Teaching finishing around the basket might seem simple - get your eyes up, use the backboard, be on balance, etc. Those are helpful tips, but they only go so far.

What happens when a help defender rotates over, contact comes, or your angle disappears mid-air. If you’ve coached players who can consistently get to the paint, but struggle to convert once there, you know how frustrating that is.

Being able to finish at the rim is one of the most important and underrated skills in basketball.

The best finishers don’t just rely on athleticism. They have a mix of footwork, touch, timing, and toughness that lets them convert in traffic, avoid blocks, and finish through contact. The good news is. . . those skills can be taught, trained, and improved.

In this post, we’ll break down the 7 keys to becoming an elite finisher, with tips and teaching points for both players and coaches. These tips come from Next Level Finishing Moves With Jim Huber, and have been used to develop crafty scorers at all levels.

7 Keys to Becoming an Elite Finisher at the Rim

1. The Low Person Wins

   Instruct players to “Start Low – Finish High.” Too often players play the game upright or stiff-legged when they receive the ball. We want players to be in a good stance with their hips apart, knees bent, and butts down.

   They should have their heads up and backs up as though there was a rod going down the back of the player’s shirt to keep their upper body in a straight line to maintain balance. Power is derived from our feet and our legs – therefore it is essential to have them positioned properly.

2. The OFFENSIVE player should make initial contact with the defense.

   Emphasize using the hips, rear end, and shoulders to make the first contact with defenders. This helps to create separation as players finish at the rim. Players also have a better chance to stay on-balance when they are the aggressor!

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3. Players should have their eyes up early.

   Many players will dribble with their eyes down as they are learning the game. However, we want their eyes up early on their target. We encourage them to shoot the ball high and soft off the top of the square on the backboard.

4. Don’t open your shoulders to the basket.

   Players should make every effort to keep their body posture closed when attacking the rim. This makes it much easier to protect the basketball, and to keep the ball away from potential shot blockers.

5. The last dribble must be a SMASH dribble.

   The last dribble before going to a finishing move should be smashed to the ground so it comes back to the player’s hand as quickly as possible. That saves time when shot blockers are closing in because it leads to a quicker release. It prevents the ball from being exposed on that last dribble to defenders who might reach in to swipe at the ball.

   Finally, the force of the ball helps generate upward momentum, allowing players to get off the ground easier and finish to the rim.

6. Rip the ball away from the defense.

   Players need to be tight with the basketball. We encourage them to rip the ball toward the ear farthest from the defense.

   This results in a high gather. A high gather (as opposed to gathering at the waist) makes it harder for the defense to knock the ball away.

7. The last step should be LONG and QUICK.

   This allows you to get to your spot quickly before the defense can react.

   Additionally, the last step should usually be a slight deceleration. Too many players continue going full speed, resulting in layups fired off the backboard. A slight deceleration allows players to get their body under control.

Underrated Benefits of Elite Finishing Skills

If you’re a coach, developing a team of elite finishers will change your team. No longer will you lament missed opportunities. Instead, you’ll score more points in every game.

If you’re a player, becoming an elite finisher will get you more playing time and more points.

Whether you’re a player or coach, better finishing translates to better performance and more wins!

To learn more finishing tips, drills, and moves, check out Next Level Finishing From Jim Huber!

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