Basketball Rules Guide: Offense, Defense and Kids' Drills

Basketball rules for traveling and offensive fouls can be complex for beginners and kids. Improve your game with middle school tryout drills and understand the physics behind player hang time.

Young people playing basketball

How Do the Laws of Motion Apply to Basketball?

Isaac Newton's first law of motion states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless an external force acts upon it. When a basketball player shoots, it would appear that there is nothing to obstruct the ball.

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Basketball player with basketball

Upper-Body Weight Training for Basketball Players

Training for basketball isn't just about building leg strength and increasing your jumping power -- upper-body strength is critical too. Stronger shoulder, chest, back and arm muscles can give you the edge over your competition when it comes to stealing, blocking, dunking and passing.

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Basketball on basketball court, elevated view

The Physics of Basketball Player Hang Times

One of the most impressive parts of basketball is watching a playerโ€™s hang time. Not only do you want to see who can hang in the air the longest, but you also want to know how to get that long hang time. When you understand the science behind hang times, you can figure out how to increase your own.

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Basketball Match

How to Calm Nerves in Basketball

Whether a basketball player remains calm or experiences performance jitters depends on how effectively he responds emotionally to daily situations when something is at stake.

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Closeup of a basketball

The Disadvantages of Basketball

Basketball can be a healthy activity, one that increases stamina, strength and coordination while also promoting teamwork. Like any sport however, basketball has its disadvantages.

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Football game

What Are the Differences in Football & Basketball?

According to a 2011 Harris Interactive Poll, football is the most popular sport in the United States, with basketball checking in at third. However, the similarities between the two sports end there, as the two have little in common besides being two of the most popular team sports.

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Father and son playing basketball

Importance of Playing Basketball

For many people, playing basketball is a fun and effective form of exercise. While other vigorous aerobic activities offer some of the same benefits, the additional advantages basketball offers makes it an enjoyable and even important part of their lifestyles.

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High angle view of a young man holding a basketball

How to Deflate a Basketball

While you will need your basketball to be inflated to play with, several reasons might account for wanting to take the air out of the ball.

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Men playing basketball

What Is a 1 and 1 in Basketball?

Fouls in basketball often send the fouled player to the free throw line to shoot free throws. When a player is fouled while shooting and the shot is unsuccessful, he gets two free throws. However, a player does not have to be shooting to go to the free throw line.

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Legs of a basketball player

How to Put Grip on Worn Out Basketball Shoes

You have a couple of options for improving the grip on your worn-out basketball shoes. The first is having the shoes resoled by a repair service that specializes in sports shoes. Typically, shoe services include patching and re-stitching the uppers as part of the service.

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Basketball players fighting for a ball

Do Basketball Players Lift Weights Before or After Practice?

Strength training or weightlifting for basketball players is different than lifting in other sports due to the skill demands of the sport. According to the Sports Fitness Advisor, basketball players need explosive power and coordination more than size.

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Men playing basketball

How to Attack a 1-2-2 Trap in Basketball

Basketball teams employ various types of pressure defenses designed to create turnovers and easy baskets. A 1-2-2 defensive trap is one kind of press that teams often employ. Teams can use a 1-2-2 in full-court or half-court situations.

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Basketball on the court

The Effect of the Basketball Floor Surface

Technological advances have multiplied the flooring options for basketball. Previous generation of players competed indoors on wood, tile or tartan surfaces and outdoors on either concrete or asphalt, but new synthetic surfaces and sports court technologies have created a whole new range of choices.

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How to Size Basketball Shoes

Selecting the right size of basketball shoe can be one of the most important decisions you make when playing. According to Podcare.com, wearing basketball shoes of the wrong size can damage your feet causing problems that range from blisters and ingrown toenails to orthopedic issues with your ankles.

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High-top classic basketball shoes sneakers

The Difference Between Basketball & Cross Trainer Shoes

Walk into a shoe store, and you are faced with rows and rows of athletic shoes with different designs, constructions and features. Trying to choose the right type of athletic shoe can be challenging, especially since these shoes can be costly.

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Men playing basketball outdoors

What Does B.E.E.F. Stand for in Basketball?

The B.E.E.F. principle in basketball is an acronym that helps novice players practice proper shooting form. The acronym traditionally refers to maintaining balance, focusing eyes on the target, aligning elbows properly and following through with stable arm and hand movements.

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Men Playing Basketball

The Average Speed of a Basketball Player

Successful basketball results from a combination of several skills, including speed, conditioning and athleticism. As a result, coaches and scouts test speed using a series of assessments such as the 40-yard dash, agility drills, vertical jump and the mile run.

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Seated basketball player looking away

Use of a Basketball Knee Sleeve

As basketball is a high-intensity, fast-moving sport, players aren't strangers to leg and knee injuries. Knee sleeves help offer support to sore knees, but they don't replace stronger braces or time off the court when it comes to serious injuries.

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