Basketball skills
94 skills, beginner to advanced. 74 of them you can film on a phone and get measured. No fake scores.
Skills by level
You can film74 of 94 skills
Guided courses
Each course builds from the basics up to one Basketball move you've seen on TV. Film the steps the camera can read and check your form before you move on.
- Build a Pure Catch-and-ShootCurry's bread and butter β catch it and rise into a repeatable, clean jumper.Start the course
- Master the Step-Back ThreeHarden and Luka's signature β create space out of nothing and rise into a three.Start the course
- Master the Euro StepThe two-step dodge every guard uses to slither past a big and finish.Start the course
Beginner 17
- Chest PassThe fundamental two-hand pass β push the ball from your chest straight to a teammate's chest with a firm step. Fast, accurate, the base of all passing.
- Bounce PassA pass that bounces once to reach a teammate under a defender's reach β great for feeding the post or through traffic. Aim the bounce about two-thirds of the way.
- Overhead PassA two-hand pass thrown from above your head to see over the defense and reach a teammate downcourt β the outlet and skip pass staple.
- Defensive SlideSlide laterally to stay in front of your man without crossing your feet β the fundamental on-ball defensive movement. Stay low, push, and slide.
- Box OutSeal your man behind you with a low, wide base to grab the rebound β find your man, turn, and hold your ground under the rim. Rebounding starts here.
- Face-Up JabFace the defender and jab a hard step at them to test their reaction, then drive, shoot, or cross β the fundamental read-and-react setup move.
- Power LayupA strong two-foot layup that lets you finish through contact β plant both feet, jump straight up, and go up strong. The reliable finish in traffic.
- Inside-Hand FinishFinish with the hand closest to the baseline (the inside hand) to protect the ball from a defender in the middle β a smart finishing habit.
- Between-the-LegsDribble the ball between your legs to switch hands while protecting it with your body β a safe, controlled way to change direction.
- Pound DribbleA hard, low dribble that pounds the ball into the floor to keep control under pressure and set up moves. Foundational ball-handling we coach.
- V-DribbleDribble the ball side to side in front of you in a 'V' shape with one hand to build control and rhythm. A foundational handling drill we coach.
- Speed DribblePush the ball out ahead of you and sprint to it to move up the court fast in the open floor. Coached: control at speed.
- Shooting Form (BEEF)Shooting is the heart of basketball, and the universal beginner framework is BEEF: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through. The ball rests on your finger PADS (not your palm), your shooting hand is behind/under it, and your guide hand sits on the SIDE, passive.
- The Free ThrowThe free throw is the single most controlled shot in basketball β no jump, no defender, a fixed 15-foot distance β which makes it the ideal place to groove your form, and one of the most analyzable reps in any ball sport. The secret is a consistent ROUTINE: the exact same ritual and mechanics every time.
- Triple Threat StanceThe triple threat is the fundamental ready position when you catch the ball: knees bent, feet about shoulder-width, ball protected near your hip/chest, balanced on the balls of your feet β so you're an immediate threat to SHOOT, PASS, or DRIVE (hence 'triple threat'). It also sets up legal pivoting without traveling.
- Dribbling FundamentalsDribbling lets you move with the ball, and the fundamentals are about CONTROL: push the ball with your FINGERTIPS (not slapping with the palm), keep the dribble low (around waist height or lower when guarded), stay in an athletic stance, and β crucially β keep your EYES UP to see the floor. You build comfort withβ¦
- Defensive StanceGood defense starts with a stance: low and wide, knees bent, feet wider than shoulder-width, weight on the balls of your feet, back fairly straight, hands active. You move with shuffle steps (slides) WITHOUT crossing your feet, staying low the whole time, and watch the opponent's midsection/core (not their eyes orβ¦
Intermediate 32
- Baseball PassA one-handed pass thrown like a baseball to cover long distance fast β for full-court outlets and long leads on the break.
- Wraparound PassWrap the ball around a defender to reach a teammate they're blocking β step through and pass around their body from the post or on a drive.
- Alley-Oop PassLob the ball up near the rim for a teammate to catch and finish in the air β the timing and placement of the lob is everything.
