Whether you are just picking up the game of basketball or trying to improve your skills, expanding the types of basketball shots that you can reliably make during a game will help you score more points. Depending on the situation, type of defense, and your proximity to the basket, having a secondary or tertiary option for getting your shot off can help improve the odds of scoring points. Some of the common types of basketball shots include the layup, finger roll, tear drop, floater, hook shot, free throw, and bank shot.
Types of Basketball Shots
The Layup
The layup is a basketball shot made by jumping from below the basket and banking the ball off of the back-board or laying it in over the rim. The shot is distinguishable through reaching towards the basket with one hand guiding the ball and is considered one of the most basic basketball shots. If left undefended, the layup is considered a very high percentage shot attempt with the largest challenge by the shooter being to avoid taller defenders that may be positioned near the basket.
There are two types of layup typically shot in basketball today. These include the overarm and underarm variants of the shot. The underarm version is typically referred to as the “finger roll” and is where the player uses the wrist and fingers to lay the ball over the rim or off of the back board. The overarm layup, will normally use the backboard to bank the layup into the goal. Dr J, George Gervin, and Bob Cousey are two of the most famous players to shoot the finger roll version of the shot. More modern players known for using the technique include Michael Jordan and Jason Kidd amongst many other current and former NBA stars.
The Runner or Floater
The runner (or floater) is most commonly used by guards who are trying to get a shot off against taller competition. The shooter will start the runner similar to a layup; however, he or she will be further from the basket. The ball will then be released earlier and have a higher arc than the normal layup shot and should be released or out of the shooter’s hand before the defense is in position to block the shot. The shot was used significantly by John Stockton in his prime and is used by a number of NBA players today to include D-Rose (Derrick Rose), Chris Paul, and Rajon Rondo.
Power Stop / Power Drive
The power stop basketball shot consists of a continuous shooting motion where the shooter will stop dribbling the ball and make a
Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Boston Celtics Robert Parish and Kevin McHale late 1980s shooting a hook shot. Copyright Steve lipofsky
large leap forward. Both hands should secure the ball from the dribbling hand, and then a layup is shot. The power stop/drive shot provides significant momentum for the shooter to jump towards the basket for a fast layup.
Double Clutch
The double clutch is one of the more athletically challenging basketball shots. It is normally associated with a dunk or layup, but can also be used with a jump shot. In this move, the player will change the ball position while in the shooting motion to avoid having the shot blocked or deflected by the defender. It is difficult for younger players to pull off this shot who have not yet developed a significant vertical leap as they may land on the floor before getting the shot off after the initial clutch attempt.
Hook Shot
The hook shot is one of the greatest equalizing basketball shots in the game. Made famous by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the hook shot is used to successfully get a post shot off against a player who has a strong chance of blocking the ball. To shoot the hook shot, one body starts off facing away from the goal. As the player then turns towards the basket, the ball is held in the hand furthest away and is hooked up over the head towards the goal. Since the player’s body remains between the defender and the ball it is extremely difficult to defend.
Dunk
The dunk is one of the most celebrated shots by basketball fans at any level of play. Although less frequently seen during Middle School and High School games, starting at the college level and beyond it is one of the highest-percentage shots in basketball—-as long as the player can jump high enough to pull it off. A dunk can be one or two-handed, and may or may not have a degree of creativity applied prior to the shot by the player. Michael Jordan is one of the best known dunkers from the NBA game from his dunk contests earlier in his career with Blake Griffin, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant being some of the best-known dunkers in the modern NBA game.
Free Throw
The free throw basketball shot seems so easy. The player is 15 feet from the basket with no defense other than their own mind keeping them from making the shot. Most players stay grounded on the floor when shooting the free throw and will do a variety of motions prior to shooting the shot. The free throw will typically have a fair amount of back-spin and is only worth a single point.
Bank Shot
A bank shot can be either a jump shot, layup, or hook that hits the backboard before going into the basket. It is typically used for mid to short-range jump shots between a 30 and 60 degree angle from the basket. It is not common for long-range shots (on purpose that is), or for those close to the baseline.
Putback or Tip-In
A tip-in or putback basketball shot is when a player grabs an offensive rebound and immediately puts the ball back into the goal. If the player lands on the ground first and then scores the basket it is called a putback. If shoots the ball while still in the air it is called a tip-in. The tip-in can also be a dunk depending on the size and jumping ability of the player taking the shot.
Jump Shot
Almost all shooting guards are expected to have a decent jump shot along with the small forward, and coaches hope the point guard as well. The jump shot is normally delivered with the dominant foot just ahead of the opposite foot which are shoulder width apart. The basketball is then raised to approximately the forehead level while the play jumps in the air. Towards the peak of the jump, the wrist is snapped forward and the player follows through by extending their hand/middle finger towards the rim. Players that have an accurate jump shot can help extend the opposing team’s defense and make the center or power forward have greater opportunities for scoring closer to the basket.
