How to get into basketball

Start here

3x3 has become a real competitive format with its own tournaments and a shorter, more intense rhythm.

The right first step in basketball is smaller than most beginners assume. Do these things in order.

• Learn to shoot a layup off both feet before anything else
• Play 3x3 first — you touch the ball far more often
• Turn up early to pickup runs and call next game
• Defend and pass: that's how newcomers get picked
• Find a rec league with a beginner division

What to buy — and what to skip

Buy the minimum, use it for a month, then upgrade what actually limits you.

• Basketball shoes
• Ball
• Reversible jersey for pickup
• Mouthguard optional

Where to train

These are the venue types to search for locally. Clubs and gyms in the SportConnect directory list their sports, levels and session times, so you can filter for beginner-friendly options.

• Outdoor courts
• Rec centres
• School gyms
• 3x3 courts

Pick the right format

Beginners who choose the wrong format usually decide the sport isn't for them. Start with 5v5, or an easier variant.

• 5v5
• 3x3
• Pickup runs
• Rec leagues
• Open gym

Why it's worth it

What people get out of basketball once they're past the first month.

• Pickup culture means no commitment needed to start
• Courts are free and everywhere
• 3x3 needs only five other people to run a session
• Excellent conditioning through repeated sprints
• Rec leagues are cheap and social

Find people to train with

Nothing keeps a new sport going like other people expecting you. Create a free profile with basketball as your sport and your level, then browse players, coaches and clubs in your city and message the ones running beginner sessions.

Your first month

1. 01

   Week 1 — shooting form

   Twenty minutes of close-range form shooting. Layups both sides, free throws, no threes yet.

2. 02

   Week 2 — first pickup run

   Find a local court at a busy time. Play defence, pass, and you'll get invited back.

3. 03

   Week 3 — 3x3 sessions

   Half-court games with five others gives far more reps than waiting for full-court runs.

4. 04

   Week 4 — join a rec league

   A weekly fixture gives structure and a team you'll actually keep playing with.

Frequently asked questions

Find a basketball coach

A few sessions with a coach shortcuts months of guesswork. Every coach on SportConnect lists their sport, location, session formats, rates and availability, so you can compare before you message.

Keep reading

Keep exploring SportConnect