The

“Basketball Is Fun”

A Basketball Instructional Fundamentals Program

“Basketball Is Fun”

The Basketball Instructional Fundamentals Program Curriculum (BIF)

The Basketball Instructional Fundamentals Program is a comprehensive sports education-training program for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. The BIF Program provides clear instruction on basic basketball fundamentals. The sessions are provided in age group appropriate settings with interactive participation. The program provides instruction in a friendly, helpful manner while nurturing fun while learning. Basketball can be intimidating if play inappropriately. The physical aspect of agility, size, height and inexperience can be daunting for anybody but especially for children. The BIF Program teaches them they can over come size, height, agility and inexperience with knowledge, position, conditioning and ability.

This program impacts other sport games. Basketball generally is the first sport most parents allow their boys and girls to play at a young age. In fact, at the elementary age children play basketball together. The BIF Program will provide instruction early in their lives that will carry over and impact other sport games. Boys who play basketball will eventually play football, soccer, baseball, etc., and girls play softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, etc. Teaching boys and girls that “Basketball Is Fun” the proper way, they will take that knowledge with them to the other sports they will play.

The BIF Program is presented in two learning segments with organized play at the end of the camps/clinics/sessions and a Speaker’s Bureau.

The segments are:

Rules

Fundamentals

Under Rules the program offer instruction and practical experience exercises on:

Court Knowledge (PowerPoint Presentation

and practical experience)

Sportsmanship (PowerPoint Presentation)

Rules (PowerPoint Presentation)

Under Fundamentals the program offers on court instruction and practical experience exercises on:

How to play basketball

Fundamentals on ball handling

Fundamentals on proper shooting

techniques

Playing Offense/Playing Defense

Agility Drills

Conditioning Drills

Segment One

Court Knowledge, Sportsmanship

and

Rules of the Game

The Court and Equipment

Court Dimensions: The playing court shall be a rectangular surface free from obstructions and with dimensions not greater than 94 feet in length by 50 feet in width. IDEAL MEASUREMENTS ARE: High School Age – 84 by 50 feet. These are the dimensions for the playing court only.

Sidelines, Endlines: The playing court shall be marked with sidelines, end lines and other lines as shown on the appended diagram. There shall be at least 3 feet (and preferably 10 feet) of unobstructed space outside boundaries. The sidelines and end lines shall be a minimum of 2 inches in width.

Center Restraining Circle, Dividing Line: A 2-inch wide restraining circle shall be drawn at the center of the court with a radius of 6 feet measured to the outside. Spaces for nonjumpers around the center restraining center are 36 inches deep. A division line 2 inches wide, shall divide the court into two equal parts.

Three-point Line: A three point field goal line, 2 inches wide in the form of a semi-circle, shall be drawn at each end of the court as shown on the appended court diagram. The semi-circle has a radius of 19 feet 9 inches from a point in the middle of the free-throw lane directly below the center of the basket. The semi-circle shall be extended with 2 inch wide line perpendicular to the end line, the length of which shall be 63 inches from the inside edge of the end line. The three-point field-goal line shall be the same color as the free-throw lane boundary line and free-throw semicircle.

Free-Throw Lane: A free-throw lane, 12 feet wide measured to the outside of each lane boundary and the semi-circle with the free-throw line as a diameter, shall be marked at each end of the court with dimensions and markings as shown on the appended court diagram. All lines designating the free-throw lane, but mot lane-spaced marks and neutral-zone marks, are part of the lane. The lane-space marks (2 inches by 8 inches) and neutral-zone marks (12 inches by 8inches) identify areas, which extend 36 inches from the outer edge of the lane toward the sideline. There are four lane spaces on each lane boundary line.

Free-throw Line: A free-throw line, 2inches wide, shall be drawn across both circles, which have an outside radius of 6 feet as shown on the appended court diagram. It shall be parallel to the end line and shall have its farthest edge 15 feet from the plane of the face of the backboard.

Backboards: The backboards shall be the same size at both ends of the court. The backboard shall be one of three types: (1) a rectangle 6 feet 6 feet horizontally and 4 feet vertically; or (2) a rectangle 6 feet horizontally and 31/2 feet vertically; or (3) a fan-shaped backboard, 54 inches wide and with 29 inch radius. Each backboard shall be of any rigid material. The front surface shall be flat and unless it is transparent, it shall be white. Tinted backboards are prohibited. Each backboard shall be midway between the sidelines, with the plane of its front face perpendicular to the floor, parallel to the end line, and 4 feet from it. The upper edge of the backboard shall be 13 feet above the floor for the rectangle, and 12 feet 8 inches for the fan-shaped. The bottom and side of the all-rectangle backboards shall be padded with a poly high carb vinyl-type material.

