The WNBA, short for the Women's National basketball Association, is a professional basketball league formed in 1996 in the United States. While the majority of the players in the league are drafted directly from college into th...
Basketball, widely played in the United States, was invented by James Naismith, a Canadian minister living in Massachusetts in 1891. By the 1920s, this high-intensity sport spread to many states across the country. Basketball r...
The gender is different, but the games are the same. Keep that in mind when coaching girls in youth sports. Sarah J. Murray, the director of communications for Women Win and former web producer for the Women’s Sports Foun...
Basketball requires many committed, effective coaches to sustain its popularity. In particular, it needs coaches who are fair, knowledgeable, motivating and team-oriented, according to a youth survey by the American Academy of ...
Nothing ruins the fun of playing basketball quite as quickly as having a ball hog on the team. This type of player will hang onto the ball for dear life, refusing to pass it to teammates and taking all the shots he can. Even if...
Prior to 1972 there were limited opportunities available for girls to participate in sports in the U.S. Opportunities began to expand exponentially following the passing of Title IX, the 1972 Education Amendments to the Civil R...
Tight hips can make walking and exercising uncomfortable and limit your range of motion. A number of simple exercises you can do in your living room will stretch out your hips, though gym-based activities like weight-lifting ma...
Mark Twain once said “age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” The unfortunate reality for most athletes is that the years do take a toll, and the body gives up before ...
Becoming a better basketball player requires determination, motivation, self-confidence, skill and athletic ability. It is one of the few team sports where you can improve your skills and raise your level of play through practi...
Shooting accuracy, jumping ability, speed and toughness are obvious skills that help make you a better basketball player. Long arms are also an attribute. Players with long arms are difficult for opposing teams to deal with on ...
Strength training helps prevent injuries, aches and joint pain, and it improves running form and technique. Weightlifting, a type of strength training, assists in strengthening muscles that are not targeted while running. Addit...
Strength of schedule is a measurement tool used in professional and amateur basketball leagues to help decide the overall ranking of a team with respect to a particular league. While the NBA attempts to negate strength of sched...
... physics and an intimate part of our daily lives. An unbalanced force is defined as an object that is not opposed by an equal and opposite force. The result of this effect causes an object, such as a basketball, to accelerat...
As a volleyball player, you rely on your shoes to provide you with essential support and traction. If you find yourself slipping when you start and stop, pivot, move laterally or jump, you’ll feel less confident and play ...
If you've built your basketball skills through late-night practices, strained muscles and gallons of sweat, you deserve some recognition. However, the field is crowded. Most high schools, colleges and communities have basketbal...
Basketball coaches use sketch boards to teach players new offensive or defensive moves or to refresh players when the game becomes stagnant or the team is in a positive feedback loop and unable to take control of the ball. Sket...
Tennis balls are useful for much more than playing tennis. They are also valuable tools for improving mobility, agility and hand-eye coordination. Doing drills with tennis balls can improve your performance in any sport that re...
Until the late 1900s, youth athletes had basically three options for playing basketball: school teams, recreation leagues or neighborhood pick-up games. In recent years, the growth of selective, highly competitive sports organi...
A timeout in football stops the game for a set amount of time. Each team can use a maximum of three timeouts in each half of the game, and timeouts can be used for any reason. Timeouts are an important tool for your team to man...
Lacrosse is a team sport that was played by American Indian tribes long before Europeans found American shores. Unlike other stick and ball games, lacrosse sticks have a pocket made of netting on one end, and team members toss ...
According to former National basketball Association coach Hal Wissel, confidence is the most important aspect of becoming a consistently successful shooter in basketball. While many basketball players believe that confidence as...
If you're dreaming of joining an NBA team, know that the chances of making it are slim; according to the NCAA, only 3 in 10,000 high school basketball players will be drafted by an NBA team. A career in the NBA requires you to ...
Girls lacrosse is rising in popularity at all age and skill levels. Whether you're thinking of taking up the sport or you're just looking to amp up your performance, consistent practice and a proactive approach can help you bec...
Speed is an asset in basketball, and teams able to get up and down the floor are difficult to handle. Slowing down the game and patiently working the ball around for scoring opportunities is good strategy for teams lacking spee...
Driving to the basket and taking short, easy shots is an effective way to pile up points in basketball. Skilled players with speed and jumping ability are difficult to stop with one defender. Quick reactions -- along with effor...
