Dazzling slam dunks, long-range 3-point shots or flashy behind-the-back dribbles may draw fans to basketball games, but most basketball players know winning games requires more than just highlight-reel plays. The most effective players on any basketball court are the players who can dribble, pass and shoot, as well as defend an opponent. Executing these fundamental skills requires plenty of practice but always will make you a better basketball player.
Ballhandling
A basketball player in possession of the ball can take no more than two steps without dribbling the ball, making ballhandling an essential skill for every player on the court. Ballhandling, however, does more than allow you to drive to the basket for an easy layup. An effective ball handler can keep the ball out of an opponent's hands, dribble to the spots on the floor where he can find high-percentage shots for himself or teammates and make critical decisions about where and when to share the basketball during offensive possessions. To become an effective ball handler, you must be able to dribble effectively with both hands, allowing you to attack any spot on the floor and preventing defenders from concentrating on your strong side.
Passing
The game of basketball has grown for more than a century, but one of its maxims remains true decades later: no defender can outrun a pass. An effective passer of the basketball consistently finds open teammates and gives his team its best chance to score during an offensive possession, but to become an effective passer, you must master several different passes. The chest pass is basketball's most basic pass, allowing you to pass the ball quickly from your chest to an teammate, who can also receive the pass at chest level. A bounce pass allows you to pass the ball around, underneath or between defenders, while an overhead pass -- or a one-handed, baseball-style pass, for full-court passes -- places the ball high above a defender's reach.
Shooting
Shooting, whether from 3-point range or near the basket, requires a keen eye and coordination, developed by practicing the same simple movements quickly and repeatedly. To develop a reliable jump shot, concentrate first on aligning your feet and body toward the basket before you receive the basketball, keeping your knees bent. Once you catch the ball, jump straight up into the air and raise the ball above eye level, forming an "L" shape at the elbow on your shooting side. Your shooting hand should remain centered underneath the ball, with only your fingertips and not your palm touching the ball, while your weak hand acts as a guide on the side of the ball. Release the ball at the highest point of your jump, flick your wrist and follow through on your shooting motion directly toward the basket.
Defending
While the rules of playing defense seem simple, effective defense that can shut down an opponent requires you to keep your feet moving and maintain communication with teammates at all times. Position yourself between the player you are guarding and the basket if you are guarding a ball handler, or between your player and both the ball and basket if you are guarding a player without the ball. As you guard your opponent, keep your center of gravity low, allowing you to move in small, quick bursts as your opponent changes directions and speeds. Performing these fundamental movements does not guarantee you will stop your opponent, but it will allow you to slow down an offensive player on every possession.
References
- iHoops: Are You an Effective Ball Handler?
- iHoops; Basketball 101: Fundamentals of Passing; Jeff Haefner
- "Stack": Art of the Dime
- "Stack"; Perfect Ray Allen's Textbook Shooting Form; August 2011
- iHoops; 4 Keys to Becoming a Great Shooter; Tucker Neale
- iHoops; 5 Ways to Prepare for the Perfect Shot; Mike Moreau
- iHoops: Guarding the Dribbler
- iHoops: Playing Deny Defense
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