Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith.

He was a
Canadian physical education student, and an instructor with the
YMCA Training School (which is known as Springfield College today)
in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

He wanted his students to play a game which helped them remain fit.
The New England winters were very cold and quite long. Therefore
the game had to be an indoor sport. So, he began to search for
different games, but rejected several options due to the fact that they
were either too rough or not well suited for indoor play.

Finally, he began to write down some basic rules and nailed two
peach baskets onto an elevated track. The peach baskets had their
bottoms, so every time the ball went into them, it had to be removed
manually. Soon, a hole was drilled into the bottom of the basket to
enable the ball to be pushed out using a stick. However, this variation
soon developed into the basketball baskets that we see today. Also,
at that time, the ball used for the game was a soccer ball. This game
began to be called ‘BasketBall’.

The Spread of the Game

From the YMCA gym to a game played at the Olympics, basketball
has certainly come a long way. The game’s popularity grew and it
spread from the United States to Canada. Eventually, even a women’s
team was formed in 1892, at Smith College.

Although the game spread to wherever the YMCA was located,

several sports clubs, colleges, and even professional clubs began to
play the game. In the late 1950s, Tony Hinkle introduced the orange
ball, which is used today. With the introduction of this ball, players
were able to introduce a variety of moves such as dribbling, into the
game.

The game also began to spread into universities and colleges. Teams
of players began to be formed, and tournaments began to be held
across the country. In 1910, a governing body called the
‘Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States’ was formed
on the suggestion of President Roosevelt, prompted by the increase
in the number of players’ injuries on the basketball court.
By the 1920s, basketball had gained a lot of popularity. Several such
basketball associations and governing bodies came and went, but
none of them lasted long. During the first part of the 20th Century,
the game spread to schools, and several high school basketball teams
began to be formed and came into prominence.

The International Basketball Federation was formed in 1932 by 8

nations―Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal,
Romania, and Switzerland. This proved that the game had spread far
and wide across the globe, and had gained tremendous popularity all
over.

Basketball was introduced into the Olympics in 1936. USA has won all
but 3 of the international tournaments for basketball so far. In 1946,
the Basketball Association of America (BAA) was formed to help
organize the top professional teams. The popularity of the game of
basketball grew even more.

In 1949, the BAA got converted into the National Basketball

Association or NBA. Many top players such as Bill Russel, Wilt
Chamberlain, and Bob Cousy helped make the game very popular.
Then there were players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird,
Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic, and Magic Johnson who rose to
stardom because of basketball. Recently, players like Kobe Bryant and
LeBron James have re-created the popularity of the game.

Popularity
The popularity of basketball as a sport can be accorded to the fact
that it is an indoor game, and thus, can be played at any time of the
year. Also, for a player, the equipment needed is not very much. All
one has to do is invest in a good ball and some loose fitting shorts
and a vest. This makes it a game which can be played by anyone.

Most schools, colleges, and parks will feature a small court where
people can play this game. The game is played vigorously in schools
everywhere, making it a good choice for fitness. It has a different
place in several communities and towns, where the game is played
rather ambitiously. Colleges offer scholarships to basketball players.
Professional basketball is often a career choice of many good school
players.

This has also given rise to basketball scouts, who go around in

schools and colleges and pick out potential players for teams.
Basketball scouting and coaching has also become an important
profession for many physical education professionals.

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Basketball Basics
The Evolution of the Game

A Chronological Look At The Major

Refinements
Dr. Naismith, with all of his imaginative planning, could not have dreamed his "Peach
Basket" game would develop into the world's greatest indoor sport. Although the
original 13 rules have been expanded to over 100, the spirit and principles of the
original rules are still in effect in today. Major rule changes over the years addressed
the number of players, the court boundaries, dribbling, and the elimination of the
center jump after made baskets. In the mid 1930's inter-sectional competition led to
a standardization of rules throughout the country.

