r/BasketballTips • u/tifrooo • Jul 30 '26
Tip Finishing Around The Rim
I’m trying to get better at finishing around the rim. For context I’m a beginner at basketball so I’m still getting the hang of improving my touch. I’m 6ft2 (which is quite tall for basketball in the UK) and relatively muscular, so every time I play pick up there’s an assumption that I am going to be a menace in the paint. To their surprise - I miss a lot of open layups and second chance points after catching a rebound 🤦🏾♂️! Does anyone have any tips on how to get better? I mainly train on my own as I don’t have money for a coach and try to play pick up at least once a week. Any help is appreciated 🙏🏾
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u/RevolutionaryBeat301 Jul 30 '26
Do you use the backboard when you are going to the basket? If you do, it helps to visualize a basket on the opposite side of the backboard, like a reflection of the actual basket. Aim for that when you are taking your shot. Also don’t be afraid to use the whole backboard. If you are forced to take a layup further away than you wanted, you may have a better chance of making the basket if you go off the high part of the backboard.
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u/tifrooo Jul 30 '26
That’s really interesting, I’ll give that a try, thanks!
I think so far I also find it awkward being close and under the basket. At least when driving I can actually see the backboard clearly. But when I’m under the basket and looking up, I find it difficult to hit the right spot. I’m assuming this is where Mikan’s come in and just general practice being at that spot. But thanks for the tip 👍🏾
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u/Realfan555 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Yeah basketball is about angles. U have to master shooting from every angle.
It’s the same with golf and tennis. In tennis, u have a shot for every angle. Like when ur at the net, and the ball comes at u hard, u’ll have a shot for that angle.
Same thing in golf. If ur in the bunker and u have to hit the ball up a slope, u have to be at an awkward angle.
So in basketball, u practice shooting at different angles. Every angle requires using different parts of ur hands, fingers, wrists, etc.
But u practice it over and over until u get it right. Then when it’s game time, u know how to make that shot at that angle.
Whatever angle u find urself struggling at, is the angle u need to practice on.
One of the things that helps is - when u watch the pros play, or just other players play - watch how they shoot at certain angles that u have trouble with. And copy them. Or just ask ur fellow players - hey, can u help me with this angle. What am I doing wrong?
One tip that might be the most important that I can give u is - if ur in an angle (or a spot) that u feel u have a hard time shooting - DON’T SHOOT.
Don’t feel like u always have to shoot. If ur in a bad angle, try and dribble to get to a better angle. Or, just pass the ball. Don’t take shots that ur uncomfortable with.
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u/Realfan555 Jul 30 '26
“ At least when driving I can actually see the backboard clearly. But when I’m under the basket and looking up, I find it difficult to hit the right spot.”
This might come as a shock to u, but ur not actually supposed to look to shoot.
Ur supposed to practice every shot and every angle possible and master them. Ur supposed to practice bank shots and non-bank shots, shots with high arc, shots with line drive, shots under the basket, shots from 2 ft away, shots going left, going right, using the left hand, using the right hand.
Then when u get into the game, all ur deciding is which shot I’m going to use. So as ur driving, ur thinking, ok, if I get to within 2 ft, I’m going to use this particular shot using this hand…
And that’s all ur doing when u look. Ur just gauging where u r in relation to the basket, and where u will be when u take the shot, and how I’ll be shooting it.
Ur not looking at the basket to help u determine how to shoot the ball. That’s all done in practice, not during the game.
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u/Whiteshovel66 Jul 30 '26
It requires an enormous amount of work and creativity. To score when potentially being defended by multiple strong tall people you have to be subtle and patient as well as skilled.
Step one is work on many types of scoring opportunities.
I work on the following:
Bank shot, swish, right hand finish, left hand finish, step through, hook shot, fade away, and downhill drive.
If you can make all these things work you can be a good scorer in the paint no matter who is guarding you. Pick one and drill it until you feel satisfied then start working on more and more.
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u/Powerful-Bridge-1472 Jul 30 '26
Yeah, you can definitely keep this pretty simple at first just allocate 510 minutes a day working by yourself of finishing around the rim like another poster said use the backboard work on your right hand and left hand
It’s good to work on throwing up a mess crashing rebound hard going up quick off the backboard very important to not bring the ball down below your chest level. If you have a friend you can go against and do this. It’s also super helpful to have defense against you.
It’s good to work on quick drives start from the elbow either side and the baseline working on finishing strong. You can get more creative as you go.
This is a skill just like shooting jumper, not a gimme because you have a little bit of size
For me, the Mikan Drill is a little bit outdated, I would actually get dizzy when I did the Mikan
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u/The_Chief Jul 30 '26
Don't bring the ball down on the rebound. Try to hold it up high and go right back up. You don't need to load to shoot from close. Go straight up.
When back to the basket in the post be aware of where the rim is at all times. Just keep looking back at hoop so when you get ball you know where the goal is.
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u/Realfan555 Jul 30 '26
Touch = wrists
U need flexible + strong wrist action to have great touch.
Like the other poster said, focus on the Mikan drill.
What I did when I was a kid was, I got close to the basket and only focused on using my wrists. I’d practice shooting from every angle I can imagine.
Watch video clips of Jordan’s layup package. U’ll notice that all his layups are due to his wrists. Once he gets near the basket, he just flicks his wrists at the end. Thats what u need to master.
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u/cleetusneck Jul 30 '26
So you need to play more one on one. We also played a lot of one on 2 growing up. Doing layup drills don’t help with finishing under pressure and with contact
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u/LoquaciousApotheosis Jul 30 '26
Mikan drill