Kristian Ferrell
Teaching basketball to beginners is about laying the groundwork for future success. It's important to focus on basic fundamentals, such as dribbling, shooting, passing, defence, and footwork. Coaches can help young players develop these skills through age-appropriate drills and games, emphasising the importance of learning the correct form and techniques from the start. Understanding the rules of basketball is also essential, as it provides a blueprint for players to contribute to their team's success effectively. Progress in basketball takes time, and setbacks are inevitable, but embracing the process and cultivating a growth mindset are critical aspects of a winning mentality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Number of players per team | 5 |
| Game duration | 4 quarters of 12 minutes each in professional basketball; 2 halves of 20 minutes each in high school and college games |
| Scoring | Points are scored by successfully shooting the ball through the opponent's hoop |
| Points per shot inside the arc | 2 |
| Points per shot outside the arc | 3 |
| Basic skills | Shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense |
| Passing techniques | Bounce pass, overhead pass |
| Defensive techniques | Basic stance, defensive slide, basic off-ball principles |
| Footwork | Pivots, slides, drop steps |
| Drills | 2 on 2, 3 on 3, shooting drills, passing drills, defensive drills |
| Teaching approach | Focus on basic fundamentals, make learning fun and engaging, encourage effort and perseverance |
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What You'll Learn
Basic rules and violations
When teaching beginners basketball, it's important to focus on the basic rules and violations of the game. Here are some key points to cover:
Basic Rules
Basketball is played between two teams, each consisting of five players. The objective of the game is for each team to score points by successfully shooting the ball through the opponent's hoop. A standard game is divided into four 12-minute quarters for professionals, while high school and college games typically have two 20-minute halves.
Offense Rules
The team with the basketball is considered to be on offense. When a player has the ball, they must dribble with one hand while moving both feet. If they stop dribbling, they can only move one foot, which is called the pivot foot. A player can only dribble once, and if they start dribbling again, it is called a double-dribbling violation, resulting in losing possession of the ball. The offensive team must also ensure that the ball stays in bounds, and once they cross the halfway line, they cannot go back into their backcourt.
Defensive Rules
The team without the basketball is considered to be on defense. The main rule for defensive players is to avoid committing fouls, which are breaches of the rules that grant an unfair advantage to the committing team. Defensive players must not make physical contact with offensive players that causes them to lose the ball or miss a shot. Additionally, no player is allowed to touch the basketball while it is traveling downward towards the basket, known as goaltending.
Violations
Violations are actions that result in penalties or turnovers. Some common violations include traveling (moving with the ball without dribbling), double dribbling (dribbling with both hands or restarting a dribble), and carrying/palming (letting the ball come to rest in the hand while dribbling). Kicking or striking the ball with any part of the leg intentionally is also a violation.
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Footwork and dribbling
Footwork
To start, players should learn the U-stance, which is a foundational basketball stance that enables players to be a threat on offence and a solid defender. To get into the U-stance, players should stand with their feet shoulder-width apart with their heels up and knees bent. Their hips should be dropped back, with their chin on their shoulders and their head and eyes up for good court vision. This stance increases mobility in all directions, enabling players to catch, cut, dribble, and shoot with more agility.
Next, players can learn the jump stop, which is used at the end of dribbling, catching and receiving a pass, and going into a finish or jump shot. On defence, the jump stop is used to close out and get into the base defensive position. The front pivot and reverse pivot are also essential footwork techniques to master. The pivot allows players to move into positions to score easily without causing a travelling violation. Learning to pivot correctly takes time and practice, and it is an acquired skill.
Other footwork drills include the four-step run, which involves taking small, stutter steps on a box, and the drop step drill, which teaches players to use their footwork to outmaneuver defenders and create clear paths to the basket.
Dribbling
When teaching dribbling, it is important to start with the basics and ensure the technique is correct before moving on to more advanced moves. Dribbling can be taught through gamified drills, such as relay races, which are fun and help players develop speed dribbling skills. For example, players can be instructed to dribble at different paces when a light is green and yellow, and to jump-stop on a red light.
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Passing and shooting
Passing is one of the most under-taught skills in basketball, but it is fundamental to the game. It is important to teach not only the skill but also the mentality of passing. Young players often lack the strength to make the kinds of plays they see on television, so it is important to be aware of their physical and mental limitations.
To teach passing, you can start with the absolute basics of partner passing. Players get into pairs and stand on a line parallel to their partner. They then pass the ball back and forth to each other, practising different types of passes and the correct technique. The coach can change the type of pass and the distance between players. Different types of passes include the chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, wrap-around pass, behind-the-back pass, and one-handed push pass. To perform a chest pass, the player starts with the ball held at chest height, holding the sides of the ball with both hands and elbows tucked in. For a bounce pass, the ball is thrown to the floor so that it bounces to the intended receiver. The pass should be thrown far enough out that the ball bounces to waist height for the receiver. An overhead pass is similar to a bounce pass but is thrown far higher, with the ball released above the forehead. The receiver aims to catch the ball at chin or chest height. The behind-the-back pass is performed by bringing the ball across the body and pushing it towards the target from behind the back. This pass requires court awareness and is often most effective when the passer does not look in the direction they are passing.
Shooting is the most important skill in the game. When teaching younger students to shoot, it can be helpful to use smaller balls, such as 6" gatorskin balls or 7" mini basketballs. Students should also be reminded to use their legs to jump up when taking a shot, to help them get more power behind the ball. To teach shooting with perfect form, players can form three lines a couple of feet out from the basket and take turns shooting, aiming to swish each shot through the net. After shooting, players can either return to the end of their line or rotate lines. Coaches should view each player's shot from different angles to spot different technique points.