Born in Spain in 1959, Wallace Bryant moved to Gary, Indiana, where he played for the high school basketball team. Standing at fully 7 feet tall, Bryant went on to play for the University of San Francisco in the late 1970s and ...
Cherry pickers can frustrate even the best basketball teams. Instead of staying on the defensive end of the floor and helping prevent the opposing team from scoring, the cherry picker drifts toward the other end of the floor an...
Basketball is a team game, and five players are on the floor for each side. One dominant player can score points in bunches and take over the game. Stopping the dominant player takes practice, strategy and hard work. Devising d...
If you feel that your performance on the court could use some improvement, incorporate a few new techniques into your basketball game. If you play on an organized team, start out by consulting with your coach; by seeking outsid...
The value of hard work and perseverance is one of the most important skills parents can teach their children. While every parent wants her child to be successful, children can't succeed without substantial effort and work. Rese...
In the game of basketball, you must have possession of the ball to make the point-scoring shots. One way to gain possession is through rebounding, or obtaining the ball after it has bounced off the goal from a missed shot. With...
Shannon Sharpe is a familiar figure to football fans nationwide. He played for 14 seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, retiring as the career leader in touchdowns, receptions and yardage by a tight e...
John Clay was born on January 4, 1988, in Racine, Wisconsin. Clay’s parents, Sara and John Clay, remained in Racine throughout his childhood. He shone as a running back throughout his high school and college careers. At j...
Although some basketball players seem to be born with the innate ability to swish a ball through the net, most develop the skill through hours of practice. According to Jeff Haefner, a player development coach in Cedar Rapids, ...
Creating a boomerang effect in basketball can lead to a spectacular play. Standard boomerangs fly through the air and return to the point they were launched. It’s possible for a similar feat to happen in basketball on a s...
It's difficult to become a great basketball player if you don't have passion for the game. However, you can't just develop passion overnight. Some players lose passion and become indifferent to the sport after many years of pla...
Ron Artest, who goes by the name Metta World Peace, is a well-known basketball player and a rapper. The forward is known for his involvement in a fight that spilled into the stands in 2004, when he played for the Indiana Pacers...
The basketball layup is valued as an easy shot when defenders are not nearby. You simply spring up and shoot with your right hand if you are next to the basket on the right -- or bounce the ball off the backboard and into the b...
...f this vocabulary is expended on describing the play as it happens, while other terms are a shorthand for the statistical categories used to track a player's performance. In the high-scoring sport of basketball, for example,...
Winning basketball is not simply about having more talent than your opponents and then going out on the floor and outplaying them. Employing the proper strategy is a big part of the game. When your opponents are tenacious defen...
The full-court press can be a lethal defense. Press breakers can beat the defense if they do not panic. Breaking full-court pressure starts with a quick, accurate inbounds pass. The other four offensive players need to set scre...
Basketball is an intense team sport with participants jumping, running, turning, twisting, sliding and leaping. Injuries are bound to happen. Dr. Gerard A. Malanga from the New Jersey Sports Medicine Institute reports that bask...
Grabbing a basketball from another player, also known as a steal, is an important defensive strategy in the game. Stealing the basketball from an opposing player allows you to gain possession of the ball, eliminating the opposi...
Using the wrong type of shoes for a sport can lead to soreness and injury. Running a few miles one time in your basketball shoes is unlikely to cause permanent harm. But making a habit of running in basketball shoes can slow yo...
The arc of a basketball shot is often the determining factor if the basketball is going to nestle in the net after passing through the rim or it it will miss its target and bound away from the basket. Shooters learn that varyin...
The throw-in pass in basketball is a key part of the game, because it signifies the start of play. The inbounder is the player on the offensive team who stands out of bounds and tries to pass the ball to a teammate who is stand...
The National Federation of State High School Associations spells out in its basketball rule book what equipment that high school basketball players are prohibited from wearing. In general, the rules prevent players from wearing...
...ce. Each sport typically features shoes that have been specifically designed to meet the demands of that sport, though some of the features overlap among different sports. For example, volleyball and basketball shoes are sim...
Isolation is a type of offensive play used against man-to-man defense. The idea is to give the ball handler room to play one-on-one against an inferior defender by preventing the remaining defenders from joining the play. This ...
