BASKETBALL

a usually indoor court game between two teams of usually five players
each who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal
HISTORY
The history of basketball began with its invention in 1891 in Springfield,
Massachusetts by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith
as a less injury-prone sport than football. The game became established
fairly quickly and grew very popular as the 20th century progressed, first in
America and then in other parts of the world. After basketball became
established in American colleges, the professional game followed. The
American National Basketball Association (NBA), established in 1946, grew
to a multibillion-dollar enterprise by the end of the century, and basketball
became an integral part of American culture.
The game of basketball as it is known today was created by Dr. James
Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to condition
young athletes during cold months. It consisted of peach baskets and a
soccer style ball. He published 13 rules for the new game. He divided his
class of eighteen into two teams of nine players each and set about to
teach them the basics of his new game. The objective of the game was to
throw the basketball into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the
gym balcony. Every time a point was scored, the game was halted so the
janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball. After a while, the
bottoms of the fruit baskets were removed. The first public basketball game
was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1892
Naismith's original rules:

There were only thirteen rules of "basket ball":

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands.
3. A player cannot run with the ball, the player must throw it from the spot on which he catches
it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands, the arms or body must not be used for
holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping or striking in any way the person of an opponent
shall be allowed. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul, the
 second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or if there was evident intent to injure
the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute.
6. A foul is striking the ball with the fist, violation of rules 3 and 4, and such as described in rule
5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count a goal for opponents.
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from grounds into the basket and
stays there. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponent moves the basket it shall count as
a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds it shall be thrown into the field and played by the person
first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The
"thrower-in" is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any
side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls, and notify the referee
when three consecutive fouls have been made.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in-bounds,
and to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been
made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a
referee.
12. The time shall be fifteen-minute halves, with five-minute rests between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In the case of a
draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENTS USED

 The Ball. The most important thing for training is the ball. ...
 Shoes. One needs specialized shoes when playing basketball. ...
 Basketball Shooting Equipment. The hoop or basket is a horizontal metallic rim,
circular in shape. ...
 Basketball Court. ...
 Backboard. ...
 Uniforms. ...
 Shot Clock. ...
 Whistle.

POSITIONS OF THE PLAYER

The five traditional basketball player positions are:

Point guard: The point guard is the team leader and play caller on the basketball court.
A point guard needs good ball handling skills, passing skills as well as strong leadership
and decision making skills. Traditionally basketball point guards were small, fast players
and this is still often the case. However, Magic Johnson changed the way point guards
were used. He was a big 6-8 player that used his height and size to get great passing
angles. Magic's success has opened the door for all sorts of point guards. The key to a
strong point guard today is leadership, passing, and running the team.

Shooting guard: The shooting guard in basketball has the main responsibility of making
long outside shots including the three-point shot. The shooting guard also should be a
good passer and able to help the point guard with the ball handling. Shooting guards
are often the top scorer on a team. Perhaps the best shooting guard in the history of
basketball was Michael Jordan. Jordan could do it all, from scoring to defense to
rebounding. It's this versatility that makes a great shooting guard, but all shooting
guards should be able to extend the defense with their outside shot.

Small forward: Along with the shooting guard, the small forward is often the most
versatile player on the basketball team. They should be able to help with ball handling,
make an outside shot, and get rebounds. The small forward is often a great defensive
player as well. The combination of height and quickness can allow them to defend a
number of positions and take on the best scorer on the opposing team. On many teams
today the small forward and the shooting guard are almost the same position and are
called "wing" players.

Power forward: The power forward on a basketball team is usually responsible for
rebounding and some scoring in the paint. A power forward should be big and strong
and able to clear out some space under the basket. Many great power forwards in the
game today do not score a lot of points, but lead their team in rebounds. Power
forwards are often good shot blockers as well.

Center: The center is usually the biggest or tallest member of the basketball team. In
the NBA, many centers are 7 feet tall or taller. The center can be a big scorer, but also
needs to be a strong rebounder and shot blocker. On many teams the center is the final
line of defense. Many of basketball's greatest players (Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell,
Kareem, Shaq) have been centers. A strong center presence was long considered the
only way to win an NBA championship. In modern times, many teams have won with
other great players (Michael Jordan), but a strong center is still a prized basketball
position on any basketball team.

Bench: Although only 5 players play at a time on any basketball team, the bench is still
very important. Basketball is a fast paced game and players need to rest. A strong
bench is key to any basketball team's success. In most games at least 3 players from
the bench will play a significant amount of time.