Basket Size: each basket shall consist of a single metal ring, 18 inches in inside diameter, its flange and braces, and a white-cord 12-mesh net, 15 to 18 inches in length, suspended from beneath the ring.

Ball: The ball shall meet the following specifications;

a. Its color shall be the approved orange shade or natural color.

b. It shall be spherical. (round)

c. It shall have a deeply pebbled cover with horizontally shaped panels bonded tightly to the rubber carcass.

d. The circumference shall be:

1. Within a minimum of 291/2 inches to maximum 30 inches for high school boys.

2. Within a minimum of 281/2 inches to a maximum of 29 inches for high school girls.

e. The weight shall be:

1. Within a minimum of 20 ounces to a maximum of 22 ounces for high school boys.

2. Within a minimum of 18 ounces to a maximum of 20 ounces for high school girls.

f. The black rubber rib separating the panels shall not exceed inch in width

g. The ball shall include the NFHS Authenticating Mark.

h. The ball shall be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped to the playing surface from a height of 6 feet, measures to the bottom of the ball, it shall rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than 49 inches when dropped to the floor.

i. The home team shall provide a ball, which meets the specifications.

j. The referee shall be the sole judge of the legality of the ball and may select a ball provided by the visiting team.

Sportsmanship

What exactly is Sportsmanship? Sportsmanship is hard to define, because it means so many things. The dictionary defines it as one who abides by the rules of a contest and accepts victory or defeat graciously. But a person doesn’t have to be so dramatic. Good sportsmanship can simply be not having bad sportsmanship. Sportsmanship may not win games for you, but bad sportsmanship can certainly lose games. Sportsmanship isn’t limited to just athletes. It extends to coaches, parents and fans. In fact when you look at everyone who is involved in a sports as a whole, the athletes themselves might be the best examples of good sportsmanship. Parents and fans are often the worst examples. It’s fine for parents and fans to be strong supporters of their teams, but many also stop being fans and start being fanatics. In sports, sportsmanship really needs to start with the adults, particularly the coaches and the parents.

In his book, What’s Wrong With Sports, Howard Cosell wrote, Sports have become a great emotional outlet and escape for the country. The industry, amateur and professional, has become so greedy and massive that it has lost perspective and suffered a decline in values. That was written 13 years ago and while much in sports has improved, that loss of perspective likely has not. The issue of poor sportsmanship is important in officiating because it could impact the very survival of what officials do.

Kids practice good sportsmanship when they treat their teammates, opponents, coaches and officials with respect. In practice, good sportsmanship often is about controlling one’s own frustrations, while being courteous to all other involved in the sports experience. That extends beyond the on field or on court participants to the coaches and other personnel on or near the bench. Being respectful and courteous are great goals, but true sportsmanship is not just being a nice person; it is much more important than that. It is about character.

Character is the core issue of sportsmanship. Developed by Michael Josephson, founder and president of the Josephson Institute of Ethics, The Pillars of Character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

1. Trustworthiness: Trustworthiness is the most complicated of the six core ethical values and concerns a variety of qualities like honesty, integrity, reliability and loyalty.

· Honesty--- There is no more fundamental ethical value than honesty. We associate honesty with people of honor, and we admire and rely on those who are honest. Honesty involves both communications and conduct. Honesty in communications is expressing the truth as best we know it and conveying it in a way likely to mislead or deceive.

· Integrity--- A person of integrity is undivided and complete. That means that the ethical person acts according to his or her belief’s, not according to expediency. Such people are also consistent. Their principles don’t vary at work or at home, in public or alone.

· Reliability--- When we make promises or other commitments that create a legitimate basis for another person to rely upon us. We undertake special moral duties. We accept responsibility of making all reasonable efforts to fulfill our commitments.

· Loyalty--- Some relationships---creates an expectation of allegiance, fidelity and devotion. Loyalty is a responsibility to promote the interest of certain people, organizations or affiliations. That duty goes beyond the normal obligations we all share to care for others.

2. Respect: People are not things, and everyone has a right to be treated with dignity. The Golden Rule--- do unto others as would have them do unto you--- nicely illustrates the Pillar of Respect. Respect prohibits violence, humiliation, manipulation and exploitation. It reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance and acceptance.

· Civility, Courtesy and Decency---- A respectful person is an attentive listener, although his or her patience with boorish behavior need not be endless (respect works both ways). Nevertheless, the resort to intimidation, coercion or violence except in extraordinary and limited situations to defend others, teach discipline, maintain order or achieve social justice. Punishment is used in moderation and only to advance social goals and purposes.

· Dignity and Autonomy--- People need to make informed decisions about their own lives. Don’t withhold information they need to do so. Allow all individuals, including maturing children, to have a say in the decision that affect them.

· Tolerance and Acceptance--- Accept individual differences and beliefs without prejudice. Judge other only on their character, abilities and conduct.

