket. Then, they take a step in one direction before quickly taking an explosive step in the opposite direction, which throws off the defender and allows for open space to make a layup.

While the Euro step wasn’t very common in the early days of pro basketball, it has become increasingly common in the NBA as more members of the league have picked it up from European players.

What does layup mean in basketball?

A layup refers to a type of shot that a player takes in basketball. It signifies where the shot was taken from (near the basket) and how the ball was shot was taken (typically with a finger roll or jump shot).

What is the synonym of layup?

There are no synonyms for the term layup in basketball. But when used more broadly as a phrasal verb, lay up can mean to store something for use in the future. Thesaurus word lists for this meaning might include hoard, cache and stockpile.

The Collins English Dictionary, Wikipedia and some other sources also reference an etymology of the phrase laid up, which can mean that someone is confined to bed due to an illness or injury.

What does layup mean in slang?

In American English, referring to something as a layup is a colloquial idiom expressing that a task is relatively simple to accomplish. An example sentence for this usage would be: “Putting together a design for the project will be a layup, it should only take me a few minutes.”

Interestingly, a similar usage applies to a related term from basketball: slam dunk. Referring to something as a slam dunk means that it is certain to be successful and won’t require a lot of effort to achieve.

Examples of how layup is used in commentary

1. Klay Thompson drives in from the perimeter, around the center and then makes the easy layup.

Sport the term is used

1. Basketball