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Defensive techniques
Defense is a combination of strength, agility, body control, and basketball IQ. It is a skill that every basketball player must master to excel as a member of the team.
Defensive Stance
To begin, players should be taught the proper defensive stance. This involves setting their feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, pointing their feet forward, and placing them just wider than their knees, which should be comfortably shoulder-width apart. This lowers the player's center of gravity and gives them a strong base. Players should then shift their weight to the balls of their feet and lift their heels slightly off the ground, bending their knees and lowering their bodies into a strong squat position.
Defensive Slide
Once players have mastered the defensive stance, they can begin to work on the defensive slide. This involves moving laterally while maintaining their defensive stance and without crossing their feet. The defensive slide mimics common defensive motions when guarding a player in a game. Drills such as the slide, backpedal, and square drill help players develop speed and agility in their defensive movements.
Man-to-Man Defense
In man-to-man defense, each player is assigned to guard a particular opponent. While it may sound like an individual effort, man-to-man defense is truly a team effort. Each player must learn to help their teammates by "sliding through" or "switching" the player they are guarding with a teammate if one of them gets screened. Communication is key during man-to-man defense, as players must learn to "help-side," which involves dropping off their opponent to cut off passing and dribbling lanes when the ball is on the opposite side of the floor.
Zone Defense
In zone defense, players defend a particular "zone" or area on the court, rather than guarding a specific opponent. There are various types of zone defenses, such as 2-3, 3-2, and 1-3-1. Coaches should teach players how to navigate and defend against downscreens and backscreens, emphasizing communication, footwork, and play reading.
In addition to the above, there are several key techniques that players should master:
- Keep your eyes on the ball handler's chest or waist to avoid being faked out by their head or pump fakes.
- Use one hand to track the ball and the other to block a passing lane, staying an arm's distance away from the ball handler.
- Deny the pass when you are one pass away from the ball by keeping your arm and foot in the passing lane, facing your opponent, and watching the ball.
- Create a "defensive triangle" by positioning yourself to see both your opponent and the basketball when guarding a player who is farther from the ball.
- Always stay in motion, adjusting your position as the ball or your opponent moves to react quickly to any play.
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Games and drills
Footwork
Footwork is essential in basketball, as it allows players to move effectively on the court, whether they are handling the ball, playing defence, or rebounding. To teach footwork, you can use drills such as:
- Pivoting: Have players practice turning on one foot while maintaining their balance.
- Sliding: Players can practice sliding side to side or back and forth to improve their agility and quickness.
- Drop step: Teach players to drop their step to protect the ball or create space.
Dribbling
Dribbling is a fundamental skill that allows players to move the ball up and down the court and create space. To teach dribbling, you can use drills such as:
- Stationary dribbling: Have players practice dribbling with one hand at a time, keeping their heads up and using their fingertips to control the ball.
- Alternating hands: Once players are comfortable with stationary dribbling, have them practice alternating hands to improve their ball control.
- Movement with dribbling: Introduce movement gradually, starting with walking and eventually progressing to running with the dribble.
Passing
Passing is a crucial aspect of basketball, as it allows players to move the ball and set up plays. To teach passing, you can use drills such as:
- Chest pass: Have players practice passing the ball to a partner standing a few feet away, focusing on accuracy and timing.
- Bounce pass: Teach players to bounce the ball once before it reaches their teammate. This pass is effective in crowded areas.
- Overhead pass: This pass is thrown with both hands from above the head and is useful for passing over defenders.
Shooting
Shooting is an exciting skill for beginners to learn. It's important to teach the correct form from the start to ensure accuracy and consistency. To teach shooting, you can use drills and games such as:
- BEEF Method: Teach players the key elements of shooting form: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, and Follow-through.
- Close-range shooting: Have beginners start shooting from close to the basket to build confidence and gradually increase the distance.
- "Around the World": This game helps players develop their shooting mechanics while keeping them engaged and having fun.
Defence
Teaching defence to beginners can be challenging, but it's important for their overall development. Focus on fundamental principles such as:
- Defensive stance: Teach players to stay low with bent knees, feet shoulder-width apart, and arms out to the sides.
- Basic off-ball principles: Encourage players to stay between their opponent and the ball and always stop the ball if it is in front of them.
- Rebounding: Teach players to grab rebounds by "boxing out" their opponent, getting between them and the rim.
Remember to adapt these games and drills to the appropriate age and skill level of your players, and always make sure to prioritize fun and engagement while teaching the fundamentals of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The fundamentals of basketball that beginners need to learn are dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense. Footwork is also important as it allows players to get into the right positions on both offense and defense.
Start with the basics of dribbling with one hand at a time, keeping their heads up, and controlling the ball with their fingertips. Before introducing movement, have players practice stationary dribbling to build muscle memory. Once they are comfortable, introduce movement gradually.
Start with the BEEF/B.E.E.F. method to teach shooting form: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, and Follow-through. Have beginners start shooting from close range to build confidence and gradually increase the shooting distance. Turn shooting practice into fun games like “Around the World” or “Knockout” to keep players engaged.
Teach the basic defensive stance, defensive slide, and basic off-ball principles. Focus on spending at least 5 to 10 minutes per practice on defense. Teach players to stay low in an athletic stance with knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, and arms out to their sides.
