Two teams of five try to throw the ball through the other team's hoop. You move the ball by bouncing it (dribbling) or passing it; you may not run while holding it.
How points are scored
A basket scores 2 points, or 3 points from beyond the three-point line. A free throw, given after some fouls, scores 1.
How a game is won
The team with more points at the end. A full game is four quarters of 10 minutes; children play shorter games. 3x3 is played on half a court with one hoop.
Rules children break first
Travelling: taking more than two steps while holding the ball.
Double dribble: dribbling, holding the ball, then dribbling again, or dribbling with both hands at once.
Fouls: pushing, holding, hitting or tripping an opponent. Basketball is a no-tackling game.
Hanging on the ring is not allowed and can pull the hoop down.
At home you play the parts
Handling the ball, dribbling, passing to a wall or a partner, and shooting at a lowered hoop or a bin. The cards build up to small games of 1 against 1 and 3 against 3.
Words you will hear (33, in plain language)
Dribble
Bouncing the ball with one hand while moving or standing.
Finger pads
The soft pads of the fingers. The ball is controlled with them, not with the flat palm.
Chest pass
A two-hand pass pushed from the chest straight to a team-mate's chest.
Bounce pass
A two-hand pass that bounces once on the way, reaching the team-mate at about waist height.
Rim
The metal hoop of the basket.
Backboard
The flat board behind the ring.
Square on the board
The small box painted on the backboard just above the ring; lay-ups aim at it.
BEEF
A way to remember the shot: Balance, Eyes on the rim, Elbow under the ball, Follow through.
Lay-up
A one-hand shot from right beside the basket after two steps, laid softly off the board.
Travelling
Moving with the ball without dribbling: more than two steps.
Double dribble
Dribbling again after holding the ball, or dribbling with two hands.
Foul
Illegal contact, such as pushing or holding.
Free-throw line
The line in front of the basket where free throws are taken.
Baseline
The end line under the basket.
Top spot
Places on the court: the top is straight out in front of the basket; the wings are to each side.
Jump stop
Stopping by landing on both feet at once.
Pivot
Turning on one foot that stays on the floor while the other foot steps. Lifting or sliding the pivot foot is travelling.
Crossover
Bouncing the ball across the body from one hand to the other.
In-and-out
Pretending to cross over, then keeping the ball in the same hand.
Hesitation
A short pause in the dribble, then a sudden burst of speed.
Close-out
A defender running out toward a player who has the ball.
Drive
Dribbling hard toward the basket.
Cut
A quick run into space to get free for a pass.
V-cut
Walking toward the basket, then cutting back out at an angle, the path making a V.
Backdoor cut
Cutting behind the defender toward the basket.
Rebound
Catching the ball after a missed shot.
Box out
Turning to keep an opponent behind your back before a rebound.
Defensive stance
Low, knees bent, feet wide, back straight, arms ready.
Slide
Moving sideways in the defensive stance without the feet crossing or touching.
Turnover
Losing the ball to the other team.
Possession
One turn of a team having the ball.
Screen
Standing still in a defender's path to free a team-mate.
Help defence
Leaving your own player for a moment to stop a drive, then going back.
Nobody is late. A beginner of any age starts at Basic.
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Basic6 cards · show· hideThe child handles the ball with the fingertips, dribbles with the head up, passes to a partner, shoots near the basket and plays small games. At this age most of the time goes on movement skills, with less on basketball skills and decisions.
Move on whenthe child meets the self-checks on b1 to b6.
Intermediate9 cards · show· hidePivoting, passing to space, dribbling with both hands under pressure, finishing, and playing 2 against 2 up to 4 against 4. At about 8 to 12 a child can learn every position, and children who grow later often become the better players.
Move on whenthe child can play a small game and make sensible pass-or-shoot choices.
Advanced4 cards · show· hideMoves, passes and shots at game speed and under contact, team tactics (zone defence, pressing, fast breaks) and competing in any situation. Contact drills need a coach.
More space and a second person. A grown-up can run every card.
You do not need to know the sport. Each card tells you where to stand, what to say and what to look at.
Pick one thing to say in a session and say only that. The first week looks messy; that is normal.
End every session on one that works.
Cards marked At a club are taught by a coach. They tell you what the
coach teaches, what is safe at home, and what to ask the club before your child joins.