3. Responsibility: Life is full of choices. Being responsible means being in charge of our choices and thus, our lives. It means being accountable for what we do and who we are. It also means recognizing that our actions matter and we are morally on the hook for our consequences. Our capacity to reason and our freedom to choose makes us morally autonomous and, therefore, answerable for whether we honor or degrade the ethical principles that give life meaning and purpose. Ethical people show responsibility by being accountable, pursuing excellence and exercising self-restraint. They exhibit the ability to respond to expectations.

· Accountability--- An accountable person is not a victim and doesn’t shift blame or claim credit for the work of others. Such people consider the likely consequences of their behavior and associations. They recognize the common complicity in the triumph of evil when nothing is done to stop it. They lead by example.

· Pursuit of Excellence--- The pursuit of excellence has an ethical dimension when others rely upon our knowledge, ability or willingness to perform tasks safely and effectively.

· Self-Restraint---- Responsible people exercise self-control, restraining passions and appetites (such as hatred, gluttony, greed and fear) for sake of longer-term vision and better judgment. They delay gratification if necessary and never feel it’s necessary to “win at any cost.” They realize they are as they choose to be, every day.

4. Fairness: What is fairness? Most would agree that it involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality, openness and due process. Most would agree that it is unfair to handle similar matters inconsistently. Most would agree that it is unfair to impose punishment that is not commensurate with the defense. Disagreeing parties tend to maintain that there is only one fair position (their own, naturally). But essential fairness implies adherence to a balanced standard of justice without to one’s own feelings or inclinations.

· Process----- Process is crucial in settling disputes, both to reach the fairest results and to minimize complaints. A fair person scrupulously employs open and impartial processes for gathering and evaluating information necessary to make decisions. Fair people do not wait for the truth to come to them; they seek out relevant information and conflicting perspectives before making important judgments.

· Impartiality--- Decisions should be made without favoritism or prejudice.

· Equality---- An individual, company or society should correct mistakes, promptly and voluntarily. It is improper to take advantage of the weakness or ignorance of others.

5. Caring: Caring is the heart of ethics, and ethical decision-making. It is scarcely possible to be truly ethical and yet unconcerned with the welfare of others. Ethics is ultimately about good relations with other people. It is easier to love “humanity” than to love people. People who consider themselves ethical and yet lack a caring attitude toward individuals tend to treat others as instruments of their will. They rarely feel an obligation to be honest, loyal, fair or respectful except insofar as it is prudent for them to do so, a disposition that itself hints at duplicity and lack of integrity. A person who really cares feels an emotional response to both the pain and pleasure of others.

6. Citizenship: Citizenship includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a community. The good citizen knows the laws and obeys them, volunteers and stays informed on the issues of the day. The good citizen does more than his or her “fair” share to make society work. Josephson’s Six Pillars were written with young people in mind because young people are the most impressionable and are still forming their character. These ideals are applicable to all segments of society, especially when it comes to sportsmanship.

How Officials Impact Sportsmanship

The most obvious way officials influence behavior of others during a game is simply by making calls. That’s why officials are there, and the old cliché’ about only ever being able to please half the people at any given time is exactly right. Referees and umpires are not popular with participants and spectators no matter how good their officiating skills are, and they never will be. Making calls------ unpopular or otherwise----is the function of sports officials.

The less obvious way officials influence the behavior of others during a game has nothing to do with making calls, but has everything to do with not making calls. Officials are responsible for fostering poor sportsmanship when they deliberately ignore or make allowances for actions and behavior that leads to a negative sporting experience.

It’s a common scene in games these days: The official clearly warning a nearby coach that that’s enough. Maybe he’s putting up “the stop sign” with his hands. Maybe you can see him having a quiet word with the coach or player. But how effective are those warnings if there’s never any follow through? Referees with society’s nudging are softening. Some officials view the best path to success as the one that avoids the most controversy. The person who works a game but looks for every possible way to not be the bad guy----often to the detriment to the sport. When the situation calls for “T: he lets a player off with a warning to behave. When a player grabs every shirt in sight, he tell him he’d better not do it again…and again…. and again. This is the world of “next time” and many agree that it’s dangerous as it is make-believe. Turning a blind eye to certain behaviors can cause big problems not only in that single game but also for every official that comes afterward and every season afterward until it becomes nearly impossible to go back to the way it should be. If officials are tolerant of certain behaviors, those behaviors become ingrained and repeated. This program presents four main areas of concern that, if left unchecked by officials, could rapidly turn sports into a wasteland of poor behavior.

1. Taunting and Rough Play: Few game-related actions would set tempers flaring quicker than taunting and rough play. You can expect to see some sort of retaliation if one participant mocks or disrespects an opponent. Expect quicker retaliation if one player swings an elbow extra hard in the direction of his or her opponent. Nobody likes to be roughed up and a natural human instinct is to lash out when suffering a blow.

