How to Do the Euro Step: Origins of the Basketball Move

The Euro step (sometimes also written as Eurostep or Euro-step) is an offensive basketball move. To perform the Euro step, the offensive player with the ball takes long steps in an angle toward the basket while picking up their dribble or landing in a “jump stop” position. The player counters a second step or side step in the opposite direction to create space from the defender for an open layup or dunk.

Lithuanian player Šarūnas Marčiulionis introduced the two-step maneuver to the NBA in 1989 when he played for the Golden State Warriors. Fans nicknamed the move “the Euro step” as a tribute to many European players’ exceptional fundamentals and crafty footwork.

Although Marčiulionis receives credit for the invention of the Euro step, the move did not gain popularity until the 2003 NBA Finals. During this storied matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets, Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili utilized the Euro step to help his team win the NBA Championship.

Since the early 2000s, many top-scoring NBA superstars have added this move to their skillset to score inside the paint. Other NBA players who have heavily used the Euro step in NBA games include James Harden, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and 2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Euro step does not constitute traveling under current NBA rules. The NBA rulebook established a two-step rule in 2009, which permits a ball handler to take two steps in performing a layup or dunk. Since the Euro step is an offensive move that does not exceed the allotted two steps, it does not constitute a traveling violation. Some referees will call a legitimate Euro step traveling when players initiate the move with a gather step, as they pick up their dribble. This creates the illusion that the player is taking one too many steps toward the basket after picking up their dribble. However, modern referees have become so familiar with the maneuver that they have increased their leniency on what constitutes a travel, especially at collegiate and professional levels.

There are many variations of the Euro step, but the principles are relatively consistent. Follow these steps to learn how to perform the move:

1. 1. Start with the ball outside the three-point line. When you drive toward the basket, the automatic reaction of the defense will be to collapse into the interior to impede your drive. To increase the effectiveness of the Euro step, begin with the ball outside the three-point arc.
2. 2. Set up your defender. Before driving, create a path to the basket with an initial setup move. If you have caught the ball in a stationary “triple-threat” position (a bent-knees stance with the ball pulled into the hip), you can disorient your defender with a hard jab step that feigns a drive in the direction of the step. If you have already begun your dribble, you can mirror the same misdirection with a low crossover dribble.
3. 3. Shift the defender with the first step. If you are dribbling toward the right side of the basket, pick up your dribble in the gathering step and plant hard with your left foot. A competent defender will attempt to predict your attack. Since most basketball players are right-handed and it is more comfortable to plant off your left foot for a right-handed layup, the defender might perceive this step as the beginning of a layup attempt.
4. 4. Plant with your opposite foot. When the defender commits toward the initial step's direction, their hips will open to block that path. This opening will allow you to take your second step with your right foot in a slight angle to the left. Your right foot will now be your planted foot and can propel you upward to the basket.

The key components of the Euro step that make it effective are footwork and misdirection. The move is most effective against an aggressive defender who overly commits to the direction of your driving path. Since you will face defenders with varying styles and skill levels, try practicing the Euro step from both sides of the basket, using both hands to release the ball, and while jumping from either foot or both. The number of variations you learn will increase the different ways in which you can employ the move. Note that you don't need to complete the move with a layup or dunk. When confronted with taller post players who attempt to block your shot, you can utilize a soft floater or running jump shot to keep the ball out of reach.

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