Recently, someone asked me to give them tips on basketball.
Although, you can find tips about basketball all over the internet but they are not really that organized so I will provide a more organized version of what you may find all over the internet.
The things you need to know about basketball first is:
1. Ball Handling:
It is important to be in control of the ball at all times. You can't afford to lose the ball or let it slip off of your hands so your opponent team can snatch it away from you. When holding the ball, grip it firmly so your opponent team player can't slap it out of your hands. If he tries to slap it and slaps your hand instead, he/she'll get a foul. When dribbling, make sure that the ball doesn't slip. Once you dribble the ball and then hold it, you can't dribble again without changing possession of the ball. Pass it off to one of your players. Practice dribbling everyday while running to improve. Learn to dribble with both hands to improve your game further.2. Passing:
It is important to pass the ball. You cannot always keep it in your possession. Sometimes someone will block you so you can't run anymore and you can't keep holding the ball in your possession for more than 5 seconds without dribbling. Also passing improves the speed of the game and encourages teamwork. You have to pass it to the right person though and in such a way that your opponent can't intercept the pass. Avoid long passes unless you're absolutely sure that no one can intercept it and the ball will reach safely to your teammate. Do different passing drills with your team to help improve.
3. Shooting:
Shooting is all about accuracy and knowing how much energy you need to give in order to get the ball into the basket. Give the fall flight by pushing it upwards from your hands when releasing it. Mostly hit the black box on the shooting board. That is what you should aim for. Shoot from different positions to learn your comfort zone. Taking layups can help ensure a lot of scores too.
4. Defense:
To be good at defending you need to know how to block different tricks. You need to observe the ball carefully and predict how the ball can get past you and try your best to block it. Do not let the opponent player with the ball to get a chance or opening to shoot.
5. Offense:
Teamwork is the key to offense. You alone with the ball can't win the game. Always know where the ball is and keep eye contact with your teammates to know if anyone needs assistance or for a sign to take a pass or block someone. Come up with different tricks to confuse the opponent team like naming strategies with code names so only your team knows what to do and the opponent team won't know what hit them.