When playing a zone defense in basketball, you must communicate with your teammates and trust that they will do their part to keep the offense from scoring. One particular situation that requires strong communication among your...
The referee's shrill whistle stops the clock just as your team's shooting guard prepares to make the winning shot. The players jog to the sidelines, some laced with sweat and others are frustrated as a player from the opposing ...
Bad passes in basketball are easy to intercept. Anticipation, technique and quickness are required to intercept good passes. Learning how to react to the basketball and move into the passing lane takes practice, but once the sk...
basketball is a limited contact sport. Offensive players generally have the right of way on the court, with or without the basketball. Most forms of defensive contact with an offensive players may result in a foul. But defensiv...
The rules of basketball at any level include provisions for determining fouls, such as the offensive pushing foul. Any personal foul, including the offensive pushing foul, involves a player making illegal contact with an opposi...
Basketball players score points in a variety of ways. Some stand behind the 3-point line and bomb away. Others exploit their size advantage and post up under the basket. Slashers use their athletic ability to score. They are fa...
Keeping track of basketball rebounds is a key aspect of the statistics of any basketball game. The rebounds category shows which team is more skilled at recovering the ball when a shot is missed during the game. The team that i...
Defense in basketball can be the great equalizer when you are playing a team with more talent. When your team has a tenacious attitude on defense and creates steals, forces turnovers and contests every shot, you have a chance t...
Preparation is key when it comes to winning the important games in basketball. You must be physically prepared and mentally focused to perform at your best. Many players use pre-game routines to help them prepare for an importa...
In basketball, trajectory refers to the path a ball takes while in flight toward a basket after being shot or thrown by a player. If the ball is shot using proper mechanics, its trajectory follows an arcing path from the time i...
Since the rules of basketball disallow running while holding the ball or double dribbling -- dribbling, holding and dribbling again -- the only time you actually hold a basketball is before you pass or shoot. Each play requires...
In 1997, the National Basketball Association added a 4-foot semicircle to its court that is situated in the key under each basket with the apex 3 feet from the center of the hoop. This semicircle, known as the restricted zone, ...
The center's role in basketball has changed significantly during the past half century. Stars such as Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the dominant players on their team. If you did not have a powerfu...
LeBron James has played in the NBA for eight seasons as of 2011 -- seven with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Miami Heat. James was selected with the first overall pick by the Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft and has ea...
Dominant scorers in basketball do not become dominant overnight. On the contrary, these players have more than likely spent hours in the gym working on their game and developing as a player. Working in the offseason and during ...
In basketball, there is a saying that "defense wins championships," which is why defensive preparations can be extensive before important games. A man-to-man defense means that each player is matched against an opposi...
Dot drills are exercises that can help athletes, particularly basketball and football players, develop faster and more accurate footwork. Five dots are positioned on the ground in a similar design to the dots on a pair of dice....
Kobe Bryant is an American basketball player born on Aug. 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bryant was named after a Japanese steakhouse and is the son of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, who played in the National Ba...
To be a good offensive basketball player, you have to keep moving with or without the ball, to get open for shots for yourself or to set up your teammates for a basket. The most common ways to get open are by using dribble pene...
...y. Although a small percentage actually make it to the big time, there are skills and drills you can practice to give yourself a shot. Working on the fundamentals at an early age will make you a good basketball player as a k...
Coaching middle school girls to play lacrosse takes a sound knowledge of the game and more than a little creativity, as young players tend to get bored easily. It helps if you can make your lacrosse drills fun, teaching players...
Basketball is designed to showcase its stars, which is why the idea of teamwork can be hard to come by on the court. When only one or two players consistently make the high profile plays, the rest of the team suffers. If you co...
Man-to-man and zone defenses are defensive alignments used during a basketball game that involve different assignments for each defensive player on the court. Basically, zone defense gives the five defensive players a particula...
There are multiple ways to throw the basketball, and the game situation dictates a long, medium or short pass. The baseball pass and overhead pass are throws used for distance. The chest pass and bounce pass cover less ground a...
If you are trying to make the cut at basketball tryouts, you need to prepare both mentally and physically. By practicing the fundamentals, and coming to the tryouts in top condition, you will have the confidence to impress the ...
Offensive teams use a variety of ways to get players open, from dribble penetration to running cutters to the basket. One of the more common, and effective, ways offensive players get open is by setting picks for each other. Pi...
