Q&A for How to Play Basketball

Try to dribble the ball low to the ground. Also, practice dribbling the ball with both hands.

Start by learning the proper footwork and stances. For instance, to do a proper defensive stance you'd learn how to slide your feet without crossing them.

The best players that I've coached are students of the game. They're great listeners. They're at the front of the line on all drills. They're what I call "blue collar" players, meaning they're humble, they win gracefully, and they lose with respect. Good sportsmanship is ultimately one of the top three or four traits of a great player.

Teams will usually do layup lines, take a couple of sprints, and do some stretching. That's all pretty common and important to do before a game starts.

Know that it's okay to be nervous before a game. That means you're ready. If you're not nervous, you don't care. Your heart's not pumping, the blood is not flowing, the adrenaline's not going, and that's a problem. So try to view being nervous for games as a positive thing, not a negative thing.

Pass around, and practice more. When taking more time to pass around, you could find more open shots. Play games like horse, 21, around the world or any other shooting games.

You have to judge which option will give you the best chance of scoring a point. If no one is around you and you think you can make the shot, then you should keep the ball and go for it. If you're surrounded by other players and someone else is open, then passing is the best option.

Definitely practice over the summer. Most teams will have room for a beginner who's fast, likes to learn and will play good defense.

Basketball is not really hard to play. You just have to practice your dribbling, passing, moves, and shooting skills. Its takes dedication, but it is also a lot of fun.

The basketball game starts with the players gathering in the center. The players who are going to do the jumpshot will be across from each other. When the ref blows the whistle and throws the ball up, the two players try to get the ball and hit it to whichever side that they are playing on.

Get a basketball court that you can go to daily, and work on your hand motion when shooting. Pick a particular way to shoot , and if it works, keep on shooting that way. You don't even need a basketball hoop to do so, pick a ball up hold it correctly, and keep on practicing. Play games like knockout, horse, or 21.

Worrying will only make it worse. Have faith in yourself, and remember the rules and fundamentals of the game.

Yes, if he/she shoots the ball and misses, you can rebound the ball. Or if they shoot, you can grab the ball, you just can't hit their arm, or it is a foul.

Traveling is when you step 3 times without dribbling the ball. You can only step 2 times, and then the ball must make contact with the ground.

Adopt a position that is slightly crouched, bounce the ball with your fingertips, not your palm. Be careful not to bounce too lightly. For more detail, read How to Dribble a Basketball .

Anytime you are open and you think you can make it into the basket. Be confident and take your best shot.

Go to a gym or basketball court and practice shooting from different locations and performing lay-ups. You can also practice bounce/chest/overhead passing against a wall. If you play at public courts, you may be challenged to a game of one-on-one, which will help build your skills.

Just practice passing, shooting, dribbling. These are the basics. Once you get good at them you can learn more advanced skills and tricks.

Players won't be able to enter the NBA until they're 19 and one year removed from high school. However, they can join the Developmental League at 18 years old.

You can use a trash can, box, etc. for target practice so you have something to aim your shot at.

You can get good at layups by practicing. You have to start off slowly and learn the way to do a simple/ normal layup. Then you can start learning fancy layups.

Dribbling is when you bounce the ball up and down repeatedly with your hand.

There are 5 main positions in basketball. A point guard dribbles the ball down the court and is usually calling out the play, and the shooting guard is the best shooter on the team. The small forward is a powerful dribbler that can take the ball to the basket and shoot an easy lay-up. The power forward and the center are the post players on the team, with the center usually being the taller of the two.

You can trick the opponent with flashy moves and combos. Pay attention to the front foot. If you get him to move, and he did not plant his front foot, change direction fast. Look the opposite direction from where you plan on going. Don't forget to sell it with your shoulders.

You can get warmed up by lightly jogging or doing jumping jacks. It is also important to stretch before playing basketball so you don't pull a muscle.

You may want to wear them for safety matters, though the particular kind does not matter.

If you're just playing with your friends, sure.

Yes, you can. Just be careful.

Yes, you can. It's still a jump shot.

Always look at the net and stand up tall. Load up the basketball to the brim and release.