Finishing is very important in baskertball as it can turn opportunities into points and increases your teams efficirency and the chance of your team winning. It also helps to build confidence. There are many ways of finishing around the basket. Let's cover the common finishes used in the game of basketball.
This is the simplest and the most common used finsihing in basketball. In order to complete a lay up you should take 2 steps after finishing dribbling the ball. After you softly finish the ball off the backboard. It is a quick and easy way to finish around the rim. Regular layup uses correct footwork. If you finish with right hand, you step right-left and with left it is left-right.
For completing a reverse lay up you should go under the basket and finish on the opposite side and use the rim to protect the ball from defenders. Again, you should use softly launch the ball to the backboard to make the layup. You have to jump and turn your body and lay the ball using the opposite side of the backboard. This move can be useful when a player is chasing from behind or is trying to block your shot.
Finger roll is a little more advanced version of regular lay up. You have to use your fingers to roll the ball into the basket without using the backboard. It is usually done while moving toward the hoop and helps the player avoid the defenders.
A power layup is a strong finish near the basket.You have to jump off with two feet which gives the player more balance and strength. You have to make a jump stop, go up strong with both hands (finishing with one hand and other one to protect the ball) and finish through contact. Power layup is useful when you are being pushed, bumped or tightly guarded.
A floater is a soft and high shot used usually when a tall defender is near or under the basket. Instead of going at the rim, you have to gently push the ball up with one hand making it travel high on the air and drop softly into the hoop. Floater is mostly used by small players to score in the paint if there is a tall player standing. The floater can be taken off with one foot and with two feet.
Here are some video resources to help you learn finishing better!