How to Master the Fundamentals When a Person Is Playing Basketball for the First Time

Walking onto a basketball court for the first time can feel like stepping into a different universe. The squeak of sneakers, the echoing bounce of the ball, the sheer speed and size of everything—it’s exhilarating and intimidating all at once. I remember my own first clumsy attempts, throwing up airballs and getting completely lost on defense. The key, I learned through years of playing and coaching, isn’t to mimic the highlight-reel plays you see on TV, but to build a rock-solid foundation. This truth was underscored for me just recently, watching a professional game where the outcome hinged not on a spectacular dunk, but on the most fundamental of plays: a follow-up. Take this past Saturday’s PBA clash, for instance. In a nail-biter between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the game was decided in the final heartbeat. With the score tied and mere seconds remaining, a shot went up, missed, and in the chaos, it was Kenneth Tuffin who secured the offensive rebound and scored the put-back with a mere 0.7 seconds left on the clock. That 93-91 victory for the Fuel Masters wasn’t won with a deep three-pointer or a fancy crossover; it was won by mastering the basic, gritty art of positioning, timing, and effort—the very fundamentals a first-time player must embrace.

So, where do you even begin? Let’s be honest, you’re probably dreaming of hitting game-winning shots. But before you can do that, you need to be able to consistently get the ball to the rim. Your first and most important relationship is with the basketball itself. Spend time alone with it. Don’t just shoot; dribble. Feel its seams, its bounce. Start with stationary dribbling, keeping your head up—this is non-negotiable. Use your fingertips, not your palm, and keep the ball low to protect it. I’m a firm believer that you should be able to carry on a conversation while dribbling with either hand; it means you’re not staring at the ball. As for shooting, forget distance for now. Stand close to the basket, maybe five feet away. Focus on a single, smooth motion: elbow under the ball, eyes on the target (the back of the rim is my personal favorite spot to aim for), and a follow-through where your wrist snaps down like you’re reaching into a cookie jar. Practice this hundreds of times. The muscle memory you build here is everything. I’d argue that 80% of scoring at any level comes from within ten feet of the basket, so mastering these close-range shots is your golden ticket to contributing early on.

Now, about that game-deciding play by Tuffin. It leads us to the second pillar of fundamental basketball: rebounding. This is the great equalizer. You don’t need to be the tallest or most athletic player to be a good rebounder; you need to be the most determined and technically sound. It’s all about positioning and anticipation. When a shot goes up, your first job is to find your opponent and put a body on them—we call this “boxing out.” You turn, make contact, and create space between them and the basket. Then, it’s about timing your jump and going to get the ball with two strong hands. Tuffin’s play was a masterclass in this. In that high-pressure moment, with everyone focused on the primary shooter, he read the trajectory, established inside position, and was ready for the miss. For a beginner, every missed shot in practice is an opportunity. Don’t just watch it; pursue it. Developing a knack for rebounds will get you on the court faster than almost any other skill, because every team needs someone who hustles and can secure possessions.

Finally, we have to talk about the mental and spatial fundamentals. Basketball is often called a game of chess played at a sprint, and that starts with understanding where you are and where you should be. On offense, this means learning to move without the ball. Standing still is the worst thing you can do. Cut to the basket, set a screen for a teammate, or simply relocate to an open spot to give your ball-handler an option. On defense, it’s about stance and awareness. Adopt a low, wide stance with your hands active. I always teach the “heel-to-toe” principle: you should be able to slide your feet without them crossing, maintaining balance. Your eyes should be on your opponent’s waist, not their eyes or the ball, as the waist doesn’t lie about which direction they’re going. And remember, defense is primarily about effort and communication. A simple “I’ve got ball!” or “Screen left!” can transform a group of individuals into a cohesive unit. This spatial awareness directly impacts passing, too. A crisp, timely pass is more valuable than a flashy dribble. Look for the open man, aim for their chest, and use both hands to push the ball. Turnovers often kill a team’s momentum more than missed shots.

In conclusion, while the professional game is played at a stratospheric level of athleticism and strategy, its core is built upon the same simple principles you should focus on in your first week. Kenneth Tuffin’s game-winning follow-up with 0.7 seconds left wasn’t magic; it was the product of thousands of hours spent honing the basics of footwork, positioning, and relentless effort. Your journey won’t start with a game-winner in a packed stadium, and that’s perfectly fine. It starts with the quiet discipline of repetitive drills: dribbling with your head up, shooting form shots until your arm aches, and learning to box out on every single play. Embrace the simplicity of these fundamentals. Fall in love with the process of getting better at them. Because when you do, you’ll find that the game slows down. The court feels smaller. And one day, when your team needs a crucial play, you’ll be ready—not because you practiced a trick move, but because you mastered the foundation that everything else is built upon. Trust me, there’s no better feeling than contributing to a win through solid, fundamental basketball. Now, go find a ball and get to work.