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Basketball has made superstars out of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Shacquille O’Neal and many others. In almost every country, there are breeds of basketball icons.

No wonder, basketball is continuously catching the interest of more and more people, especially the younger ones. Though, football still is considered the most popular sports event on earth, the ability of basketball games to catch and suspend breaths of sports fans around the world shouldn’t be underestimated.

The game of basketball is all about competition between two opposing teams. Each team has to accumulate points by shooting the ball into the basket. The more successful shots, the higher the points.

When looking at each game, it may seem that this sports activity could easily be handled. But experts and basketball players themselves would assert otherwise. Each player must strive harder to play the game better and help the team win the game.

Because basketball is all about shooting the ball into the basket, shooting is one of the most basic skills each basketball player must possess. Surely, there are many other aspects of the game, but so far, shooting is considered the most important because it is the way to accumulate scores for the team.

Shooting is that particular basketball act when the player is striving hard to successfully throw the basketball into the basket. There will be struggles to get hold of the ball, but in the end, each player’s goal is to shoot that ball into the basket to score.

Types of shooting

Because shooting is a complicated move within the game, there are many types of shooting. Take note that players can throw the ball from a stationary position, while walking, while running, while jumping and so on. The ultimate goal is to shoot that ball where it should be-to the basket.

One type of shooting is the easiest-the set shot. The set shot is usually observed when a player is shooting a ‘free throw’. In this type of shot, the player is left standing on the floor and throwing the ball into the basket very comfortably from a specified range.

The jump shot is more challenging than the set shot. In this shooting technique, the player jumps high into the air to be able to rise above the opponents and take a better vision and range of the basket. The opponent will try to block the shot and may end up being thrown up or being knocked down to the floor.

However, during a jump shot, traveling violations may occur. That is when the player isn’t able to release the ball immediately before his feet get back to the ground.

The layup is a shooting style when the basketball player moves along the court and throws up the ball to the basket. Layup is a shooting style wherein the player doesn’t need to take a stationary position to throw the ball. The opponents are aiming to snatch the ball from the one holding it, so there is a struggle.

And lastly, the most admired and sought-after shooting technique in every game is the slam dunk. Many stars have become icons because of their ability to perform a slam dunk during important games.

A slam dunk is a shooting technique wherein the player jumps toward the net, and directly throws the ball downward to shoot it in the hoop. When the player fails to shoot the ball into the basket during a slam dunk, it is an air ball, which isn’t a violation of game rules.

How to attain good shooting skills

Because shooting is very essential in every basketball game, players should strive harder to acquire several shooting techniques and skills. Here are some very simple tips that will help you attain optimal shooting skills.

Attain proper body balance so you can aim to shoot the ball better and do your goal well.     Calculate the force to apply by your arms to the basketball when throwing the ball into the net. By acquiring the ability to estimate the range between you and the hoop, you can adjust the force to apply to the ball. The fingertips should also be well coordinated.     Basketball is a physical game, but you should also have the mental agility. Concentrate on the game and focus well on your targets. Good focus will help you to shoot that ball into the target hoop.

Basketball wouldn’t be basketball without shooting. Train and criticize yourself so you will be able to be a better player. It may be just be a game, but it is important to the competitive side of you. Good luck!

Fundamentally, an American football team is composed of two entirely different elements, the defensive team and the offense, which strives to score touchdowns by entering the opposing team’s “end zone”. This is worth 6 points that can be increased by after-scoring kick, which adds one point. An alternative way to score by kicking is by choosing to relinquish trying for a touch down and opting to kick a field goad, worth 3 points. The defensive team attempts to block scoring.

The game begins with an arbitrary coin toss, whereupon the winning team decides whether to go first or let his opponent have the first try at scoring. Why do this? Many teams like to get a look at the opposition’s offense first. The team is then given a set of 4 “downs” or attempts to traverse 10 yards. Having successfully done this, they receive another set of downs and in this way they make it toward the opposing end zone. If the team falls to make the 10 yards it must turnover the ball to the opposing team, who will then start its journey from the exact position on the field. However, to put the opposing team at a disadvantage, the offensive team will usually choose to punt on the 3rd down to ensure that their opponents will start near to their own end zone. This technique is not without risk.

A player specialized in kicking enters the game and a designated player holds the ball. Equally specialized defensive players try to block it. A blocked kick is a free for all that can result in the opposing team getting both ball possession and an advantageous plying opposition. The opposition’s kick receivers pose another danger since they are very fast sprinters who may be able to run the entire length of the field.

How des the offensive team use its downs to score? Offensive teams have a “game plan” prearranged by several coaches. The quarterback, the leader onfield may change this plan as he sees opportunities or weaknesses in the defense. Before play the offensive team “huddle” to formulate the next play. They then line up with the offensive line, knuckles down on the “line of scrimmage”, nose to nose with a similarly lined up defense. They form a veritable wall to keep the quarterback safe. Behind this wall are 2 halfbacks and the safety who hands the ball to the quarterback behind him. This handout is known as the “snap” and sets play and both teams in motion.

Upon receiving the ball from the “snap” the quarterback must either hand off the ball to a running back or tight end, who run through the defenders. There are also ends, who run or catch passes or the QB may drop back and pass the ball to an end or a wide receiver, who flanks the line and is quick enough to run downfield and get in the open.

Each game proceeds with this alternation of ball possession for four 15 minute “quarters”, which are extended indefinitely by team substitutions, time outs, incomplete passes, play reviews and other things which all stop the clock.

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.