· Stop the problem before it starts. The officials can stem those retaliations by stepping in immediately and penalizing such actions. That way, the aggressor is dealt some payback within the scope of the game and the victimized athlete can more easily disengage from the brewing conflict.

2. Foul Language. “One man’s swear word is another man’s adjective”. Language can be a tough gray area for officials, for anyone for that matter. What’s offensive to me may not be offensive to you. Some people may be appalled at any remark that take the Lord’s name in vain; others might find more crude words, such as one in particular beginning with the letter ‘f’, as the height of foul language; still others may view slurs that disparage ethnic or racial origins as the really, really bad words.

· Before the penalty becomes the act: If you work to discourage foul language, who needs enforcement?

· Preventative officiating begins before the game starts: Set clear expectations during the pregame conference with coaches and captains.

· Primer for cracking down on foul language:

1. Volume---If the obscenity is shouted loudly enough for spectators or other non-participants to hear, assess the appropriate penalty (technical foul).

2. Context---- Sometimes it’s not what someone says, but how they say it. If the profanity is phrased differently and in one-on-one conversation, some leeway is appropriate, with only a suggestion that the player use different language to convey his compliant. Likewise, an under-the-breath reaction to a misplay would be best ignored.

3. Background---- Keep in mind the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Players from “rougher” areas should not be given carte blanche, but a little latitude is often called for in such situations.

4. Level of Play---- The younger the player the shorter the leash. Swearing is habitual. It is naïve to think a peewee player is penalized today won’t utter an onfield curse at the next level, but it sends a message that officials at all levels of play will have little tolerance for swearing.

5. Recognize good sportsmanship---- officials should recognize good sportsmanship as ardently as they penalize bad sportsmanship. Let the athlete and coaches know when they display “classy” behaviors. (A player who acknowledges hard but accidental conduct with an apology, or helps an opposing player up off the floor after a hard legal foul.)

What then is Sportsmanship?

Sportsmanship is a melding of several core values that almost everyone believes should guide the conduct of all involved in the game. Those core values include compassion, acceptance, honesty, pride, humility and understanding. One way players, fans and parents demonstrate sportsmanship when they win is to do so with grace, without over jubilation, and when they lose to do so with dignity without blaming others.

Sportsmanship is accepting the outcome without gloating or blaming, what then is the official’s role in developing, maintaining and supporting a climate where sportsmanship prevails? Our role is to establish clear, consistent and concise behavioral boundaries based upon the intent and philosophy of the code of conduct of the game in addition to its rules. The official can also provide the players a positive and decisive role model when it comes to unacceptable behavior. But above all this program reminds all who participates that, “Basketball Is Fun”.

Rules of the Game

Basketball is governed by procedures, violations and fouls. In each instance a consequence occurs. Having a clear understanding of the procedures, violations and fouls allow for the game of basketball to be played fair. To maintain the sound traditions of the sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the National Federation of state High school Associations writes playing rules for varsity competition among student-athletes of high school age. NFHS rules are used by education-based and non-education-based organizations serving children of varying skills levels who are high school age and younger. Every individual using these rules is responsible for prudent judgment with respect to each contest, athlete and facility, and each athlete is responsible for exercising caution and good sportsmanship.

Basketball Rules Fundamentals:

1. While the ball remains live, a loose ball always remains in control of the team whose player last had control, unless it is a try or tap for a goal.

2. Neither a team or any player is ever in control during a dead ball, jump ball, throw-in, or when the ball is in flight during a try or tap for a goal.

3. A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through unless cancelled by a throw-in violation or a player-control foul.

4. The jump ball, the throw-in and the free throw are the only methods of getting a dead ball live.

5. Neither the dribble nor traveling rule operates during the jump ball, throw-in or free throw.

6. It is not possible for a player to travel during a dribble.

7. The only infractions for which points are awarded are goaltending by the defense or basket interference at the opponent’s basket.

8. There are three types of violations and each has its own penalty.

9. A ball in flight has the same relationship to frontcourt or backcourt, or inbounds or out of bounds, as when it last touched a person or the floor.

10. Personal fouls always involve illegal contact and occur during a live ball, except a common foul by or on an airborne shooter.

11. The penalty for a single flagrant personal or flagrant technical foul is two free throws and disqualification plus awarding the ball to the opponents for a throw-in.

12. Penalties for fouls are administered in the order in which they occur.

13. A live-ball foul by the offense (team in control or last in control if the ball is loose), or the expiration of time for a quarter or extra period, causes the ball to become dead immediately, unless the ball is in flight during a try or tap for goal. The ball also becomes dead when a player-control foul occurs.

