# The Basic Skills · Basketball Level 1: Beginner

Basketball · Level 1: Beginner · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/level-1/the-basic-skills/)

The Basic Skills in Basketball (Level 1: Beginner) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: dribbling; passing; catching; the lay-up; and more.

Dribbling, passing, catching, the lay-up, shooting, the free-throw routine, rebounding, defending the ball, moving without it, and warming up.

## Test 1: Dribbling

- Dribble with the finger pads, not the palm, for control. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Eyes up lets a dribbler see team-mates and defenders. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A low dribble is harder for a defender to reach. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The off arm keeps space between the ball and the defender, without pushing. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A crossover moves the ball across the body from one hand to the other. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A player who can only go one way is easy to defend. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- In open court the ball is pushed out ahead so the player can run onto it. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- From triple threat, the ball goes down before the pivot foot lifts, then the dribbler drives. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Lowest under pressure, medium for control, highest in open court. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The finger pads control the ball; a flat palm slaps it. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 2: Passing

- A good chest pass ends with the arms extended, thumbs down and palms out. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Bouncing it about two-thirds of the way lets it come up to the receiver's waist. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- An overhead pass carries the ball above the defender's arms. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A one-handed baseball pass throws the ball long and fast. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Stepping into the pass puts the body behind it. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Pass to the hand the receiver holds up as a target. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Looking away fools the defence about where the ball is going. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Ball at the chest, step, extend, follow through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A hand-off is next to you; a baseball pass can go the length of the court. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- About two-thirds of the way to the receiver. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 3: Catching

- Showing a target hand tells the passer where to throw. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Meeting the pass beats a defender trying to step in front. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Fingers up, thumbs near each other, make a pocket for the ball. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Letting the hands give absorbs the pass and stops fumbles. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Watch it into the hands before looking up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- From triple threat the player can do any of the three. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A jump stop on both feet lets him choose either pivot foot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Target, meet, catch, then triple threat. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Shoot, pass, dribble: the three threats. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Step to meet the ball with the hands up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 4: The lay-up

- The take-off foot is opposite the shooting hand: left foot for a right-hand lay-up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The knee on the shooting side drives up with the ball. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Right-left (or left-right) steps lead into the jump. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Use the outside hand, the one away from the defender. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Using the glass gives a bigger target from an angle. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Going under the basket and finishing on the other side uses the rim to shield the ball. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A soft release off the fingertips is more likely to drop in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Dribble, right, left, up off the glass. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Mirror image of the right side. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A right-handed lay-up takes off from the left foot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 5: The set shot and jump shot

- BEEF: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- An elbow under the ball keeps the shot straight. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The guide hand only balances the ball; the shooting hand does the work. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Eyes on the rim give the shot its aim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The jump shot is released near the top of a jump; the set shot from the floor. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The wrist snaps and the fingers point at the basket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Power comes up from the legs; the arm guides it. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- B, E, E, F. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Bend, rise, release, follow through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Footwear is not one of the four; the F is the follow-through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 6: The free-throw routine

- A fixed routine makes the shot the same under pressure. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Many courts have a small mark at the centre of the line to line up on. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A breath settles nerves and helps concentration. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A set number of bounces is part of a repeatable routine. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Eyes on the rim, just like any shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Late-game free throws come when players are tired, so they practise them that way. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Stick to the routine; changing it adds doubt. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Feet, bounces, breath and focus, shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Routine, shoot, reset, shoot again. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The same routine every time builds a steady shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 7: Rebounding

- Boxing out seals an opponent away from the basket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Find the opponent first, then go for the ball. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Two hands make the ball hard to strip. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Chinning protects the ball from defenders reaching in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Long shots usually bring long rebounds. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The outlet starts the break the other way. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- An offensive rebound gives the attackers another chance. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- See, find, hit, get. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Secure, protect, look, outlet. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Find his man and make contact before going for the ball. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 8: Defending the ball

- A low, wide stance lets a defender move quickly in any direction. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Stay between the attacker and the basket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Defensive slides keep balance and position. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Active hands deflect passes and contest shots. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A closeout sprints then chops the feet to arrive under control. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Arriving under control stops the attacker driving past. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A high hand contests without fouling. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Sprint, chop, balance, contest. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The on-ball stance is lowest. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Low, knees bent and feet wide. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 9: Moving without the ball

- The V-cut sets the defender up, then breaks away to get open. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- When a defender overplays the passing lane, the attacker cuts behind him to the basket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Spacing stretches the defence and opens driving lanes. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Off-ball movement creates chances for the team. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- A screener stands still in the defender's path to free a team-mate. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Talking helps the passer find the open player. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Pass, cut to the basket, receive it back. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Give, go, receive, score. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Step out, then cut behind the overplaying defender. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- The back-door cut goes behind an overplaying defender. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

## Test 10: Warming up for skills

- Form shots close in build rhythm before moving out. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Lay-up lines get players moving and finishing before the game. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Ball-handling drills wake up the hands. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Building up steadily prepares players for full speed. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Partners passing to each other warms up hands and timing. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Shooting around helps players adjust to the arena. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Alternating close lay-ups on both sides builds touch. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Close in first, then out to range, then free throws. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Move, handle, finish, shoot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)
- Form shots close to the basket come first. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual skills)

Sources: General basketball references, FIBA (3x3, mini-basketball), IWBF, FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

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