For a parent, there are few things cuter than a bunch of mini-hoopsters running around the court with the ball -- minus the requisite dribbling -- bumping into one another and shooting at the wrong basket. But by the time your little basketball player has reached the fourth grade, she should have a good concept of the rules of the sport. You don't have to be a stickler and take all the fun out of the game, but try to impart the basics.
Double Dribbling
Perhaps the most common violation committed by young basketball players is the double dribble. A double dribble can occur in two ways, the first of which is when a play dribbles the ball with both hands simultaneously. Players may use only one hand at a time to dribble. The other form of double dribbling is when a player discontinues her dribble and then begins to dribble again. Young players often have the tendency to dribble, pick up the ball, look around and dribble again. This is a hard habit to break, but it must be done if your child is going to learn the game.
Traveling
Another common pitfall for young basketball players is the tendency to take off running with the ball, but without dribbling. When a player takes more than two steps without dribbling the ball, a traveling violation occurs and the ball is rewarded to the other team. Remind your players that in order to go anywhere with the ball, they must be dribbling at all times.
Fouls
Young players often run into a crowd of opponents like a bowling ball sailing into pins. By fourth grade, though, they should be learning what physical contact is acceptable and what constitutes a personal foul. On defense, any contact -- whether a body-bump, slap, trip or push -- that redirects the offensive player from her intended path is considered a foul. On offense, when a defender has established her position, an offensive player must avoid excessive contact or risk being called for an offensive foul.
Out of Bounds
Because they're still not ultra-skilled ballhandlers, youth basketball players lose the ball out of bounds often. While this is understandable, your fourth-grader has reached the age at which it's time to emphasize the boundaries. When a player dribbles, fumbles or passes the ball out of bounds, possession is given to the opposing team. Additionally, players who touch the ball and step out of bounds without possession of it cannot then be first to touch it upon re-entry to the court.
Member Comments