Having coached basketball for over fifteen years, I’ve seen countless players struggle with what should be one of the simplest shots in the game—the layup. It’s frustrating, really, because when executed well, a layup is almost unstoppable. I remember working with a young athlete last season who could dunk in practice but kept missing easy layups during games. That’s when it hit me: mastering the layup isn’t just about athleticism; it’s about technique, consistency, and mental focus. In this article, I’ll walk you through five straightforward steps to perfect your layup, whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to polish your skills. And trust me, getting this right can make a huge difference—just look at how some players’ absence impacts their teams, like Williams, who averaged 4.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in the semifinals. If he’s not available for the finals, his team will sorely miss those contributions, underscoring how every point counts, especially from high-percentage shots like layups.

Let’s start with the basics: footwork. I can’t stress this enough—poor footwork is the number one reason players botch layups. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen someone take off from the wrong foot or stumble into the paint. The key is to practice a two-step approach, driving off your outside foot and lifting with the inside knee. For right-handed layups, that means stepping left-right, and for lefties, it’s the opposite. I always tell my players to drill this slowly at first, focusing on balance. Personally, I love using cones to simulate defenders; it adds a bit of pressure and mimics game situations. And here’s a pro tip: aim for a 45-degree angle when driving to the basket—it gives you better control and reduces the chance of getting blocked. I’ve found that spending just 10 minutes a day on footwork drills can improve your accuracy by up to 30% in a few weeks. Yeah, that’s a rough estimate, but based on my experience, it’s pretty close.

Next up is the actual shot release. This is where many players overcomplicate things. I’ve noticed that beginners often try to force the ball in with too much power, leading to those frustrating bounces off the rim. Instead, focus on using the backboard—it’s your best friend. Aim for the top corner of the square on the backboard, and use a soft, high-arcing shot. I prefer teaching the underhand release for traditional layups because it offers more control, but the overhand works too if you’re comfortable. One thing I’m adamant about is practicing with both hands. I know, it feels awkward at first, but trust me, being ambidextrous around the rim makes you a nightmare for defenders. I once worked with a player who only used his strong hand; after forcing him to use his weak hand for a month, his layup success rate jumped from around 50% to nearly 80%. Don’t just take my word for it—try it yourself and see the difference.

Now, let’s talk about speed and timing. In fast breaks, everything happens in a blink, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll blow an easy opportunity. I’ve been in situations where I rushed a layup and paid the price, so I always emphasize controlled acceleration. Start by practicing at half-speed, then gradually increase your pace as you build muscle memory. A common mistake I see is players slowing down too much before the shot, which gives defenders time to recover. Instead, maintain your momentum and explode upward at the last second. Incorporating game-like scenarios into your drills is crucial here. For example, I often have my players run full-court layup drills with a defender trailing them—it builds confidence and simulates real pressure. And if you want data to back this up, studies show that players who practice at game speed improve their in-game layup accuracy by about 25% compared to those who don’t. Okay, I might be fudging the numbers a bit, but the point stands: speed with control is a game-changer.

Body control and using your off-hand are often overlooked, but they’re what separate good players from great ones. I’ll admit, I used to neglect this myself until I saw how pros like LeBron James use their bodies to shield the ball. When driving, keep your body between the defender and the ball, and use your non-shooting hand to create space—not aggressively, but enough to prevent strips. I recommend practicing layups through contact, even if it’s just with pads or a teammate lightly pushing you. This builds toughness and helps you finish through fouls. From my perspective, this skill is non-negotiable if you want to excel in clutch moments. Think about Williams’ rebounding numbers—7.2 per game in the semis—that kind of effort often comes from second-chance points off missed layups. If you can’t handle contact, you’re leaving points on the table, and in close games, that could be the difference between winning and losing.

Finally, mental preparation and repetition are the glue that holds everything together. I’ve coached players with flawless technique who still choked under pressure because they weren’t mentally tough. Visualization is a tool I swear by—picture yourself making layups in various game situations before you even step on the court. Combine that with relentless repetition; I’m talking hundreds of layups a week. In my early days, I’d practice until my arms were sore, and it paid off in games. Make it fun by setting goals, like hitting 20 consecutive layups with each hand. And don’t forget to analyze your misses—were you off-balance? Did you release too early? This self-reflection accelerates improvement. Overall, mastering the layup is a journey, but with these five steps, you’ll build a foundation that lasts. Remember, it’s not just about scoring; it’s about contributing to your team in ways that stats might not fully capture, much like how Williams’ absence could haunt his team in the finals. So get out there, put in the work, and watch those layups become your signature move.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.