Basketball Skill Levels
What Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced mean in basketball.
Read all three and pick the one that fits you best. If you match one level well and the next only partly, pick the lower one. A team at the right level is more fun than one where you're stretched.
You're probably a Beginner if you…
- Are new to basketball, or haven't played since school
- Dribble mostly with your stronger hand, and lose the ball under pressure
- Make open layups and short shots some of the time
- Are still learning the rules (travelling, fouls, three-second violations)
- Prefer a slower, more relaxed game
You're probably Intermediate if you…
- Play rec or pickup basketball regularly
- Dribble with either hand, and make layups and open mid-range shots fairly reliably
- Pass to open teammates and move without the ball
- Play person-to-person defence and know basic team concepts
- Can keep up with a full-court game for most of the night
You're probably Advanced if you…
- Played high school varsity, college or competitive club basketball
- Handle the ball under pressure and score from several spots, including threes
- Run pick-and-rolls and set plays, and switch on defence
- Know zone and person-to-person defences and adjust between them
- Can play at a fast pace for a full game