Basketball was invented by James Nesmith in 1891. The first game was played by throwing the ball into a peach basket hanging from a railing: after each basket the ball was retrieved with a pole. Basketball is one of the funniest sports in the world and boasts immortal heroes such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. You too can learn the basics of this game and have fun with your friends.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: The Rules
Step 1. Get a ball and a basket
To play basketball all you need is a ball of the right size and a net to pass it through, placed at a sufficiently challenging height. The history of basketball is the story of those who make do with what they have: the first basket was a basket hanging from a fence. Use an empty box, or any other object you think is right for you.
- Basketballs are available in four sizes: for young, intermediate and adult males and females. They are made of rubber and synthetic leather. Get a ball that is the right size for you, otherwise you will tire your wrist too much while shooting.
- The standard baskets are 3.50 m high, and have a diameter of 45 cm. They are attached to a Plexiglas panel on which the ball can be bounced. Basketball is played with two baskets on either side of a 28m field, but frequently small groups of friends play games with only one basket. It can be fun, as well as a great workout, just taking turns taking free throws.
Step 2. Gather your friends and split into two teams
A regular team consists of five players. It is very common to see two teams of three playing with only one basket, but regardless of how many you are, it is essential that an even number of players enter the pitch. Read the last section to learn how to play alternate games if you are odd in number.
Step 3. Points are scored by passing the ball into the basket
In basketball, you can get one to three points with a shot, depending on the area of the court you are shooting from.
- A line is drawn at a distance of 6.25m from the center of the basket (6.75m in the NBA): this is the "3-point line." A basket with the feet inside this zone is worth 2 points, from outside 3.
- Free throws are worth one point and are shot from a "bezel" within the 3-point line, 5, 80m from the basket. A player who has been fouled can shoot two or three free throws if the foul was committed during an attempted shot or if the opposing team has accumulated the maximum number of faults.
Step 4. Keep the ball moving by dribbling or passing it
When you are in possession of the ball and you do not move it, you must by regulation stand still with one foot planted on which you can pivot (i.e. use it as a pivot on which to move the orientation of the body). After you stop the ball you can still throw, pass or jump, but when you land you must be free of it.
- When you get the ball you have to dribble seamlessly as you move around the pitch. If you stop and grab the ball with both hands you cannot start dribbling again, it is an irregularity called "double step": you have to pass it to a partner, throw or plant a pivot foot. Another irregularity is lifting the ball from below, reversing the hand and dribbling: it is as if you had blocked it with both hands.
- If you are pitched for a basket, you can grab the ball with two hands and take two steps before shooting or passing. More than two steps constitute an infringement which is called "steps". If, on the other hand, you are dribbling and you stop, it is the case described in the previous point: you cannot get back in motion.
Part 2 of 6: Dribble and Pass
Step 1. Get into the correct posture
If your team attacks and you have the ball, you need to protect it by keeping your torso slightly tilted forward, your knees slightly bent and wide, balancing yourself on the forefoot.
As an exercise to develop sensitivity and be able to master the ball, dribble making it bounce between the legs by changing hands, keeping the position a little bent and orienting the body so as to aim the basket with one side and not frontally
Step 2. The dribble is done with the fingertips
Only in this way are you in control of the bounce. Beginners attempt to dribble with the palm, basically slapping the ball. With practice you will feel like you are commanding the ball, as if it were connected to your hand with a rubber band.
- Start from a standstill. Remember that the movement is almost entirely dependent on the wrist: move your elbow as little as possible, keeping it close to your side.
- Make sure the ball is inflated, otherwise it won't be able to bounce properly. Follow the directions on the balloon itself and add air as needed.
Step 3. You should keep the ball at hips level
Beginners have a hard time dribbling without staring at the ball constantly - with practice you should be able to do it naturally without looking. Practice dribbling as low as possible. A high dribble, up to the chest for example, is wrong because in a match the opponent can easily steal the ball from you.
Step 4. Keep your head up
A coach will tell you this over and over: it is essential to learn to look around and not fix your attention on the ball. A good player knows how to keep an eye on teammates, opponents and the basket at the same time - it's hard to know where to go if you're looking at your shoes.
