Mikans – right, left, reverse, swish
Start by standing on the right block facing the hoop. Without taking a dribble jump off of your left foot bringing your right knee up towards your chest. At the top of your jump do a simple right handed layup off the glass. As soon as you land slide slightly to the left, catch the ball out of the hoop, landing near the left block. Without taking a dribble jump off of your right foot bringing your left foot up towards your chest. At the top of your jump do a simple left handed layup off the glass. Repeat this continuously concentrating on getting into a good rhythm, making every layup. Advanced players should aim to not hit the rim.
Variations: the Mikan does not count if the ball hits the rim (every shot must be a swish).
Reverse Mikans
Start by standing underneath the hoop facing the court (not the baseline). Without taking a dribble, jump to the left off of your left foot (so you go the left side for the lay-up). Bring your right knee up towards your chest. At the top of your jump do a reverse right handed layup off the glass. As soon as you land, slide slightly to the right, catch the ball out of the hoop, so you land back under the hoop. Without taking a dribble, jump to the right off of your right foot. Bring your left foot up towards your chest. At the top of your jump do a reverse left handed layup off the glass. Repeat this continuously concentrating on getting into a good rhythm, making every layup. Advanced players should aim to not hit the rim.
Variations: Do the Mikans off the opposite foot with the opposite hand. The Mikan does not count if the ball hits the rim (every shot must be a swish).
Basic Lay-up Series
This is a series of lay-ups that can be done from multiple places on the court: the wing, the corner, top of the key, etc. These lay-ups are to be done at game speed. Concentrate on changing speeds, finishing cleanly, and exploding with your first step. Each of these should be started from the triple threat position just outside of the three point line. For more experienced players a non-dribble move can be used to initiate the lay-up.
One foot – regular: From the right side take one long dribble and go in and finish a normal lay-up off of your right foot with your right hand.. (For beginner and youth players it may require more than one dribble). Concentrate on being explosive in your first step, and all the way to the hoop.
Variation: Left side, left hand
One foot – inside hand: From the three point dribble toward the hoop from the right side, as you approach the hoop, jump of your right foot bringing your left knee up towards your chest and finish with your left (inside) hand off the glass.
Variation: Left and Right hand
One foot – reverse: From the three-point line, dribble toward the hoop from the right side, as you approach the hoop go just further than you normally would and perform a reverse lay-up off of the backboard with your left hand (jumping off of your right foot). This fools defenders because they assume you will do a normal lay-up, additionally the rim is used as added protection from shot blockers.
Variation: From the right side – reverse off of left foot with right hand, reverse off of right foot with left hand. From the left side – reverse off of left foot with right hand, reverse off of right foot with left hand.
One foot – to the middle (from right/left): From right side of floor dribble toward the middle of the floor, as you approach the hoop jump off of your right foot and finish with a finger roll with your left hand.
Variation: Finish with right handed finger roll off of left foot from left side. From right side of floor take extra step and finish off of right foot on left side of hoop (off the glass). From left side of floor take extra step and finish with right hand off of the left foot on the right side of hoop (off the glass).
Two foot – regular: From the right side of floor dribble toward the right block, as you approach the hoop come to a jump stop or a two-step stop. Jump off of two feet and finish with a right handed lay-up off the glass. Concentrate on staying low and keeping your balance upon stopping, as well as utilizing a strong finish.
Variations: Repeat from left side. You can also add a pump fake prior to finishing in each direction.
Miscellaneous moves + finish: You can add any variation of the advanced moves or finishes into this lay-up drills (i.e. double cross + Nash Scoop)
Half-court/Full-court lay-ups
Begin at half-court or on the other end of the court. (If you are doing full court variation then dribble towards the hoop using a few moves and changing speeds frequently until you get to half court). Just above the top of the key, make one move then go finish with any of the lay-up methods (regular, two foot, inside hand, reverse, etc.) Check the shooting/finishing section for more examples.