Trying out to make a travel, high school or college basketball team means you will be putting your talents and abilities on display for coaches and others who help pick the team. A tryout is not based on how well you perform on...
Of the five positions on a basketball team, the point guard is typically the shortest. That doesn’t mean he is not an important part of his team. In fact, the point guard, in spite of his height, controls most of his team...
In basketball, the frontcourt is the half of the court on which the team with possession of the ball is attempting to score and is also known as that team’s offensive end of the court. The backcourt is the half of the cou...
Basketball players, coaches and fans may disagree on what makes an athlete a key player on his team -- whether by scoring a game-winning basket, setting up an offensive play for the team's top shooter or defending an opponent's...
In basketball, play moves fast, making it difficult to retain possession without throwing an errant pass or committing a turnover. Rules violations and other circumstances may also determine possession, taking the ball from one...
High school basketball tryouts involve a variety of drills and tests that require a good amount of hand-eye coordination, speed and strength, which come into play during a basketball game. You can become better prepared for try...
In basketball, the letters TP stand for total points and are commonly found on an official statistics report or box score. They are listed alongside several other letters that represent various statistical categories, including...
Free throws should be one of the easiest shots in basketball, but often the free throw seems like a lost art. The release of the free throw shot is one of the biggest keys to being successful in your attempt. It is important fo...
A basketball team uses five players on the court at different positions, allowing athletes of various body shapes and skill sets to work together as one team. However, while no two players are exactly alike in size, shape or sk...
The practice of "getting in the zone" before a big game applies to amateurs and professionals alike. It typically refers to a state of mind where basketball is in the forefront and confidence, relaxation and preparati...
The speed and energy of a basketball game rely on dribbling. Failure to dribble continuously can lead to a number of violations. Traveling, in which the player moves while holding the ball in his hands, is the best known, but t...
Basketball tryouts are a time for you to show your abilities and state your case for making the team. Tryouts usually involve a large group of players vying for the same spots, so it is important that you carry yourself in a wa...
Basketball seasons are long and grueling affairs that begin to take a toll on the body. After months of practices and games, players begin to fatigue more easily, leading to more sicknesses and injuries. Coaches can combat a ra...
When teaching the game of basketball to young players, focus on the fundamentals. Choose defensive drills that emphasize the correct footwork and positioning and also allow the players to engage in friendly competition. Beginni...
Defensive-minded basketball coaches employ a variety of strategies to stifle opposing offenses. One strategy is a zone defense. Zone defenses are designed to take away an opponent's strength, whether it's outside shooting or a ...
In the game of basketball, there are a variety of methods of scoring. in order to be a good scorer, you must master the skills of scoring from underneath the basket, driving to the basket and scoring from the outside. Practice ...
While some players have flashy ball-handling moves that don't get them anywhere, the through-the-legs crossover dribble is an important skill every basketball player needs to have. Ball handling is just as important to the game...
basketball is often thought of as a game of athleticism. Although natural talent, endurance and skill certainly contribute to a basketball player's ability on the court, basketball also requires a mental component. Without the ...
Jamal Crawford invented the Shake & Bake move. The 6 foot, 5 inch guard with the Atlanta Hawks made the move, which involves a two-step stop, a behind-the-back switch, and a jump to the rim, look easy. It's anything but. It...
In Basketball, players must dribble the ball in order to advance up court. Once a player picks up his dribble and quits bouncing the ball, he must either shoot or pass to a teammate. Basketball rules govern the legal ways to dr...
As a basketball coach, you devise offensive plays to get your team open shots. You also diagram plays to enter the ball in bounds. When the ball goes out of bounds or a violation occurs, teams enter the ball under the basket or...
In basketball, offensive players use passing and dribbling to get past the defense. You can get open by breaking down your defender with slick ball-handling moves or by setting screens for teammates, which frees them to receive...
Taller players tend to dominate basketball games because they have distinct advantages in scoring and playing defense. They're naturally closer to the hoop and their imposing height can be used to block shots and disrupt play a...
Good footwork and strong ball-handling allows you to break down your man and score at will. The most difficult players to guard in basketball are those who can create their own shots and seemingly score any time they want. Usin...
The balance between the calories you eat and use each day is the main determinant of whether you gain, maintain or lose weight. While a game of basketball helps you to burn calories, your diet and other activities throughout th...
