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I shall discuss the art of gripping a football under three main headings: the overhand grip, the thumb grip and the palm grip. Grip and delivery are the mechanics of actually throwing the ball – of getting it up into the air.

The mechanics of throwing the ball must obviously become second nature to the passer if he is going to develop any skill in throwing the ball. No amount of instruction on my part can do that for him – only practice, practice, and yet more practice in throwing countless passes of all kinds will enable him to master the art, regardless of whatever natural ability he may have.

THE GRIP

To pass, you have to hold the ball, and it is no secret that the forward pass has to start with the passer’s grip. Although there probably are many methods of gripping the ball, I will discuss only three of the more popular grips. They are the three types of grip that I have observed to be the most widely used in analyzing the different techniques employed by passers on all levels of play – high school, college, and professional. These three types are the overhand grip, the thumb grip, and the palm grip. Each has its particular features which may be preferable for one reason or another. If you can master the one that is most suitable for you, then you won’t have to bother much about the others.

THE OVERHAND GRIP. The first grip to be considered, and the big favorite among passers, is the overhand grip .The hand should grip the ball in the following manner: The little finger is placed on the third horizontal lacing with the middle finger approximately an inch directly above the ring finger. The index finger takes a wider spread than the other fingers and at more of an angle so that it almost touches the point of the ball. The thumb almost makes a right angle to the index finger and rests on the underside of the ball.

The hand needs to grasp the ball well at the top. It has been my experience that this grip offers the best control, accuracy, and distance. The index finger is the controlling factor and should be the last finger to “feel” leather as the ball is released.

Palming the ball tightly with all four fingers is not as necessary as some people may believe. Beginners use this method extensively and should be discouraged by their instructors because wrapping all fingers around the ball will add nothing to the development of a novice into a genuine passer.

THE THUMB GRIP. The second method of holding the ball to be considered is the thumb grip. Although not as popular as the overhand grip, it has been used successfully by many top-notch passers. This grip finds the thumb resting about an inch above the laces toward the top of the ball. The index is at a right angle to the thumb, and the other fingers are about an inch apart from each other.

THE PALM GRIP. The third method of holding the ball is known as the palm grip. The reason it is being given extensive consideration here is due to its antiquity and widespread use, particularly by high school passers, beginners, and young men with small hands who have to employ it because of a lack of finger-spread. Also, it is the easiest way and the laziest way.

Actually, it isn’t even a grip, and almost any other method of throwing is recommended because the palm grip affords little, if any, control over the direction, arc, distance, or accuracy of the ball. Passers using the palm “hold” have been observed to release the ball in a more horizontal, or side-arm, movement to generate the centrifugal force necessary to create a spiral flight.

A final note of warning should still be given. The palm ball can also be knocked out easily from the hand and on a rainy or snowy day, it can be about as tough to handle as a greased eel.

Choose one of these grips and then practice until you have perfected it.

Two important skills in basketball are faking and moving without the ball. Both should be practiced well.

Faking

In order to be an offensive threat you must be able to elude your guard whether you have the ball or not. A fake is an act designed to throw your guard off balance, so you can drive past him or free yourself for a shot. Do this by faking with your head, eyes, feet, shoulders, and body.

The fake drive-and-shot is designed to throw the defensive player off balance and force him back to make room for the shot. Feint a dribble around the guard, using the front foot to force him back.

The offensive player then comes up to position for the shot. Any feint will produce some recoiling action on the guard’s part. The fake shot-and-drive is a maneuver in which the player with the ball fakes a shot at the basket to draw the guard close to him so he can dribble around him.

When you are faking, keep the ball protected and in position for the dribble. The first stride should be a long one with the right foot if going right, placing the ball well out in front while driving by the guard.

A double fake is executed by faking a drive with a deep step to the right, causing the guard to drop back a little. The offensive man then moves his front foot a bit back and poises for a set shot.

As the guard comes up on his toes to stop the shot, the offensive man lowers his body and drives off his front foot, placing the ball well out ahead and drives in for the goal. To go to the right side, the deep step is faked to the left with the right foot. The shot is faked, then comes the drive to the right. A left-handed player will use his left foot as the forward foot and follow the same technique as above.

In starting a fake, a player never knows whether it will be a single or a double fake. This will depend on the action of the guard. Sometimes a guard commits himself on the first fake. If he is not fooled on the first fake, then try the double fake.

A common fault of many players executing feints is that they do not allow enough time for the defensive player to “fall for” the deception. Shooting or driving too soon simply means that the deception is wasted.

Moving without the ball

Players often do not know how to act offensively when they do not have the ball. In my coaching experience I have found this to be especially true of young players. Too frequently they do nothing. They stand around watching the man with the ball, waving their arms for a pass even though he is closely guarded. The easiest man to guard is the player who stands around and moves slowly and aimlessly. Basketball is a team game and all five players must work as a unit to get the best results.

A player without the ball can do the following:

1. Move at all times to prevent the defense from double- teaming a teammate.

2. Keep the middle of the court open to permit plays down the middle.

3. Set up a screen for teammates.

4. Be alert to cut in for a possible play.

Situations change with every pass of the ball. Watch for weaknesses in the defense so you may take advantage of them.

It is important to know what you intend to do. Indiscriminate running will only tire you out. Never run straight or in circles. An opponent can easily guard you. Deception and change of pace will help you elude your guard.

Learn to fake and also to move without the ball, and you will become a much more valuable player for your team.

A good passing team is a beautiful sight to watch. A team that can handle the ball and pass well is a tough team to beat.

Many coaches will agree that passing is the most important fundamental in basketball. Throwing a ball is not passing! Passing is an art which is controlled by very definite fundamentals.

