How to be a good rebounder

Solomon Kairu

P4

Rebounding the ball is the process of catching the ball after bounces off the rim or backboard from a missed shot or layup. Due to the fact that rebounding revolves around who can grab the ball first, you rarely see short players in a basketball game trying to rebound. Generally it's the taller and bigger players such as the power forward and center that grab rebounds due to them being taller.

According to Clive Grafford, the author of the book "Basketball", says "Good rebound requires strength and determination. You can expect some contact when competing inside a crowded lane for the ball". (Grafford 34). What he's saying is that rebounding also requires determination and strength since they're many other players besides you trying to fight for the ball so you need the strength to fight for it. I applied this in my games because whenever my friend missed a lay up or a shot, I'd had to rebound for him. This knowledge has helped improve my overall skills. Anyway to do a proper rebound you have reach your arms out and cover your opponent. Then quickly jump and extend arms to grab the ball. Will you use this technique in your next game?

How to dribble a ball

Solomon Kairu
P4
Like mentioned earlier in my 2nd blog basketball isn't just about scoring. It's also about protecting the ball and getting past the defenders by dribbling. Dribbling is considered a basic technique that can be easily mastered by anyone, including you reading this. A dribble is used when going for lay ups or to put yourself in a better position on the court. Don't dribble to be flashy or to show off to the crowd as this is unnecessary and could potentially lead to a steal and a turnover. Another thing about dribbling is that you shouldn't be carrying the ball under your hand when dribbling. That's a carry which is a penalty. But you don't just use the dribble for lay ups. You mainly use them to get past defenders. Using your dribbling skills to get past a defender is called a cross over. Cross overs requires you needing to use both of your hands when dribbling the ball and switching hands. Meaning just like with lay ups, skilled basketball practice dribbling with either hand. Clive Grafford mentions in his book "Basketball" that "Top players work tirelessly in practice so that they can dribble with both hands.This always them to get past opponents on either side" meaning that this a skill used by many basketball player to go through opponents on the left side and on the right. I've applied this to me to get defenders off me when in a game.

But that's not the only form of dribbling possible. They're more advanced dribbling techniques such as the "between the legs" dribble and the "behind the back" and the spin move. These techniques are harder to master than a regular cross over dribble but they can make getting past a defender easier. To do a regular dribble though you keep your knees flexed, then as the ball bounces on the ground reach for it with your fingertips. Don't dribble with your palm. Use your fingertips. If you want to dribble forward then you keep the ball ahead of you. Then move your wrist a little upwards to receive the ball before it bounces

My question to the audience now it this. Will this article help you cross people in a game?

How to make easy lay ups.

Solomon Kairu
Period 4
Scoring is a major skill needed in basketball. Like mentioned in the previous blog, they're 2 ways of scoring in basketball; shooting or making a lay up. But I already covered shooting so now it's time to talk about the lay up. The lay up is considered by many the easiest way to score in basketball since it doesn't require much accuracy or skill. To do a proper lay up, first you must dribble towards the backboard. As you get closer to the backboard take 2 steps while carrying the ball in both hands. After the 2nd step, hop of the ground with 1 foot and gently release the ball from 1 hand. While doing a lay up, aim for the backboard or the hoop. While most players only do lay ups with their dominate arm, a skilled hooper masters the lay up with both arms. The main reason skilled players master the lay up with both hands is because it givers the player more scoring options. Instead of doing lay ups only from the right side of the hoop, you can do lay ups from both the left side and right side now.
But those aren't the only type of lay ups you can do. They're more advanced versions of a lay up. The first advance version of the lay up is the reverse lay up. According to Clive Grifford's book "Basketball" he says " A reverse is a lay up made from opposite side of the basket. It is trickier to master but is useful because the hoop helps protect your lay up from a defensive block". What this means is that the reverse lay up is harder to master since it involves more accuracy but it can be useful to protect the ball.



















But basketball isn't just about scoring. To be able to score you must learn how to protect the ball from steals and to get past defenders. To do this you must learn how to dribble properly. My question you now is this. How would you use this advice and apply this to your hooping skills?

How to become a better shooter.

Solomon Kairu
Period 4
Hi. My name is Solomon Kairu and this is my first blog for the IRP Book for Quarter 2. What I chose as my book is "Basketball" by Clive Gifford. The main reason I chose this book is because basketball is sport that has been interesting me. I originally didn't like basketball much and I didn't start getting interested in it until the summer of 2015. I'm using this book to help improve my skills. To help improve my game. This book will help you improve your skills greatly, whether you are playing competitively on a AAU basketball team or just for fun with family and friends.

To start off this blog lets talk about shooting. Shooting is one way to score a point in basketball. Your shooting distance can determine how many points you get. For example if you shoot behind the 3 point line you will get 3 points. However, if you shoot inside the 3 point line you will only get 2 points. Since shooting is the main way to score points in basketball, besides layups, it's an essential and important skill for all players to have. "All players can contribute to a team with accurate shooting to score. The set shot is made with feet on the ground and chest square to the target" (Gifford 26). What this means is that all players on the court can greatly help the team win games with a good shooting accuracy to score 3 pointers. Scoring many 3 pointers and shots can lead to your team's victory. To have good shooting form, your chest area needs to be facing the hoop and your feet must be facing the hoop also. Your shooting hand should be underneath the ball while your weak hand stays to the side of the ball to guide it. After releasing the shot your shooting arm should look as if your wrist was being flicked.

This article has impacted me positively because I've improved my shooting accuracy more. I airballed less than I originally did and came closer to the rim than I did at the beginning. But remember this. Shooting isn't the only way to score. The other more easy way people can score points in basketball is layups. But that's a topic for next time. So now my question to you is this. Do you want to improve yourself and your game?