14. The first or only free throw violation by the offense causes the ball to become dead immediately.

15. A double personal foul involves only personal fouls and only two opponents; no free throws awarded and the ball is put in play at the point of interruption.

16. The official’s whistle seldom causes the ball to become dead (it is already ready dead).

17. “Continuous motion” applies both to tries and taps for field goals and free throws, but it has no significance unless there is a foul by the defense during the interval which begins when the habitual trying and tapping movement starts and ends when the ball is clearly in flight.

18. Whether the clock is running or is stopped has no influence on the counting of a goal.

19. A ball which touches the front face or edges of the backboard is treated the same as touching the floor inbounds, except that when the ball touches the thrower’s backboard, it does not constitute a part of a dribble.

20.If the ball goes through the basket before or after a player-

control foul, the goal shall not be counted.

Getting Ready to Play:

To play basket ball well, you’ve got to be in top physical condition. There is no way around this. Basketball is a game of running and jumping, of speed and quickness, of switching instantly from offense to defense. Players sometimes have to go at full speed for many minutes on end.

To play basketball, you must realize there is much more to basketball than just shooting. Everyone should begin by running. Basketball is a game of endurance and stamina, along with the individual skills. A tired player cannot perform well. So every young player must begin by getting themselves in running condition.

· Warm Up: Young players should be sure to warm up. Stretching muscles is all important. Toe touching one. Spread your feet comfortably apart and keep your knees straight. Bend and touch each hand to the opposite toe slowly and hold the position. Lying on your back and raising your legs in various movements can stretch leg, back and stomach muscles. To increase strength young players can easily do pushups and pull-ups. Squeezing a rubber ball will help strengthen hands and forearms.

· Wind Sprints: Wind sprints of perhaps 20 or 30 yards are a good idea. Sprint as hard as you can one way, stop, turn, and then sprint back. You can sometimes shorten the distance and maybe sprint ten yards, then stop, then go 15. This way, you will be varying the distances that you have to run hard, just as you will in a game.

· Jump Rope: One of the best exercises a young basketball player can do is jump rope. It not only helps a player to increase stamina and endurance, but it helps with jumping ability and coordination as well.

· Side-To-Side and Backwards Movement: Young players can practice side-to-side movements. They can do this by “sliding” to the side, not crossing one leg in front of the other. There are times when the movement will involve the crossover step. The same with the backpedaling movement. Short, but quick steps are the best way.

· A Well-Balanced Diet: It is important to eat well during an action-packed, busy season. A well-balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy snacks and plenty of water and juices. Avoid too much junk food, fried and greasy foods, and sugary snacks.

· Get Rest: Because you are playing a sport that takes a great deal of energy, you must always be sure to get enough rest.

Segment 2

Fundamentals

Ball Handling: Ball handling is an important proficiency skill that must be mastered to become a good basketball player. It is only through effective ball handling that the player is able to score and scoring is what wins the game. In this section we define the different ways to handle the basketball within the scope of the game.

Dribbling: Dribbling or bouncing the basketball has been an important skill ever since the beginning of the game. Today, every player on a team must be able to “put the ball on the floor”. That means to dribble. It means to be able to handle the ball with both hands. In fact, the skill should be almost automatic. The player should not have to look at the ball as or she bounces it. The player should be able to change hands quickly, as well as go behind his back and between his legs if he has to. Yet this is not a skill that comes easily. To become a good ball handler takes a great deal of practice. There are many ways a new player can practice on his own. But he also has to be able to use the skill under game conditions, with a defensive player breathing down his back.

The basic rule of dribbling is to keep the ball low. The ball should never bounce higher than your waist. In fact, when dribbling in heavy traffic, you can also get low, bending forward from the waist and at the knees. A lower center of gravity gives you more control of the ball and makes it more difficult for a defender to steal it. When dribbling keep your fingers spread. The tips of the fingers control the ball. As the ball comes up off the floor, you should meet it with your hand, giving slightly as the ball hits. Within a split second, the fingers push the ball back towards the floor. The forearm, from the elbow to the fingertips, will move in a kind of pumping action during basic bouncing of the ball. A young player learning to dribble should repeat this motion with both hands, simply bouncing the ball up and down. At that point the dribble will begin to feel natural.

Dribbling Skill Drill---- (1) To be able to dribble the ball well with both hands without really looking at it takes many hours of practice. One good drill is to blindfold yourself and practice handling the ball without looking. Pretty soon the ball will began to feel as if it’s part of your hand and arm. (2) Another good drill is to practice while kneeling. Bouncing the ball a shorter distance to the floor will help the young player to get the feel of the ball with both hands. The player can also get used to the pumping, dribbling motion of the arm and hand.