If you stay low with the pelvis it will be more difficult for an opponent to steal the ball, but above all it will be easier for you to keep control of it
Step 5. Learn to move by dribbling
Basketball is mostly played on the go, dribbling as you move. Start by walking: when you can do it confidently, try running slowly. Over time, you should also be able to do short sprints while dribbling. Remember to focus on ball control rather than speed.
Place cones or chairs in a row: slalom between them by dribbling as fast as you can, but always having control of the ball as your goal. Keep the ball low, head up, and knees bent to increase stability and momentum
Step 6. Train both hands
In the beginning you will be more successful and it will be natural for you to dribble with your dominant hand. Unless you intend to always move in the same direction (which would make you a very predictable player!) You should learn to master the ball perfectly with the other hand as well.
Every exercise you do, such as the one described above, must be repeated with both hands: for professional players there is no difference between one hand and another when it comes to dribbling
Step 7. Practice doing different types of passes
It is essential to make accurate passes: a good pass is always better than a mediocre shot. Your steps must be quick and precise, so that you get straight to your partner, without forcing him to move.
- Chest passes: grab the ball with both hands from the side where you are dribbling; holding it firmly, bring it to the center of your chest and push your arms forward making the ball splash with a quick flick of the wrists, aimed at a partner far enough away. The palms of the hands should turn outward, as in the breaststroke stroke.
- Bouncing passes: Grab the ball at chest height and pass it by bouncing it once about half the distance between you, so that it reaches your partner precisely at chest height. You can also practice this step with one hand, obviously training both the right and the left.
Part 3 of 6: Pull
Step 1. When shooting you must be in line with the basket
Point your feet towards the goal and align your hips accordingly. Only from this position can you learn the correct technique.
When you decide it's time to shoot, stop, grab the ball with both hands and line up with the basket. Train to be able to align with the basket, that is, to position your feet and rotate your pelvis, while making the last dribble
Step 2. Balance the ball on your dominant hand
The hand you shoot with is the strong one, the other is supportive. Your elbow should stay close to your side as you lift the ball while holding it with your fingertips. Bend your whole body a little as you bring the ball up to your chin.
- It will be the dominant hand to throw the ball, while the weak hand is only for support: it must be placed on the side of the ball lightly.
- To practice this movement, try to lie down on the ground and lift the ball with the hand you shoot with. Pushing with your fingertips make the ball rise a few centimeters by rotating it backwards.
Step 3. Spin the ball from your hand towards the basket
From the shooting position, extend your arm up and forward, moving your wrist forward, as if taking a cookie from a jar on a high shelf. Complete the movement well: the ball must shoot forward and upward, and at the same time rotate on itself backwards. The arm, after the shot, is straight and the wrist bent forward (now the hand is inside the cookie jar).
Step 4. Push with your feet
To put more strength into the shot, lower your hips and jump as you push the ball. When the arm has reached its maximum extension, you should take a slight jump, extending your legs and transferring the energy, through the arm, to the hand that pulls the ball.
- Don't jump forward to the basket, jump straight up. This is a common mistake among beginners, but the technique is for making the ball arc towards the basket, not throwing it straight so that it travels the shortest distance possible.
- There is usually no jump to take free throws. In any case it is very difficult to hit the center with just the push of the arm, so most of the shots are made with the jump.
Step 5. Aim for an imaginary coin on the edge of the iron
Most shots, if you're just starting out, will bounce off the board or iron (the hoop that the net hangs on). It's natural: hitting a basket so high up is objectively difficult. Having the goal of dropping an imaginary coin into the basket with the ball can help a beginner.
One reason for this is that most beginners aim too high. If you shoot too low, aim for where the basket is fixed to the backboard
Step 6. Practice the lay-up from both sides
The pad is an important part of basketball, and a good player never misses this type of shot in a game - they should be two easy points.
- Start from the corner of the bezel. Dribble while running up close to the basket, grab the ball with two hands (always running), continue for two steps (do not commit an infraction of "steps"!) And jump on the left leg if you start from the right side of the basket (vice versa from the 'other side). Extend your arm and hit the bull's-eye by placing the ball on the board.
