What is Basketball?
Basketball is a game played by two teams on a hardwood court. Each team attempts to score points as they move the ball down the court by passing, dribbling, and shooting it into their basket. At the same time they try to prevent their opponent from scoring.
Basketball was invented by an American clergyman in 1891. The first game was not played with a basketball. Whether it was a soccer ball or another ball is not known for certain, but we do know that the ball was shot into a peach basket. Hence the name ‘basketball’. This proved to be inconvenient, as a ladder placed beside the basket was needed to remove the ball.
As the game gained popularity, the rules, as well as the equipment, changed continually.
Player Positions
Each team has 5 players on the court during a game. Usually this consists of 2 guards, 2 forwards, and 1 center. The teams attempt to win the game by scoring more points than their opponent. The game begins with a tossed ball at the center jump circle between any two opponents and ends when one team has more points following a specified time.
Glossary of Basketball Terms
Assist: Pass made to a teammate who scores.
Backboard: A rectangular or fan-shaped surface to which the basket is attached.
Baseball Pass: A one-handed, overhand pass.
Bounce Pass: The act of stopping the puck by kicking the puck, stop it with any part of the body, or allow it to rebound off the body or hand.
Chest Pass: A 2-hand pass from the chest of one player to the chest level of a teammate.
Defense: Team not in possession of the ball.
Double Team: Two defensive players guarding on offensive player.
Drive: An offensive maneuver toward the basket by a player with the ball.
Fast Break: Moving the ball quickly down the court to score before the defense can set up.
Forward: The player who plays nearest to the basket in a set offense.
Foul: Infraction of the rules resulting in loss of the possession or the awarding of one or more free throws.
Free Throw: An uncontested shot from behind the free throw line, awarded following a foul.
Guard: The players who assist in running the offense with the point guard.
Jump Ball: Putting the ball in play by tossing it between two players in the center circle. Used to start the game.
Lay-Up: A short-range shot off the backboard and into the basket.
Man-to-Man: Defense involving each player guarding one offensive player at all times.
Offense: Team in possession of the ball.
Point Guard: The offensive player who brings the ball up the court to begin the offensive maneuvers.
Rebound: A ball that bounces off the backboard and/or the basket.
Technical Foul: Breaking the rules involving an unsportsmanlike act by a player or coach, resulting in 1 or 2 free throws and loss of possession.
Traveling: Moving the feet in any direction in excess of the prescribed limits while holding the ball.
Violation: Breaking the rules which results in loss of possession and a throw-in from out of bounds.
Basic Rules of Basketball
The object of the game is to score points by shooting the ball into a basket while preventing the opponent’s from scoring. The team that scores the most points wins the game.
Offense:
· Keep head up in order to see any free/open teammates.
· Do not dribble when a pass is better.
· Always look up court when in possession of the ball.
· Move toward a pass to catch it.
· Aim the pass slightly ahead of a moving receiver.
· Keep the passes crisp.
· Do not tell/show where the pass will go, fake to keep the defender off guard.
· When dribbling, keep the body between the ball and the defender.
· Dribble using the fingertips rather than the palm
· When shooting, put back spin on the ball by following through with the wrist.
Defense:
· Stay between your opponent and the basket.
· Keep weight evenly distributed on the balls of the feet.
· Work hard to keep a good defensive position.
· Be alert for fake passes/shots by your opponent.
· Keep feet shoulder width apart, knees flexed, and head up at all times
