Layup

A layup is a basketball shot from close to the basket in which the player lays the ball up near the backboard or directly into the hoop, usually with one hand. Layups are a staple of scoring near the rim because they can be completed with minimal arc and are difficult for defenders to contest. The shot commonly follows a drive or cut to the basket, combining speed, footwork, and touch.

Common variations include the finger roll layup, where the ball is rolled off the fingertips for a soft touch, and the reverse layup, which finishes on the far side of the hoop using the opposite hand. A power layup uses two hands to finish through contact, while a float or softly released layup aims to glide over the defender's reach. The key elements across variants are a controlled approach, protection of the ball, and a gentle release that places the ball high off the backboard or directly into the rim.

Outside of basketball, the term layup also describes a method for constructing fiber-reinforced composites, in which layers of reinforcement fabric are laid into a mold and impregnated with resin. This layup can be performed by hand or by machine and is used in boats, automotive components, and aerospace structures. Hand layups require careful placement of each ply, while spray-up and vacuum-assisted resin transfer methods may be used for larger or more complex parts. Curing follows according to resin system specifications to achieve the desired strength and stiffness.