Layup is a term used in basketball. It describes a shot that is made close to the basket and usually involves playing the ball of the backboard.
The term itself is descriptive of the action done.
With a layup, a player jumps, releases the ball, and uses the backboard to allow the ball to enter the basket. It is considered a high-percentage shot and is even used to describe something easy in everyday parlance.
It is a two-point shot and is done by leaping from below the net and ‘laying up’ the ball very close to the basket. The main obstacle faced by a player doing a layup is getting near the basket in the first place. Once there, it is an easy shot although an opposing player can still block the trajectory of the ball.
A shot related to the layup is the Slam Dunk, which is a performative and higher percentage shot.
There are several versions of the layup used in modern basketball. They can be categorized into underarm and overarm layups. There is also the reverse layup.
This shot is also sometimes referred to as the ‘finger roll’, for which Wilt Chamberlain is known for.
Example of Use:
- Scottie Pippen is known for his use of the layup.
- Karl Malone once attempted a reverse layup but was blocked by another player on his way to the basket.
Pronunciation: [Layup][1]
Example of Shot: [Layup][2]
[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqf1qfDRPHo
[2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4IqeXob_qg