Team Size
Originally, there was no set rule on the number of players. The idea was that the
game could be played by any number of players. However, that did not work out.
After experimenting with teams up to 50 players, early games were primarily played
by nine players on each side - the reason being that 18 students showed up
for Naismith's class. In 1897 five players became the mandatory team size.

Substitutions
Initially, players were not allowed to re-enter the game. The rule was changed in
1920 to allow a player to re-enter the game one time. In 1934, the rule was
expanded to allow players to re-enter the game twice, and, in 1945 the rule was
finally changed to permit players to return to the game an unlimited number of times.
Baskets
Originally, the game was played with peach baskets or 18” square boxes hung from
the balconies of the running tracks of most indoor facilities. At this time the basket
height was established at 10 feet, which still stands today. Obviously, the peach
baskets and boxes slowed the game down since the ball had to be retrieved after
every goal either by someone on the running track or by ladder. The peach baskets
were replaced first by heavy woven wire rims in 1892. Then, a year later, in 1893 cast
iron rims were used. Open ended nylon nets were approved for use in 1912. This was
a major milestone for basketball since the free falling ball after a made basket
dramatically increased tempo and scoring of the game.

Backboards
Wire mesh backboards were introduced in 1895 to prevent spectators in the balconies
from interfering with play. Wood replaced the easily dented wire mesh backboards in
1904, and plate glass backboard usage was approved in 1909. Backboards
were mounted flat against walls. In 1916 to prevent players from running up the walls
for easy lay-ups, a two foot gap was between the backboard and the endline was
required. In 1939 this gap was increased from 2 feet to the present 4 feet to allow for
more movement underneath the basket.

The Ball

The first basketball games were played with soccer balls. However, they proved to be
unsuitable for dribbling and ball handling. The first manufactured basketballs were
produced in 1894 by a bicycle manufacturing company. In the late 1890's Spalding
took over as the official ball maker.  In 1905 the choice of basketballs was left up to
the teams. Because of their inability to maintain their shape and their laces, these
early brown leather basketballs were hard to dribble. In 1929 basketballs were re-
designed for more bounce and with concealed laces which eliminated erratic bounces.
The balls were bigger, lighter and easier to handle. In 1942 molded basketballs that
maintained a constant shape and size replaced the stitched balls. In 1967 the
American Basketball Association (ABA) played with a red, white and blue basketball.
Today, the WNBA and FIBA use contrasting panels. The men's ball is 30" in
circumference and the smaller women's ball is 29" in circumference.

Scoring
Originally, a successful goal was counted as one point, and one point was also given
to a team anytime three consecutive fouls were called on the opponent. Free throws
were first introduced in 1894. Both a made field goal and a made free throw were
counted as one goal. In 1896, rules were changed to count a made field goal as two
points. In 1961 the short lived American Basketball League played with the three
point shot. In 1967, the three point shot was introduced into International basketball
by FIBA. The three point shot was adopted by the National Basketball Association
(NBA) in 1977 and by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1980.

Timing
The first games were played in two fifteen minute halves. Shortly later this was
increased to two 20-minutes halves. There was no provision for extending the game
if the score was tied. In fact, the first game ever played ended in a 2-2 tie. However,
once leagues started to be formed, ties needed to be broken. The first tie
breakers were "sudden death" with the first team to score a point, either a field goal
or free throw, winning the game. Thus, games were decided without one team having
a single ball possession. In the 1960's, in order to provide each team with an equal
chance, Sudden Death was replaced by overtime periods. 

Shot Clock
In 1954 the NBA instituted a 24-second shot clock. This was another milestone for
basketball since it eliminated the common stalling tactics that were being deployed,
sometimes as early as the third period, by teams' ahead in the game because there
was no way for the team behind to catch up other than to foul. The shot
clock curtailed the end of game fouling and ensuing parade of free throws which made
for a dull game. A 30-second shot clock was deployed internationally by FIBA in 1956,
and in 1985, after a USC vs UCLA game and a Missouri vs Kansas game where players
actually sat down during the game. The NCAA 45-second shot clock was further
reduced to 35 seconds in 1993. Women have used a 30-second shot clock since going
to a full court game in 1971.

