The Baseline Toss

On Court Player Development

Being strong on the court and crafting the perfect shot means having solid toes, feet and legs

With all eyes on the shooter, he dribbles left, then right, and then back to the top of the key again. With a strong head fake, he jukes his opponent and lifts his jumper.

The Baseline Toss – Shot Fake on Toes drill teaches players to pivot in different ways than they’re used to. This drill will strengthen the toes, feet and legs as well as improve your shooting skills.

The Lowdown

Start outside the cone on the baseline with the ball. Toss the ball to the top of the key, plant your inside foot, and take a shot fake on your toes.

Next, roll through the following shot series: lay-up; quick stop; duck-in; up and under; two-step, step-back; and opposite-foot step-back.

Following is what you should do for each shot series:

• Lay-up – Explode toward the basket and keep the ball on the side of your body.

• Quick stop – Keep your shoulders and feet square to the basket and shoot a semi-hook shot away from the defense.

• Duck-in – Plant your inside foot toward the basket and reverse pivot on the outside foot.

• Up and under – Plant your inside foot toward the basket and reverse pivot on the outside foot, fake the shot and then explode for a lay-up.

• Two-step, step-back – Plant and push off your inside foot onto the outside foot. Take the shot off your outside foot.

• Opposite foot, step-back- Plant and push off your outside foot and land on both feet.

Following is what you should avoid for each shot series:

• Lay-up – Avoid swinging the ball out in front of yourself, which allows the defense to deflect it.

• Quick stop – Avoid shooting directly in front instead of out wide, away from the defense.

• Duck-in – Don’t take an extra step on the reverse pivot, as players tend to fade away instead of pivoting all the way around.

• Up and under – Avoid taking an extra step; some players tend to glide instead of completely stopping.

• Two-step Step-back – Avoid performing one-step, stepback rather than two-step step-back.

Drill Name: Baseline Toss- Shot Fake on Toes Shooting Footwork

>Major Skill Area: Shooting Footwork

>Equipment Needed: Basketballs, Cones, Basketball Goal

>Drill Details/Instructions:

1-The player starts outside the cone on the baseline with the ball

2-The player tosses the ball to the top of the key, plants their inside foot, and performs a shot fake on their toes

3-The player then goes into the shot series:

-Lay-Up

-Quick Stop

-Duck-In

-Up and Under

-2-Step Step-Back

-Opposite-Foot Step-Back

>Drill Philosophy (Why):

• The Baseline Toss- Shot Fake on Toes drill teaches players to pivot in different ways than they're used to. This drill will strengthen the toes, feet and legs as well as improve shooting skills.

Point(s) of Emphasis:

Lay-Up- Explode towards the basket; Keep ball on the side of the body

Quick Stop- Shoulders and feet square to the basket; Shoot a semi-hook shot away from the defense

Duck-In- Plant the inside foot towards the basket; Reverse pivot on the outside foot for the shot

Up and Under- Plant inside foot towards the basket; Reverse pivot on the outside foot; Fake the shot; Explode for lay-up

Two-Step Step-Back- Plant and push off the inside foot onto the outside foot; Shot is taken off the outside foot

Opposite Foot Step-Back- Plant and push off the outside foot; Land on both feet for the shot

Common Corrections:

Lay-Up- Players swing the ball out in front of them, allowing the defense to deflect it

Quick Stop- Players shoot directly in front instead of out wide, away from the defense

Duck-In- Players take an extra step on the reverse pivot; Players fade away instead of pivoting all the way around

Up and Under- Players take an extra step; Players tend to glide instead of completely stopping

Two-Step Step-Back- Players perform one-step step-back rather than two-step step-back