Defensive Positions:

There are two main types of defensive basketball strategies: zone and man-to-man. In
man-to-man defense each player is responsible to cover one player on the other team.
They follow this player wherever they go on the court. In zone defense, players have
certain positions or areas of the court they cover. The guards usually play at the top of
the key with the forwards playing closer to the basket and on opposite sides. The center
usually plays in the middle of the key. However, there are a wide variety of zone
defenses and combinations of zone and man-to-man that basketball teams play. Teams
will often switch defenses around during a basketball game to see which works best
against a particular opponent.

SKILLS
Five Basic Skills of Basketball
Dribbling. Top point guards dribble and control the ball as if it were on a string. ...
Passing. Great passers can see the whole court and anticipate where a teammate will go and what a
defender will do. ...
Shooting. It's difficult to score if you can't shoot the ball effectively. ...
Rebounding. ...
Defense.

VIOLATIONS AND FOUL

HOLDING
When a player uses their hands to grab their opponent to impede or prevent them from
moving or advancing with or without the ball.

ILLEGAL OR “MOVING” PICK/SCREEN

When a player fails to maintain a set position while setting a screen or pick. Screens
must be performed in a standstill manner.
HAND CHECK
When a player continually uses their hands on an opposing player. This foul is typically
called on defenders at the perimeter to keep a safe distance between the ballhandler and
the basket.

ILLEGAL HAND USE OR “REACHING IN”

Similar to holding, this is when a player uses their hands in a fashion that referees deem
illegal, typically in the form of touching a shooter’s arm or hand through their release or
touching after an attempted steal.
TRIPPING
When a player uses their leg or foot to throw off their opponent’s balance.

ELBOWING
When a player excessively swings their elbows and hits another player.

CHARGING
When an offensive player makes contact with a defender who has established position in
front of an offensive player with or without the basketball and is not moving. Some
courts, especially those used for youth basketball, make this call easier to identify by
having a “charge circle” marked below the basket. If a defender is outside the circle with
their feet planted, it is a charge.
BLOCKING
When a defender makes contact with an offensive player without establishing position,
without giving proper space or is in the charge circle.

TECHINCAL FOUL
When a player or coach displays unsportsmanlike behavior, such as foul language,
obscene gestures or arguing. Two technical fouls will result in ejection from the game.

FLAGRANT FOUL
When a player performs an act of violence that can seriously injure or harm others on the
court. This can be unintentional or deliberate. Flagrant fouls can also result in player
ejections at the referee’s discretion.

VIOLATIONS
TRAVELING
When a player takes more than two steps between dribbles or without dribbling the
basketball. Traveling can also occur when a player who has picked up the dribble
switches his or her pivot foot.

PALMING
When a player dribbles the basketball in a manner that has their palm too far to the side
or underneath the basketball.
DOUBLE DRIBBLE
When a player picks up their dribble to establish their position and then restarts their
dribble, or when a player dribbles the basketball with two hands at the same time.

HELD BALL
When two players gain possession of the ball and a brief battle for the basketball occurs.
The referee will award possession to one team, alternating which team gets the ball each
subsequent time it occurs.

BACKCOURT OR “OVER & BACK”

When an offensive player brings the basketball over the half-court line and then retreats
back over mid court during their possession.

KICKING
When a player kicks the basketball.
FREE THROW VIOLATIONS
Every player must remain in place until the ball is shot by the free throw shooter. If the
offense travels into the free throw lane prior to the shooter’s release of the ball, then the
shot does not count. If the defense ventures into the free throw lane too early, then
another shot attempt is awarded to the shooter, if they miss.

VARIOUS TIME RESTRICTIONS

 3-Second Violation: Offensive players cannot stand in the key for more than three
seconds.
 5-Second Violation (Inbounding): A player must inbound the basketball within five
seconds after the referee hands it to them to avoid a turnover.

 5-Second Violation (Offensive): An offensive player must pass, shoot or dribble the
basketball within five seconds if being guarded by a defensive player who is within arm’s
reach.
  10-Second Violation: Players must advance the basketball over the mid-court line
within 10 seconds to avoid a turnover.

A better understanding of these fouls and violations can keep your plays sharper and games
safer. Being aware can keep you on the court and out of foul trouble. So, lace up your shoes,
drive to the hoop and score with a clearer knowledge of the rules today.