- Pocket PassA quick one-hand bounce pass delivered from your 'pocket' (hip) on the pick-and-roll β sneaks the ball to the roller under the defense.
- Skip PassA long cross-court pass that 'skips' the defense to the open man on the far side β swings the ball fast to beat a rotating defense.
- CloseoutSprint at a shooter then break down into a balanced stance with a hand up β contest the shot without flying by or fouling. The key rotation skill.
- Shot ContestContest a shot with a high, vertical hand without fouling β jump straight up, hand up, and land balanced. Bother the shot, don't hack the shooter.
- StealRead a pass or a loose dribble and jump the lane to take the ball β anticipation plus an explosive first step. Time it or get beaten.
- Poke AwayQuickly jab your hand in to knock the ball loose from a dribbler as they expose it, then recover β a controlled dig, not a reckless reach.
- ChargeGet set in the driver's path and take the contact to draw an offensive foul β establish position early, stay vertical, and absorb the hit. Toughness, done safely.
- StripRip the ball loose from an opponent with a strong, quick hand motion β swipe up through the ball to knock it free without fouling. Coached hand technique.
- Bank ShotUse the backboard to your advantage β aim for the top corner of the square to bank the ball in softly from the wings. High-percentage from the right angles.
- Drop StepPivot and step powerfully toward the rim past a post defender β the fundamental back-to-the-basket power move for finishing inside.
- Hook ShotSweep the ball up and over with one hand while your body shields it β the classic close-range post shot that's nearly impossible to block. Baby hook is the short version.
- Shoulder FakeDip a shoulder to fake a drive one way, freezing the defender, then go the other β a simple, deadly setup move for any scorer.
- Pump FakeFake a shot to make the defender jump, then drive, shoot, or pass past them β the simplest, most universal fake in basketball. Coached: sell it without leaving your feet.
- Reverse LayupFinish on the far side of the rim, using the hoop to shield the ball from the defender behind you. Great for finishing under pressure from the baseline.
- Finger RollRoll the ball off your fingertips with soft backspin so it floats up and over a shot-blocker's reach β a high, gentle finish.
- High Glass LayupBank the ball high off the backboard so it drops straight in over a defender β using the glass to finish above the reach.
- Hop StepGather into a two-foot hop to gain balance and space before finishing β lets you absorb contact and go up strong or pivot to either side.
- Outside-Hand FinishFinish with the hand away from the defender (the outside hand), extending the ball far from the block β the other half of smart finishing.
- Behind-the-BackWrap the ball behind your back to switch hands while keeping your body between the ball and the defender β protects the ball on the move.
- In-and-OutFake a crossover by rolling the ball in toward your body then keeping it in the same hand β a one-hand dribble move that freezes defenders.
- HesitationSlow down like you're stopping β the 'hesi' β to freeze the defender, then explode past when they relax. A change of pace, not direction.
- Retreat DribbleDribble backward to create space from a defender or reset β quick retreat steps while protecting the ball. Also covers the pullback.
- Spin MoveSpin your whole body around the defender while wrapping the ball with you β a powerful way to change direction and shield the ball at once.
- Wraparound DribbleWrap the ball around the front or side of your body to switch hands or reposition β a control move to keep the ball moving. Coached ball-handling.
- The Jump ShotThe jump shot adds a vertical leap to your shooting form, letting you shoot over defenders from distance. The grip and upper-body motion are the same as a set shot, but now you spring up off both feet and release at (or just before) the PEAK of your jump in 'one motion' β leg drive flowing into the release.
- The LayupThe layup is the highest-percentage shot in basketball β a close finish off the correct FOOTWORK. Driving from the right, you gather and take a two-step (left foot, then drive up off the inside foot) and lay the ball softly off the backboard with your right (outside) hand, driving the opposite knee up.
- Crossover DribbleThe crossover is the classic move to change direction and beat a defender β you switch the ball rapidly from one hand to the other (low, in front of your body) to go the other way, often with a head/shoulder fake to sell it. The mechanical keys are a LOW, quick, protected switch, an athletic stance, and selling theβ¦
- Jab Step & PivotFrom the triple threat, the jab step and pivot are how you create space and read the defense without dribbling. A JAB STEP is a short, sharp fake step toward the defender (keeping your pivot foot planted) to make them react; PIVOTING lets you turn, protect the ball, and change angles legally.
