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Noble Hoops Family Resource

BASKETBALL
BASICS

Everything a family new to basketball needs to know — ball sizes, basic rules, positions, and simple drills your player can practice at home.

Ball Sizes Basic Rules Positions Home Drills Glossary
Gear Guide

WHAT SIZE
BALL TO USE

Using the right size ball makes a huge difference in how kids learn. Too big and they struggle to shoot properly; too small and they won't develop the right feel. Here's the chart:

Age Group Gender Ball Size Circumference Notes
Ages 5–7 Boys & Girls Size 3 22 inches Mini ball — perfect for little hands just starting out
Ages 7–8 Boys & Girls Size 4 25.5 inches Junior ball — good for K–2nd grade development
Ages 9–11
3rd–5th Grade		 Boys & Girls Size 5 27.5 inches Intermediate ball — used in Noble Hoops 3rd/4th grade
Ages 11–14
5th–8th Grade		 Girls Size 6 28.5 inches Official women's size — used in Noble Hoops 5th/6th grade
Ages 12–14 Boys Size 6 28.5 inches Boys transition to Size 6 around 7th–8th grade
Ages 15+
High School & Up		 Girls / Women Size 6 28.5 inches Official WNBA & women's college size
Ages 15+
High School & Up		 Boys / Men Size 7 29.5 inches Official NBA & men's college size
💡 Noble Hoops tip: If you're buying a ball for home practice, go with a Size 5 for 3rd/4th graders and a Size 6 for 5th/6th graders. An indoor/outdoor rubber ball (like a Spalding or Wilson) works great for driveways and gyms.
The Game

BASIC RULES

Basketball has a few core rules. Once your player understands these, the game starts to make a lot more sense from the sideline!

Rule 01

Scoring

The team with the most points wins. A basket scored from inside the 3-point line is worth 2 points. A basket from beyond the 3-point line is worth 3 points. Free throws (awarded after certain fouls) are worth 1 point each.

Rule 02

Dribbling

A player must bounce (dribble) the ball while moving. You cannot take more than 2 steps without dribbling — that's called traveling and results in the other team getting the ball. Once you stop dribbling, you can't start again — that's a double dribble violation.

Rule 03

Fouls

Illegal physical contact is called a foul. Common fouls include hitting, pushing, or blocking a player unfairly. When a player is fouled while shooting, they get free throws. Players who commit 5 fouls (youth) must leave the game.

Rule 04

Violations

Beyond fouls, there are violations that result in the other team getting the ball: Traveling (too many steps), double dribble (stopping and restarting), out of bounds (ball touches the line or beyond), and backcourt (dribbling back over half-court once you've crossed it).

Rule 05

Game Format

Youth games are typically played in 4 quarters (6–8 minutes each). Teams have a coach's timeout they can call to stop the clock and talk strategy. The team that scores the most points by the end of the 4th quarter wins. Ties go to overtime.

Rule 06

Defense & Offense

The team with the ball is on offense — they try to score. The team without the ball is on defense — they try to stop the offense from scoring. When the defense gets the ball (by a rebound, steal, or turnover) the teams switch roles instantly.

One more important one

The 3-Second Rule & Other Time Rules

An offensive player cannot stand in the lane (the painted area under the basket) for more than 3 seconds at a time — this is called a 3-second violation. There's also a 5-second rule for inbounding the ball, and in some youth leagues a shot clock that limits how long a team can hold the ball before shooting.

On the Court

THE POSITIONS

Basketball has 5 players on the court per team. Each player has a position, though in youth basketball players often rotate through multiple roles.

1
Point Guard
The "floor general." Usually the best dribbler and passer. Brings the ball up court and runs the offense. Looks for open teammates.
2
Shooting Guard
Strong scorer from the perimeter. Good at catching and shooting quickly. Often the player who hits the 3-pointers.
3
Small Forward
A versatile player who can score inside and outside. Needs to be good at driving to the basket and playing defense.
4
Power Forward
Typically plays close to the basket. Strong rebounder and defender. Can score in the paint or face up for a short jump shot.
5
Center
Usually the tallest player. Protects the rim on defense and scores close to the basket on offense. Dominant rebounder.
💡 For parents: In youth basketball at the Noble Hoops level, positions are flexible. Don't worry too much about where your child plays — focus on encouraging them to hustle, communicate, and have fun. The positions will become more defined as they develop.
Practice at Home

DRILLS YOUR PLAYER
CAN DO AT HOME

You don't need a gym to improve. These drills can be done in the driveway, backyard, or even inside. Even 10–15 minutes a day makes a real difference over a season.

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Dribbling
Ball Control Basics

These drills build hand-eye coordination and comfort with the ball. The goal is to dribble without looking at the ball — like it's an extension of your hand.

