Ayrton Oneill
Teaching your son how to play basketball can be a rewarding experience as it encourages physical fitness and a love for the game. The first step is to teach your son the fundamentals of basketball, such as the rules and basic skills. This includes the fact that basketball is a team sport where the main goal is to score points by shooting the ball through the opponent's hoop while preventing them from doing the same. A basket scored inside the three-point line is worth two points, while a shot from outside is worth three. One point is given for a free throw. Passing and catching are essential for productive teamwork, so it is important to teach your son the chest pass and the bounce pass. Additionally, dribbling is a crucial skill, so your son should practice dribbling with their fingertips rather than their palms, and with both their left and right hands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Footwork | Teach pivoting on both feet, jump stops, and squaring to the basket |
| Shooting form | Use smaller balls and lower baskets; allow dipping of elbows for more strength |
| Athletic & movement skills | Teach running, jumping, skipping, stopping, moving laterally, squatting, lunging, etc. |
| Passing | Teach chest, bounce, and overhead passes |
| Offense | Do not use structured offenses; get them comfortable on the court |
| Drills | Use age-appropriate drills for ball handling, shooting, passing, layups, defense, and offense |
| Dribbling | Teach dribbling with fingertips, not palms; practice stationary dribbling, then moving dribbling, then dribbling around obstacles |
| Shooting | Demonstrate hand placement on the ball; emphasize balance with feet shoulder-width apart |
| Confidence | Start with close-range shots and progressively increase distance |
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork: Teach pivoting, jump stops, and triple threat positioning
- Shooting form: Use smaller balls and lower baskets
- Passing and catching: Teach chest and bounce passes
- Dribbling: Encourage daily practice, using fingertips, not palms
- Basic rules: Explain scoring, gameplay, and offensive and defensive positions
Footwork: Teach pivoting, jump stops, and triple threat positioning
Footwork is an essential aspect of basketball, and there are several key techniques your son should learn. Firstly, teach him the art of pivoting. Pivoting is a fundamental skill that allows players to change direction and create space for themselves without travelling (illegally taking steps without dribbling). Your son should practice pivoting on both his left and right foot. This will enable him to become more agile and manoeuvrable on the court.
Next is the jump stop. This technique is used to quickly change direction and come to a stop, often in defensive situations. To execute a jump stop, your son should jump and land on both feet simultaneously, ensuring that he maintains his balance. This skill will help him become more explosive and responsive on the court.
Another vital footwork technique is the triple threat position. This is a fundamental offensive stance that provides your son with three options: shooting, passing, or dribbling. Teach him to square his body to the basket, with his feet shoulder-width apart, and his weight evenly distributed. From this position, he can choose to shoot, pass to a teammate, or dribble to create a better opportunity. Practising the triple threat position will make your son a more versatile and unpredictable player.
To improve your son's footwork, you can incorporate various drills such as ladder drills, cone drills, and jump rope exercises. These drills will enhance his foot speed, coordination, and overall balance. Additionally, ensure that he spends time practising basic movements like running, jumping, landing, and lateral movements. This will help him develop the fundamental athletic skills required for effective footwork in basketball.
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Shooting form: Use smaller balls and lower baskets
When teaching your son the shooting form in basketball, it is recommended to use smaller balls and lower baskets, especially for younger players. This allows them to focus on developing their shooting form and technique. Here are some tips to improve their shooting form:
First, it is important to establish the correct stance. The player's feet should be shoulder-width apart, or even closer together, with a slight stagger. The shooting foot, which is the foot on the same side as the dominant hand, should be placed very slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot. The feet should be turned at a 10 to 45-degree angle towards the non-dominant side, ensuring that the shoulder, hip, and elbow are aligned with the basket. This alignment is crucial for accurate shooting.
Next, the player should learn to position the ball consistently. When receiving a pass, the ball should be dipped to the waist or thigh. For right-handed shooters, the left hand should guide the ball along the shooting line, while the right hand firmly holds the back of the ball. The shooting hand should be positioned so that the fingertips are perpendicular to the seams of the ball. This is important for achieving the desired backspin on the ball.
The follow-through is a critical aspect of shooting. After releasing the ball, the shooting hand should follow through, resembling the shape of a swan. The arm should be arched toward the basket, with the hand loosely cocked downward and the fingers pointed toward the hoop. This elegant follow-through ensures accuracy and a smooth shooting motion.
Additionally, players can utilize the backboard strategically. When shooting close to the basket, the backboard can be used to bank the ball off of. Depending on the position on the court, the aim will vary. For example, when on the right side of the court, aim for the top right corner of the square on the backboard. Practicing this technique will help players develop a feel for using the backboard effectively.
Finally, it is important to emphasize the importance of practice and repetition. Great shooters are made through thousands of hours of focused repetitions. Encourage your son to practice consistently and work on perfecting their shooting form. With dedication and persistence, they will develop their shooting skills and become more confident on the court.
