Hot Basketball How-Tos

How To: Snag Prime Seats at an NBA Game

There is no fan experience in professional sports quite like watching an NBA game live. Partly, this can be attributed to the combination of fluid teamwork and jaw-dropping athleticism the players exude in the form of size, speed, jumping ability, grace, and strength. What truly differentiates the NBA from the spectators' perspective, though, is the figurative nakedness of the players. While the NFL buries its athletes beneath pads and masks, the NBA presents its talent in shorts and a tank top.

How To: Improve Your Vertical Jump

The vertical jump is an important part of many sports, including basketball, volleyball, track & field, football, and many more. For this reason, it is important to learn how to improve vertical jump as it will provide several advantages in the different sports.

How To: Perform a shot fake in basketball

In this video, we learn how to perform a shot fake in basketball with Chase. There are three keys to a good shot fake. First, make sure you are on balance and nice and stable. Be in a good dent athletic position, but don't come out and up from your position. Then, you will need to make sure your eyes are to the rim. This will sell the shot and get the defender to buy it, making the defensive player lose focus and position. Last, you want to make sure you keep it tight when you are playing. Th...

How To: Create space to score in basketball

In this tutorial, we learn how to create space to score in basketball. In order to create space, you will need to understand the role of the defensive player. Put yourself in their shoes thinking about what they are trying to do as you're playing. As an offensive player, you want to keep them more than an arm's length away from you by closing the gap between you. This will cause the defender to change their stance in order to stand in front of you. After this, you will be able to run around t...

How To: Coach Young Basketball Players to Shoot Free Throws

One of the most important and overlooked aspect of basketball is free throws. There's no reason a free throw can't be made every time, and this video will teach coaches and young children playing ball the best practices for getting ready for making the free throw. Shooting a free throw means repetition, it means practicing, because no matter where the team plays, the free throw line and the rim are always going to be familiar, so shooting a free throw shouldn't be a problem.

How To: Establish the set shot in basketball

In this tutorial, we learn how to establish the set shot in basketball with Chase Curtis. The set point is the location of the basketball just before you shoot it. The execute the set point, make an "l" shape with your arm, your elbow should be aligned with your shoulder. Your wrist should be cocked and you should be able to see underneath the arm from a front view. The other hand should be lightly touching the side of the ball, giving it a small amount of stabilization. Follow these tips to ...

How To: Get your basketball shot off quicker

In this tutorial, we learn how to get your shot off quicker. Make sure you use your feet to establish a good stance and so you are ready to shoot the basketball before it ever arrives. Also, understand that flipping the shot will take too much time and ruin your shot. If the ball is dropped from a high position then brought up for release, this will take too much time. To avoid this, catch the ball and move in an "up" rhythm. This will make the shot go out quicker so you have more time to get...

How To: Properly aim your shot at the basket

In this video, we learn how to properly aim your shot at the basket. When playing, you need to make sure you don't hit the back rim or the ball will shoot back at you. If you don't reach the basket, it's probably not going to go in. When shooting, focus on the open space in the basket, then lay the ball into the net. This will give you a soft target with a greater margin of error. If you can put the ball anywhere in the net, it's probably going to make it all the way through!

How To: Understand shooting surfaces in basketball

In this tutorial, we learn how to understand shooting surfaces in basketball. Make sure you have the ball located on the finger pads or shooting surfaces. On the finger pads, keep the ball engaged with them and not the palm of the hand. This is also the shooting surface, where you have better control of the basketball. You can elevate the basketball from your thumb by spreading out your fingers so there is a finger's length between the palm of the hand and the ball. Test this out with one of ...

How To: Protect the ball while in the box

In this video, we learn how to protect the ball while in the box. If the ball is directly in front of your body, it puts it in a position where it can be moved by the defender. The box is an imaginary line just under your chin that goes just under your thigh and from the length of your torso. The ball should be on the top corner of the box when you shoot, where you can cross is around your face before you put it down. You can also sway it around your knees if you are ready to take off on a dr...

How To: Release point in basketball

In this tutorial, we learn how to release point in basketball with Tom. If you hesitate or hang, you will lose power in your legs and your ball will go short and flat. When you reach the top of your jump you will want to release your ball to get the most height out of it. When shooting the jump shot, pay attention to what it feels like when you are going to shoot. You want to feel powered up not effortless or underpowered when you are shooting. Time your release and make sure you have a high ...

How To: Get the perfect shooting arc in basketball

In this video, we learn how to get the perfect shooting arc in basketball. When you are shooting, the arc is how you will get the ball into the hoop. You should first know the size of the basketball and basket in relation to how far away you are from the basket. Make sure the ball is going to reach the apex on its arc so it can reach the basket easiest. You will need to pay attention to the height of the basket so you know how angled your feet need to be when you are shooting. After you have ...

How To: Position your feet when shooting a ball

In this video, Tom tells us how to position your feet when shooting a ball. Momentum when you are shooting has to be controlled. You will have to plan how you are going to use your feet and what your lead and stop foot will be. You want to make sure the foot that is closest to the basket is facing it and not facing another way. You also want to create stability when you are shooting baskets. Establish your stop foot with the one closest to the basket. Once you get your feet down in the right ...

