First Play Basketball: A Beginner's Guide to Mastering the Basics

I remember the first time I stepped onto a basketball court with any real intention of learning the game - I was fourteen, awkwardly dribbling a ball that seemed determined to escape my control. That initial frustration is something many beginners face, but what kept me going was watching professional players who made the game look like poetry in motion. Just recently, I was reminded of this when I saw LA Tenorio's Instagram post from September 6th, where he clarified that he wasn't retiring from basketball but merely saying goodbye to Barangay Ginebra after thirteen remarkable years with the team. There's something profoundly inspiring about veterans like Tenorio who continue to evolve their game while staying true to fundamentals, and it's exactly this balance between foundational skills and personal growth that I want to explore for those just starting their basketball journey.

When you're beginning your basketball adventure, the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming - I certainly felt that way. Let's start with what I consider the most critical fundamental: proper shooting form. Many newcomers underestimate how technical a simple jump shot really is. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your shooting side foot slightly forward, knees bent, elbow aligned with the basket, and follow-through with that classic goose neck finish. I've counted professional players' shooting forms frame by frame, and the consistency in their mechanics even under pressure is astonishing. The best shooters in the world make approximately 48-52% of their field goals, while beginners often struggle to hit 20% - but with dedicated practice focusing on form rather than just making shots, you can dramatically improve those percentages within months.

Ball handling is another area where I've seen countless beginners develop bad habits that take years to correct. The temptation is always to look at the ball while dribbling, but you need to train yourself to feel the ball instead. Start with basic stationary dribbles - pound dribbles, crossover drills, behind-the-back practice - spending at least thirty minutes daily if you're serious about improvement. What separates players like Tenorio from the average participant isn't just flashy moves but their incredible control in high-pressure situations. I've developed what I call the "distraction drill" where I dribble while someone stands nearby creating noise and movement - it's frustrating at first but builds game-like focus. After six weeks of consistent practice, most players I've coached improve their ball security by roughly 40%, committing fewer turnovers even when facing defensive pressure.

Defensive fundamentals often get overlooked by beginners excited about scoring, but this is where games are truly won. I'm particularly passionate about teaching defensive stance and footwork because I believe a strong defender can impact the game even on an off-shooting night. Your stance should be athletic - knees bent, back straight, weight on the balls of your feet, arms extended wide. The best defenders I've studied maintain this stance for approximately 85% of their time on defense, constantly adjusting their position based on the offensive player's movements. What makes veterans like Tenorio so valuable isn't just their offensive prowess but their defensive intelligence - knowing when to gamble for a steal versus maintaining solid position.

Basketball IQ might sound like an abstract concept, but it's something you can actively develop from day one. When I first started playing organized basketball, my coach made me watch game footage for two hours each week, and though I resisted at first, it completely transformed how I saw the court. Beginners should start by learning basic offensive sets like the pick-and-roll and defensive principles like help-side defense. Understanding spacing - that magical concept of maintaining proper distance between players - immediately makes you more effective. The modern game has evolved to prioritize three-point shooting, with teams attempting around 35 three-pointers per game compared to just 13 attempts per game two decades ago, so understanding where to position yourself has never been more important.

Conditioning for basketball requires a specialized approach that many newcomers miss. It's not just about running laps - it's about developing the specific endurance for basketball's stop-and-go nature. I typically recommend beginners incorporate interval training that mimics game conditions: sprint the length of the court, jog back, then immediately drop into defensive stance and slide sideways. Repeat this sequence for five minutes straight, rest for ninety seconds, and complete three to five cycles. This type of training improved my own court endurance by what felt like 300% within my first two months of serious training. The professional players who maintain longevity in their careers, like the 38-year-old Tenorio who continues playing despite leaving his long-time team, understand that basketball-specific conditioning separates those who fade from those who flourish.

What I love most about basketball is that the learning never stops - even after twenty years of playing, I still discover nuances in footwork or new ways to read defenses. The journey of mastering basketball basics is both challenging and incredibly rewarding, creating a foundation that will serve you whether you're playing pickup games or aspiring to competitive leagues. Players like LA Tenorio demonstrate that while teams and roles may change, the fundamental skills and love for the game can fuel a career spanning decades. So embrace those early struggles with dribbling, celebrate the small victories like properly executing a defensive slide, and remember that every professional player once stood where you are now - at the beginning of what could be an extraordinary relationship with this beautiful game.