What is general information about the close-range shot in basketball
A close-range shot consists of any type of shot by an offensive player in possession of the basketball that is taken near the basket, which could then lead to a scoring opportunity.
A close-range shot is also a type of field goal that an offensive player in possession of the ball takes within the boundary lines of the basketball court.
Generally speaking, a close-range shot is typically the easiest way to score points in basketball because when an offensive player is near the basket, this often increases that same player’s chance of making a shot.
This is particularly true when compared to perimeter shots, which are mid-range shots or three-point shots further away from the basket and are therefore, usually much more challenging to make on a consistent basis.
This is also why, in general, basketball teams, and even more specifically, basketball coaches will often try to implement set plays and/or strategies of basketball offense that have at least one scoring option that is near the basket.
That is because, as mentioned before, it is easier for offensive players, even those with less than average skills, to score points via close-range shots as opposed to mid-range or three-point shots.
In terms of standard basketball positions, traditional post players such as the power forward or center would commonly have the most attempts as it relates to close-range shots.
This happens because those types of players frequently play around the basket and would usually receive the ball, particularly near the low post area, or around the dunker spot in certain instances, which could then lead to high percentage close-range shots.
However, perimeter- based players such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward could still have an opportunity to take close-range shots, especially by way of basketball cuts such as the backdoor cut or basketball screens such as the back screen.
What are the types of close-range shots
Types of close-range shots include the layup, the floater, the hook shot, the slam dunk, the putback, and the tip-in.
There is also alley-oop action, which could result in a close-range layup or close-range dunk at the rim.
Layup
A layup in basketball consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the ball takes a close-range shot, particularly within the lane area, directly over the front of the rim or off the backboard.
In addition to being a close-range shot, a layup is also a type of field goal shot, which is mainly emphasized as one of the common types of basketball statistics, particularly as it relates to organized competition.
There are also different types of layups which are also close-range shots such as the basic layup, the power layup, the reverse layup, and the finger roll layup.
The basic layup consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball near the rim, jumps in the air with one foot, and shoots the ball off the corner of the backboard’s inner rectangle. An offensive player could consider using the basic layup when they are in motion towards the basket and there is not a defender in close proximity to potentially block the basic layup or cause the offensive player to possibly alter the layup or miss the layup altogether.
The power layup consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball near the rim, jumps in the air with both feet, and shoots the ball off the corner of the backboard’s inner rectangle. An offensive player could consider using the power layup while initially in motion but at the same time, a defender is in close proximity to potentially block the basic layup or cause the offensive player to possibly alter the layup or miss it altogether.
The reverse layup consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball near the rim, jumps in the air and shoots the ball on the opposite side of the backboard’s inner rectangle. An offensive player could consider using the reverse layup when a defender could potentially block the basic layup and at the same time, executing a power layup is not very practical as well.
The finger roll is a type of layup shot that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball in close proximity to the basket, jumps in the air, and at the peak of that jump, rolls the ball over the front of the rim with an underhanded shooting motion. An offensive player could consider using the finger roll when it is not feasible to use the backboard as with other types of layups.
Floater
A floater consists of action that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball jumps in the air near the basket, and shoots the ball with a high arc over the front of the rim.
An offensive player could consider using a floater against a help defender that would protect the basket after the offensive player beats their initial defender, particularly with a dribbling move such as a double crossover.
In addition to that, the floater could be very useful against taller defenders such as a rim-protecting center.
Hook shot
The hook shot consists of action that occurs when an offensive player shoots the basketball over the head of an adjacent defender with the hand that is furthest away from the basket.
An offensive player also jumps in the air with the inside foot that is closest to the basket to execute the basic hook shot.
What’s more, there is a variation of the hook shot known as the jump hook that occurs when an offensive player jumps in the air with both feet, especially with the toes pointed towards the sideline.
Additionally, another variation of the hook shot known as the skyhook was developed by NBA Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Related: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Wins the Game with Sky Hook – YouTube
The hook shot is typically utilized by traditional post players such as the power forward and center but it could also be performed in certain instances by perimeter-based players such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward.
Slam Dunk
The slam dunk consists of action that occurs when an offensive player gains possession of the basketball, jumps in the air, puts the ball over the top of the rim, and drops it through the basket ring with one hand or both hands.
Also, at the time of the dunk, an offensive player could momentarily grab the rim while slamming the ball through the hoop, particularly with two hands.
However, that same player should not hang on the rim excessively with the exception of avoiding injury to themselves or another player as that could result in a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul.
Related: Technical Foul, player hangs on rim following dunk – NBA Video Rulebook
Different types of slam dunks include the basic one-hand dunk, the basic two-hand dunk, the reverse dunk, the Tomahawk dunk, the 360 dunk, and the windmill dunk, among others.
Putback
The putback consists of action that occurs when a player grabs an offensive rebound after a missed shot and immediately scores points by way of a close-range layup near the basket.
A variation of that is the putback dunk, which happens when an offensive player jumps in the air to dunk the ball into the basket following a missed shot.
Tip-in
A tip-in consists of action that occurs when an offensive player jumps in the air to tip in the ball, usually with one hand, immediately after it drops below the basket ring and before it makes contact with the ground.
A tip-in is very similar to the putback dunk but instead of slamming the ball through the hoop, the offensive player uses a more softer touch to score points.
Related: How to Do a Tip-In | Basketball Moves – YouTube
It should also be noted that within FIBA rules, an offensive player could technically tip-in a shot after the ball makes initial contact with the rim and then bounces upward within the imaginary cylinder.
However, in the NBA, NCAA, and NFHS, if an offensive player touches the ball while it is above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder, that would result in a basket interference violation.