Galen Harkness • June 23, 2025
How Paige Bueckers Scores in the Midrange: 5 Footwork Moves Players Can Learn
The midrange jumper isn’t flashy—but it can help win games.
The midrange jumper isn’t flashy—but it wins games.
It’s a weapon when defenders take away the rim and the three.
And Paige Bueckers? She’s a master of it.
We broke down 6 clips of Paige scoring from midrange.
What stood out wasn’t just her shot.
It was her footwork.
Great footwork gives you balance, control, and space.
It helps you make shots. It helps you make plays.
Here are 5 different ways Paige used her feet to get open.
1. Off the Catch – Step Hop
She catches the ball and hops into her shot in one smooth motion.
This helps her get balanced and shoot quickly.
Why it matters: It’s fast. It works when you don’t have time to set up.
2. Hop into the Shot – Ball in the Air, Feet in the Air
Before the ball even gets to her, she’s in the air, ready to land and shoot.
This move is about timing and rhythm.
Why it matters: It helps you stay in rhythm and shoot on time.
3. Reverse Pivot
She catches, reads the defender, and uses a reverse pivot to face up.
Now she’s squared up and ready.
Why it matters: It helps you create space and stay calm under pressure.
4 & 5. 1-2 Step or Stride Stop
She drives hard, then plants her feet—right-left or left-right—into her shot.
Why it matters: It gives you balance and helps you stop on a dime.
6. Step into a Hop – Off the Dribble
She uses a step, then hops into her jumper. It’s smooth and quick.
Why it matters: It helps you go from dribble to shot without losing rhythm.
What Can Players Learn?
Footwork is a skill. You can practice it. You can master it.
Different moves work in different spots. Learn them all.
It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being balanced and in control.
What Can Coaches and Parents Do?
Teach kids how to stop, pivot, and shoot—not just run and gun.
Watch film with them. Ask: “How did she create space here?”
Help players try one new footwork move each week.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to play like Paige Bueckers to learn from her.
Watch. Learn. Practice.
Great players aren’t just born.
They build their game one skill at a time.
Want to Improve Even More? EYG Can Help.
If you’re ready to grow your game, EYG offers three ways to help players take the next step:
Camps
– High-energy, focused sessions to develop essential basketball skills.
Large Group Training
– Like our Committed Skills Academy, where players train weekly with structure, feedback, and intensity.
Training Memberships
– These are for serious and committed players who are ready to invest time and effort to improve over the long term.
Camps and group training opportunities can be found at www.eygbball.com.
To learn more about Training Memberships, email us directly at galen@eygbball.com.
These are for dedicated players who want to train consistently and develop high-level habits.
Extra training is one of the best ways to grow your basketball IQ, sharpen your skills, and build the confidence to play your best in games.
Whenever you're ready, we're here to guide the next step in your development.
Discover the key on-court skills that help youth and high school basketball players stand out, compete, and take their game to the next level.
At EYG Basketball, we train players to play smarter and finish stronger. If you’re under 6'4", you can’t rely on size alone at the rim—you need solutions. Two of the most important: jumping up and jumping out. Why This Matters The game gives you different looks at the rim. Great players know how to read the help defense and choose the right finish. These two options help you avoid blocked shots, keep defenders guessing, and finish through or around contact. What’s the Difference? Jumping Up Happens closer to the rim Follows a bump, shot fake, or pump fake Uses power, balance, and verticality Creates space by initiating contact with the inside shoulder Effective when you’ve already earned position Jumping Out Happens earlier, before the shot blocker fully rotates Uses speed and quickness off one foot Avoids contact by getting the ball on the glass fast Useful when you don’t have time or space to absorb contact In the video examples, you’ll see both finishes. Watch how the offensive player creates space, reads the defenders, and chooses the finish that fits the moment. How to Train These Finishes Jumping Up Work on shot fakes, shoulder bumps, and strong two-foot finishes Focus on balance and lift Practice against contact or padded defenders Jumping Out Practice one-foot takeoffs Use floaters, scoop layups, and high glass finishes Rep it with a rotating help defender to train timing What to Watch For How the offensive player creates space Where the help defense is The timing and angle of the finish Whether it’s a contact finish or an avoidance finish Final Thought from EYG We don’t teach generic moves. We teach game decisions. Knowing when to jump up or jump out is the difference between getting blocked and getting buckets. If you want to finish like a high-level guard, this skill set is non-negotiable.
Places for Basketball Players to Look—and Why 🎥 Clips of the Week What’s Happening: Three game clips show players making passes that lead to scores by: Looking In – Inside the paint to find cutters Kicking Out – To perimeter shooters Passing Up – The floor in transition Why It Matters: Great decision-makers scan all three zones—In, Out, & Up—to find the best option. This habit leads to smarter decisions, better shots, and more team success. Who Can Learn From It: Guards, wings, and any player who handles the ball. Learning to scan in these three directions keeps pressure on defenses and opens up opportunities. https://youtu.be/Ec1RWcIYnqw?si=NfmzLwPkWZ-KuanX Don’t just see the game. Scan it. 🛠️ How to Apply This Players: As you dribble or catch, train your eyes to scan: In – Cutters and post mismatches Out – Perimeter shooters and spacing Up – Rim and teammates in transition Build the habit. Clip it. Study it. Rep it. 👋 Final Note This one decision-making pattern—In, Out & Up—can shift how you play. It’s not flashy. It’s just smart basketball. Thanks for being here. Let’s keep learning. Let’s Play Smarter. Elevate Your Game.