How can an adult learn to play basketball?

[carbonmotion]

I recently met a friend through soccer who wants to learn to play basketball. Despite being a very good soccer player, he's never played basketball. He's from abroad and doesn't speak much english so I've had no luck teaching him. I know adults can frequently learn "kid" skills at places like the YMCA. For example, if you don't know how to swim, you can take adult swimming at the Y. Sadly, I don't think there's a similar program for basketball, everyone I've ever met knows how to play basketball. I personally don't want to teach him because I think he's going to pick up all the bad technical habits that I can no longer unlearn as an adult. Do you guys have any ideas? Thanks

 

[StoneSoup]

I think the coordination to learn basketball is a little more difficult than most sports. i would just really press the fundamentals, and to really instill the whole knowledge of the game (things like when to pass, when to cut, how to move without the ball). As long as he's having fun, he'll learn.

 

[boss.king]

Just play a few games, 3 on 3 or 5 on 5 if you have the people. I think getting shoved right into it is the best way to learn (although obviously show him the fundamentals of passing, shooting and ball-handling first).

 

[dukebound85]

basketball is hard toget proficient at.

If one has never played, they will struggle with just dribbling the ball....never mind running while dribbing or shooting

You need to work on the fundamentals first

 

[leftywamumonkey]

Show him videos of the Celtics playing.
I'm still working on my reverse layup, and my hook and jump shot. You never really finish learning.