Basketball Fundamentals and Techniques

Posted on Dec 3, 2024 in Physical Education

Basic 1: Position Player in Attack


1.1. Without the Ball:


  • Marginal Vision: Observe and understand the entire court.
  • Feet: Shoulder-width apart, weight distributed mostly forward.
  • Legs: Knees bent, low center of gravity.
  • Trunk: Straight and leaning forward.
  • Arms: Away from the body, bent.
  • Head: Upright.


1.2. With the Ball:


  • A) Triple Threat: Shooting hand foot forward, arms bent, head up, straight trunk, ball at hip height, be decisive and pressure the defense.
  • B) Ball Up: Used to reverse the ball. With the ball held up, you can see all around and don’t need the triple threat. Useful for bouncing or throwing out of bounds.
  • C) Ball Below: Legs spread with the ball between them, head up, use feints and dribbling to gain an advantageous position.
  • D) Ball in the Neck: Protect the ball by holding it near your neck.
  • E) Changing the Ball from Side to Side: Around the waist, close to the body, held firmly. Practice moving the ball low, between the legs, above the head, and behind the back.


2. Securing and Controlling the Ball:


  • 2.1. Securing: Hold firmly with fingertips, not palms. Thumb and index finger form a 90-degree angle around the ball. Cover as much of the ball as possible.
  • 2.2. Control: Command the ball with both hands, maintaining awareness of its position.
  • 2.3. Protection: Use body pivots and elbows to shield the ball, whether attacking or under pressure from the defense.


3. Footwork in Attack:


  • 3.1. Pivot: A quick body movement forward, pushing off one foot while the other moves forward. The trunk leans for speed. Speed depends on reaction time and power.
    • Direct: Pivot foot points in the desired direction.
    • Reverse: Pivot foot points opposite the desired direction.
  • 3.2. Jumping:
    • 3.2.1. Without the Ball:
      • Two-Foot Jump: Both feet contact the ground simultaneously, body slightly back, low jump with bent knees, feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, torso straight, head up.
      • Step or Hop: First step compensates for speed, weight shifts to the other foot, same details as above.
    • 3.2.2. With the Ball:
      • Jump Stop: Hold the ball outside the body (except when dribbling), land on both feet simultaneously, one foot slightly ahead.
  • 3.3. Pivoting: Performed with a fixed (pivot) foot and a moving (free) foot. Once the pivot foot is chosen, it remains planted until the ball is released (unless shooting). Pivot on the forefoot, maintain balance, head up, and rotate the entire body.
    • Front or Outside Pivot: Pivot on the toe.
    • Back or Inside Pivot: Pivot on the heel.
  • 3.4. Changing Direction Without the Ball: Used to cover distance or distract the defender. Can be normal or reverse.
    • 3.4.1. Normal Change of Direction: Step opposite the desired direction, two-foot stop, opposite leg steps forward in the new direction, pivot on the front foot, two options:
      • Crossover Step: Front foot steps ahead of the defender.
      • Open Step: Rear foot moves with a short, quick step.
    • 3.4.2. Reverse Change of Direction: Counterclockwise movement, two-foot stop, foot closest to the new direction steps forward, reverse pivot with a large step, leaving the defender behind.
  • 3.5. Change of Pace: Abruptly changing speed.
  • 3.6. Fake Reception: Used to gain an advantageous position.
    • 3.6.1. Single: Two-foot stop with the foot closest to the baseline forward, create a clear passing lane, offer the hand furthest from the defender, and once received, face the basket in a triple threat position.
    • 3.6.2. Backdoor Cut: If the defender anticipates the pass, perform a two-foot stop and a strong, explosive change of direction.


