Dribbling Cues
Shooting Cues
ORIGIN
Dr. James Naismith introduced basketball to a class at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, on December 1, 1891, and this is the date generally accepted for the invention of the game. The first men’s institute of higher learning to play basketball was Geneva College, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1892. By 1905 the game was firmly entrenched in the athletic programs of many colleges. The game first started with shooting a soccer ball into a peach basketball. Once a team scored, someone would have to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball before play resumed. Spalding and Brothers company was asked in 1894 to create the first basketball to which they still make basketballs today. Iron hoops and hammock-style baskets were introduced in 1893. A decade later the innovation of open-ended nets put an end to manually retrieving the ball from the basket after a score.
RULES OF THE GAME
The recommended size of the playing court is as follows: college and professional teams 50’ X 94’; high school teams 50’ X 84’. The free throw lane is 12 feet in width. The baskets are placed 10 feet above the playing floor. The inside diameter of the basketball rim is 18 inches. The ball must be spherical, with the maximum circumference of 30 inches and a minimum of 29 ½ inches. The women’s ball is smaller.
SCORING AND TIMING
The length of the game shall be as follows: College: 2 halves of 20 minutes with a 15 minute intermission between halves; High School: 4 quarters of 8 minutes with a 10 minute intermission between halves and one minute between the 1st and 3rd quarter.
A field goal is a goal made from the court (field) and scores two points when made from inside the 3 point arc. A free throw is a goal, or attempt to score, made from the free throw line after a foul, which if successful counts for one point. A field goal made outside the designated 3-point line scores 3 points.
Time-outs are restricted to a total of four. One additional time-out may be granted each team for an overtime period. Overtime periods occur if there is a tie score after regulation time expires. High School overtimes are 3 minutes in length while college overtimes are 5 minutes in length.
The tip-off is used only to start a game. After the start, the game follows the alternate possession rule when two player have simultaneous possession “jump ball” and after each quarter.
SKILL KNOWLEDGE
Shooting (Layup)
The layup is a shot from close range usually taken at the end of a dribble. It’s best if the backboard can be used. When approaching the basketball hoop, most players will aim for the top corner of the square target on the backboard on the side the are approaching from (e.g. right side shot will bounce off top right corner of square target on backboard). If shooting with your right hand, your right knee should go up as well during the shot. Likewise if using your left hand to shoot the lay-up. Since it is taken from such close range, a high degree of accuracy should be expected.
Shooting (Jump shot)
The jump shot is considered the most effective shot in basketball. The jump shot gained popularity in the early 1950’s, long after the games developed. We learned the acronym of B.E.E.F. in class to help us remember the proper shooting technique. “B” stands for balance. Before you shoot the basketball you want your feet shoulder width apart and you do not want to fade as you jump up to take the shot. The knees should be slightly bent. “E” stands for eyes. You want to keep your eyes focused on your target, even after releasing the basketball. If you are performing a jump shot (without backboard), your eyes should be focused on the rim. If you are performing a shot off the backboard, your eyes should be focused on the top corner of the square as it provide a target for you to shoot in the correct area. “E” stands for elbow. You want to keep your elbow tucked in and you want the bottom of your arm to be parallel to the ground. This creates more consistency when shooting. Remember to make a U-shape with your entire arm and have a small pocket between your palm and basketball. “F” stands for follow-through. As you release the ball you want the hand and arm to follow through to the target. For example, act like you are grabbing a cookie out of the cookie jar. This will help the ball fly in a straight pattern. Your non-shooting hand (a.k.a. guide hand) has no influence on projecting the ball towards the hoop. Instead this hand’s purpose is to help steady the ball on the shooting hand.
Shooting (Free throw)
The free throw shot occurs after a player has been fouled or after a technical foul has been called. The free throw shot behind the free throw line which is 15 feet from the basket in which no opposing team member may defend the shot. This type of shot is performed without jumping to increase accuracy but also follows all jump shot techniques.
Passing
The passes, or variations there of, most often used in basketball are the chest pass, the bounce pass, the baseball pass, and the over-the-head pass. Each has its own advantages and it must be learned when to use each pass. Each type of pass has virtually the same type of technique. You want to take a step towards your target when passing. This allows your lower body to generate momentum and create velocity on the pass. As you release the ball you want to finish with your thumb fingers pointed down and your palms facing outward. The bounce pass is the slowest of the passes and should bounce ¾ of the way to your target so the ball is rising up to your teammate. The ball can be moved faster via. the pass than by dribbling.
Dribbling
In class we covered right hand/left hand dribbling keeping in mind that the ball should be pushed with our finger pads, not palm. The ball should also stay waist high for more control and always remember to protect the ball with your opposite hand. Eyes should be up and you should be in an athletic stance at all times. We also covered three dribbling moves called the crossover, between-the-legs, and behind the back. These are used to move the ball from one side of the body to the other as quick and decisive as possible.