Fouls
Fouls were assessed for using a fist, traveling and physical contact (holding, pushing,
tripping, or striking of an opponent). When a player committed two fouls they were
disqualified until a goal was scored.  For any flagrant fouls, just as today, players
were disqualified for the whole game. When a team committed three consecutive
fouls, without the opponent committing a foul, the opponent was awarded a goal - the
predecessor to today's bonus rules. In 1911, player fouls for disqualification was
increased from two to four, and increased again in 1945 to five fouls. In 1922,
traveling or running with the ball was changed to a violation and no longer considered
a foul.

Free throws
When free throws were introduced in 1894 the free throw line was established at 21
feet from the basket. Anyone could shoot the free throws. This resulted in
teams deploying specialized free throw shooters. A year later, in 1895, the free throw
line was moved closer, to a distance of fifteen feet from the basket. In 1924,  the free
throw rule was amended which required the player who was fouled to shoot the free
throws.

Passing
Passing rules have not changed over time. Rules 1 and 2 of the original rules relating
to passing the ball are still in effect today.

Dribbling
In the original rules players could not bounce the ball. In 1901, the rule was enacted
permitting players to bounce the ball one time. However, players were required to
pass the ball and could not shoot after bouncing it. This single dribble amounted to a
pass more than a dribble since the ball had to be tossed higher than a player's head
and then recovered. Players could use this one bounce tactic numerous times in
succession since there was no rule limitation. In 1909, continuous dribbling and shots
off dribble were instituted. Being able to shoot off the dribble transformed the dribble
from a defensive maneuver to get out of trouble into a potent offensive weapon.
Double dribbling was also eliminated at this time. Note: In 1927 there was a period
when dribbling was outlawed, but then reinstated two weeks later.

Out of Bounds
In the beginning, boundaries were not defined. In most cases, they were just the
walls. It was not until 1904 that boundaries became straight lines. The original rule
regarding out of bounds situations turned out to be disastrous. Ball possession was
awarded to the first player to touch the ball after it went out of bounds. This led to
pushing, shoving, elbowing, desperate dives, and total bedlam. It was even worse
when the ball ended up in the balconies, with all players making a mad dash to be
first up the stairs which created log jams and fights. Teams resorted to forming
wedges to block the opponents from going up the stairs. Teams even tried to bypass
the stairs by hoisting players up to the balcony in an effort to be first to touch the ball
first.

Basketball at one time was referred to as the "Cage Game" and players' "Cagers."
This was a result of wire mesh (chicken wire) or chain-link fencing being hung around
the entire court in an effort to make the game go faster by eliminating all the out of
bounds delays. However, in reality, it served more as a barrier to protect the players
and rowdy spectators from each other, as well as from the objects being thrown onto
the court. The wire cage actually resulted in additional rough play with players body
checking each other into the wire mesh as in hockey. Players often  received cuts,
bruises, and even incurred infections from the rusting wire mesh. Although, the use of
cages were abandoned by 1933, the term "Cagers" is still used today.

In 1913, the out of bounds rule was changed to the current rule of the team causing
or touching the ball last when it goes out of bounds loses possession. This rule change
was a major impact in reducing the physical play that was common place in the early
games.

Midcourt Line
The midcourt line was established in 1932 to eliminate stalling. Prior to this time, the
offensive team had the luxury of the entire court at their disposal of which they took
full advantage. This created dull, low scoring games with teams spreading the court
and playing keep away rather than trying to score. Adding the midcourt line aided the
defensive team by cutting down the area to defend to just half the court. A year later,
in 1933, a rule requiring a team to advance the ball past the midcourt line in less than
10 seconds was enacted. FIBA and the NBA modified and reduced the 10 second rule
to eight seconds in 2000. College women’s rules do not have a 10 second rule.

