About Basketball Training Programs

Dribbling

• Dribbling the basketball is the first part of the game you should know, because you can't advance the ball without dribbling or passing. Players will start with basic dribbling tests. Dribbling with your right and left hands is the first step. Crossovers are when you go from one dribbling hand to the other. Once you master those techniques, you move on to more advanced ball-handling moves. Dribbling behind the back is one more advanced skill. You basically start with one hand and bounce the ball behind you to your other hand. Over time, you will learn how to control a dribble while walking and running. Most programs will make this a focal point and ask players to do these drills as a warm-up. The more you do, the easier it will become. You will be taught the rules of dribbling, which include no double dribbles and no traveling. Double dribbling is when you are dribbling the ball and pick it up, then proceed to dribble again. (Double dribbling is also when you dribble with two hands.) Traveling is when you advance the ball without dribbling.

Passing

• Passing is another way to advance the basketball. Here you will learn the bounce pass, which starts by holding the ball with both of hands up by your chest. You then bounce the ball to your teammate. Only one bounce should be made in order to keep from getting the ball stolen by a defender. The other type of pass is the chest pass. Keep the ball close to your chest, as in the previous example, and with both hands advance the ball to your teammate without it hitting the ground. Over time, you will get so you can make those passes crisp and with one hand. Over-the-head passes are meant to cover longer distances. These are usually made when a player is uncovered downcourt, or a last-second attempt to get the ball as close to the hoop as possible before time expires.

Shooting

• Shooting the basketball is a necessary lesson during training programs, as this is the way to score points. You will be taught the proper technique of shooting the ball and performing the lay-up. Most drills start with the player holding the ball in front of him about at eye level. You will be given instructions on how to hold the ball before shooting it. Proper form and technique should be taught during this session. You will be taught how to shoot free throws and jump shots. A free throw is a shot after a foul, and there is no defense trying to stop the shot. A jump shot is when the shooter is in motion and pulls up for the shot.

Lay-ups

• The lay-up is an effective way to score points. This is more of a running shot, and the ball is shot when the player is under or very close to the basket. Usually, the lay-up comes after a pump fake or a fast-break play. A fast-break play is when the ball handler is running downcourt ahead of the defenders. During the lay-up, you will be given an extra step with your feet. This gives you an opportunity to pick up the ball and prepare to shoot the ball into the hoop.

Basic Defense

• After the dribbling and shooting tutorial, most programs will start teaching basic forms of defense, such as the proper stance and how to guard the offensive player one-on-one. To play good defense, you must stay low and either keep your hands up or out so as to knock would-be passes away. You will most likely perform sliding drills, which will help your fundamentals on defense.
  During this session, learning how to take a charge should be a focal point as well. A charge is a way for a defender to draw a foul. A charge is an offensive foul. If a ballhandler runs toward the defender and the defender makes it appear as though she had proper defensive position and was knocked down by the ballhandler, that may be called as a charge.
  Once the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting and defense are taught, most likely the program will have a series of games allowing the players to showcase what they've learned.