Master the High Pick Up Layup: Finish Over Traffic
This drill is essential for guards and wings looking to become elite finishers around the rim, specifically focusing on ball protection in heavy traffic. The High Pick Up Layup trains you to secure the ball above your shoulders during your gather, neutralizing reaching defenders who try to strip the ball low. By combining footwork, aggressive driving angles, and specific finishing mechanics, this drill helps you convert high-percentage looks even when the lane is crowded.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Start on the right wing. Toss the ball out to yourself with backspin (an auto-pass) to simulate receiving a pass from a teammate.
- Catch & Pivot: Meet the ball with a jump stop or stride stop, then execute a sharp front pivot to square up to the basket, immediately dropping into a low triple threat position.
- Attack: Rip the ball through aggressively and take one or two hard, purposeful dribbles toward the hoop, simulating a straight-line drive past your defender.
- The High Pickup: As you gather the ball after your last dribble, snap the ball directly up to your ear level or higher. Do not dip the ball or bring it across your waist.
- Finish: Explode off your jumping foot while keeping the ball high, extending fully to finish the layup off the glass.
- Reset: Grab the ball out of the net before it hits the floor, sprint to the opposite wing, and immediately repeat the sequence.
Why This Drill Works
In a real game, help-side defenders and recovering guards are taught to "dig" or swipe down at the ball as a driver gathers for a layup. If you bring the ball low or across your body, you risk a turnover. This drill conditions your muscle memory to utilize a high pickup, which keeps the ball out of the "danger zone" and prevents strips. It connects the fundamental triple threat posture with dynamic finishing, teaching you to maintain body control and possession through contact.
Pro Tips
- Snap the Gather: The movement from the dribble to the high hold needs to be violent and sudden. The faster you get the ball high, the safer it is.
- Chin the Ball: When you bring the ball up, keep your elbows out and the ball strong near your chin or forehead. This creates space and discourages defenders from reaching in.
- Game Speed: Do not go through the motions. Your rip-through and first step must be explosive to simulate blowing by a defender.
- Eyes Up: Locate the rim the moment you catch the auto-pass. Vision precedes action; if you can't see the target, you can't finish effectively.