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...
Sports gambling is a popular activity for many sports fans throughout North America. Although gambling on football is the most popular wagering activity, basketball gambling is right behind. In addition to wagering on the outco...
In-season weightlifting activity for a basketball player should focus more on toning and maintaining muscular levels, while out-of-season weightlifting programs should focus more on increasing muscle mass and strength. Weight t...
Basketball coaches want point guards who can penetrate with the ball so the team can have more offensive options once it gets into its offense on a possession. An aggressive player who handles the ball skillfully will be able t...
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. To be successful in basketball, you must be able to defend your opponent and keep them from scoring. One of the more challenging offensive plays to defend in basketball is the...
Basketball practice is a time for players to improve their skills and prepare for the next big game. Players work on basic fundamentals such as dribbling, shooting, passing and defense, as well as practicing plays and game situ...
Ideally, you want to be in control of the ball before passing it or shooting, but basketball is a fast-paced game and that is not always possible. If you are unable to make a clean pass or get properly set for the shot, tipping...
Tryouts allow coaches to evaluate players to determine if they would be a good fit for the team. Youth tryouts serve two purposes: to identify players with strong skills who are ready to contribute to the team and to find playe...
Successful basketball players possess various athletic abilities and skills, but one of the most important skills is jumping. The best players have the best jumping abilities, which gives them the advantage for rebounding, maki...
The most simple way to score more points in basketball would be to shoot more, but that might not always be in the best interest of your team. Instead, focus on shooting better. And the best way to do that is to practice. You m...
You need proper form to become a consistent basketball shooter. There are many styles of shooting, so there is no such thing as perfect form, but all consistent shooters follow some basic principles. You must have good balance,...
Although basketball is a team sport, there are a number of individual skills you can work to improve by practicing alone. Passing, shooting, dribbling and footwork are all skills that you can practice when you are alone. The ke...
Making an errant pass is a common offensive turnover. Double dribbling, traveling, holding the ball too long or failing to advance the basketball across the half-court line in the allotted time also are offensive turnovers. Off...
Not everyone who owns a basketball keeps an air pump of some type on hand. Possibly this is because basketballs tend to maintain inflation for long periods of time. Then, one day you retrieve the ball from a closet only to find...
Basketball is a game in which you can earn playing time based solely on your work ethic, especially at the college and high school levels and younger. While much of your success centers on your talent and ability level, you can...
Good leaders stand out on the basketball court. A true leader will play with a sense of calmness and confidence in the most tension-filled moments of the game. In many cases, the leader of the basketball team is its best scorer...
...ion is important in any sport. Working on the parts of your game that may be weak or improving your strengths is essential for reaching your potential as an athlete. To become an excellent perimeter basketball player, there...
Basketball tryouts allow coaches to evaluate potential players and gauge their ability to be a part of the team. In tryouts, players are put through both individual and team drills, showcasing their skills against players who p...
The clutch factor in basketball is something that coaches are looking for from one or two of their best players on a consistent basis. When a player has the ability to come through in the clutch, it means he has the ability to ...
Charging is a common occurrence in basketball, and it is a turnover. Charging is also a foul. A charge is called when the offensive player in possession of the basketball makes contact with a set defender. Conversely, a blockin...
In 1895, William G. Morgan, a YMCA coach, invented a new game based on elements he selected from basketball, baseball, tennis and handball. The result was a new sport called mintonette, later renamed volleyball. This sport invo...
A 5X5 workout, five sets of five repetitions of specific exercises, is a systematic strength training program designed to build muscle mass, burn fat and lose weight. Mehdi Hadim, author and creator of the website StrongLifts, ...
basketball is played by two teams, each consisting of five players. A typical starting lineup in basketball is made up of different roles, including a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center. The ma...
You should strive to be as aggressive as possible on the basketball court. Exhibiting aggressive behavior in public is frowned upon and it can get you in big trouble, but it is a welcome asset in basketball. The most aggressive...
Scoring points is the name of the game in basketball. Without proper passing, putting the ball in the hoop is an imposing challenge. You can utilize a variety of passes to move the basketball around and set up the best shot. Th...
Jumper's knee is a condition that many basketball players are forced to contend with over a long season. Professional basketball players compete in 82 games during the regular season and their knees take a tremendous amount of ...
