For a new or returning recreational player learning safe, repeatable basketball fundamentals. Practice begins without defense and increases difficulty gradually. Youth players, anyone returning from injury, or anyone with pain should work with a qualified coach or clinician as appropriate.
Course 16 · Life course 01
Learn Basketball From Zero
Learn basketball step by step: how to stand and move, control the ball, shoot close to the basket, defend, and take part in a game.
Before you start
Use properly fitting court shoes, a correctly sized ball, water, and a safe clear surface.
See everything you’ll needWhat you’ll leave with
A repeatable solo practice, sound shooting checkpoints, safer movement, and the confidence to join a pickup game.
Start course Start without an account. Sign in to save lesson progress across devices.
Your project
Start with the practice files. Build your project one lesson at a time.
Practice files are free without an account. Sign in to save your project record in My Proof: a description, checklist, and optional work link. Keep the original files in your own app or notebook; saving a project record does not upload them.
- Get your materialsDownload the practice worksheetUse the downloadable worksheet or toolkit alongside the lesson instructions.
- Make your projectView the project checklist Work in your own notebook, document, or software. Use the supplied practice examples when you prefer.
- Keep a private recordSave a project record Sign in to save a description and checklist, then return to update them.
Optional course overview
Watch an introduction.
This overview from Jr. NBA introduces ideas you’ll practice in the lessons.
Watch directly on YouTubeJr. NBAJr. NBA at Home: 100 Dribble DrillYouTube
Course handbook
Know the route before you begin.
Here’s what you’ll need and what you’ll make. You can return to this guide during any lesson.
- Use properly fitting court shoes, a correctly sized ball, water, and a safe clear surface.
- Mark a small practice area with tape or cones and identify a reachable hoop when needed.
- Record a brief baseline of dribbling, layups, and set shots without judging it publicly.
- Warm up progressively and stop for sharp pain, dizziness, or symptoms of injury.
Finish with proof you can use.
A filmed fundamentals circuit: athletic stance and stops, stationary and moving control with both hands, layups from both sides, a repeatable close-range shot, defensive slides and box-out position, and a short small-sided game reflection.
Save a project record in My ProofSee project checklist and review criteria
- Three controlled rounds of starts, stops, pivots, and slides recorded from front and side.
- A 15-minute ball-handling routine. Practice equally with each hand and count how often you lose control.
- Twenty makes from each side using correct foot-hand coordination and a recorded make rate.
- A five-spot close-range form routine with makes, miss pattern, and one technical focus logged.
- A partner drill sequence for closeout, contain, box-out, rebound, and outlet.
- Two short-sided games with a review of spacing, turnovers, shot choices, and defensive communication.
Three ideas to help you along the way
Three useful ideas
The rules behind the steps.
Control before speed
A slower rep with balance, vision, and correct contact builds a pattern that can later survive pressure.
Both sides matter
Alternating hands and directions early prevents every drive, finish, or escape from becoming predictable.
Games require decisions
Start by practicing a move on its own. Then add a signal to react to, a defender, or a teammate so you learn when to use it.
What do these words mean?
Key words
Key terms worth knowing.
- Triple-threat position
- A balanced position from which a player can pass, dribble, or shoot.
- Pivot foot
- The foot that must remain legally anchored while the other foot steps after possession is established.
- Gather
- The moment a player gains control of the ball before legal steps into a shot or pass.
- Closeout
- A controlled defensive approach that reduces shooting space without losing balance.
- Box out
- Establishing legal body position between an opponent and the basket before pursuing a rebound.
Your route6 lessons.
6 lessons.
One useful project.
Work in order the first time. Each lesson makes something the next lesson can use.
- 1Up next
Build stance and footwork
Move, stop, pivot, and change direction under control before adding speed.
- 230 min
Control the ball with both hands
Develop a protected dribble while seeing the court and changing pace.
- 328 min
Finish at the rim
Coordinate safe approach footwork, takeoff, touch, and use of the backboard.
- 434 min
Build a repeatable shot
Create consistent alignment, power transfer, release, and feedback from close range outward.
- 530 min
Defend and rebound
Contain space, communicate, finish possessions, and avoid unnecessary fouls.
- 632 min
Read and play the game
Connect individual skills to spacing, passing, decisions, and pickup-game etiquette.
Use the tools
See all tools Tools to help you practice.
Source transparency
Sources and further study.
Explore the references behind the lessons and take your learning further. Source notes explain access and reuse.
Ready when you are
Start lesson one Start with the first useful move.
You’ll always know what to do, what to make, and where to go next.
Open collaboration ideaHelp keep this complete course free.
Potential collaboration: Athletic apparel, equipment, gyms, hydration
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