Newsletter
The latest England Basketball/
Mini-Basketball England Primary School Newsletter contains information on:-
- Mini-Basketball Tournament news
- Mini-Basketball news
- Young Coach Award
- The latest in our Power of Positivity series - Copleston High School & Ipswich Basketball Academy
View the latest newsletter:-
Mini-Basketball
England newsletter
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Mini-Basketball England Skills
Mini-Basketball involves several important skills
Dribbling Basketball Skill
Go to the Ready Position. Push the ball down with fingers and wrist.
When it comes back let it push the hand up, then push it down again.
'Five finger' feel is important - dribble the ball with 5 fingertips, not with the whole hand.
The ball should go no higher than the waist. Look up and forward. Look about the court and the game. Look for a team-mate in a good position. Protect the ball with the opposite side of your body. Remember the dribble ends when the ball is held in one or two hands.
Any number of bounces and steps can be taken and the dribbling hand can be changed.
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Cross Over Dribble Basketball Skill
As a defensive player approaches, one needs to change direction to protect the ball.
As you change direction, plant the foot on the ball side hard against floor with a push.
The dribbling hand pushes the ball, slightly from the outside of the ball, across the front of the body (rather than straight down) to the other hand.
Be certain to protect the ball with your other arm.
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Defending Basketball Skill
Good stance is as important on defence as on offence.
Always play defence in the READY POSITION
- A good defensive stance has good balance.
- Ready to move – forward, backward or to either side.
- Most often it is backward or to the side.
- Shuffle to move quickly- slide the feet along the floor without crossing feet.
- Arms up, at the side and elbows bent.
- Stay between the player AND the basket.
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Lay-Up Shot Basketball Skill
A lay-up shot is a shot on the move, made close to the basket using a one-two count rhythm.
Shooting a right handed lay-up.
- start on the right.
- pick up ball in two hands.
- keep eye on the target (the nearest side of the small rectangle).
- two steps away, place weight on right foot.
- aise ball towards basket.
- take long step with the left foot.
- lift right knee.
- ball raised above the head to shoot.
- step high.
- two hands on ball at height of jump.
- lay ball softly off the backboard.
Shooting a left handed lay-up.
As in the illustration above, repeat but use opposite feet.
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Two Handed Set Shot Basketball Skill
- Go to the Ready Position.
- This is a shot to be taken from a stationary position.
- Body is square to the Basket.
- Weight on balls of the feet, heels resting lightly on the floor.
- Both knees bent.
- Feet a shoulder width apart.
- Foot under shooting hand is slightly forward.
- Ball held in front of the chest in the fingertips of two hands.
- Fingers spread wide, thumbs and little finger on 'Line'.
- Thumbs Close together at the rear.
- Elbows are held fairly close to the body.
- Head is stationary and erect.
- Eyes fixed on the target.
Shooting Action.
- This is started by pushing upwards from the feet, straightening the legs.
- Then the arms pushing the ball upwards.
- Follow through, a continuous movement inward and downward rotation of the thumbs, leaving the hands declined slightly at the wrist, palms turned outwards.
Eye concentration is essential before release.
NB in basketball we tend to use the one-handed shot, but research has shown that children of mini basketball will achieve greater success developing their proficiency at the two handed shot.
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Chest Pass Basketball Skill
- Be in the Ready Position.
- Weight on front foot.
- Look at the player to whom the pass is being made.
- Ball is pushed towards the receiver and released by extending arms and fingers.
- Hold the ball in both hands with fingers spread.
- Elbows in.
Receiving
- Move to the ball quickly but under control.
- Flex the arms.
- Show hands as a signal and a target and call for the ball.
- Come to a stop with the feet shoulder width apart for balance.
- Then move to meet the pass, step toward the ball - not away.
- Pivot to face the basket.
- Look at the ball as it goes into the hands. Use two hands, grasping the ball tightly with the fingers and thumbs.
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Two Handed Bounce Pass Basketball Skill
The starting position and technique is similar to the chest pass.
The difference is the ball bounces on the floor on the way to the receiver.
Remember
- Ball must be in ready position in front of chest.
- Fingers spread, thumbs nearest to the chest.
- Reach down and push the ball hard to the floor.
- Arms and fingers should be extended as the ball is released.
Receiver.
Be ready to catch.....
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