The emergence of the 3-point shot has significantly altered the dynamics of basketball, leading to a more open and expansive game. Yet, nestled between the arc and the rim lies a shot that serves as a floor balance and an equalizer for smaller athletes: the floater. Often dubbed the teardrop, this shot has ascended as one of the most effective tactics in the sport, offering an arcing counter to the defenders with long reaches.
“You get into the lane against a shot blocker, it’s a quick, deceptive shot — you can’t see it coming,” said Northern Arizona coach Shane Burcar as he observed Houston’s Final Four practice in San Antonio last week. Upcoming matchups, such as the national championship game between Florida and Houston, will showcase a myriad of 3-point attempts, slams, step-backs, and the occasional traditional mid-range jumper. Be on the lookout for the floater.
This technique is especially valuable to smaller players, who often face the threat of having their shot or even their body rebuffed when driving the lane. Scoring at the rim requires precision, employing careful use of angles and imparting spin to navigate past reaching arms. The floater demands its own split-second calculations regarding time and space. Crucial decisions include assessing if the rim protector is holding back or charging forward. If he lingers, the shot can remain relatively flat. Conversely, if he advances, the teardrop lives up to its name, often requiring it to soar above the backboard’s height.
Another consideration is the decision between banking the shot and aiming for an all-net swoosh. Many players prefer the latter, yet others embrace using the backboard. Sometimes, the bank shot naturally emerges as players work to arc the floater over defenders’ towering arms. Techniques vary; some players execute the floater with a wrist flick, resembling a running jump shot, while others employ what resembles a push shot, even from distances of up to 12 feet. Getting too close to the basket often necessitates a push shot, which allows the player to release under control while avoiding defenders’ reach.
Wildly rushing into the lane to launch a shot seldom yields success. Balance is critical with the floater, even when it’s executed with one foot and one hand. Maintaining control, starting the motion with both hands before dropping one, enhances success rates. Ensuring that you land where you take off from is crucial; otherwise, a well-executed floater might result in an offensive foul. “It’s definitely about repetition,” remarked Tony Darden, who operates the Darden Sports Skills Academy near Phoenix. “When I have them in practice, it’s about practicing the right way, ensuring balance during the shot, maintaining control, and landing where they shoot.”
The floater opens a range of opportunities in the lane. Smaller big men can quickly get off shots over towering opponents, utilizing a version of the shoot that resembles a half hook or push shot. The floater’s quick release and varying arc present a challenge to potential shot blockers, making timing a block akin to hitting a deflating balloon. Venturing too far out to block a floater can expose lobs over the defender or bounce passes to teammates at the baseline ready for a dunk. Alternatively, if defenders collapse, kickouts to the wings become viable options.
“A guard who can adeptly use the floater to set up alley-oops or bounce passes for layups is a different caliber of player,” Burcar noted. The origins of the teardrop remain a topic of discussion. Tony Parker, a former San Antonio Spurs guard instrumental in winning four NBA titles, was among the earliest consistent proponents of the shot. He claims to have pioneered it, refining his technique while facing taller players as a child. However, historical records reveal similar moves by other players. Bob Cousy, a Boston Celtics Hall of Famer, had a floater-like shot in the 1950s. Even further back, Stanford’s Hank Luisetti was known for his one-handed running shots. George Gervin’s finger roll may stand as basketball’s most graceful one-hander from the 1970s.
Players such as Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Chris Paul have taken what Parker honed to new heights, advancing it for future generations. Nowadays, floaters are omnipresent on the court. “Almost every elite guard includes a floater in their skill set,” mentioned Aden Holloway, Alabama’s resident expert in the float game. “Coach (Nate Oats) sometimes advises against using it in every situation due to potentially better shot opportunities, but depending on the game and adjustments, he’ll give the nod for its use.” Teams across all levels are discovering the floater as an indispensable tool, providing an evening factor in matchups night after night.