The usual passing situation is one in which an offensive player must get the ball by his immediate defensive man and to a teammate who is also guarded. Preferably the offensive man should be no more than three or four feet from the opponent he is attempting to bypass. By getting close, he shortens the pass and decreases the danger of the opponent deflecting or intercepting the ball. Many times during a game passes are thrown away because the passer is too far from his opponent.

Pass the ball to a teammate who is away from his defensive man in order to minimize the danger of interception. The receiver can help by coming out to meet the ball and offer a target away from his defensive man.

Do not make a blind pass! Choose your receiver! Learn to pass without staring at your receiver. Do not give your opponent the advantage of knowing where you will pass. Try to pass to a teammate by looking out of the corner of your eyes – split vision. The passer should see but not look at the intended receiver.

Pass the ball ahead of the receiver, waist high. Pass the ball so that it can be handled easily. A ball thrown hard at close range is difficult to handle. Chest-high passes are handled easily and they also enable the receiver to gain some time for his shooting and passing.

Never pass to a teammate cutting away from you with his back turned; wait until he has turned.

Do not pass to a player who is calling for the ball if you think he is cornered and will not be in position to receive your pass.

Keep the ball moving; never hold onto it! Holding the ball gives the defense a chance to get set. When you keep the ball active, the defense is more likely to make mistakes.

Use a fake when necessary! Fake to the left and right, fake up and down. Pass when you see an opening. Avoid cross-court passes, especially in front of the opponent’s basket. If they intercept the pass, they can easily score two points.

Do not force your passes once your team has possession of the ball; it is important to keep it until you make a score! While you have the ball the other team cannot score.

Many good passes are fumbled because of the inability of the receiver to catch the ball properly. In receiving a pass, keep your eyes on the ball. Receive it with relaxed hands, fingers spread with thumbs in. The receiver should give slightly, relaxing arms and shoulders.

From this position the player can receive and pass in one smooth motion without shifting his hands on the ball.

Passing Tips:

1. Do not use “blind” passes (looking one way and passing in the opposite direction).

2. Make your passes chest high.

3. Gauge the speed of the pass with that of the receiver.

4. Pass to the side of the receiver away from his guard.

5. Make the passes snappy and deceptive.

6. Get as close to your guard as possible before making the pass.

7. Never pass to a teammate cutting away from you with his back turned.

8. Use a fake whenever useful.

9. Avoid cross-court passes.

10. Do not force your passes.

11. Do not hold the ball; keep it moving.

12. Keep two hands on the ball so that you will be ready to dribble, shoot or pass.

13. Pass with your wrist and fingers, keeping the palms off the ball.

14. Meet the ball; do not wait for it.

15. Use bounce passes against big men.

Practice these points and you will become expert in passing.

Your team has the dribble down and they know how to work with the team. However much your team knows, it won’t be the same if they don’t know the basics of shooting the basketball in order to make the score. If you want to make sure that your team can finish what they started with the game that they are playing, then understanding the basics to shooting the ball can help them score. 

When one is learning how to position themselves for basic shooting, they can practice a specific stance in order to help. First, they should be completely aligned with the target for the basket. This will help them to aim into the right place. From here, the feet should be still and about shoulder width apart. The knees will need to be bent and the back straight. This will help with the alignment and focus towards the basket. 

After the basics of shooting have been achieved by the players, then different types of shots can be looked at for the game. Usually, you will want to practice with your players on types of shots, ones that are outside and others that are inside. The outside shooting will allow the players to shoot from a longer distance away. If these shots are made, then the team will make either two or three points from the basket. Inside shooting will be when the team is able to make a basket that is closer to the hoop. Things such as slam dunks are considered part of the inside shooting. 

If the shooting doesn’t quite work out, then it will be a foul shot. Generally, there are two types of foul shots, personal and technical. A personal foul is when an opponent from the other team steps over the boundaries of the play by personal contact. A technical foul is when the ball is not handled correctly while it is being played. Both of these types of fouls will allow the team that is fouled to have a free shot or a free throw in order to make up for the foul. 

If you want to make sure that your team wins, then you will need to teach them how to shoot. By showing them the basic techniques and the techniques that are better for them to follow, they will have the ability to hit the basket every time they throw. By practicing the various spacing between the basket and the player, the skills will grow, allowing them to make the points that they want.

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by placing a ball through a high hoop under organized rules. Learning how to dribble in basketball is a skill that is crucial. Here, then, are some basketball dribbling techniques.

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Number one: Dribble with your fingertips and the pads of your hands. Dribbling begins by pushing the ball toward the floor, or throwing or tapping the ball in the air with the fingers to bounce on the floor one or more times while controlling the ball and making no more than one step for each bounce except when picking up the dribble and taking a couple of steps in the approach to the basket to attempt a field goal.

Number two: Use only one hand at a time to dribble. Remember that once you have stopped dribbling, you may touch the ball with both hands but then you must pass or shoot before you can get the ball back and dribble again. However, it is legal to change hands by pressing or clapping the ball with one hand or the other while it rests on either hand. It is also legal to release either hand off the ball as it counts as maintaining a continuous touch or contact.

Number three: Dribble on the side of your body, and never bounce the ball in front repeatedly. Dribbling on the side minimizes the possibility of getting your ball stolen. Number four: Never watch your hands or the dribbling ball. Instead, use your peripheral vision without looking. Dribble by touch, by feel, sound, and rhythm. Number five: Practice dribbling during the off season. Get into good basketball condition by running up and down the floor while dribbling as fast as you can to develop stamina and speed.

Follow these five basketball dribbling techniques, and dribble like a pro in no time.

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