New Balance brand 888 and 889 basketball shoes are different in several ways, including appearance, composition and color availability. The 888 model is a current model as of August 2011, according to the New Balance corporate ...
basketball shoes are an athletic shoe that many men have in their collection. Clearly designed for the rigors of playing basketball, basketball shoes can be used for other sports and athletic activities where running, jumping, ...
Basketball rules require a player to put the ball in play from out of bounds after a stoppage in play. In many cases, inbounding the ball can be quite simple, such as after a made basket in the middle of the game. The player re...
When deadlifting, you should get as much power from your legs as possible. This requires you to drive through the heel of your foot. Your weight cannot shift forward onto the balls of your feet -- you will lose power and risk l...
While the goal of a basketball game is to ultimately outscore the opponent, players fulfill specific tasks in a team's attempt to achieve this objective. Each of a basketball team's five positions has specific tasks that, if pe...
Dehydration threatens a basketball player's speed, endurance and overall performance, but many athletes don't recognize the symptoms of dehydration until it's too late. As little as a 2 percent decrease in body weight from flui...
A basketball team can have explosive scorers, gifted ball handlers, monster rebounders and tenacious defenders. Fans can witness all of their gifts over the course of a game, as well as on the stat sheets. But all good basketba...
Employing a set of good basketball pre-game warm-ups, such as jogging and layup drills, will go a long way toward helping prevent injury and enhance game performance. Unlike drills and activities held during practices, pre-game...
Lebron James has redefined the sport of basketball with his size and athleticism. Gone are the days of undersized players on the wing, those "small" forwards have been replaced with 6-foot 8-inch, 230-lb. athletes that are quic...
A standout basketball player takes advantage of the scoring opportunities that result from aggressiveness and effectiveness on the defensive end of the court. If you can anticipate a pass from your opponent or you have quick ha...
A mid-range jump shot can complete your offensive scoring package in basketball and make you tough to guard. The mid-range jumper is even more valuable now because fewer players use it and even fewer are effective with the shot...
Phil Jackson always will be remembered as one of the best coaches in NBA history. Even as a gangling player, he had the ability to understand and react to Basketball's many intricacies. "Basketball, unlike football with its pre...
Making the school's basketball team requires developing skills in several of the sport's basic areas -- such as ball-handling, shooting and rebounding -- well before tryouts begin. You can increase your chances of making the te...
Basketball requires a large degree of unselfishness from its players if a team is going to be successful. That unselfishness manifests itself in a number of ways, including setting screens, going to the boards, and making passe...
Basketball is as much technical work and strategy as it is physical. Basketball players must establish and maintain effective defensive position to successfully play defense. Physical prowess and tenacity are important, but the...
The game of Basketball requires speed, power and endurance from its players, but those physical traits can be built in plenty of places beyond a gym or weight room. Basketball players can build strength and explosiveness throug...
Picking up a basketball and launching it toward the rim is the easiest way to shoot, but it is not an effective method. You need to have the proper lift off the floor, which is the first step in becoming a dangerous shooter. On...
Basketball tryouts test a player's skills and conditioning in an intense, pressure-packed environment. To survive grueling sessions of conditioning, drills and scrimmages, a player needs plenty of energy and fluids from his pre...
A proper, well-timed pre-game meal can improve a player's competitive performance. The right foods and drinks can provide body fuels that helps players maintain a consistently high energy level throughout the game. A good pre-g...
... muscle on the front of your thigh, contracts while straightening out your knee. This occurs when running, climbing or squatting. Strong hamstrings contribute to power in all female sports, including basketball and volleybal...
By the fifth grade, many basketball players are youth league veterans. They have a firm handle on the rules and rhythm of the game. They have adjusted fully to 10-foot rims and the size of the court. But they are still polishin...
When playing defense in basketball, it is important to keep your hands active in order to clog the passing lanes and get steals. To do this, your hands should always be out at your sides when you are in a defensive stance and ...
Improving your jump shot will help you to become a more effective basketball player. If you want to play the game seriously, practice it in gyms and play competitively in indoor arenas. That way the elements are the same every ...
The two-hand overhead pass is a basketball move designed to start an offensive possession and trigger a fast offensive attack. A defensive player gets the rebound, moves the ball to an overhead position and then fires a two-han...
An old sports axiom states "defense wins championships." Whether true or not, the sentiment seems to extend across all sports, with coaches constantly striving to limit the opposition's scoring chances. And despite all the vari...
