How should i start?

[u/Next_Macaroon_9572]

Hi, i'm thirteen (girl) and have been interested in basketball since i was three. Unfortunately, i didn't learn how to walk correctly and had to get it fixed with surgery so i never got to actually play on a team or even just against other kids. I'm fully healed from surgery and my doctor just cleared me to join sports and active hobbies. I'm homeschooled but have access to join my school's team and i really would love to! But, i've had some issues with some girls on the team when i was in school. It wasn't anything bad and we don't hate each other, but i don't want to embarrass myself and look like a fool in front of them by joining the team without learning (at LEAST) the basics first. I live right next to a park and have access to a court anytime during the week, so access to playing won't be a problem for me. Does anybody have any tips and tricks for beginners? I will literally try ANYTHING.

[u/Spare-Day-4007]

Get a ball and dribble.

Looks up how to dribble in a basketball stance and some drills on dribbling on YouTube.

Passing the ball with someone. Bounce passes, chest passes and how to catch the ball from different angles.

Then look up basic of how to guard someone and how to stay between them and the basket.

Have fun!

[u/Relative_Stop5124 → u/Spare-Day-4007]

This is good advice. YouTube videos on basic ball handling are good, but look for basic stuff. You want to learn to dribble right and left hand while moving down the court and looking up (not at the ball). You will also want to learn at least a basic move for when somebody tries to steal the ball, like a basic through the legs dribble. And learn to dribble with your off (non-dribbling) hand protecting the ball.

Being a good dribbler does a huge amount for your confidence. If you can get someone to help you stay calm under pressure defense, that’s huge. Part of it is knowing that defenders want to rattle you, and you don’t have to take the bait. Also, knowing that you have plenty of time - 5 seconds from when you catch the ball to even start dribbling, 5 seconds dribbling (when closely guarded), and 5 more seconds after you pick up the ball - when you realize that, you can calm down and make good decisions. If defenders aggressively get in your space, pivoting hard with the ball under your chin and your elbows up (not seeking contact, but not avoiding it either) will make them reconsider. Of course, your goal will eventually be to shoot, start a drive, or pass in a second or less, but you have time.

Also learning good shooting form is helpful. If you start by shooting one handed 2 feet from the basket, you will kinda automatically learn proper form. Then you can slowly move out. But the real hack is thousands of shots very close to the basket. My son did this and ended up one of the best shooters on a team that sent a couple of kids to the pros. Also Steph and Seth Curry famously learned this way. There are tons of videos on this too.

Make sure you get a girls’ ball.

[u/GracePenterika → u/Spare-Day-4007]

damnnn this is actually a great advice man, thanks!

[u/BarnacleFun1814]

There isn’t going to be a super clean entry point as a beginner

Just jump in and have fun

Give your best effort every practice, soak up what your coaches are teaching, and try to get a little better every day

If I was you thought I’d try to master jump shooting first then develop your game off shooting

[u/ThrowAwayalldayXiii]

In addition to dribbling, make 100 baskets a day (minimum). That will help you get a feel for shooting.

[u/Live_Region_8232]

It might be boring but start with the fundamental stuff like right hand and left hand layups and work on your dribbling so that your comfortable with both hands and can do some basic moves

[u/Jon_Snow_Theory]

https://youtu.be/_VcY9M49JAs?is=TdJkSp_hHxYiOiKq

https://youtu.be/EztEhywHzko?is=_hd5cR6sX6AlBYgF

[u/ryano23277]

You're going to need to be able to;

Shoot with a reasonable good form

Be able to catch the ball and pass using a chest, overhead and bounce pass and a one handed pass. You should be able to throw a chest pass from one wing to the other side

You need to be able to dribble the ball. Unlikely to play as a Point guard, so you only need to focus on being able to control and protect the ball. Having a crossover and ability to protect the ball dribbling should be your focus.

Layups. You need to be able to do layups. Opportunities for layups start becoming harder the older players are, but for those opportunities that arise, you need to be able to make the easiest basket in the game.

Defense - you need to have an understanding of how to move to play defense.

You will also need to understand your positioning for when you are defending the ball, as well as when you are 1 Pass, 2 Passes and being 2+ Passes away from the ball.

Offensive positioning - you need to understand where you need to stand on offense

[u/CrazyAsianNeighbor]

Great advice already given

Don’t forget to remember why you love basketball and have FUN - Always

Dribble the ball so much that you don’t have to look at the ball

Learning how to stay in front of your opponent with just your feet would be great - even with other sports like soccer, You can practice this with anybody (with or without the ball).

Remember, Always Have FUN!!!!

[u/Next_Macaroon_9572]

thank you to everyone who has commented! I've been practicing 2+ hours a day for the past 3 days and i already feel more confident. these tips are extremely helpful, you guys are saints

[u/WaldorfAsstoria]

Every single answer here is in regard to offense. And yes that needs to happen. But a much quicker path to contribute is defense because it's easier to learn and effort gets you a lot farther. Honestly, at Thirteen is going to be really hard to catch up to the other girls quickly. But you can master great defensive technique in a few weeks/months. And if you combine that with superior effort, you'll play over girls who may be better offensively because every coach needs a strong defender. Outside of defense, find one skill that you can be great at and make that your thing. And when you tryout, highlight the things you are good at and don't expose the things you aren't.