Once the player feel comfortable bouncing the ball, they must now learn how to move with the ball while bouncing it. Do this by bouncing the ball slightly in front of yourself, walking as you do so. This walking drill can be practiced in all directions. Begin walking forward, then backward, then to the right and left. While you are dribbling at this slow pace, look down at the ball as little as possible. Feel it, as if it is part of your arm and hand. The next step is to speed everything up. Began moving faster with the ball. You will keep picking up the pace until you can run full speed while still dribbling. At that point, you can do your wind sprints with the basketball.

Once you have mastered the basic s of dribbling with both hands, then you can really begin to improve. A good dribbler will be able to switch the ball from one hand to the other in the blink of an eye. A good dribbler must be able to change speed quickly. To accelerate to go past a defender, the dribbler “leans into the dribble” as the player attempts to past the defender. Other dribbling moves; one is to change hands on the dribble by completely turning your back to an opponent. If you are coming at an opponent while dribbling with your right hand, you can turn to the right quickly. As you do, pick the ball up with your left hand as you make the turn. Complete the turn so your back is to your opponent and come out of it dribbling to the left with the left hand. Done quickly, this reverse dribble can be a tough move to stop; changing hands by swinging the ball behind the back is another eye-catching move. It can also be an effective one, but takes practice. In this maneuver, instead of changing hand by bouncing the ball across your body, you will bounce it behind. It may also help at first to bend at the knees, into nearly a sitting position. Then try to bounce the ball close behind your heels as you can. The ball should come up just behind your hip, where you can easily reach back with the left hand to get it. Then you can begin moving left. All of these dribbling maneuvers take lots of practice. Each coach may have different ball-handling drills for his players, but any drill that allows players to change hands and direction will make them better dribblers. As the player begin to play the game, he or she will learn to protect the ball wit your body and by dribbling away from your opponents. Keeping the ball in the right place will become second nature. You will hardly have to look at the ball at all. It will be a part of you.

Passing---- Every young player learning how to play the game of basketball must learn how to pass the basketball. Dribbling is not the fastest way to move a basketball. A player who dribbles too much is going to slow his team’s attack. The skill that means the most in a good offense is passing. Skillful passing is the trademark of every good team. Passing keeps the defense off-balance and often frees players for open shots. Every young person learning how to play the game of basketball must learn how to pass. That means knowing the various kinds of passes and when to use them. There are four basic types of passes. They are the chest pass, the bounce pass, the baseball pass and the overhead pass. Each has a purpose and a place where it should be used.

· The chest pass or two-handed chest pass --- is perhaps the most common. It can be used in a number of court situations. A player with strong wrists can snap the pass off at a great speed. To throw a chest pass, you should grip the ball with both hands, one on each side. The fingers should be spread wide apart with the thumbs directly behind the ball, almost touching each other. The pass will be thrown from chest level. Always take a step toward your teammates as you throw the pass, this gives you more power. As you step forward, push the ball away from your body, straightening your arms. A final snap of the wrist will give the pass its power and zing. Be sure to keep your elbows in close to your body. When you follow through, extend your arms, palms outward, and point your fingers toward your target. A good chest pass can be used for short and medium ranges, and some stronger players will also use it for longer distances. The chest pass is the most basic pass in basketball.

· The bounce pass --- is especially useful when there is a chance a chest pass might be intercepted. The pass is thrown just the way it sounds. The ball is bounced once on the floor and should come up right into the hands of the receiver. The same basic technique is used as with the chest pass, except that the ball is thrown from about waist level. It is sometimes a good idea to bend down at the knees to better see the passing lane. The bounce should occur about halfway between the passer and the target and that is the spot on the floor the passer must aim for. One advantage of the pass is that it becomes a lot tougher for taller players to intercept, especially in traffic.

· The overhead pass --- is also thrown with two hands. Only the delivery is different. The pass is often used to throw the ball over the head of the defender, thus it is thrown from up high. The ball is held with fingers spread and the arm straightening and wrist snap are done from above the head. Power comes from the wrist snap. It won’t help to bring the ball back behind for more power. All that will do is make the pass less accurate.

· The baseball pass --- is done just the way it sounds. The ball is thrown with one hand, with much the same motion as a catcher uses to throw a baseball to second base. The pass is generally used to throw fast and long. Sometimes it is used after a rebound to reach another player who has broken down court ahead of the defenders. The pass should come from right behind the ear. The passer should step into the throw, let the elbow come through first, then snap the ball with his wrist. On long passes, a player will find that by rolling the wrist inward (palm facing out), the ball will travel on a straight line and not curve.

