The finger roll lay up is a special type of lay up shoot in basketball where the ball is rolled from the player’s fingertips. The advantage of the finger roll lay up is that the ball can float high in the air past opposing defenders who might block a regular jump shot or dunk shot. While the ball that is rolled on the fingers of the player will reflect the ball to the backboard of the basketball hoop. This shoot was first pioneered by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s in the NBA League.
At first glance, it seems that the shooting and lay-up techniques seem the same and there is not the slightest difference. However, if studied, the lay up technique is indeed part of the technique of shooting the ball into the ring or the shoot itself. One variation of the lay up technique is the finger roll lay up shoot.
Then what is the difference between shooting and lay up in basketball? Here’s the explanation.
Shooting vs Lay Up
Both are done to add points for the team, shoot and lay ups are nothing but a technique of shooting the ball into the ring. The difference between the two lies in their movement.
The shooting technique is done by jumping where the player is then the ball is thrown towards the target, namely the ring at the highest jump point. While the lay-up itself is the movement of shooting a basketball into the opponent’s ring by jumping towards the ring and then the ball is pushed into the ring when it is very close.
The Ins and Outs of Finger Roll Lay Up Shoot
The finger roll lay up shoot itself is a variation of the lay up movement when shooting a basketball into the ring by rolling the basketball from the player’s fingertips. Using this technique provides the advantage of a ball that floats high in the air and can pass through opposing defenders who may be tasked with blocking regular jump shots or dunk shots.
Practiced for the first time by Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA League in the 1960s ago, the ball rolling in the basketball player’s hand creates the effect of the ball bouncing into the basketball hoop backboard.
A mainstay for points scorers, the finger lay up shoot is often used to shoot a basketball into the ring from a tight angle. Although attractive, this technique has a considerable risk of missing if the technique is not done correctly.
How to do Finger Roll Lay Up Shoot
The steps for practicing these variations of shooting techniques are as follows:
- Determine the shooting spot as in the general lay-up shoot. Many professional players control all corners of the basketball hoop within 1-meter closer. So from any angle, they can produce a good shot.
- Pay attention to the position where the defender is. If the number of defenders is too much, then direct the lay-up towards the baseline. Forcing to stay in the middle of the restricted area will give the opponent a chance to block. Unlike if your position is in free guard, lay-ups can be done in a middle position very close to the basketball hoop.
- Power throw ball. It is very certain that when doing the lay-up the player will run at high speed. That’s when how much power the throw is given must be considered, don’t make the throw too hard because there is a risk that the ball will go out.
- Take a high throw even though it has the same chance of not succeeding. However, because the time given is only 24 seconds of possession, even if there are 2-3 defenders from opposing players, this method can make it easier for the ball to enter the basketball hoop.
The beautiful and very tricky basketball technique is owned by the finger roll lay up shoot. Shooting the ball very close to the ring provides advantages and challenges for the teams.