How to Get Started with Kids’ Basketball

Basketball is one of the most exciting sports around. It’s easy to learn and tons of fun to play. It’s dynamic, exciting, and challenging, which makes it perfect for kids who love to stay active. As with any sport, playing basketball will help your child make new friends, get rid of excess energy, and develop important skills. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get your kid started with basketball, from understanding the basic rules to improving their skills. So without further ado, let’s bounce right into it!

What is Basketball?

Basketball is a fast-paced team sport where two teams of five players compete to score points. They accomplish this by shooting a signature orange ball through the opposing team’s hoop. Basketball is played on a rectangular court with the aforementioned hoops at each end. The overall objective? To score more points than the other team before time runs out.

Now, any parents living in urban or suburban areas knows that basketball can be played just about anywhere. It can be played in a city park, on a proper court, in the driveway, or your own backyard. So long as there is a hoop, there is a game. That said, the best way to get the real experience is to play with two teams and a real hoop.

Basic Rules of Basketball

As with most popular sports, basketball’s basic rooms are easy to pick up. Unlike other games like say baseball or football, basketball moves pretty quickly, so it’s important to learn the rules well before jumping onto the court. Here’s a breakdown of the main rules:

The Court

A basketball court is a rectangular space with a basket, mostly known as a hoop, at either end. The court is divided into two halves by a midcourt line. At each end of the court, there’s a shape called a three-point arc, a free-throw line, and the painted “key” area where most of basketball’s close-up shots and rebounds happen.

The Ball

A basketball is pretty recognizable. Most of them are orange in color, but not all. Basically, a basketball is a round ball that’s commonly made of leather or rubber. Kids’ basketballs come in different sizes, depending on the player’s age:

• Size 5 (27.5 inches) for kids ages 9 and under.
• Size 6 (28.5 inches) for boys ages 12-14 and girls ages 12 and up.
• Size 7 (29.5 inches) for boys ages 15 and up.

If you’re interested in getting your child to try basketball, first make sure that they are using the right ball size for their age group!

The Objective

The main goal in basketball is to score points by shooting the ball through the other team’s hoop. The team with the most points at the end of the game win the game. Sounds simple right? Well, it would be, except that the hoop is usually 10 feet above the ground. Different shots from different locations count for different points. Players can score points as follows:

• 2 points for a regular shot made inside the three-point line.
• 3 points for a shot made beyond the three-point line.
• 1 point for each successful free throw (taken from the free-throw line, normally after a foul).

Game Duration

Game time for a basketball game is divided into quarters. As expected, kids’ basketball games are usually shorter than those of the professionals. A common structure is:

• 4 quarters, each lasting around 6-8 minutes.
• Half-time break between the second and third quarters.

Moving with the Ball

Players move the ball across the court by using a process called dribbling. To dribble, players bounce the ball on the ground while moving. Dribbling players can only use one hand at a time, and cannot pick up the ball, run, and then start dribbling again. Such an action is considered a double-dribble, and will result in the other team getting the ball.

It’s important to note that a player may not hold the ball and take more than two steps without dribbling – that’s called traveling, and it’s another no-no.

Passing

Basketball is also a team sport, which means that it isn’t about just getting the ball across the court by oneself. Because of this, passing is a key part of the game. Players can pass the ball to their teammates to help them get closer to the hoop. There are different kinds of passes:

• Chest pass: This is a quick pass from one player’s chest to their teammate’s chest.
• Bounce pass: Another type of pass that bounces once before reaching one’s teammate.
• Overhead pass: The third type of pass is made by throwing the ball from above one’s head, usually when they need to get the ball over a defender.

Fouls and Free Throws

Fouls can happen in basket ball too and that occurs when a player breaks a rule. Fouls consist of actions such as hitting another player, tripping them, or blocking them unfairly. If a player is fouled while shooting, they get to take free throws from the free-throw line. Each successful free throw from that line is worth 1 point.

Rebounding

When a shot is missed and the ball bounces off the hoop or backboard, that’s called a rebound. Rebounding is an important part of the game because it gives that player’s team another chance to score or, in rare cases, can prevent the other team from scoring.

Basketball Positions

Basketball has five players and each player has a unique position on the court, each with a specific role. Learning the positions will help one understand where they should be on the court and what their job is during the game.

Point Guard (PG)

The point guard is often considered the team’s leader. Point guards often handle the ball most of the time and are responsible for directing the team’s offense by making good passes and helping their teammates score.

Shooting Guard (SG)

The shooting guard tends to be one of the team’s best shooters. They score points by taking outside shots, often including three-pointers, and drive the ball toward the hoop to make layups.

Small Forward (SF)

Small forwards are versatile players. They can score in various ways, from shooting to driving to the basket. These players also help with defense and rebounding, making them key players in both offensive and defensive roles.

Power Forward (PF)

The tallest, strongest players on a team are usually called Power Forwards. They tend to play close to the basket and focus on rebounding, scoring inside, and playing tough defense against the other team’s larger players.

Center (C)

The very tallest player on the team usually plays the role of Center and also plays near the basket. Their job is to block shots from opposing players, grab rebounds (often right out of the air), and score close to the hoop. Centers are key defenders and help control the ball in the point area.

