In basketball, teams compete to score points by shooting baskets into a hoop, or the “net.” Players move the ball down the court with passes and dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offense, and the other team is the defense, which attempts to steal or contest shots, deflect passes, and gather rebounds. The game was invented by a Canadian, James Naismith, in 1891. It was first played in college by Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) and the University of Iowa in 1892.
The most important skill in basketball is passing. To successfully pass, you must keep your head on a swivel, track the ball, and recognize when your teammates are open. A good passing motion involves a quick shuffle step and a strong follow through. Then, you must flick your wrists out to throw the ball forward over your head to a teammate. This is a great way to get the ball from one side of the court to the other, especially when you are being closely guarded.
Jumping is another key skill to develop. The best jumpers are able to leap over other players and reach high to grab rebounds. Jumping can be hard on the knees, so you should do lots of exercises to strengthen your legs and hips. Some good exercises for this are long-distance running, jumping rope, and doing squats. To improve your passing and jumping, focus on practicing with a partner who is a similar height to you. This will help you train to be a more accurate passer and to learn how to jump higher for better rebounds.
Another important skill to develop is dribbling. To dribble, you must keep your eyes up and shield the ball from other players with your non-dribbling arm. This allows you to observe the entire court and anticipate plays. You must also practice to increase your dribbling speed and to develop your ability to handle the ball under pressure.
A good shooting technique is to practice by aiming at the net with both hands and jumping straight up. This will put backspin on the ball, increasing its odds of going in when it reaches the rim or backboard. If a shot misses the hoop or hits only the backboard, it’s sometimes referred to as an air ball.
In addition to working on your skills, it’s important to understand the rules of basketball and how they affect the game. Some of the most common violations are traveling (moving without dribbling), double-dribbling, carrying or palming the ball, and illegally touching an opposing player. Also, you must be aware of the paint and the arc, which are areas where it’s not permissible to shoot a basket. These are all violations that could result in a foul and a turnover.