Basketball is the most American of all sports. Invented at the YMCA training school in 1891 by James Naismith, the sport involves two sets of teams maneuvering with the aim of getting a large ball into a hooped net or basket. Basketball has come a long way from its early days. It has spread around the world and developed into a wildly popular activity with big stars, big thinkers and big teams. Here are the 5 basic skills needed to succeed on the court.
Rebounding
When a shot is taken at the hoop in Basketball, the ball will often bounce off the backboard if it does not pass through the hoop. This is known as a rebound. Rebounds are immensely important in basketball. There are two kinds of rebounds, roughly speaking.
Offensive Rebounds
An offensive rebound is when the attacking team receive the ball after it bounces from the backboard. The offensive player that has received the ball can choose to shoot or pass it – scoring or setting up a new attack. A team’s ability to get this ‘second ball’ contributes towards their ability to press attacks even after a failed shot.
Defensive Rebounds
A rebounded shot often allows the ball to change hands – passing from the offensive team to the one on the defensive. Defensive rebounds are the perfect opportunity to spring a counterattack. Wrestling control of the ball from attacking opponents during a rebound is crucial and is often drilled constantly during basketball training.
Passing
Passing is the most efficient way of moving the basketball from one end of the court to the other and is also the most effective way of imposing tactical changes. Basketball players need to be able to pass accurately and catch consistently. This is easier said than done during frantic matches. The two most commonly used passes in basketball are the bounce pass and the chest pass. Players can also work overhead passes and baseball passes, but these are less frequently used.
Shooting
You can’t win without taking a shot! Shooting is one of the hardest skills to learn in Basketball. Getting the ball in the basket is no mean feat during a fast-paced game. Plenty of practice is required in order to line up the perfect shot.
Defense
Stopping the opposing team from passing, dribbling or shooting is the job of defenders. Defenders work all over the court in order to prevent the opposing team from freely maneuvering.
Dribbling
Dribbling in basketball is one of the most exciting elements of the sport. A good dribbler can dazzle defenses and twist them up in knots before passing the ball to a player for a shot. Dribbling is where a lot of the contact between players is also made. Although not as efficient as passing, it is a good way of breaking through well-organized defenses if cleverly executed.
The Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving is currently considered to be one of the best dribblers in the NBA, with his slick tricks making him the bane of any defensive outfit.