Putback Dunk

Know where the ball is and assume every shot will miss. On a shot from the corner or wing, expect it to come off long on the far side of the rim.

Every shot is a miss.

Start moving as the ball leaves the shooter's hands. Don't stand and watch the flight.

Beat the box-out without your hands: fake one way and slip past the other, spin off the contact if your back is to the basket, or swim over if you face the defender. Never push or hold to get there.

Fake, then slip.

Go to the ball with your hands outstretched and catch it with both hands at the top of your jump.

Keep both arms extended and the ball high. Don't bring it down to your chest, where defenders can strip or block it.

Catch high, stay high.

Finish one of two ways: score before you land, or land on both feet and explode straight back up with no dribble. If you land with the ball, that landing is your first step; jump off both feet and release the ball before either foot touches the floor again (NBA and FIBA).

NBA rule: don't touch the ball while it is above the ring inside the imaginary cylinder, while it sits or rolls on the ring, or while it is on its way down with a chance to score. Wait until it is off the rim and clear of the cylinder.

FIBA rule: once the ball has touched the ring, the goaltending limits end and you may play it, even above the ring. It is still basket interference to touch the ring or backboard while the ball is on the ring, to reach up through the basket, or to grab the basket and play the ball. If the offense commits it, no points count and the other team gets the ball. Other leagues have their own wording; check yours.

Throw the ball down through the rim with one or both hands and stay strong through contact; expect to be fouled. If there is no clean look in traffic, pass it back out instead of forcing it.

Strong through contact.

Let go of the rim. Hanging on it is a technical foul in the NBA unless you do it to prevent an injury; FIBA allows a momentary grasp after a dunk or to prevent an injury.

Land on both feet when you can. Single-leg landings load the knee more than two-foot landings.

Two feet down.

Land softly with your knees and hips bending together and your knees over your toes, not caving in.

Soft and quiet.

Expect bodies and feet under you. Landing is the most common way ankles get hurt in basketball, and in one study of ACL tears in basketball, many came after a bump or push from an opponent, within about 50 milliseconds of touchdown. Make the soft, bent landing a habit, because there's no time to think about it in the air.