Good jump shooting fundamentals are universal. Players generate power with their legs, and release the ball with their fingertips and finger pads of their shooting hand, using their other hand as a guide. The elbow angle and re...
In beginning basketball leagues, the majority of scoring comes from making layups. That's because, even though kids are full of energy and eager to play, the success rate of making 10- or 15-foot shots on a basket 10 feet up in...
You don't have to be a gym rat to improve your basketball skills. There are basic, and easy, drills that can help even the rawest player elevate his game. Before you can motor down the court dribbling the basketball behind your...
Sharpening your ball-handling skills and dribbling fundamentals gives you a decided advantage over any defensive player. It is important to learn which type of dribble to use in a given situation. Some types of dribbles are des...
All coaches know that they need a consistent and productive defense to build a winning team. No matter how talented a player is on the offensive end, that same player must come through with a strong effort on defense to give hi...
Size is a factor in basketball that can regularly give a team advantage over its opponent. However, smaller teams can use speed, quickness, athleticism and decisiveness to gain advantage over an opponent. Teams may employ a sma...
Slamball follows similar rules to basketball but with one significant change: The court contains trampolines at ground level. With the extra height gained from trampoline jumps, slamball has major safety risks. That means weari...
Mark Wilson is a professional golfer who resides in Elmhurst, Ill. Wilson admires Ben Hogan, in part because both Wilson and Hogan are both 5 feet 8 inches tall. Wilson emulated Hogan's swing as a young golfer. He succeeded ve...
Whether you are an amateur or professional, the game of basketball changes depending on the type of surface on which it is played. Because concrete and hardwood affect the bounce of a ball differently, your indoor basketball sk...
John Wall is a professional basketball player with the NBA's Washington Wizards. After a distinguished high school career, Wall enrolled at the University of Kentucky. After only one season with the Wildcats, he entered the NBA...
The lateral slide is an exercise working the primarily the cardiovascular system and quadriceps. This exercise is often used in basketball and baseball drills during practice to build strong legs, endurance and speed. No specia...
Conceived in the 1890s as a female alternative to basketball, netball pits two teams against one another in an attempt to score goals by shooting a ball through a basket. However, netball uses a smaller ball -- closer to a socc...
The layup is a high-percentage shot in basketball and one of the fundamental skills on offense. Layups can be difficult because a player must penetrate the defense and possess the ball very close to the basket, where defenders ...
Proper nutrition is essential every day of the week, but especially on game day if you're an athlete. Basketball games can drain your body of energy quickly if you don't show up prepared. Games are quick-paced and physically de...
The sport of Basketball requires five basic skills. While some players might be more experienced with some skills than others, it is best to have at least some ability in all five areas. Basketball is a fast-paced game that req...
Dribbling is an important skill in basketball because it is the only way for a player to advance or move the ball individually. Players must be able to dribble while moving fast and control the ball all while keeping their eyes...
The rules of basketball intend for the game to be contested with five players to a team, utilizing five athletes at five different positions, each with their own unique set of strengths and skills. However, whether due to menta...
Underhand layup is a basketball shooting technique. Layups are shots taken from under or to the side of the basket and aimed to bank off the backboard. Low-post basketball shooting techniques include several layup techniques, s...
Fifth grade boys tend to have short attention spans, particularly if stuck in a long, boring basketball practice. When coaching fifth graders, it's important to make practice drills fun so the players stay interested and engage...
You can't run before you can walk and you can't play basketball before you can dribble. Handling the basketball is the first step toward playing the game, but it's not a skill that comes easily. Fortunately, there are plenty of...
By the time they reach fifth grade, youth basketball players have a love for the game and a general understanding of the rules, but typically lack a strong foundation of fundamental skills. Performing a few simple practice dril...
Playing basketball is a good way to burn calories while having fun with others, but having sneakers that don't fit well can make your ankles hurt. If your sneakers are biting into your ankles and leaving blisters or sores, ther...
Determining the keys to winning consistently in basketball keeps many head coaches up late at night. As the coach puts together and develops his team, he wants a cohesive team with players that bring out the best in each other....
Passing the ball in basketball requires touch, vision, dexterity and strength. Good teams have players who look to pass the ball to the open player to take the ball to the basket or get a good look for a jump shot. You can pass...
