Shooting Camps -
1-2 Step or the Hop?

Sort of an incomplete explanation. A pro and con list would have been nice.

With Jr High girls I like teaching the hop. Girls have trouble coming to a jump stop and maintaining control. The hop or even a hockey stop helps with this.

Our varsity coach wants a 1-2 step with a fixed pivot foot. She feels consistent technique is very important. Everyone is different.

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In the end, it is whatever works for you.

Being consistent is important, but if a player happens to shoot better with a technique that is different than the one I prefer, then by all means use it.

If a player has a preferred pivot foot, teach them how to use this to their advantage. In theory, it would be nice to be able to pivot off of either foot in any direction, however, in reality, you are better off doing a few things well than trying to do it all only mediocre.

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I teach the 1-2 step because it is natural running motion and provides a faster load and release (see Steph Curry). The problem I have faced is that the younger the player, the harder it seems for them to gather the ball and not travel.

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Steve Dement says: 7/8/2016 at 9:14:36 AM I agree, Mike. I have coached varsity boys & girls for 38 years, and the 1-2 step is much easier AND prevents most traveling violations associated with jump shots. It does provide a greater chance to gather yourself before going up. Once it is mastered the next progression for me is to teach the hesitation dribble (looks like you're gathering for the shot.....and then when the defender relaxes or raises his/her center of gravity, you explode by them on penetration)---Sam Cassell (Rockets, Bucks) was the best I ever saw at this combo move. Steve Nash wasn't bad either. Like     login   register

Would have been nice to get a very quick demo of both so kids coming to camp would understand it, and maybe a few of the reasons why its so divided among coaches.

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The hop is causing many of my 14 to 18 year old kids to travel a lot and not know what they are doing wrong.

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The hop is causing many of my 14 to 18 year old kids to travel a lot and not know what they are doing wrong.

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Kids need to learn how to do both and do both well. Hop steps ar!!e great when the player is taller, can jump higher or has the distance between themselves and the defender. 2 step is better off the drive to push themselves further from the defender to create distance for a more open shot.

As kids get older they need to learn the variation also. For the hop step, they need to hop forward and to the side to get defender off balance and for the 2 step, they need to learn the Euro.

They are all tough, but practice makes perfect!

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For me, the question is reverse engineered back to triple threat.

Since the inception of the drive is a stride step (or lunge step) AND since the subsequent fake for the drive is the jab step, I want my players to be able to threaten the drive. Since the drive is threatened by the jab I also want my players to be able to shoot from that position. For that reason (among others) I teach the 1-2 step.

It is not possible to effectively threaten the drive with "hop" footing. It is only possible through a pivoting move (one stationary foot and one mobile). So while a player may be able to adapt to shooting with the hop, may find appropriate places to use it, may even be incredibly effective in doing so, they simply are not optimally effective as a player unless they can score from 1-2 footing.

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