4. Passing:


  • 4.1. General Aspects of a Good Passer: Choose the right pass, execute it well, know when to pass, master all types of passes.
  • Key Principles: Concentration, avoid telegraphing the pass (use peripheral vision), pass quickly and accurately, find a good angle, use fakes to improve the angle, locate teammates.
  • 4.2. Passing Angle: A good passing angle exists when there is a clear path between passer and receiver. The passer should look for the receiver, and the receiver should actively seek the ball. The defender should have minimal chance of interception.
  • 4.3. Receiver Stationary or Moving:
    • Stationary: The pass goes directly to the receiver’s requested position. The pass must be precise, and the receiver must move towards the ball.
    • Moving: The pass should lead the receiver, anticipating their speed and the defender’s speed.
  • 4.4. Two-Handed Chest Pass: Safe and fast, for all distances.
    • Execution: Balanced attack position, don’t look at the target, elbows relaxed, slight downward-upward rotation of the ball, extend arms with a flick of the wrist, arms fully extended, hands open, palms facing outward and down.
    • Errors: Crossing arms, telegraphing the pass, passing with the dominant hand, not flicking the wrist.
  • 4.5. One-Handed Chest Pass:
    • Execution: Hand forward, ball held with both hands, non-passing hand behind the ball, extend arm and flick wrist, hand open, palm facing down.
    • Errors: Crossing feet in front of the defender, pivoting foot across the front of the defender.
  • 4.6. Two-Handed Bounce Pass: Start in the basic position, hips low, or a triple threat (back), arms forward and down, flick the wrists, palms facing the floor and out. The ball bounces about 2/3 of the total distance. For short-medium distances.
  • 4.7. One-Handed Bounce Pass: Similar to the one-handed chest pass, but the arm is projected towards the floor. Short-medium distances.
  • 4.8. Overhead Pass: Ball held above the head with both hands, slightly forward (elbows forward, thumbs back), extend arms and flick wrists. Short-medium distances. Common errors include holding the ball behind the head and crossing arms.
  • 4.9. Behind-the-Back Pass: Quick motion with a flick of the wrist, fingers open, palm up. Short-medium distances.
  • 4.10. Baseball Pass: Long distances. Hold the ball with both hands near the ear, passing hand behind the ball, passing hand leg forward, as the strong arm moves forward with the back leg, catch the ball with both hands at shoulder height, release the ball before the support leg lands, the ball’s trajectory should be slightly parabolic.
  • 4.11. Handoff Pass: Delivering the ball to a teammate. Protect the ball by keeping it away from the defender and teammate.


5. Shooting:


  • 5.1. General: Shooting should feel natural. Control the ball with both hands and know when and where to shoot. Shoot when necessary, not excessively.
  • 5.2. Basic Shooting Position: Body weight balanced, feet spread comfortably at shoulder width, don’t look at the ball, push gently with fingertips, open hand, elbow away from the body, release the ball from the side, not in front, don’t raise the ball above hip height, opposite arm in a normal position.
  • 5.3. Jump Shot: For longer shots, lean slightly forward, ball at hip height, head up. Can be combined with a fake.
  • 5.4. Protected Shot: Flexed position, leg and arm opposite the defender forward, position body between defender and ball. Feet shoulder-width apart, weight distributed back, back straight, head up. Release the ball at knee height.
  • 7. Shooting Mechanics:
    • Feet: Shoulder-width apart, pointing forward, shooting-hand foot slightly ahead.
    • Legs: Knees bent, knees over toes.
    • Trunk: Slightly forward.
    • Ball Placement: Slightly above temple level, shooting arm bent at a 90-degree angle, forearm and wrist pointing down. Elbow, knee, and foot aligned vertically with the hoop. Ball rests on the fingertips of the shooting hand.
    • Non-Shooting Arm: Bent, supporting the ball at the side, elbow slightly open and relaxed, fingers extended forming a “T”.
    • Head: Neck straight and relaxed, head up, eyes on the basket.
    • Final Arm Action:
      1. Shooting arm moves up and forward.
      2. Wrist propels the ball with all five fingers extended.
      3. Fingers point towards the hoop.
      4. Non-shooting hand provides seamless support.
      5. Arms follow through towards the basket.
  • 7.2. Jump Shot: Same mechanics as above. Four phases:
    1. Jump: Vertical jump without leaning, maintain balance, feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold.
    3. Release: At the highest point of the jump, complete the follow-through, protect the ball with feet.
    4. Landing: Land in the same spot as the takeoff, arms extended towards the basket.
  • 7.3. Frequent Errors: Feet too close together or too far apart, knees not aligned with feet, elbow out, not looking at the basket.
  • 7.4. Hook Shot: Useful near the basket. Start with your back to the basket, balanced position, back straight, feet apart and bent. Raise the ball to head level with the shooting hand underneath.
    • Release: Extend the arm upward almost fully, flicking the wrist towards the ring.
  • 7.5. Jump Hook: Identical to the hook shot, but with a jump. Maintain a lateral body position relative to the basket. Land with arms extended.
  • 7.6. Free Throw: Requires concentration, confidence, relaxation, and a consistent routine. Continuous movement from feet to fingers, no jumping.
  • 8. Layup:
    • 8.1. Layup Mechanics: Approach the basket from the right side with the right foot and then the left foot. The first step is long, the second is shorter. The leg, hand, and knee on the shooting side drive upwards towards the basket.
      • Underhand Layup: Shooting hand under the ball, gently guiding it into the basket.
      • Normal Layup: Similar to a shot, aiming towards the backboard with a flick of the wrist.
    • 8.2. Reverse Layup: Usually performed parallel to the backboard or by pulling back and throwing the ball off the backboard.