MODULE 3

BASIC SKILLS IN BASKETBALL

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Provide description of the various basic skills in basketball and explain the
minor and major infractions of Basketball;
2. Appreciate the importance of doing the drills and other physical activities
related to basketball as tool to optimize health; and
3. Perform various basic skills of Basketball.

Basic Skills in Basketball

1. Shooting - Let’s face it,

shooting may be the most important
skill to have. After all, without
hitting shot you’re not likely to win
any games. Properly holding,
aiming and throwing the ball
quickly, all while avoiding the
defensive pressure can be a difficult
thing to master. Many players “can
shoot” but being “shot ready”,
balanced and square to the basket
while shooting with solid form –
quickly – brings a lot of skill all
together and in sequence – FAST. A great shot takes a lot of work to master, so you’ll want
to start with the basics. In the off season, make it your goal to nail hundreds of shots a day.
The exact number depends on your commitment and at what level you want to get to (not
what level you are). Switch it up between layups, jump shots and free throws in order to
master all of them.

Types of Shoot:
a. Set Shot/Free Throws - The (1)two-handed set shot
was once the common way to shoot from the perimeter. Today
it’s typically only used by young players who lack the strength
to shoot with one hand. A free throw, however, is basically a
type of set shot, although it’s almost always performed with
one hand. Use the standard shooting form, but don’t jump.
b. A Slam dunk, also simply dunk, is a type of
basketball shot that is performed when a player
jumps in the air, controls the ball above the
horizontal plane of the rim, and scores by putting
the ball directly through the basket with one or
both hands above the rim.

c. hook shot is a play in which the offensive player, usually

turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball with
a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an
upward arc with a follow-through which ends over his head.

d. Lay-up - in basketball is a two-point

shot attempt made by leaping from
below, laying the ball up near the
basket, and using one hand to bounce it
off the backboard and into the basket.
The motion and one-handed reach
distinguish it from a jump shot. The
lay-up is considered the most basic shot
in basketball.

e. Jump shot - a player may attempt to

score a basket by leaping straight into the
air, the elbow of the shooting hand
cocked, ball in hand above the head, and
lancing the ball in a high arc towards the
basket for a jump shot. Wikipedi
2. Passing- Since basketball is a team
sport, passing is an aspect that you’re
just going to have to learn. While this
skill is a hard one to work on by
yourself, mastering it really comes
down to learning how to react quickly
when under pressure from the other
team. Accuracy is part of it but if you
can’t quickly eye up your teammate
and set the pass into motion, your
accuracy doesn’t matter much.
Important! A great passer makes other players better as they’re set up to make a better play
and “finish”. Great passers rarely turn the ball over, too. More scores, less turnovers = more
wins. Your teammates will love playing with you, too. Smart coaches recognize great
passers and their value, as well.

3. Dribbling - Dribbling is easily the most important skill for any basketball player to master.
Without good dribbling and ball handling skills you won’t be able to move down the court
with the ball, which could mean you’ll end up with moving violations instead of points. It
doesn’t matter how great your jump shot or free throw is if you can’t move the ball down
the court legally.
Dedicate a set amount of time each day to just handling the ball and working on your
dribbling and you’ll see progress in no time.
Types of dribble:

a. low dribble b. high dribble

 4. Footwork - Great footwork is a significant
part of most skills on the court. Whether it’s
shooting, defending, rebounding or moving down
the court, how you move your feet will play a role
in how successful your plays are.

Basketball Infractions (Violations and Fouls)

Major Infractions:

1. Illegal Hand Use - This foul is called for any

use of the hands on another player that the referee
thinks is illegal. It's generally called when you hit
another player on the arm during shooting or when
trying to steal the ball. ... This is called on both
offensive and defensive players.

2. Holding Foul - A holding foul is called

every time a player uses his hands to
interfere with the opponent's freedom of
movement. It is also a holding foul if you
purposely step on an opponent's feet.
“Holding Foul” occurs when a defender
holds, grabs, or pulls an offensive player (it
doesn't matter if the offensive player has
possession of the ball or not).
 3. Hand Checks - An illegal form of defense in
basketball in which a defending player uses one or both of his
hands or his arm to impede the forward or lateral movement
of an offensive player.

4. Blocking Foul - when a player on the defense obstructs the

movement of an offensive player, a blocking foul is called.
The most notable indication of an improper block is when
the defensive player does not set his or her feet in place
before coming into contact with the offensive player.

5. Pushing Foul - “Pushing Foul” occurs when a defender

pushes an offensive player or bumps into the body of an offensive
player. This foul is called when a player moves or attempts to
move an opponent with force. Even if they do not have control of
the ball.

6. Flagrant foul - is a personal foul that involves

excessive or violent contact that could injure the
fouled player. involves excessive or violent
contact. A flagrant foul may be unintentional or
purposeful; the latter type is also called an
"intentional foul".
 7. Offensive Foul - Basketball features constant motion, and
contact between opposing players is unavoidable, but
significant contact that is the fault of illegal conduct by one
opponent is a foul against that player. ... A personal foul that
is committed by a player of the team in possession of the ball
is called an offensive foul.

Minor Infractions:
In basketball, a common violation is the most minor class of illegal action. Most violations are
committed by the team with possession of the ball, when a player mishandles the ball or makes an
illegal move. The typical penalty for a violation is loss of the ball to the other team.

Timing regulations:

1. A five-second rule - closely guarded violation may be called against an offensive player
with the ball when that player is guarded closely for five seconds or more, and does not
pass, shoot, or dribble within that time. ... A player may be holding or dribbling the ball.

2. Five-second throw-in violation - Under all basketball rule sets, a team attempting to throw
a ball in-bounds has a total of five seconds to release the ball towards the court.

3. A five-second closely guarded violation may be called against an offensive player with the
ball when that player is guarded closely for five seconds or more, and does not pass, shoot,
or dribble within that time. ... A player may be holding or dribbling the ball.

4. 8-Second Violation - This refers to when the team with possession does not advance the
ball out of the backcourt past the half-court line in 8 seconds or less. ... If the team is
charged with an 8-second violation, they then give possession to their opponent and are
charged with a turnover.

5. Three (3) Second Violation - The three seconds rule (also referred to as the three-second
rule or three in the key, often termed a lane violation) requires that in basketball, a player
shall not remain in the opponents' restricted area for more than three consecutive seconds
while that player's team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt.
Violations:

a common violation is the most minor class of illegal action. Most violations are committed by the
team with possession of the ball, when a player mishandles the ball or makes an illegal move. The
typical penalty for a violation is loss of the ball to the other team. This is one type of turnover.

1. Traveling - is a violation of the rules that occurs when a player holding the ball moves one
or both of their feet illegally. When a player has taken more than 2 steps without the ball
being dribbled, a traveling violation is called.

2. Carrying - also colloquially referred to as palming, is a violation in the game of basketball.

It occurs when the dribbling player continues to dribble after allowing the ball to come to
rest in one or both hands.