Defense
There are two basic defenses in basketball--the man-to-man defense and the zone defense. In man-to-man defense a player is responsible for guarding primarily one offensive player while helping out on others. In zone defense, one person is responsible for guarding a specific area of the court. Teams play a zone defense if they feel they need additional help guarding the basket (paint area)
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
It is a violation to:
1. Dribble again after a player’s first dribble is ended. (double dribble)
2. Remain for more than three seconds in the free throw lane on the offensive end of the court while a player on his/her team has possession of the ball.
3. Fail to advance the ball across midcourt line within 10 seconds.
4. Cause the ball to go to the backcourt after advancing it across the midcourt line.
5. Touch the basket or the ball while the ball is on or immediately above the goal.
6. Move into the circle before the jump ball is touched by one of the jumpers.
7. Step into the free throw lane area before the free throw shooter releases the ball.
8. Leave the designated sport of throw in when passing the ball in from out-of-bounds.
9. Not passing the ball in bounds in 5 seconds once it is received from referee.
10. Take over one step with the ball without dribbling. (traveling)
11. Kick the ball or strike it with the fist.
A personal foul is called if:
1. A player holds, pushes, charges, or trips an opponent.
2. A person dribbling charges into an opponent who has his/her feet in a set position on the floor.
3. A player who screens is not stationary or does not take a position at least a normal step behind the defender.
4. Swings his/her elbows and makes contact with an opponent or deliberately swings his/her elbows and does not hit anyone.
In general, the personal foul is charged to the player who causes bodily contact, whether he/she is an offensive or defensive player. The penalty is one or more free throws depending upon whether the player is shooting and how many fouls his/her team has committed in the half. If a player is fouled in the act of shooting, two free throws are awarded unless the try is successful, in which case only one free throw is awarded. If the foul occurs on a three point try, 3 free throws are awarded. In high school games, if the foul is the team’s 7th foul during the half, a bonus free throw is awarded id the first attempt is successful. If a team commits 10 or more fouls in one half, the opposing team will be in double bonus which they will get two free throws for each personal foul.
PLAYER/POSITIONS
Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.
Offensive Responsibilities -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking defenders, known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get some offensive rebounds and put-backs.
Defensive Responsibilities-- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.
Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.
Offensive Responsibilities-- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.
Defensive Responsibilities -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.
Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.
Offensive Responsibilities -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.
Defensive Responsibilities-- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out.
TERMINOLOGY
Bank, bank shot: A shot that hits the backboard first and caroms off it into the basket
Baseball pass: A long one-handed pass to a receiver up court
Baseline: The end line of the basketball court, stretching between the sidelines and under the basket
Boxing out: Keeping an opposing player behind you so he or she cannot rebound the ball off a missed shot attempt
Charge: An infraction committed by the player with the ball when he or she dribbles or leaps into a defensive player who has established defensive position
Fast break: To advance the ball quickly up court in hope of scoring when more offensive than defensive players are in position to make a play
Field goal: Any score in basketball other than a free throw
Foul: A violation involving contact with another player (also technical fouls)
Free throw: An unguarded shot granted due to a foul from behind an established free throw line
Give and Go: A maneuver in which the offensive player makes a short pass to a teammate, and then goes in toward the basket and receives a pass in return
Outlet: The name of the pass to a player waiting in the clear after a defensive rebound (also could refer to that player or position on the floor)
Over and back: Crossing the midcourt line and returning or having the ball be thrown back over the midcourt line with last being touched by the defense
Pick: Stationing oneself so the defensive player guarding the ball handler will be unable to stay with the offensive player who has the ball without running into or going around the pick
Pivot: Planting a foot and rotating in a partial spin with the weight on the ball of the planted (pivot) foot
Player control foul: A personal foul committed by a player when he or she is in control of the ball
Point guard: The offensive player whose duty is to initiate the offense--usually from a spot near the top of the free throw circle. Typical point guards are usually small, quick, and posses great ball handling skills
Post, post man: A player who stations herself or himself near the lane. Typical post players are usually tall and can jump high
Shooting guard/forw. A player who stations herself or himself on the wings or side of the court. Typical shooting guards or shooting forwards are usually medium in size, good ball handling skills, and scorer
Press: To guard the ball as it is being moved up the court. Defense full-court typically puts pressure on an offense and forces them to make good passing decisions
Rebound: To secure possession of a ball as it comes off the board or rim following a missed shot
Screen: Similar to a pick, but usually away from the ball. Used to free a player to receive a pass in the open scoring position
Switching: A reversal or “switch” of individual defensive responsibilities
Ten-second line: The midcourt line for the purpose of enforcing the 10 second rule
Three seconds: The time allowed in the free throw lane once the ball is in the front court. Starts over when ball is rebounded by the offense or when the player in the lane steps out of the lane
Tip-off: Two people jump for the ball to start the game and establish who has possession first
Trap: Defensive term--to double team the ball handler, usually along the sideline of the court
Turnover: Losing possession of the basketball due to a violation of rules or the mishandling of the ball in dribbling or passing