Three Second Area

In 1936 the three second area was created to prevent the offensive players from
camping around the basket, and to eliminate the ensuing rough play which commonly
took place. The three second area was 6 feet wide. Because of its shape, it became
know as the "Key" or "Key Hole" In 1951 the three second area was expanded to 12
feet. The NBA and International  width is 16 feet.

Comparing the different free throw lanes: 

Center Jump
In 1937 a center jump followed each successful basket. Teams with a good jumper
had an advantage. Having a jump ball situation after every goal also slowed the game
down considerably. Center jump still used today to start game and overtime periods.
Alternating possession replaced jump balls in 1981. This was done to eliminate
the multiple violations that were occurring on jump balls and officials inconsistency of
tossing the ball up.

It should be noted that in the early days, jump balls were extremely physical. Like on
the early out of bounds situations, players pushed and shoved in effort to gain
possession of the ball. Even, the referee was often caught up in these jump ball
skirmishes and sometimes injured.

The more recent rule changes have been instituted in an effort to curtail or neutralize
the dominance of the exceptionally gifted, tall player. Namely: Bob Kruland, George
Mikan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Goal Tending
In 1944 the goal tending rule was adopted making it illegal for a defensive player to
touch the ball on its downward flight. This was in reaction to Bob Kurland (the first
regular dunker) and George Mikan standing in front of basket and swatting practically
every opponent shot attempt.

Offensive Basket Interference

In 1958 offensive basket interference was enacted. Mainly as a result of Bill Russell,
who became known as the "Funneler" from using two hands to guide his teammates
shots into the basket. Note: In international basketball, once the ball strikes the rim
offensive basket interference and goal tending rules do not apply.

Dunking - "Alcindor" Rule

From 1967 to 1977, a no dunking rule was enacted in college basketball. The reasons
given were to prevent basket damage and injuries. However, it was specifically aimed
at stopping Lew Alcindor. Unable to dunk, Alcindor developed his unstoppable "Sky
Hook."

Game Coaching

In 1949 coaching during game was officially allowed. Prior to this time, believe it or
not, no coaching was allowed during the game or even during a timeout. However,
coaching was allowed during half time.

Women's Basketball
Women's basketball was introduced in 1893 by Sendra Berenson, a gymnastic
instructor, at Smith College, Northampton, MA. No male spectators were allowed
since it was socially unacceptable at the time. What some say was a result of
a misinterpretation of Naismith's court diagram led to three zones sections with two
players stationary in each section. In 1938, the three court sections where reduced to
two, with two stationary guards, two stationary forwards, and two "rovers that could
move around the entire court. 

The first intercollegiate women's game was played between Stanford and California in
1896. The first known interscholastic women’s high school game was played in Illinois
that same year. In 1971 women were finally allowed to play full court. The first ever
women's national championship was conducted by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
in 1936. FIBA held the first women’s world championship in 1969 and Louisiana Tech
won the first NCAA championship in 1982. In 1995, Oklahoma was the last state to
switch from court sections to full court play in high school games.

Perhaps the most important event to occur in women's basketball, as well as all

women's sports, was the enactment of Title IX in 1972, equalizing men's and women's
sports. Today, women's basketball is played with the same enthusiasm and intensity
as men’s basketball.

Ref:
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p  2020 HoopTactics All Rights Reserved.

The Evolution of Basketball

By Courts & Greens - April 26th, 2017 in Sports

Ever Wonder What Early Basketball Was Like?

Or How it Came to Be?
If you’re curious about where the sport came from,
we’ve put together a small early history on the sport,
and it’s quite different from basketball today.

