Every basketball team's goal is to improve their skills or
their game and play well. It is important that the team has confidence before
they set foot on the floor or court. But how can the team achieve confidence?
The answer is preparation. Through preparation, the team gains confidence. The
team can prepare through practice. Practising skills and team plays can make
the team confident to face any situation that they should encounter in an
actual game.
In making a basketball team play you need a diagram to
represent the court or floor, some chips or a marker to place the positions of
the players, who are given a specific number or colour of chips. This is used
to explain the flow of the play so the team players know how to act or where to
go during specific team plays. Extensive knowledge of the game itself, tactics
and rules are also essential. In order to facilitate the discussion, everyone
concerned should bear in mind that the strong side means that it is the side of
the court where the basketball is and the weaker side is the one without the
basketball.
This is where names such as John Stockton, Jason Kidd and
Steve Nash come into play. These are some of the most skilled basketball
players in terms of playmaking. While the coach is in charge of teaching how
plays should be made, the point guard has the primary task to make sure that
these are properly executed during the game.
Offensive Plays are used when the team has the possession of
the ball. The focus of this play is to score. Plays of this kind increase the
chances of the players, such as the point guard, to make the basket and score.
Examples of this play are 1-3-1 offensive plays, 1-4 formation offensive plays,
zone formation offensive plays, triangle offence formation and man to man
offence.
The offensive team that will do these offensive plays is
composed of five players with corresponding titles and numbers: The point guard
(1), the shooting guard (2), the forward guard (3), the power guard (4) and the
centre (5). The point guard directs the offensive play on the court. The
shooting guard is the best outside shooter and usually takes the shot that
allows the basketball to make the basket, he should know the right timing for
scoring. The small forward guard moves quickly and effectively and keeps the ball
away from the defensive team. They can also drive to take a shot or do jump
shots anywhere. The power forward is the best inside shooter, which shoots well
from underneath the basket or on its corners. The centre is the tallest member
of the team and does the rebounds and plays with his back almost facing the
basket all the time.
Defensive plays are used by the team when they prevent the
ball from making the basket by guarding the basket themselves and the players
as well so that scoring won't be successful. The focus of this play is to
prevent the other team from scoring by trying to steal the ball or disrupting
the flow of play of the team that has ball possession.
Plays of this kind
puts pressure on the players who have ball possession making them vulnerable.
The defending team players use this situation to their advantage and stop the
ball from making it to the basket or making it possible to steal the ball from
their hands. Examples of this play are the zone defence and the 2-3 zone defence.
Team players should possess characteristics when they are on
the defensive play. Quickness is a quality that can be applied to the hands and
feet. Swift movements are necessary to help defensive steal the ball from the
offensive team. Strong legs can be helpful in doing repetitive quick jumps.
Focus on the game is necessary and they should always be aware since they will
read and observe the offensive play so they can use it to their advantage.
This will help the defensive team members to react quickly
and appropriately. Defensive team members should be flexible and able to do
different kinds of defensive plays depending on the situation.
They should be able to apply defensive skills on both the weak
and strong sides of the court. Understanding of the strategies and concepts of
the game helps them make the right decisions based on the situation. Good
communication is essential for teamwork because if they work together on the
floor, the offensive team will have a difficult time scoring.
Practising the basic basketball skills as well as the
offensive and defensive plays helps a team prepare for a game. When you are
prepared to face the battle during a basketball game, worries can be set aside
and confidence is gained. These are the secrets to playing a good game and
playing it right. Winning and being a champion is possible if these things are
kept in mind.
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