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Passing and catching: Teach chest and bounce passes
Passing and catching are fundamental skills in basketball, and there are several drills that can help your son develop these skills. Passing is more than just a physical skill; it's also a mentality. It's important to teach your son that passing is not just something to do when they don't have a shot but rather an unselfish act that is designed to include other players.
Chest Pass
The chest pass originates from the passer's chest area and travels directly to the receiver's chest area. To throw a chest pass, grip the ball on each side with your thumbs between the ball and your chest. As you throw, turn your fingers out and point your thumbs down in a follow-through motion. As you release the ball, take a step forward toward your targeted receiver. A good chest pass will have some backspin, which makes the distance easier to judge.
Bounce Pass
The bounce pass is thrown with the same motion as the chest pass but is angled downward at the floor so that it bounces to the receiver. Aim for a spot on the floor about 3/4 of the way toward the receiver, so that the ball bounces waist-high to them. Putting a proper and consistent backspin on the pass will make the distance easier to judge.
Drills
There are several drills that can help your son develop their passing and catching skills. Many of these drills can be done alone, with just a wall or a fence to bounce the ball off. For example, in the "pass the cup" drill, players stand in a circle and pass the ball to each other around the circle. The wall chest pass drill is another solo drill where you stand near a wall and bounce the ball off the wall and catch it. As your son gets more advanced, they can try drills that involve movement, competition, and other objects, such as the drills in the free e-book "Winning Basketball Drills".
Tips
- When passing, it's important to be aware of your teammates' positioning and to anticipate their movements. Receivers should help their teammates by moving without the ball and making cuts to become an open target.
- When receiving a pass, have ready but relaxed hands.
- When dribbling, use your fingertips to guide the ball and avoid making slapping noises with your hands.
- When teaching young players, be aware of their physical and mental limitations. Young players may lack the strength necessary to make certain plays, and they are still developing their spatial awareness.
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Dribbling: Encourage daily practice, using fingertips, not palms
Dribbling is one of the first skills a youth basketball player should learn. It takes a lot of practice to become a great ball handler, so encourage your son to practice dribbling every day.
When dribbling, it's important to use your fingertips, not your palms. This gives you more control and speed. Spread your fingers out across the ball, from the tips to the pads, and keep your hands relaxed. If you use your palm, you will lose control of the basketball. The ball should not "slap" the hand when dribbling.
Your son should practice dribbling with both his right and left hands. This will make it easier for him to manoeuvre around the court without getting the ball stolen. As he advances, he can learn more advanced dribble moves, such as the speed dribble, crossover, protect-the-ball dribble, and back-up dribble.
To improve ball handling skills, your son should also work on his footwork. Teach him to pivot on his left and right foot without travelling, jump stops, and to square to the basket as soon as he catches the ball in a triple threat position.
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Basic rules: Explain scoring, gameplay, and offensive and defensive positions
Basketball is a team sport played between two teams of five players each. The objective of the game is for each team to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop, which is placed 10 feet above the ground, at the opponent's end of the court. This act of shooting the ball through the hoop is called a field goal. A field goal scored from inside the area encircled by the three-point arc in the opposition's half is worth two points, while a shot from outside this area is worth three points.
The team with the ball is called the offense, and they can advance the ball and get it through the hoop by passing or dribbling. Dribbling involves bouncing the ball against the floor using one hand at a time. Passing and dribbling are also important skills for the defensive team, as they try to steal the ball and prevent the opposition from scoring. The defensive team also tries to block shots, deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
During an attack, an offensive player is not allowed to stay in the opposition's half for more than three seconds without attempting a shot. This is called the three-second rule. Once a team gains possession of the ball, they are put on a shot clock, which means they have to attempt a shot before time runs out. In the NBA and WNBA, teams have 24 seconds, while NCAA teams have 30 seconds. If the shot clock elapses, the opposing team gets the ball and becomes the defensive team.
The five players on the court can be segregated into the following positions:
- Point guard: Usually players with the best ball-handling skills and vision play as point guards.
- Small forward: This position requires a versatile skill set, including strength, height, speed, and dribbling abilities.
- Power forward: Similar to a small forward but with a greater focus on physicality.
- Center: Usually the tallest player on the team, occupying the space nearest to the basket.
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Frequently asked questions
The fundamentals of basketball include understanding the game's rules and building fundamental skills. Basketball is a team sport where the main goal is to score points by shooting the ball through the opponent's hoop while preventing them from doing the same. A basket scored inside the three-point line is worth two points, and a shot from outside the line is worth three points. Passing and catching are also essential for productive teamwork.
Drills are a great way to improve your son's basketball skills. Some drills include dribbling with their fingertips rather than their palms, stationary dribbling, moving dribbling, dribbling around obstacles, and basic passes such as chest passes and bounce passes. Footwork drills such as ladder drills, cone drills, and jump rope can also improve foot speed and coordination.
It is important to teach your son to keep his eyes up while dribbling to increase his court awareness. Additionally, accuracy in shooting depends on having good form. Teach your son to place his hands on the ball correctly, with his dominant hand on the front and his supporting hand on the side. Encourage your son to practice regularly to improve his confidence and skills.