- Catch-and-ShootCatch-and-shoot is scoring quickly off a pass β the skill is footwork and readiness that let you flow straight from catching the ball into your shot with no wasted motion. You prepare your feet and hands BEFORE the catch, use consistent footwork (a 'hop' into a balanced base, or a '1-2' step), and rise into theβ¦
Advanced 27
- No-Look PassPass one way while looking another to freeze the defense and hit a teammate they didn't expect β flashy, but the read is what makes it work.
- Behind-the-Back PassPass the ball behind your back to a teammate beside or behind you without turning β disguised and quick, great on the break. The read makes it, not the flash.
- Touch PassRedirect a pass in one touch without catching it, keeping the ball moving fast to catch the defense rotating β advanced quick-ball offense.
- Hook PassA one-hand pass thrown with a hooking motion over a defender β get a pass out of a trap or over a taller defender when a straight pass is blocked.
- Chase-Down BlockSprint back and block a shot from behind on a fast break β LeBron's iconic hustle play. Explosive chase, a well-timed jump, and pin it without fouling.
- Trap DefenseTwo defenders converge to trap the ball-handler and force a turnover β positioning, timing, and teamwork. A team tactic we coach.
- Pull-Up JumperRise into a jumper off the dribble β gather, plant, and shoot in rhythm without losing your form. The bread-and-butter mid-range weapon.
- Turnaround JumperTurn and face the basket out of the post, rising into a jumper over a defender β create your own shot with your back to the rim. Kobe's specialty.
- LeanerLean into a floating shot to finish over a defender when you can't stop fully β a mid-range shot on the move, tilted to shoot over the reach.
- Side StepStep laterally to dodge a closeout and create space for a jumper β sideways cousin of the step-back, great against a hard-charging defender.
- Sky HookA hook shot released at the very top of a full arm extension β Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's utterly unblockable signature. The highest, most protected release in the game.
- Up-and-UnderPump-fake a shot to make the defender jump, then step through underneath them to finish β a footwork classic that punishes over-eager defenders.
- Scoop LayupScoop the ball up underhand from below the defender's reach so it rises up and into the rim β a finish that gets under shot-blockers.
- Spin LayupSpin off a defender in the paint and finish in one motion β combines a spin move with a layup to shake a defender at the rim.
- One-Hand DunkThe fundamental dunk β jump off one foot on the move and throw it down with one hand. Explosive takeoff, and a landing you must absorb safely.
- Two-Hand DunkThe powerful two-foot, two-hand flush β gather off two feet and slam it with both hands for maximum power and control. Land it safely.
- Alley-OopCatch a lob in the air and finish at the rim in one motion β timing your jump to the pass is everything. Explosive up, controlled down.
- Putback DunkGrab an offensive rebound and dunk it back in one motion, before you land β quick timing off the miss and an explosive second jump.
- ShamgodGod Shammgod's move β push the ball out with one hand as if losing it, then snatch it back across your body with the other. A dramatic change of direction.
- Snatch BackDribble forward then violently pull the ball back to create separation for a jumper β the move behind a thousand step-back threes.
- Pocket DribblePull the ball back into your 'pocket' (hip) to escape a reaching defender or a trap β the escape dribble guards live by. Also covers CP3's escape.
- Hang DribbleHold the ball at the top of your dribble for a beat to freeze the defender, then attack β a hesitation with the ball hanging in your hand.
- The Three-PointerThe three-pointer is a longer jump shot that demands more POWER from the legs while keeping your form intact β the cardinal sin is reaching back or 'heaving' with the arm to get the distance. Instead, you generate extra range from a stronger leg drive (a bigger 'down and up') and good rhythm, while your upper-bodyβ¦
- Step-Back JumperThe step-back creates separation from a defender by pushing off into a controlled step AWAY from them, then rising into a balanced jump shot. The challenge is staying BALANCED despite the backward/lateral momentum β you decelerate, get your feet set and squared, and shoot straight up rather than fading.
