Up-and-Under

The up-and-under is a fundamental basketball move used primarily in the post and around the basket where an offensive player fakes a shot (going "up"), gets the defender to leave their feet or commit to blocking the shot, then goes "under" the defender's outstretched arms to finish with a different shot or layup. This classic basketball technique requires excellent body control, patience, touch, and feel for defensive positioning. The up-and-under has been a staple move for post players throughout basketball history and remains an effective scoring technique in the modern game despite basketball's evolution toward perimeter play. The fundamental mechanics of the up-and-under begin with the offensive player establishing position in the post or near the basket with the ball. The player executes a shot fake, raising the ball and their body as if attempting a shot, selling the fake with convincing form and extension. When the defender bites on the fake and commits upward to contest or block the shot, the offensive player keeps the ball protected, steps through or around the defender while they're airborne or recovering, and finishes with a shot under the defender's outstretched arms. The entire sequence requires coordination, deception, and quick decision-making based on defensive reaction. The shot fake component of the up-and-under must be convincing to be effective. Offensive players sell the fake by raising the ball with proper shooting form, extending upward slightly, and making the fake look identical to their actual shot attempt. The eyes, shoulders, and ball movement all contribute to selling the fake. Defenders who recognize the player as a legitimate scoring threat are more likely to bite on fakes, making the up-and-under more effective for established scorers than for players who rarely shoot. Timing and reading the defender are crucial for up-and-under success. The offensive player must recognize when the defender is likely to bite on the fake, feeling their positioning and anticipating their reaction. If defenders remain grounded or don't commit to the fake, the offensive player must have the awareness to either shoot over the defender, execute a different move, or pass to a teammate. Attempting to go under a defender who hasn't committed to the fake often results in charges, traveling violations, or blocked shots. The step-through portion of the up-and-under requires excellent footwork to avoid traveling violations. After the shot fake, the player must legally step through or around the defender while maintaining their pivot foot until they've committed to their finishing move. Post players spend considerable practice time perfecting the footwork patterns that allow them to navigate around defenders without violating traveling rules. The ability to use either foot as the pivot and step through with either leg provides versatility in executing the move from various positions. Body control is essential throughout the up-and-under sequence. Players must maintain balance during the shot fake, control their body while reading the defender's reaction, adjust their position while stepping through, and finish with touch despite the defensive presence. This total body control separates players who execute the up-and-under smoothly from those who struggle with the technique. Players like Tim Duncan, Kevin McHale, and Hakeem Olajuwon demonstrated exceptional body control in their up-and-under moves, making the technique look effortless. The finish after going under the defender can take several forms. A simple layup or finger roll represents the most common finish, used when the step-through creates clear space to the basket. A reverse layup might be employed if the player steps through to the other side of the rim. Against quick-recovering defenders, a quick pump-fake after the step-through might be necessary to draw a foul or create additional separation. The versatility in finishing options makes the up-and-under difficult to defend even when defenders recognize the move. Post position provides the ideal context for up-and-under moves. Post players receive entry passes with their backs to the basket, establish position against defenders, and use various moves including the up-and-under to score. The confined space in the post means defenders are close and ready to contest shots, making shot fakes particularly effective. The ability to execute reliable up-and-under moves makes post players more dangerous, as defenders must respect both their direct shot attempts and their counter moves. Facing the basket, the up-and-under can also be effective though it takes a slightly different form. Perimeter players driving to the basket might jump-stop, fake a shot, and step through when defenders leave their feet. This version requires different spacing awareness since it typically occurs in more open space than post up-and-unders. Players like Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade effectively used facing up-and-under moves to score against defenders who bit on their shot fakes. The up-and-under naturally draws fouls when executed properly. Defenders who commit to blocking the shot fake often cannot avoid contact when the offensive player goes under them. This contact frequently results in blocking or reaching fouls, sending the offensive player to the free-throw line. Players skilled at up-and-under moves not only score but also get opponents in foul trouble, providing additional strategic value beyond just points scored. Defending the up-and-under requires discipline and verticality. Defenders must contest shots while maintaining vertical positioning, going straight up rather than toward the offensive player. This prevents them from being vulnerable to shot fakes. Defenders must also keep their feet on the ground or time their jumps to match actual shot releases rather than biting on fakes. However, remaining grounded allows offensive players to shoot over defenders, creating a challenging dilemma for post defenders. The up-and-under is often chained with other post moves in sequence. A player might drop-step baseline, face a help defender, use an up-and-under when that defender contests, or execute a hook shot when the defender stays down. This combination of moves makes elite post players nearly impossible to defend, as they have counters to every defensive response. The up-and-under serves as a crucial element in this offensive arsenal. Youth basketball development includes teaching the up-and-under as a foundational move. Young players learn the mechanics of shot fakes, proper footwork for stepping through, and how to finish under defenders. While youth leagues often see less sophisticated post play than higher levels, teaching the up-and-under develops important skills like ball fakes, footwork, body control, and reading defenders that translate to many other basketball situations. The decline of traditional post play in modern basketball has reduced the frequency of up-and-under moves compared to previous eras. With fewer possessions featuring post-ups and more emphasis on perimeter shooting and driving, opportunities for classic up-and-unders have decreased. However, skilled post players still utilize the move effectively, and its principles apply to many scoring situations beyond traditional post-ups. Big men who can shoot have adapted the up-and-under to perimeter situations. A stretch four or five might catch the ball on the perimeter, use a shot fake to get their defender airborne, step through and drive to the basket. This perimeter adaptation of the up-and-under blends traditional post skills with modern spacing concepts, creating difficult defensive situations as big men operate away from the basket. Film study helps players recognize the situations where up-and-under moves are most likely to succeed. Players study their opponents' defensive tendencies, identifying which defenders habitually bite on fakes, when they're most vulnerable to up-and-unders, and how to counter their typical defensive patterns. This preparation allows players to execute up-and-unders with higher success rates by anticipating defensive reactions. The mental component of the up-and-under involves patience and confidence. Players must patiently sell the fake and read the defender rather than rushing through the move. Confidence in the move's effectiveness encourages players to use it in game situations rather than abandoning it after a failed attempt. The patience to wait for defenders to commit separates successful up-and-under execution from rushed attempts that fail. Different coaching philosophies approach teaching the up-and-under with varying emphasis. Traditional coaches who value post play teach the move as a fundamental skill all players should develop. Modern coaches focused on spacing and perimeter play might spend less time on classical up-and-unders while still teaching the underlying principles of shot fakes and reading defenders that apply broadly across basketball situations.