In the Beginning
Dr. James Naismith created the sport in the 1890’s in
Springfield, Massachusetts as a game to play during
the cold indoor winter months. Courts and Greens
hadn’t been founded yet, so he had to settle for using
peach baskets and indoor running tracks as a playing
court. Early games experimented with rules, and players
made do with whatever equipment was available. Team
sizes, for example, depended on the number of players
present and could range from as small as 5 per team to
as many as 50.

The Ball, Boundaries, and Scoring

Early games were played with soccer balls, despite
them being difficult to handle. It wasn’t long before
Spalding Bicycle company became the official ball
maker for the sport. The design was improved in 1929,
and the molded basketballs we’re accustomed to
seeing were invented around 1942. Baskets originally
counted as one point, not two, and points were also
awarded to opposing teams if too many fouls occurred.

Perhaps most interesting is the fact that early

basketball had no boundaries. Given the game was
played indoors, the walls acted as the boundary. It
wasn’t until 1904 that boundaries were established, and
possession went to whatever team touched the ball
first. This understandably led to brawls between
players, and it’s one reason we’re grateful they’ve
changed the rules since then.
REF: https://www.courtsandgreens.com/the-evolution-of-basketball/
 The Evolution of Basketball
Christian, WriterJanuary 28, 2019

he Evolution of Basketball
Basketball was first invented in 1891, by a 30 year old known as
Doctor James Naismith. Originally based in Springfield,
Massachusetts, basketball was not known to anyone in the world.
When it was first played in a local gym, they used baskets for hoops,
and used a ladder to get the ball after every made shot. Naismith
implemented 13 rules when they first started playing the sport. The
idea of the sport was to pass, score, and play defense. These key ideas
made the sport enjoyable and fun.
As time went on, they knew that they needed to add things to the game.
So, they made a new hoop that would make everything less time
consuming and added more action. This hoop had a pole, a rim, and a
net. The invention of the net revolutionized basketball because you
wouldn’t have to get a ladder to get the ball after every made shot. This
started to get more and more popular, and lots of people were playing
the sport on this hoop. Then they invented something knew one knew
about, the backboard. This would be used to shoot off of to make your
shots easier. The net is still used today for the basketball hoops and it is
very efficient for time. You don’t have to take time getting it by
jumping or using a ladder, instead, it falls straight down after a made
basket. The net makes the games faster paced and more interesting.
Basketball became a national sport in Berlin in 1936. Basketball was
included as a sport in the Olympic games. This sport gained popularity
and more of the great players in the history of basketball started to play
it. Later, the NBL and BAA formed the NBA. The original basketball
teams of the BAA were the Boston Celtics, Chicago Stags, Cleveland
Rebels, Detroit Falcons, New York Knickerbockers, Philadelphia
Warriors, Pittsburgh Ironmen, Providence Steamrollers, St Louis
Bombers, Toronto Huskies and Washington Capitals.
The First BAA game was played on November 1, 1946 in Toronto,
Canada. The Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knickerbockers at
Maple Leaf Gardens. The first basket was made by Ossie Schectman of
the Knickerbockers.
Back then, there were no three pointers so the score in these game were
much lower and different from today. The BAA implemented the three
point line into the game of basketball in 1967-68 season. Nowadays,
even centers are shooting a lot of threes because they are fun to shoot.
Basketball originally was a mediocre sport, invented by a 30 year old,
Doctor James Naismith, into a national level sport, one of the best and
most popular sports in the world, and has produced some of the
greatest athletes the world has ever seen. These athletes can jump very
high and are very good at the sport. They are much different from other
athletes because they play on a court and everyone else plays on other
surfaces.  Can you believe this sport went from being a game with just
a few people playing with a couple of baskets to a national sport?