Essential Basketball Skills

Practice is just as important to becoming a good basketball player as anything else. Players practice to refine important skills that will help them play on both offense and defense. Here are the key skills every basketball player should work on:

Dribbling

Dribbling is the main way players move the ball around the court. The best players are ambidextrous in this regard, which means they can dribble with their left or right hands, and switch between them quickly. This methodology will keep defenders guessing. Kids can practice dribbling in a straight line, weaving between cones, or doing crossovers (which is where they dribble from one hand to the other).

Shooting

You can’t score points unless you shoot, so shooting is a key facet of winning the game. As the main way to earn points, players should learn to shoot different types of shots to get it into the hoop. They can try for jump shots, layups, or three-pointers, but the key to all three is to have good form:

• Players should use their dominant hand to guide the ball.
• Players should bend their knees for power.
• Finally, players should follow through with their wrist to give the ball a nice backspin.

Encourage your kids to practice shooting from different spots on the court, and work on getting the ball in the hoop consistently.

Passing

Basketball is a team game, so it’s important to learn how to pass properly. Kids should practice different types of passes at various speeds. They need to focus on accuracy, as well as communication, ensuring they signal to their teammates that they are passing and where the pass is going.

Defense

A good defense is just as important as a good offense, maybe even more so depending on the game. When playing defense, players need to stay between their opponents and the basket. Some defensive tips include:

• Staying low and keeping knees bent.
• Watching opponent’s waist to see where they’re going (the ball and head can fake players out, so keep a close eye).
• Using their hands to block passes or shots, but avoid fouling wherever possible.

Rebounding

Rebounding helps teammates get possession of the ball after a missed shot. To be a good rebounder, players should focus on positioning themselves near the hoop and jumping at the right time to grab the ball.

Footwork

Even though much of basketball is played with the hands, good footwork can help players to move quickly and stay balanced on the court. Practice moving side-to-side (called shuffling) and jumping to block shots. The more your child works on theier footwork, the easier it will be to for them to stay in control during the game.

Teamwork and Communication

Basketball is a team sport, so working well with one’s teammates is key to winning the game. Here are some tips for being a great team player:

• Pass the ball: Players should not try to do everything themselves! Passing to open teammates gives the team a better chance to score.
• Communicate: Players should let their teammates know what’s going on by talking on the court. Call out screens (when a teammate blocks an opponent), yell “I got ball!” when a player is defending, or shout “Help!” when they need support.
• Encourage your teammates: Basketball is hard work, but it’s also fun. Encourage your kids to cheer on their teammates when they make a great play and pick them up when they make a mistake.

What You Need to Get Started

Before you hit the court, you’ll need a few thingsto get started with basketball:

1. Basketball

Your child will need a ball that’s the right size for their age group. Also, make certain that it’s properly inflated so it bounces well.

2. Basketball Shoes

Basketball requires a lot of running, jumping, and quick movements, so having the right shoes is extremely important. The best basketball shoes have good ankle support to prevent injuries and a sturdy sole for grip on the court.

3. Comfortable Clothes

T-shirts and shorts are comfortable clothing that allows players to move easily on the court. Some leagues may require a specific uniform, but for practice, it’s best to just wear something comfortable and breatheable.

4. Water Bottle

Basketball is a fast-paced game and it’s thirsty work. Ensure your kid is staying hydrated by having a water bottle on hand. Also encourage them to take breaks and drink water whenever possible.

5. Protective Gear (Optional)

Some players wear additional protective gear like knee pads or ankle braces. This is especially important if they’ve suffered injuries in the past.

Tips for Improving Your Basketball Skills

The best way to get better at basketball is to practice regularly and focus on the necessary skills needed to improve one’s game. Here are some tips to help young players improve:

• Practice every day: The more your kid plays, the better they’ll get. Even practicing for 20-30 minutes each day can make a big difference.
• Watch basketball games: Watching professional basketball players can teach you and your kid a lot. Teach them to pay attention to how they move, pass, shoot, and work together as a team.
• Play with others: Whether it’s a pick-up game at the park or practice with the team, playing with others will help your child improve faster. They’ll also learn how to handle different types of players.
• Set goals: Whether it’s making 10 baskets in a row or improving your dribbling speed, setting goals will keep your child motivated and help them focus on what they personally want to achieve.
• Work on your weaknesses: If your kid is not good at a certain skill, like shooting with their non-dominant hand or defending against bigger players, make it a priority to help them improve in that area.

Staying Safe and Having Fun

Basketball is a fun and exciting sport, but it’s important to stay safe while playing. Here are some important safety tips to keep from injuring oneself:

• Warm up and stretch: Always warm up before playing by jogging, jumping, and stretching. This helps prevent injuries.
• Listen to your coach: Coaches are there to help your child learn and improve. Follow their advice, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you or your child is unsure about something.
• Play by the rules: Following the rules helps keep the game fair and safe for everyone. Teach your kid to respect the referees and other players, and always play with good sportsmanship.
• Take breaks: Basketball is a physically demanding sport, so encourage your kid to take breaks when they need to. Again, remember to encourage them to drink water regularly and rest to stay energized and prevent exhaustion.

Cultured Athlete Says…

Basketball is a fantastic sport for kids, offering the chance to stay active, build teamwork skills, and have fun with their peers. Whether your child dream of becoming a pro player or just wants to shoot hoops with their friends, basketball is a game they can learn to enjoy for years to come.