Passes often have to be thrown quickly. Sometimes a player will fake a pass to one man before throwing to another. So a good passer will be able to see the entire floor, know where both his teammates and defenders are at all times. When the passer throws to a moving target, the passer should lead his teammate, much as a quarterback leads his wide receivers. Erving “Magic” Johnson was a master of the fake pass. A fake pass is when the passer looks one way and passes the ball in another direction. There are a number of other passes that more experienced players can use. Some players can pass right off the dribble, using one hand. Instead of pushing the ball back to the floor as it comes up, the dribbler will bring his hand up and either bounce or throw the ball through the air to a teammate. One of the most exciting passes in basketball is the behind-the-back pass. This is also done off the dribble. As the passer gets the ball on the bounce, he simply cradles it in his hand and flips it behind his back to a teammate. Throwing a perfect, behind-the-back pass on a fast break is one of the most spectacular plays in the game. But beginners should work on the fundamentals of the four basic passes. As with dribbling, most coaches will have their teams working on different kinds of passing drills. Some involves just throwing the ball back and forth very rapidly. This strengthens the wrists and also the coordination. It gives players a chance to catch as well as to pass. A good passing game takes work, practice, and coordination among teammates. One or two players cannot do it alone. Even the greatest passer can’t get the job done, if he or she doesn’t have open targets to whom to pass the ball. As with all other parts of the game, a passer will only be successful through teamwork.

Basic passing rules are:

1. A passer should always look inside first. There might be a teammate open underneath the boards that can get a good close in shot.

2. Pass into a space where a player is moving.

3. Always try to pass away from the defender, both the person guarding you and the one guarding your target.

Shooting --- It is natural for every basketball player to want to shoot the ball. Many feel shooting is the most fun of all. It’s a great feeling to take a long, high arching shot and watch it swish through the hoop. So it is important for every basketball player to know how to shoot. The team with the most points wins the game and someone has to score those points. No one can make them all but if you know the right way to shoot, you will have a much better chance of being successful.

There are five kinds of shots:

1. The Lay-up

2. The Set (push) Shot

3. The Jump Shot

4. The Hook Shot

5. The Dunk

The Lay-up --- The easiest shot to make is the lay-up because it is taken under the basket. A shot close in is called a “high percentage shot”. The only shot with a higher percentage is a dunk. The lay-up is taken with one hand. When approaching from the right or left side of the basket, the player puts the ball up against the backboard and banks it into the basket. When the shooter approaches from right in front of the hoop, the ball is generally pushed over the front rim and in. Younger players will have a better chance to make the shot if they veer to the left or right and use the backboard. A shooter going in for a lay-up from the right side will jump off his or her left foot and shoot with the right hand. Going in from the left side, the shooter will do it the opposite way. Players should be able to shoot their lay-ups with either hand. Always watch the spot on the backboard where you want to put the ball. Once you feel comfortable making the shot you can start doing it from a few steps away until you can begin shooting a real lay-up with the dribble.

The Set Shot--- Is a shot taken while both feet are on the floor and generally with both hands. To some the set shot is part of basketball’s past. The shot is used mainly when a player is unguarded. The set shot techniques are the same as the jump shot.

The Jump Shot --- is the most poplar shot in basketball. Almost every player today develops a jump shot after playing for a while.

As with any kind of shot, concentration is very important. In a game the defensive players will try to stop the shooter in many ways. They will jump with him, bump him slightly, or even scream at him. Even if a player bumps you and is called for the foul, it’s important to make that shot. Because if you’ve already started to shoot before the foul was committed, the basket will count and you will get a free throw on top of it. Getting the right form is more important than distance, so the player should begin shooting the jump shot fairly close to the basket. The shot should be taken at the top of the jump. If a player is sloppy and shoots on the way up or on the way down his shot will not be as accurate. Though there are some basic rules to follow, young shooters must develop their own sense of “touch”. This the way the ball feels in your hand, the way you release it, it’s flight to the basket, and how it reacts when it hits the rim. Before going up for the jump shot, the shooter’s body should be square to the basket. As the shooter jumps in the air, he or she should use the following technique. The shooting hand should be behind the ball, finger spread. The non-shooting hand is always placed on the side of the ball for extra support. The elbow should be under the ball and never sticking out at an angle to the body. The wrist should be cocked backwards, as if the shooter were carrying a flat object, such as a tray. With eyes on the target, the shooter releases the shot at the top of the jump. Straightening the arm at the elbow, then snapping the wrist forward, makes the shot. The ball should roll off the middle and index finger last, and should have a backward spin that helps give it the “touch” described before.

The Hook Shot --- is usually made in the middle of traffic and is a difficult shot to stop. That’s because the shot is taken high over the head of the shooter turns sideways to the basket. His body is between the ball and the defender. Since hook shots are usually taken by big men, which make them even harder to stop. The hook shot isn’t for everyone. It is not as easy to control as a jump shot or set shot. Because of the long circular sweep of the arm, a large hand is helpful in controlling the ball. That’s why young players will have trouble developing this shot. When the shooter is ready to hook, he will stride forward with the left foot. The shooter is now sideways to the basket, and begins the upward sweep with his right arm. Rising up on the toes of his left foot and bringing his right knee up, the shooter continues the upward arc of his arm. The shooter releases the ball at the highest point of the arc. Then flicks the wrist and lets the ball roll off the fingertips with a backward motion. The hook shot is not a shot that can be used very often during the game.