How To: Perform a crossover dribble

In this video, we learn how to perform a crossover dribble. This is an effective move to allow the opposite player to get by the defender. All professional players use this move so they can score or set their teammates up for a shot. To set this up, come full speed at the defender and look right into their eyes. After this, you will scare the opponent and be able to go make your shot. Make sure you move your body quickly and lean forward while you are doing this, so you get the most effective...

How To: Coach Young Players with Simple Basketball Drills

You don't need to be a professional sports coach to get your child geared up for basketball season. There's some simple basketball drills anyone can learn and teach to children playing basketball. Even if your child is prodigy or doesn't plan on playing for the school team, these are still worthwhile drills to use to help better your child's performance on the basketball court.

How To: Coach Young Basketball Players to Play in the Paint

Playing in the paint… what does it mean exactly? Inside the paint means close up to the rim, in the area below the hoop that is actually painted a different color than the rest of the basketball court. This video will show young players and coaches how to effectively play inside the paint, with drills for layups, rebounding and more. This is the roughest and most dangerous part of the game, so knowing the best defense and offense is key to winning.

How To: Warm up in basketball

Get your b-ball game on with this video on how to warm up for basketball! Learn a few great exercises to help perfect your basketball skills on the court! Begin with these warm-up drills to get your muscles warm and your skills even warmer!

How To: Spin a basketball on your index finger

First of all you need to know that if you are a right handed person then the rotation of the basket ball must go to the left. Now hold the basketball in your right hand and place your left palm over it. Now give a very strong spin using your right hand to the basketball. You have to make sure that you get a good first spin on it to get a good rotation going.

How To: Shoot free throw shots

In this edition of ClubHouseGas, with host Casey Bass, basketball coach Chuck Melito shows us how to shoot free throws. He shows us how to work on both the mental and the physical approach to free throw shooting. A right-handed shooter should place his right foot at the center of the basket. A left-handed shooter should place his left foor at the center of the basket. Then it's important to get balanced, so you're not leaning to one side or another, or more weight on one foot than the other. ...

How To: Shoot a free throw shot in 7 steps

First step in a free throw is when the ref passes you the ball. At this point you should step back and take a breath, this will slow you down and help you concentrate. You have 10 seconds to shoot so there is no rush. Next, approach the line. You will find a nail, dot, or spot of paint. This shows you where the center of the court is. Line your shoulders up with the dot, to prevent the ball from going to the left or right of the hoop. Next, you should use a routine you've established to get y...

HowTo: Ace a Free Throw

Larry Silverberg and Chau Tran of North Carolina State University tested more than 100,000 3-D simulations of free throws to come up with this HowTo for you. The two engineers have determined the perfect trajectory. Check out their strategy below, via Wired's How-To Wiki.

How To: Perform a perfect release when shooting a basketball

Learn how to perform a perfect release when shooting a basketball from Tom Curtis. First you have to focus on the wrist and finger follow through after you shoot the basketball. It should be a relaxed finger finish with the thumb pointing toward the floor. The ball should be released from the index and middle finger of the shooting hand leaving a sensation after the release. Make sure your fingers finish goes directly toward the basket.

How To: Use the assist hand to shoot a basketball

Learn how to use the assist hand when shooting a basketball in simple steps. The assist hand should be located at the side of the basketball and its contact with ball should only be a light touch. Do not squeeze the ball while shooting as it results in poor rotation of the ball. Remember not to keep your assist hand to the front of the ball as your accuracy will decrease. Always release the assist hand from the ball before you make the shoot. Finally always remember to use you assist hand onl...

How To: Power dribble in basketball

Worried about messing up your power dribble in your next basketball game? This 5-minute MetaCafe how-to video features an expert coach telling you everything you need to know about commanding the key. It covers proper crossover and pivoting techniques, and shot options, including the hook. It emphasizes common mistakes that could lose you the point, like whether to look down at the ball, how to work your way towards the hoop, and whether or not the power dribble is the right move for a given ...

How To: Play basketball with help from Kobe Bryant

L.A. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant shares some tips with TIME Magazine's Sean Gregory on how he puts his best foot forward everytime he steps onto the court. Areas gone over in this video include: The proper grip & shooting form, attack the foot & sell the fake, the pull-up jumpshot, the art of the foul shot, playing to the opponent's weaknesses, getting in character, and stretching.

How To: Improve man-to-man defense with Bruce Bowen

Nasty defender Bruce Bowen teaches you how to defend a player or in his case, superstars like Lebron James or Kobe Bryant. This is key to defensive plays. Man-to-man can be a full contact and aggressive way to play. You got to be quick on your feet and ready to get in the offense's face. Don't let the shot go off. It is your responsibility to beat them on every play.

How To: Take defensive charge with Shane Battier

Shane Battier teaches you how to take a charge, and how it can help to stop superstars like Dwyane Wade and Lebron James. This inside skill drill from Shane Battier gives you the right perspective from an NBA star. Get basketball advice from the pros on how to improve your basketball game. Shane Battier is the authority on defense!

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