- Floater & RunnerThe floater (or tear-drop/runner) is a soft, high-arcing close shot you launch ON THE MOVE over a taller defender before reaching the rim β useful when bigger shot-blockers protect the paint. You take it off one or two steps without fully gathering for a layup, releasing the ball high and soft with a lot of arc soβ¦
- Euro StepThe Euro step is an evasive finishing move: after picking up your dribble, you take two long steps in DIFFERENT directions β the first step one way to commit the defender, the second step the other way to go around them and finish. The keys are a legal gather (no traveling), a convincing first step, and a balancedβ¦
- Landing Mechanics & ACL SafetyThis is the most important INJURY lesson in basketball. Most serious basketball injuries β ankle sprains and ACL tears β happen on JUMPING, LANDING, and CUTTING in live play, not from shooting form.
Insane 18
- Killer CrossoverAllen Iverson's ankle-breaking crossover β a huge, violent weight shift one way to sell the drive, then a lightning cross back the other to leave the defender frozen.
- Kyrie ComboKyrie Irving's handle package β chain crossovers, between-the-legs, and behind-the-back in rapid, unpredictable combos to freeze a defender before finishing. The tightest handle in the game.
- Luka Slow-StepLuka DonΔiΔ's deceptive change of pace β lull the defender with a slow, probing tempo, then a sudden slow-to-fast step into a step-back or drive. Craft over speed.
- Sombor ShuffleNikola JokiΔ's signature one-footed floating shot β a soft, high, one-legged push shot over the defense that's nearly impossible to time or block. Touch over athleticism.
- Spin JumperSpin off a defender and rise straight into a jumper β combine a spin move with a pull-up to shake a defender and shoot over them.
- One-Leg FadeawayRise and fade off one leg, drifting back to shoot over any defender β Dirk Nowitzki's unstoppable, nearly unblockable signature shot.
- Dream ShakeHakeem Olajuwon's legendary post move β a rapid sequence of shoulder and pivot fakes that freezes the defender before you finish. Footwork poetry.
- Jelly LayupA stylish, high-body-control finish β hang, contort, and lay it in with flair ('jelly'). Body control and touch in the air, coached for the finish.
- Reverse DunkDunk facing away from the basket, throwing it down on the far side of the rim as you pass under β spectacular, and demands body control and a safe landing.
- 360 DunkSpin a full 360 degrees in the air and dunk β one of the flashiest dunks there is, demanding a big jump, air control, and a very safe landing.
- WindmillSwing the ball in a full circle (like a windmill) before flushing it β a signature highlight dunk built on a big jump and hang time. Land it safe.
- TomahawkCock the ball back behind your head with one or both hands and hammer it down β a powerful, aggressive highlight dunk. Explosive up, safe down.
- Eastbay DunkThe between-the-legs dunk β pass the ball between your legs in mid-air before flushing it. One of the hardest, flashiest dunks. Big air, safe landing.
- Self Alley-OopBounce the ball off the floor or backboard to yourself, then catch it in the air and dunk β a highlight move needing timing and big air. Land it safe.
- Off-the-Dribble ShootingPulling up off the dribble β creating and making your own shot under pressure β is what separates good scorers from great ones. The challenge is flowing seamlessly from a live dribble into a balanced shot with no disjointed motion, using consistent footwork (the 'hop' into your shot, or the '1-2'/stride stop) toβ¦
- The FadeawayThe fadeaway is an advanced, difficult shot where you jump BACKWARD (away from the defender) as you shoot, trading some power and balance for unguardable separation. It's hard precisely because fading away fights everything about balanced shooting β so it demands strong fundamentals, a controlled backward leanβ¦
- Shot Creation & ReadsAt the highest level, scoring is about READING the defense and creating good shots β and this is overwhelmingly a GAME-INTELLIGENCE skill that a solo video can't grade, so it's coached here. It's the art of chaining your moves (jab fakes, dribbles, screens, step-backs) to create space, and reading the defender'sβ¦
- Advanced Ball-HandlingElite ball-handling chains combo moves β between-the-legs, behind-the-back, hesitations ('hesi'), spins, and crossovers β into tight, quick, deceptive sequences that create space and beat pressure. The mechanical keys are the same fundamentals taken to a high level: low and tight control on the fingertips, quickβ¦