  • 1
    Stationary Dribbling: Stand still and dribble with your dominant hand for 30 seconds. Then switch to the weak hand for 30 seconds. Keep your eyes up, not on the ball.
  • 2
    Alternating Hands: Dribble with the right hand 5 times, then left hand 5 times, back and forth without stopping. Work up to switching every dribble.
  • 3
    Around the World: Dribble the ball around your body in a circle — around your waist, then knees, then ankles. Reverse direction. This builds incredible ball control.
  • 4
    Cone Dribble (or Shoes): Set up 5–6 shoes/cones in a line about 3 feet apart. Dribble through them with your right hand, come back with your left. Increase speed as you improve.
Coach Jacob's tip: If your player keeps looking at the ball, try putting a sticker on the wall at eye level for them to focus on while dribbling.
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Shooting
Form & Accuracy

Good shooting starts with the right form. Once the mechanics are right, repetition builds muscle memory. Start close to the basket — even just a few feet away.

  • 1
    Form Shots: Stand directly in front of the basket about 3–4 feet away. Shoot with one hand only (the shooting hand), focusing on a smooth, high arc. Make 10 in a row before adding the guide hand.
  • 2
    BEEF Method: Balance your feet shoulder-width apart. Elbows in, aligned under the ball. Eyes on the back of the rim. Follow through — hold your wrist down like you're reaching into a cookie jar.
  • 3
    Around the Key: Pick 5 spots around the key (painted area). Take 2 shots from each spot. Count your makes. Try to beat your score each session. Move spots further out as you improve.
  • 4
    Free Throw Practice: Stand at the free throw line and shoot 10 in a row. Track your percentage each session. Great free throw shooters can win games on their own.
Coach Jacob's tip: Younger players often push the ball because it's heavy. Encourage them to start shooting closer to the basket with better form rather than heaving from far away.
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Passing
Wall Passing

You can practice passing without a partner — just use a wall. This builds strong, accurate passes and quick hands.

  • 1
    Chest Pass: Stand 5–6 feet from a wall. Push the ball from your chest with two hands, stepping into it. Catch the return and repeat for 30 seconds.
  • 2
    Bounce Pass: Same as above, but aim at a spot on the floor so the ball bounces up to waist height off the wall. Bounce passes are used to pass around defenders.
  • 3
    Speed Passing: Do chest passes against the wall as fast as you can for 30 seconds. Count the number of passes. Try to beat your record. This builds quick hands and reaction time.
Coach Jacob's tip: A great pass is on target, at the right speed, and at the right time. Practice stepping into your passes — it makes them stronger and more accurate.
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Footwork & Defense
Defensive Stance

Great defense starts with your feet. This drill builds the muscle memory for proper defensive positioning and lateral quickness.

  • 1
    Defensive Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, back straight, hands out to the sides. Hold this position for 30 seconds. This is the ready position for defense.
  • 2
    Defensive Slides: In your defensive stance, slide 3 steps to the right, then 3 steps left — without crossing your feet. Do 10 sets. This is how defenders move with ball-handlers.
  • 3
    Closeout Drill: Start under the basket. Sprint out to the 3-point line (or a marker), then quickly chop your feet short and fast, getting low into defensive stance. This simulates closing out on a shooter.
Coach Jacob's tip: The team that plays the hardest defense usually wins. Encourage your player to take pride in stopping the other team — defense is just as exciting as scoring!
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Quick Practice Plan

15 Minutes a Day

Minutes 1–5: Stationary dribbling, weak hand + strong hand  ·  Minutes 6–10: Form shots close to the basket  ·  Minutes 11–15: Defensive slides + free throws. That's it! Consistency beats long sessions — a little every day goes a long way.

Key Terms

BASKETBALL GLOSSARY

Sitting in the bleachers and not sure what the ref just called? Here are the terms you'll hear most at youth basketball games.

Rebound
When a player catches the ball after a missed shot. An offensive rebound gives your team another chance to score. A defensive rebound gives your team possession.
Turnover
When the offensive team loses the ball to the defense — via a steal, bad pass, or violation. Fewer turnovers = better team play.
Traveling
Taking too many steps without dribbling. The ref blows the whistle and the other team gets the ball. Very common in youth basketball.
Lay-Up
A shot taken very close to the basket, usually off the backboard, while moving. One of the most important shots to master.
Pick / Screen
When an offensive player stands still to legally block a defender, freeing a teammate to get open. A key team basketball skill.
Fast Break
When a team gets the ball and quickly pushes it the other way before the defense can set up. Often leads to easy baskets.
Man-to-Man
A defensive strategy where each defender is responsible for guarding one specific player on the other team at all times.
Zone Defense
A defensive strategy where each player guards an area of the court instead of one specific player. Common at youth level.
Assist
A pass that directly leads to a teammate scoring. Great passers rack up assists. It's one of the most unselfish plays in basketball.
Pivot
When a player who has stopped dribbling keeps one foot planted while moving the other. Used to find an open teammate or angle to pass.
Press
An aggressive defense where players guard the opponents all the way up the court, not just near their own basket. Creates pressure and turnovers.
Inbound Pass
When a player passes the ball from out of bounds back into the court to restart play — after a basket, foul, or the ball going out of bounds.

Ready to Put It into Practice?

Come join Noble Hoops — where we teach all of this and more in a supportive, fun team environment.

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