Million dollar move. Ten cent finish.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a player or coach. Getting to the rim and being unable to convert is frustrating!

One primary cause of poor finishing is bad balance.

Too many players go into traffic and finish wildly off 1 foot. Or, even if they jump off 2 feet, they are still off balance.

In the Flow Motion Offense Video bonus section on skill development, Coach Matt Lewis solves this problem with the “Pop” Finishing Drill. This drill is great for players of all ages. The ability to finish under control and on balance is vital for youth as well as experienced players.

Add it to your training routine and become the best finisher on the floor.

“Pop” Basketball Finishing Drill

Instructions

• Start at the free throw line with a ball.

• Toss the ball out towards the rim on either side (be sure to work on both sides).

• As you run to get the ball, you will execute a stride stop.

• Then, perform the following finishes.

  • Inside hand finish - left hand on the right side, and then right hand on the left side

  • Outside hand finish - right hand on right side, and left hand on the left side

  • Rondo move - after you stride stop, front pivot on your back/outside foot (right foot on the right side). Shoot either a hook shot or a turnaround jump shot.

• Make 5 of each on both sides, for a total of 30 makes.

While Coach Lewis shows the drill being run by a coach, you can easily do it yourself!

Instead of waiting for a pace from a coach, toss the ball out to yourself. Then perform the prescribed footwork and finish.

Stride Stop Checkpoints For Finishing Success

When doing your stride stops, focus on these key points:

• 1-2 footwork - a stride stop is not a jump stop. You land with your outside foot first. That means on the right side your footwork is right foot, left foot.

  As you do the drill, make sure your feet are making two separate sounds.

• Feet outside your hips - one benefit of the stride stop is better balance. To ensure that, get your feet outside your hips. This wide base gives you balance.

  To test yourself, pause after your stride stop (before shooting). If your momentum carries you forward, your balance is off.

  Being on balance buys you time to assess your options and make a great decision.

• Inside shoulder at the rim - when you stride stop, your inside shoulder should be pointed at the rim. On the right side, that means your left shoulder. This shields the ball from the defender.

• Ball on the back shoulder - Coach Lewis stresses picking up the ball to your back shoulder. This adds another layer of protection. Your elbows should be out, creating more space and strength with the ball.

Make Your Finishing “Pop” Off The Page

Some finishers are flashy, like Kyrie. Others are simple. Both ways can work. For most players, the second option is more realistic.

“Pop” Finishing will help you become a fundamentally sound finisher in traffic.

Use it and see your million dollar moves start to pay off in buckets!

To learn more finishing secrets, check out Chasing Championships With Flow Motion Offense. The product includes an entire bonus skill development section with a heavy emphasis on the finishes that have made his team one of the best offensive teams in college basketball!

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