- It may be helpful for some beginners to imagine a lanyard connecting dominant arm and leg on the same side, so that they remember which one to release with and lift the knee to increase elevation.
- You may want to start practicing the desk pad on the dominant hand side once you are familiar with the mechanism, try on the opposite side.
Step 7. Shoot from all angles and distances
Shooting training is also a good way to exercise and have fun. Move around by dribbling, so you train in this aspect too. Practice shooting both tired and rested.
- Practice free throws. A good player rolls them almost automatically. Practice until it's part of your muscle memory.
- Don't waste time trying to shoot from 3 points like NBA players, focus on the fundamentals and aim for ten straight baskets from the foul line.
Part 4 of 6: Learning to Defend
Step 1. Learn your defensive role
The goal of the defense is to prevent opponents from scoring points: it hinders passes, steals the ball and blocks shots. Your job is to ruin the opponent's ambitions, stop him from moving freely and cloud the tactical plans he may have.
- Most teams play man defense. It means that you will be assigned an opponent to follow throughout the game. Often this is the player in the same role as you.
- Zone defense is a more advanced tactic. In this type of defense you will be assigned a portion of the field to defend against any opponent who enters it. Think of it as an imaginary bubble that you need to protect.
Step 2. Learn the correct defensive posture
Don't make the mistake of training only the offensive phase. You need to get short and wide - lower your center of gravity and keep your feet wider than shoulder width. Spread your arms out and always keep your eyes on the ball. Practice making lateral movements from this position by moving onto your toes.
The ideal position to prevent your opponent from getting between you and the basket you are defending is slightly at an angle to the baseline. If you imagine a line passing through the two points made up of your hips, it should cross the lateral foul line on one side and your basket on the other. In this position you increase your mobility and can put pressure on the opponent. Practice this posture until it comes naturally to you
Step 3. Practice lateral movement
It may seem difficult to be able to maintain the defensive posture and at the same time be glued to the opponent. To be able to move sideways with agility, train with the side run: take a big step sideways, bring the other foot to the side of the first, push again. Train like this, alternating the direction, until your legs can no longer hold you.
Another exercise that is done in pairs is to have a partner who dribbles and you to defend by positioning yourself according to his intentions of attack
Step 4. Keep your feet on the ground as much as possible
Beginners often make the mistake of jumping too much - you don't have to try to block your opponent's shot every time he hints at doing so. It is easy for an attacker to fake the shot, and dribble while you are in the air with your arms raised hoping to block him. Jumping also takes a lot of energy, and you may find yourself tired as well as predictable as a defender.
Instead of jumping, when the opponent gathers to shoot, straighten up and raise your arms keeping them at an angle towards the opponent. The effect will be to block or at least change the opponent's mind, remaining ready to defend again
Step 5. Get the rebounds
It is essential that, after having missed a shot, the opponents do not have a second chance at hand: get under the basket and catch the ball when it bounces off the iron or the backboard. The bounces are meant to be caught - it's up to you to be the fastest.
Step 6. Avoid fouls
If you charge a defender by attacking you will be called an offensive foul. However, most fouls are committed by the defenders. It is important to know the rules and not to harm your team by making avoidable fouls.
- Hitting, pushing or slapping the opponent's arms will be considered a foul every time. Keep your eyes on the ball: if you touch it together with the opponent's arm, it is regular.
- Shooting an opponent is also irregular: if he has stolen the ball, it is not a good thing to take him by the shirt.
- It is absolutely forbidden to put your hand inside the basket to defend
Part 5 of 6: Play Well
Step 1. Learn the tactical characteristics of each role
If you are part of a team then you will know that all positions have particular rules and roles within the team economy. Learning the characteristics of each position is a way to improve and become more reliable for teammates and the coach.
- The centers are big players who defend the basket. Typically the center is the tallest and most powerful of the team, and its job is to take rebounds both in defense and in attack, and to make a basket with short 2-point shots. Famous centers are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming.
