Layup
A close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, usually banked softly off the backboard.
Definition
A layup is the highest-percentage shot in basketball: the attacker gathers the ball on the move, takes the allowed steps, rises off the foot opposite the shooting hand, and lays the ball softly over the rim or off the backboard's shooting square. Common forms include the overhand and underhand (finger roll) layup and the reverse layup finished on the far side of the hoop.
Because it is taken in traffic near the rim, footwork and body control matter as much as the release — shooters protect the ball, absorb contact, and use the rim to shield the shot from blockers. Layups are typically learned before longer shots and remain central to fast breaks and drives.
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- 2026-09-01
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