REF: https://dailydolphin.hbcsd.org/5833/uncategorized/the-evolution-
of-basketball/

Basketball international organization

Submitted by nicolamira on 19 March, 2010 - 16:32

Basketball is organized internationally by FIBA, the organism which groups together all the
individual Basketball Associations/Federations of the planet.
 It is an independent association with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) formed by 213
national federations of basketball throughout the world and it is recognized as the sole
competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
 
FIBA establishes the Official Basketball Rules, the specifications for equipment and facilities,
and the internal executive regulations that must be applied to all international and Olympic
competitions. It also  controls and governs the appointment of international referees, it
regulates the transfer of players from one country to another and it governs all international
competitions.
What it does not do, is have control over the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the
USA. Though this does not in itself pose a problem to the international game, it does
however emphasize formally the independence – and to some extent, the superiority -of the
US game from the rest of the world’s.

FIBA Europe is one of five Regions of FIBA (along with Africa, Americas,
Oceania and Asia) and is responsible for controlling and developing the sport
of basketball in Europe.

Among many tasks, this includes promoting, supervising and directing

international competition at the club and national team levels, as well as
governing and appointing European international referees.

FIBA Europe is an international federation whose membership consists of the

national basketball federations of Europe, of which there are currently 50
members. The highest decision making body is the Board of FIBA Europe
which consists of 25 persons elected by the National Federations.

The Board of FIBA Europe meets twice a year and is the executive body that
represents all 50 Federations that make up the membership of FIBA Europe.
All 50 federations meet once a year at the General Assembly of FIBA Europe.

REF: https://www.fiba.basketball/europe/organisation

AMERICAN SPORTS ORGANIZATION

WRITTEN BY: 
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
See Article History
Alternative Title: NBA

National Basketball Association (NBA), professional

basketball league formed in the United States in 1949 by the
merger of two rival organizations, the National Basketball League
(founded 1937) and the Basketball Association of America
(founded 1946). In 1976 the NBA absorbed four teams from
the American Basketball Association (ABA), which disbanded that
year

By the early 1980s the NBA was plagued by money-losing

franchises, low attendance, declining television ratings, and
limited national appeal. The league soon rebounded under the
leadership of David Stern, NBA commissioner from 1984, who
helped transform it into an international entertainment
company. Aggressive marketing highlighted star players such
as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and, especially, Michael Jordan.
Other innovations included league limits on player salaries,
lucrative broadcast rights for network and cable television,
and expanded All-Star Game festivities.

The NBA membership was divided into two conferences, each

with three divisions. There were 30 teams, aligned as follows:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York
Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors


Central Division: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit
Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks


Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami
Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis
Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs


Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota
Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail
Blazers, Utah Jazz
 

Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los
Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings

The top-ranking teams at the end of each season engage in a
play-off to determine the NBA champion, which claims the
title of world champion. Probably the most outstanding team
in NBA history was the Boston Celtics, which, led by
centre Bill Russell, won 11 of 13 titles from 1956–57 to 1968–
69. Other dominant clubs were the Minneapolis (later Los
Angeles) Lakers in the 1950s, the Los Angeles Lakers in the
’80s, and the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s.

REF: ©2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Basketball-Association

OFFICIALS & STARTING THE GAME

The main officials include one referee and one umpire.

The court is divided between them and they swap places after each foul involving a
free throw penalty, as well as after each jump ball decision.
They use whistles and hand signals to make and explain their decisions.
Each game begins with a jump ball or tip-off.
The referee throws the ball into the air in the centre circle and two opposing players
leap up and try to tap it away.
Each player is allowed two taps before the ball hits the ground, a basket, a backboard
or another player.

SCORING

Points are scored for shooting the basketball through the hoop.
Two points for a goal inside the three-point semi-circle, and three points for goals
scored from outside.
Free throws, taken from the free-throw line and awarded after a foul, are worth one
point.

Ref: Copyright © 2019 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external
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Top 10 Tips For Starting
Out In Basketball
Get yourself kitted
Generally there is very little you need to get started but it is important
to get a good pair of basketball shoes as the wrong sort could lead to
an injury. As the sport involves a lot of running and jumping, good
support and cushioning is vital. There are high-top shoes that provide
more support for ankles however feel a little heavier when playing.
Mid-top shoes are a lighter choice but the downside is the ankle
support is not as good. Decide on the best pair to suit your needs
depending on your position and the level of competition you will be
playing at.

