The basics of basketball are easy to learn, but difficult to execute when competing against an opponent. Most coaches try to teach the concept of team play in order to reach peak efficiency. While a spectacular dunk can bring the crowd out of its seats, a team that passes the ball to the open man and plays consistent defense has the best chance of winning.
Ball Handling
All players have to know how to dribble the ball in order to be effective. While most of the dribbling will fall to the point guard, any time a player gets the ball, he is responsible for keeping the play alive. A forward can receive a pass from the point guard with the idea of taking the open shot. However, the defender can close in on him and by the time he receives the ball, he's not open anymore. That player has to dribble the ball or pass it to make another play.
Defense
No matter what kind of talent a player has, all coaches expect players to fight hard when it comes to defense. Defense requires maximum effort. A player does not have to be a talented athlete in order to get in an opponent's way and stop him from dribbling, passing and shooting. Playing defense requires that the player is in great shape, moves his feet and stays alert.
Foul Rules
Basketball is not a contact sport. According to the rules of the game, players cannot make physical contact with each other when trying to gain possession of the ball, when shooting the ball or when rebounding. Officials might allow some contact in the key during a rebound, but once a player has possession of the ball, no more contact is allowed. Players who get fouled while shooting get two shots from the free throw line if they miss their original shot and one shot if they make the shot from the field.
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