Drive Middle Runner
By Hal Wissel
The runner, or extended layup shot, is used when you are farther from the basket and you need to take a quick shot off a cut or drive. It is often used when you have driven by your defender and you are being picked up by a taller opponent in the lane. The runner enables you to get the shot off quicker than a jump shot; therefore, the shot is less likely to be blocked by a shot blocker. From a triple-threat stance, make an aggressive drive step. Keeping your weight on your pivot foot, create space away from your defender by pushing your dribble out with your outside hand (the hand away from the defender). Protect the ball with your inside hand and your body. When dribbling, always keep your eyes on your target just over the front of the rim. Use at least two dribbles. Control your speed on the approach and take a short step with your inside foot before you take your last dribble. Dip your inside (takeoff) knee in order to change forward momentum to upward momentum. Pick the ball up with your shooting (outside) hand on top and your non-shooting hand under the ball in front of your shooting-side knee. Lift your shooting-side knee and the ball straight up. Avoid swiveling the ball to the side, which can cause the ball to be stolen or can put sidespin on the shot. Shoot the ball with a soft touch over the reach of a shot blocker. Keep your balance hand on the ball until the release for protection. Follow through by keeping your arm up and fully extended at the elbow, with your index finger pointing straight over the front of the rim. Jump and land in the same spot as your takeoff; this will prevent you from charging into a help defender or floating into a shot blocker’s reach. When you shoot the ball outside the lane, be ready to get back on defense. When you shoot the ball inside the lane, be ready to rebound the ball. When driving to the middle with your right hand, shoot a right-handed runner. When driving to the middle with your left hand, shoot a left-handed runner.
Drive Middle Runner