Breaking a zone defense is vital to any team that regularly faces an opponent that tries to "pack it in" and take away the interior offensive game. When a team has a strong inside attack with big men who can score or aggressive...
The five positions in basketball -- point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center -- all utilize different skill sets and different body types. But when players on a basketball team fulfill their roles at...
In basketball, point guards handle most of the dribbling chores, bringing the ball up the court and distributing it to teammates. Yet even shooting guards, forwards and centers should possess strong ballhandling skills, as bein...
Basketball players are expected to make layups without missing. One of the first things coaches look at when a new group of players shows up in the gym for tryouts is the ease with which players make layups. Those who glide to ...
While basketball permits a zone defense and football uses the zone as part of pass coverage, the specific term "zonal defending" refers to a strategy of marking the offense in soccer. Given the vastness of outdoor soccer fields...
The crossover dribble, often referred to as a cross, is one of the most effective moves for any basketball player. The move is used to create an opening for the dribbler to pass, shoot or drive to the basket. A player who is ab...
The layup is the easiest shot in basketball. When a player gets an opportunity to shoot a layup, he is taking the ball on a fast break or after receiving a pass from a teammate right to the basket and laying it in off the backb...
Dunking a basketball is one of the most athletic and challenging things you can do in sports. In order to dunk, players must jump high enough to get the basketball well over the rim. It is even more difficult to do any dunk var...
Your shooting ability is the most important skill for becoming a successful offensive basketball player. The ability to shoot a basketball accurately and consistently helps your team score points and results in a better winning...
Professional basketball star Tony Parker, a key factor in the three NBA championships won by the San Antonio Spurs in the first decade of the 21st century, is well-known for his exploits on and off the court. Parker, who turns ...
The difference between boys and girls basketball increases at the high school level because to the widening physical differences between the genders. The structure of the game is similar for boys and girls, but the pace and ath...
Basketball can be intimidating for a child who is unfamiliar with the competitive nature of sports. Despite encouragement from parents and coaches, some children have difficulty getting into the action as other players dribble,...
For athletes who play sports involving inflatable balls, such as soccer and basketball, the relationship between the amount of air in the ball and its bounce is important. Aside from purposeful inflation and deflation, ambient ...
The NBA regulation basketball rim height is 10 feet. However, most baskets can be adjusted so you can play on a net that is higher or lower than 10 feet. By understanding how the height of the rim affects your shot, you can imp...
Proficiency in tennis takes skill, practice and dedication. But you don't have to be on a team or even play against an opponent regularly to develop the skills and competency you need to become a good player. Practicing tennis ...
Many basketball shoe companies have boasted claims of higher jumping and rebounding results because of their shoe technology. Designs have included air pockets, springs and miniature catapult mechanisms. While clever marketing ...
Every basketball player needs to have a jump shot in his or her arsenal. According to The Coach's Clipboard, jump shots are the most common basketball shot used today. Jump shots allow the shooter to get more shots off with a q...
Any zone press, including a half-court zone press, is "applied to cause turnovers, change the tempo, and to simply create chaos for the offense," according to the HoopsU.com website. The half-court zone press is a tremendous we...
The two basic defenses in basketball are man-to-man, sometimes referred to as person-to-person in respect for the rise of women's basketball, and zone. Each basic defense has a number of variations. Many coaches prefer the man-...
The slam dunk is one of the most exciting plays in basketball, but it wasn't used until the 1970s when NBA players such as Julius "Dr. J" Erving made it famous. Today, basketball players from almost all levels dunk. The ability...
At the third- and fourth-grade level, teams range from beginning recreation-level squads to fairly advanced select teams that travel to tournaments. Coaches should tailor practice drills and team schemes to the relative skill l...
To improve your basketball performance, you must spend hours practicing individual drills and with your team. One aspect which is often overlooked, however, is strength training. Strength is crucial for optimizing your performa...
A long basketball season can be grueling. Players start practicing in October and may play through June at the professional level. High school basketball players compete through March and may be playing or practicing five days ...
Fundamental defensive principles require a basketball team to always stop the ball and first defend the paint -- the area inside the lane lines from the baseline to the free-throw line -- and then the perimeter. However, when a...
One of the most impressive parts of basketball is watching a player's hang time. Not only do you want to see who can hang in the air the longest, but also want to know how to get that long hang time. When you understand the sci...
