How to Block Shots in Basketball
A blocked shot can be one of the most exciting plays in a basketball game. It's also a very important aspect of playing defense. Rejecting your opponent doesn't just deny his team two points--doing so can also lead to a turnover and even shift the momentum of the game. If you don't know the proper technique, you will probably foul your opponent each time you attempt a rejection. Here are some tips for blocking shots.
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Instructions
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Pay attention to your opponent as he prepares to take a shot. Notice which direction he is traveling and which hand he'll be using (if attempting a lay up or dunk). Watching for these things will increase the probability that you'll make contact with the ball instead of your opponent's body.
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Wait for your opponent to leave his feet. If you try to time his jump, you may fall for a head fake and thus miss the block or even commit a foul.
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Jump straight up into the air. A mistake many defenders make is leaping towards their opponent. When you do this, you risk making any contact with your opponent. When you leap straight up, the referee will be less likely to blow the whistle since you're not playing the man directly.
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Extend your hand fully as you make your play on the ball. This way, if the ball is out of your reach, you can still get a finger on it. A block that isn't completely clean is better than no block at all. Deflecting the ball slightly can keep it from going in.
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Move your blocking hand towards the basketball in a controlled motion. You've seen an NBA player swat at a basketball to make an emphatic block. This makes for a great highlight, but in reality, it's a stupid play to make. At best, the ball goes out of bounds and the offense keeps the ball. When you swat at the ball, you're also more likely to get called for a foul even if you don't make any contact with the offensive player. Remember that you just want to deflect the ball and prevent it from going into the basket, not send it into the third row.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't jump too late when going for a block. If you block the ball when it's on the way down, you will be called for goaltending and the basket will count.