The Dunk Shot --- The dunk shot is a shot that is generally taken by the taller players because it requires the ability to jump high off the floor toward the basket. The dunk shot is a high percentage shot because it is taken directly at the rim of the basket.

Another word about shooting. There come a time when all players must take foul shots. These are free shots from behind the foul line, fifteen feet from the basket. The player will be unguarded and unhurried, so he or she should make a very high percentage of free throws. But when the player stands on the line during the heat of a game, there is a great deal of pressure to make the shot. That doesn’t help. The first thing a player on the foul line should do is relax. The shooter cannot be tense. Bounce the ball the few times concentrating on the basket. Then just before shooting take a deep breath. Most coaches will end practices sessions by having everyone shoot free throws. Many games have been won or lost from the foul line. It is vital for every team and every player to work hard on their shots. The complete player will do everything well.

Rebounding ---- Another condition of the game that requires handling the ball is accomplished by rebounding. Since every shot does not go into the basket, those that are missed are up for grabs. A missed shot become a rebound. Rebounding is the art of positioning ones self under the basket in anticipation of getting the ball after a missed shot. Rebounding isn’t easy. The battle under the boards can get rough. While basketball isn’t a contact sport, every player going for a rebound is going to be bumped and pushed at some time or other. Timing and position play a great role in good rebounding. So does desire. Sometimes the player who is willing to fight the hardest for the ball is the one who will get it. A player going for a rebound has to jump as high as he possibly can. That’s because other player will be jumping as well. To have a chance for the ball, he or she must time his moves so that he will reach the ball at the very top of his jump. This takes practice, as a missed shot doesn’t come off the rim the same way twice. The rebounder must watch the flight of the ball carefully. When he sees it hit the rim, he must judge quickly how and when it comes down. The rebounder must make strong and decisive move to get that basketball. Of course a player can have the best timing in the world and it won’t help much if the player doesn’t get “position’. That means being in the right spot to go after the rebound. Once in position, the player must try to prevent the opponents from getting inside of him. The player does this by “boxing out”. That means getting low, feet and arms spread wide, and actually blocking the path to the basket for the opponent. Once the player has position, an opponent behind him cannot push or pull him. The rebound should be grabbed with two hands, and grabbed hard. For as soon as you come down, your opponent will try to take the ball away or tie you up. If the ball come down to the side of the basket and the offensive player feels he cannot grab it, he may try to tip the ball back in. Pushing at the ball with one or two hands does this. The trick is to get enough of your hand on the ball to direct it back into the hoop. Every coach knows the value of a good rebounding team. One rebounding drill is to put a cover on top of the hoop so that every shot in practice becomes a rebound. The more rebounds a team get the better chance they have to win the game.

In basketball teams must learn to play both offense and defense. Offense scores the baskets and defense prevents the opponent from scoring. Each coach has his or her own ideas about offense. Some will want their players to run and fast break whenever they have a chance. Others prefer a half-court offense. That is bringing the ball into the frontcourt, and then running the offense. Often the types of player a coach has will tell what kind of offense is best for the team. Some teams will simply freelance. The players know each other well enough that they cut and move, set picks and screens, and just keep moving to get free. The object of basketball may be simple, but the game is not. There are many ways for an offense to attack a defense and many ways for the defense to stop the offense.

More often than not, it’s defense that makes the difference in playoffs and championships. Each player must be able to help in the defensive effort. There are two basic styles of defense in basketball. They are the zone defense and the man-to-man defense. The difference in the two types of defense is simple. In a zone defense each player covers a specific area of the court. The defender will guard any player who comes into that area. But he won’t follow that player when he or she moves out of the area. Another defender will pick him up. In a man-to-man defense each player guards a specific opponent. Therefore, the player will follow that opponent wherever he or she goes on the court. If for some reason, the player loses the opponent, the player switches with another defender and the player takes his teammate’s opponent. But players usually switch back as soon as they can.

The BIF Program offers basic fundamentals of the game of basketball. Players must practice them over and over again. Do not take any one part of the game for granted. You may be a great scorer, but if you don’t play defense well you will hurt your team. You may be a great passer but if you can’t put the ball on the floor and dribble you will hurt your team. You may play excellent defense but if you can’t make a simple lay-up, sooner or later you will hurt your team. The whole of basketball is made up of all the part. When all the parts are working, a team becomes great. Every young player must work to become the best player he or she can possibly be. Then, if he or she becomes part of a team, he or she can do the job. But above all play basketball because “Basketball Is Fun”.

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