Basketball Skills - Shooting, Rebounding, and Defensive Skills

This article contains a complete breakdown of shooting, rebounding, and defensive skills for the game of basketball. Each skill is clearly explained. I have also provided some practice games and drills to play in practicing each skill.

Basketball

1. Shooting- the primary way to score in basketball.
2. Point of Aim- There are 2 primary targets that can be used in shooting the basketball. (Backboard, rim)
3. One hand set shot- This shot is used for long range shots.
4. Jump Shot- the shot is a very effective weapon due to its high point of release.
5. Pressure Free throws-

                                                               i.      Teacher divides the class into 2 groups.

                                                             ii.      One group will begin as the shooting team and the other group will be the distracters. The shooting team picks a shooter to shoot two free throws.

                                                            iii.      If the shooter makes both free throws, the distracting team must run two lengths of the court. If the shooter makes one and misses one, both groups must run one length of the court.

                                                           iv.      If the shooter misses both free throws, the shooting group must run two lengths of the court.

                                                             v.      The distracting group now becomes the shooting team and chooses a shooter. This pattern continues until all players in each group get to shoot.

6. Lay-up- used when a player has received a pass close to the basketball goal or on a fast break.
7. Shuffle and Shoot- drills used to help students become more proficient.

                                                               i.      using 2 balls a player shuffles between 2 spots

                                                             ii.      pick up the basketball at each spot and shoot it

                                                            iii.      2 other students rebound and place the balls back where they were.

8. Rebounding- It is gaining possession of the ball after an unsuccessful shooting attempt.
9. Blocking out or Boxing out- Helps create a stable position, not allowing the opponent to get around.
10. Twenty-one- This is a fast-paced half-court game that requires three players

                                                               i.      Have player 1 shoot an uncontested shot from the free-throw line or the top of the key (depending on skill), while players 2 and 3 position themselves for a possible rebound.

                                                             ii.      Allow player 1 to shoot uncontested free throws, up to three in a row or until she misses, if the initial shot was made.

                                                            iii.      The ball goes "live" if player 1 misses. Whoever rebounds the ball must dribble it beyond the 3-point arc to "clear" the ball.

                                                           iv.      The winner is the first player to reach 21 points exactly. If a player is at 20 and misses a free throw, that player's score is reduced to 11.

11. Second Effort Drill- allows students to become more familiar with their rebounding techniques.

                                                               i.      Stand in front of the backboard with a partner holding a ball behind you.

                                                             ii.      On your partner’s command, jump high into the air as if rebounding.

                                                            iii.      After you jump, the partner tosses the ball against the backboard, forcing you to spring back up immediately to rebound.

12. Driving- means of getting past opponents by faking them off balance, accelerating, and dribbling hard past them.
13. Cutting- is a sharp angular movement involving starting, stopping, and changes of direction, which enables the player without the ball to get free without defenders.
14. Defense against a player that has the ball- weight low with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet.
15. Zone Defense- placement of players in designated areas on the court
16. Man to man defense- everyone has their own person to guard.
17. Pressing defense- harass opponents into making a mistake with the basketball.