Warning: You may be moved. When a player executes a spectacular play, you may be moved to emulate their performance. Keep a basketball at your side when you watch a game so that you can practice your shot or dribble the ball or even spin the ball on your finger (see Related 2torials below). However, only do this at home, and away from any breakable furniture. Don't take a ball to a game! Fans will think that you're strange, and may report you to security.

2torial #0543: Learn2 Understand Basketball (Continued) Observe the defense The objective of the defense is to limit scoring. To achieve this end, it must force the offense to make an error which will result in a turnover--a change of possession--or a bad shot. To increase these possibilties, there are three main strategies: Good defense doesn't allow easy shots. The offensive player with the ball has a defender near them, with the defender's arms waving in their face.   Good defense doesn't allow easy passes. An offensive player who moves towards the basket will be shadowed by a defender, who places their body between the ball and the offensive player.   Good defense just reduces the options of the offense as much as possible. As with human beings in general, a frustrated offense will often make mistakes. The defense implements these strategies through the practice of coverage. When a defender stands near an opponent (zero to five feet (zero to two meters), depending on the situation), the opponent can't easily pass, shoot, or receive the ball--the opponent is covered. Defensive coverage is organized into two basic forms: player-to-player and zone. In a player-to-player defense, each defender guards an opposing player. The farther away the ball is from an opponent, or the father away the offensive ball carrier is from the basket, the looser the coverage is by the defender.   In a zone defense, each player guards an area on the floor. If the ball comes in a player's area, they guard the player with the ball. (In the NBA, zone defense is illegal.) Step 5