Conor loved to Euro Step. Really loved it. He wanted to Euro Step any time he saw a defender anywhere around the rim.

It didn’t matter if the defender was directly in front of him or angled off to the side. He was going to Euro.

As you can probably guess, that was a problem. The Euro is a good move. . . in certain situations, namely when a defender is directly in front of you. It’s not a solution for everything.

And yet, many players approach finishing similar to Conor. They want to use some sort of evasion or counter move in every situation. Another way of saying it is this - for many players a “counter” move is their first choice.

However, by definition, that can't be right. If it’s a “counter,” then you only use it when you have to.

Unfortunately, many players have mixed this up. Today, we are going to clear that up.

Read on to learn the 4 finishing sequences that will help you convert at the rim.

4 Finishing Reads That Turn Every Drive Into A Bucket

Most players overcomplicate finishing. Here’s a way to simplify your reads and maximize your returns on your drives.

• Option A - Finish with speed

  Anytime you can beat your defender to the rim with speed, that’s option A. This might come about because you have a head start on them. It also might be that you beat them off the dribble and are simply faster.

  Either way, if you are ahead of the defender and can maintain your advantage, attack with speed. Finish on the run. This will generally be a 1 foot finish, as that’s quicker. Additionally, you may want to use a stretch finish that extends the ball in front of you & away from the defense.

  Here’s a drill to practice this situation:

• Option B - Cut Off The Defender

  When you can’t win with speed, you want to cut off your defender. This means you want to get into their path (some refer to this as veering). When you get into their path, you prevent them from being able to catch up and impact your shot.

  Here’s a way to practice cutting the defender off:

• Option C - INITIATE Contact

  Simply put, the player who initiates contact almost always “wins” that space on the floor.

  Most offensive players don’t initiate contact and end up finishing away from the rim. By making contact, you put the defender on their heels and are able to continue on your path to the rim.

  Here’s a drill that work on this situation:

• Option D - Counter Move

  Notice that the counter move is the LAST option. You use it when:

  • You can’t beat them with speed

  • You can’t cut them off

  • You can’t initiate contact

  This usually means the defender is in front of you. That will often be a help defender. This is the time for your Euro Step and similar moves.

  Here’s a drill for this scenario:

The Value Of A Finishing “Roadmap”

Mapping is a great tool to use in basketball. It allows you to speed up your decision making and play with aggressiveness and confidence.

If you follow the map above, you’ll find your destination - the basket!

And if you’re looking for more techniques and drills to score in the paint, check outNext Level Finishing Moves With Jim Huber.

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