basketball

• Dribbling


  An important skill for all basketball players that allows you to move up and down the court, maneuver past defenders and execute plays. Involves bouncing the ball off the floor with your hands. Proper dribbling requires ballhandling skills and knowledge of how to spread your fingers for ball control. It is best to be able to dribble equally well with both hands.
• Dribbling tips


  • Use fingertips, not palm
  • Dribble on the side of your body, not in front
  • Get used to bouncing the ball off the ground
  • Lower your body slightly so ball bounces at waist level
  • Look up, not at the ground
  • Bounce the ball across hard and quick when switching hands
  • Shift momentum of body when changing direction
• Shooting


  The act of attempting to score points by throwing the ball through the basket. Requires the ability to properly hold and throw the ball into the air toward the basket while avoiding defenders.
• Shooting procedure


  1. Half-bend knees

  2. Dominant hand fingers spread out, only fingertips gripping ball

  3. Other hand supports ball on side

  4. Bring ball above head in one motion, with 90 degree angles at armpit, elbow, wrist

  5. Extend knees, forearm, wrist, follow through with wrist movement

  6. Jump upon release
• Shooting tips


  • Keep track of distance to hoop
  • Tuck elbows inward
  • Shoot at an arc
  • Aim at part of rim farthest from you
  • Use screens and plays to get open
  • Square up shooting hand with hoop
  • Grip ball tightly with thumb and little finger, aim with index or middle finger
  • Don't hesitate due to fear of block
• Passing


  When one player throws the ball to another player with the purpose of setting up a play or taking a shot.
• Passing points of emphasis

  • Pass should be catchable
  • Step toward receiver when passing
  • Step toward pass when catching
  • Follow through on pass to get backspin
• Basic passes


  1. Chest pass: Originate from chest, grip sides with thumbs behind ball, rotate fingers behind and turn thumbs down

  2. Bounce pass: Same motion but aimed at floor to bounce waist high

  3. Overhead pass: Bring ball directly above forehead with both hands on sides, follow through
• Running


  A big part of basketball, as the game quickly transitions between offense and defense. Running helps avoid defenders and get to the basket quicker on offense, and chase opponents on defense.
• Tips to improve running

  • Lean forward
  • Run on balls of feet
  • Swing arms from cheek to cheek, don't cross over
  • Do dynamic stretching and warm-up
• Basketball ball


  Made of leather, official size 29.5-30 inches circumference for men, 28.5 inches for women, weighs 18-22 ounces. When bounced 6 feet, should bounce 49-54 inches high.
• Basketball uniform


  Consists of jersey (shirt), shorts, numbers on front and back for identification.
• Basketball sneakers


  Help prevent injuries by providing ankle support. High-top sneakers offer the best support and should lace up to the top.
• Water bottle


  Used to hold water, liquids or other beverages for consumption. Allows drinking and transporting beverages.
• Tips to avoid dehydration

  • Drink water 4 hours before and every 10-15 minutes during play
  • Replenish electrolytes lost through sweat with sports drinks
  • Use wet towels or water mist to lower body temperature
  • Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
• Basketball court dimensions


  28m long, 15m wide, measured from inner edge of boundary line. Backcourt is team's own basket and inbounds area, frontcourt is opponents' basket and inbounds area.
• All lines on basketball court are white, 5cm wide and clearly visible.
• Dehydration is an abnormal depletion of body fluids, happens when body loses more water than taken in.
• Overexertion occurs when people push themselves too hard during physical activity.
• Hypothermia is a condition of abnormally low body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold.
• Hyperthermia occurs when the body's core temperature begins to rise, with stages of heat stress, heat fatigue and heat exhaustion.