The Fundamentals of Basketball

Introduction

The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith, a physical education teacher at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Naismith invented the indoor game in 1891 as a way to help students at the school stay in shape during the cold winters. The first game was quite different from the modern game of basketball. Players played with a soccer ball and scored points by shooting the ball into peach baskets, which were used instead of nets. Over the years, the game has changed in many different ways. Players can now dribble the ball, there is a free throw line for foul shots and there are five players on each team, instead of nine.  Today, basketball is one of the most popular and known sports globally.  But in order to play basketball you must first learn to understand the rules as well as the basic fundamental in order to play the game correctly. 

  

Task

Basic Fundamentals

Dribbling

The teacher will demonstrate how to dribble with the right and left hand.

Passing

The teacher will demonstrate how to make a bounce and chest pass to their partner.

Triple Threat

The teacher will demonstrate proper techinque for triple threat stance to protect the basketball from a defender.  The demonstrator will have bended knees and a good grip of the ball.

Shooting

The teacher will demonstrate proper shooting technique for both right and left handed players using the BEEF method.

B - Balance

E - Eyes on target

E - Elbow in

- Follow Through

Process

Dribbling

The teacher willl have a basketball as well as everyone else in the class. Each student will be asked to dribble the ball 10 times in their right hand and then 10 times in their left while focusing on keeping the bounce of the ball low and dribbling more with their fingers than palms.

Passing

Students will have a partner with one basketball per group.  The partners will stand 8 feet apart from each other and will make a pass to the patner.  There will be two demonstrators for the passing drills to allow the students to see what both chest and bounce pass looks like to their partner.  Each person will make a chest pass to their partner 10 times then will make 10 bounce passes to their partner while focuing on making a strong direct pass their partners so that can catch the basketball without having to make thier partner move around a lot.

Triple Threat

All students will have a basketball and will follow what the demonstrator's actions. The demonstrator will model proper triple threat position while being in an athletic stance with knees beant and having a good strong grip on the ball.  The students then will be asked to do the same as the demonstrator.  This will be done until everyone can demonstrate a triple threat stance.

Shooting

Students will have a basketball using their general space away from the other students. The demonstrator will show the students how to shoot using the correct form. We will use the BEEF method which focuses on Balance, Eyes on Target, Elbow in, and Following through. The demonstrator will demonstrate balance and ask the students to mimic the task, then incorporate "Eye on target" with "balance."  Eventually working each step in and then putting all the steps together.  Students will shoot in an imaginary goal then on an actually goal.  We will focus on the repetition of the BEEF method and getting the mechanics down.  We will NOT be focusing on making the shot.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on their ability to perform the following fundamentals:

  • Dribbling
  • Passsing
  • Triple Threat
  • Shooting (BEEF Method)

Evaluation Rubric

Beginners (1) Developing (2) Very Good (3) Excellent (4) Score
Dribbling Can dribble the ball. Can dribble the ball 5
times without picking it up.
Can dribble the ball 5
times
in the left and right
hand with
out picking it up.
Can dribble the ball until
instructed to stop with either hand.
Passing Can pass to partner. Can pass to partner and
catch a pass from partner.
Can make a chest pass and bounce pass to partner. Can make and catch chest
pass and
bounce pass to and from their partner that does not require partner to have to
move.
Triple Threat Has knees bent and firm grip
on ball.
Has knees bent, firm grip
on ball, proper placement of ball on hip
Has knees bent, firm grip
on ball, proper placement of ball on hip and good foot positioning
Has knees bent, firm grip
on ball, proper placement of ball on hip, good foot positioning can even keep
ball without getting it knocked out by defender.
Shooting Can verbalize the BEEF method. Has good balance when
shooting and elbow in when in the shooting position.
Can perform all four steps
of the BEEF method.
Can make a basket
demonstrating the use of the BEEF method.
Total Score
Conclusion

After completing the task, process, and evaluation of each basketball fundamental students will be able to participate in the game of basketball.  This task targets the younger players at the learning stage of basketball.  Encourgaing students to practice the fundamentals taught is strongly encouraged in order to become a great player.