- The wings are second in the center in size - they are physical enough to play defense well and duck down, but adept enough at shooting from the outside. A good winger knows how to fit well and is a threatening presence in the colon area. Famous players are Charles Barkley, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.
- The guards are the architects of the attack. A guard takes the ball to the opponent's basket, sets the game and shoots from outside. The guards are the ones who generally score the most points and are rated on their agility, accuracy in passing and shooting accuracy. The most famous players in NBA history are guards: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson, to name a few.
Step 2. Practice the fundamentals
If you want to become a good player, practice dribbling, shooting and defending. Don't train behind-the-back passes or dunks until you can lay both arms 10 times out of 10 and free throws 20 times out of 20.
Step 3. Pass the ball often and keep it moving
A good team circulates the ball constantly without allowing the opposing defense to organize. When in possession of the sphere make quick and precise passes and keep holding it in motion until you see an opening.
It is a distorted idea that basketball is played by virtuosos like magicians or jugglers of the ball: a good player passes, a selfish player keeps it to himself and ends up losing it
Step 4. Practice taking rebounds
The importance of this skill is never stressed enough. There are a lot of wrong shots during a match, and each time the ball bounces in a different and unpredictable way, sometimes even soaring. When the ball goes crazy both teams have a chance to catch it, and the ability to get hold of it is key. When you practice shooting you can try to catch your own rebound.
If you are playing low on defense, as a winger or as a center, practice using your back to make room between the players and maintain an advantageous position. Get down and stay low, spread your arms and keep your eyes on the ball, ready to grab it and attack
Step 5. "Pick and roll"
If you are training with a team there will come a time when you will try out particular tactics and strategies which often include "Pick and roll". "Pick" is blocking, ie using your body as a barrier to block a defender and allow a teammate to make room in his run under the basket with the ball. All attacking players can make a block, while usually a guard gets in.
Step 6. Learn the cuts
When a teammate has the ball you have to move and offer him attack possibilities. You never have to sit still waiting for the passage! Cut under the basket by getting rid of the defender and keeping an eye on the ball. Get used to looking for opportunities to fit in.
Part 6 of 6: Basketball Variations
Step 1. Play "horse"
For those who don't want to play a full game, there are other ways to play together and train. One of these is called in English "horse" or "pig" basketball, and it is said that Michael Jordan, even when he played this variation, did it with the dedication he reserved for actual training.
The number of players is not relevant: the first player shoots from any point on the field. If he hits, the second must shoot from the same spot. If he is wrong, he is given a letter of the word "horse" or "pig". the only difference between the two variants is the number of letters
Step 2. "21" is a perfect variation for an odd number of players, although ideally three are
Everyone plays against everyone, the goal is to reach 21 points. Each shot from the 2 zone is worth 1 point, those from outside 2 points.
- After a basket the player shoots free throws (one point per basket) until he misses. If you get a point and then 20 free throws, you win.
- If you miss a shot and another player takes the rebound and puts it in with the correct technique, your score will reset if you have scored less than 15 points, but if you have more the count returns to 15. If the 15th shot free is wrong, no points are awarded.
Step 3. "Knockout" is another great game for many to play
All lined up from the bezel. The first throws a free throw. If he misses, he has to run for the rebound and keep shooting until he hits the bull's-eye. As soon as the ball touches the edge or the backboard, the second shooter in turn: if he hits the center before the first, he is eliminated (knockout!).
Step 4. Play "Baseketball"
This variant was created for the film of the same name by the authors of South Park. It is an exercise in shot accuracy mixed with baseball scoring and with the opposing team's characteristic shouts to make shooters miss. One team at a time tries to score points by shooting from 3 different positions while the opponents try to make them lose their concentration. Any mistake means the elimination of the player.
Advice
- Wear basketball-specific shoes and sportswear that doesn't hinder your movement.
- Don't forget to drink while you are playing.
- Be sporty and don't argue with opponents.
- Don't scold your teammates when they make a mistake - let the coach do it.
Warnings
- Basketball, if played well, is an extremely demanding sport that requires a developed ability to sustain intense effort.
- Don't get distracted: if you don't notice a pass and the ball hits you it could hurt you.
