By Kevin Devlin
Learning the fundamentals of basketball can be an enjoyable endeavor, and now that the basketball season is here once again, novice players will have the opportunity to become acquainted with this popular sport. For them it will be a wondrous adventure and a time of discovery worth experiencing.
As these young players are introduced to the intricacies of basketball they’ll need to be reminded over and over again that they must win and lose with dignity and play the sport in a sportsmanlike manner. They will only improve if they’re told what they’re doing wrong so they can avoid the same mistakes and understand what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable. Only through hard work and focus at all times will they learn how to play this game the right way.
Here are some basic rules these young players should understand as they begin this awesome journey:
While in possession of the ball at their offensive end of the court, players must not stay in the painted area in front of their basket longer than three seconds. Players need to move quickly in and out of the paint while on offense, and have both feet entirely out of this area while posting up on either side of the lane. The game official(s) will blow his/her whistle if a player stays in this painted area too long. It is called a violation. If so, the offending team loses possession of the ball.
When lining up during free throws, players must stay behind the lane line(s) until the free throw shooter shoots the ball and it clangs off of the rim.
During substitutions, players on the bench must not go on the court-enter the game-until they’re told to do so by game official(s).
Players should avoid intentional fouls. If a player is intentionally fouling another player, the player committing the foul must concentrate on going after the ball and not the player. Players must never push a player from behind. Pushing a player from behind, especially while that player is driving to the hoop can cause serious injuries. They will be considered hard fouls and unsportsmanlike, and should result in technical and/or intentional fouls being called against the offending player(s) for such poor, court conduct.
Don’t take more than two steps without dribbling the ball. Palming the ball is when you’re dribbling the ball and allow the ball to rest on the top of your hand. Traveling and palming -aka carrying the ball-are both violations and will result in the offending team losing possession of the ball. Losing possession of the ball in this manner is called a turnover, something coaches’ aren’t too fond about.
Trash-talking by players is unsportsmanlike and players must refrain from behaving in this manner. Players also shouldn’t complain about the officiating. That’s the coaches’ job, not theirs.
Players need to understand the importance of teamwork, know when to pass the ball, when to shoot it, how to set legal picks without creating a turnover, and how to properly box-out their opponent(s) under the boards.
(This version of hoop tips first appeared in SBT in November 2017)
FOR STORY —— If possible a generic animated picture of a hoop player…