Warm up 
It is advisable to warm up before starting a game of basketball.
Warming up reduces the chance of injuries and is an efficient way to
increase your ability to perform. Basketball is a fast paced sport so a
sufficient warm up to prepare for the game ahead is vital. A good
warm up should raise your heart rate and incorporate some drills
before you start.

Get in shape
Basketball is a physically challenging sport so it’s best to be in as
good a condition as possible. The better shape you’re in, the greater
your stamina, and the quicker your response time. This will also help
avoid injury. Running will help raise your cardiovascular fitness for
basketball and sports such as yoga will increase your flexibility and
agility.

Practice 
There is no substitute for practice. Only by hard dedication working
on key skills such as passing, dribbling and shooting can the player
really hope to improve. Particularly as a beginner to the sport,
mastering the fundamentals of basketball is crucial to your
development and enjoyment of the game.

Dribble with your weak hand

Be sure to practice dribbling with your weak hand until you can
handle the ball as effectively with either hand. Always dribble with
your head up, not down, so that you can see what is happening
around you, and only dribble as fast as you can go while still keeping
control of the ball.

Shooting 
To shoot more effectively, practice shooting everyday from a variety
of positions. It is important to learn what your basketball shooting
range is. Remember to always hold your follow through to maintain
your technique and keep your eye on the rim of the basket for the
duration of your shot.

Jumping 
Jumping is an important action that is often overlooked in basketball,
however it shouldn’t be. For basketball players the ability to jump
high is vital for collecting rebounds, blocking shots and shooting. This
action should be developed through vertical jump training, which will
not only improve the height you can reach but also your overall
basketball performance.

Don’t dribble too hard

One key error people make is thinking they have to bounce the ball
as hard as they can when dribbling. Dribbling should be done with
knees bent, a straight back, and head up. Dribble just a little above
your knee height, and remember, it is better to gently bounce the ball
and stay in control, rather than bouncing it too hard on the floor.

Master some skills, then move onto

others
Confidence grows by mastering a few skills, then moving on to
others. It is better to be able to shoot from short range and then
gradually extend the distance over time. As a beginner, master the
basics first rather than trying to perform a slam dunk in your first
practice session. For dribbling, control is better than speed and this
will improve with practice.

Get a good coach and study other

players
If you have got a real taste for the game, then it might be worth
joining a club where coaches can point you in the right direction and
help you to develop your game. Watching other players, especially
professionals, can teach the finer skills of the game such as
movement, defensive and attacking tactics.
REF: https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/sports-
activities/article/top-10-tips-for-starting-out-in-basketball/

Basketball
Rules
All intramural participants are responsible for their own medical expenses. Any
student unsure of their physical condition should check with their family physician or
the Student Infirmiry before participating in intramural sports.

Game time is forfeit time.

The officiating will be done by officials who are in absolute control of the game.
Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of
spectators, players or coaches can result in assessment of a technical foul, ejection or
forfeiture of the game. Spectators must also remain in the area designated by the
officials. The officials shall have the power to make decisions on any matters or
questions not specifically covered in the rules.
Any rule not mentioned in the following will be governed by National Federation of
State High School Association rules.

1. Players and Substitutes

1.1 A team consists of 5 players, but may start with 4 players. A team must have 4
players on the court at all times. Exception: Three players are allowed if a player
cannot continue due to an injuryor he/she has fouled out of the game.

1.2 When a team has forfeited, the opposing team must have at least 4 players
checked in to receive a win, unless the forfeit was decided upon well before game
time and both teams were notified.

1.3 Substitutions must be reported to the scorer before entering the game. Substitutes
may enter the game only when the official acknowledges them. Penalty: Technical
foul.

1.4 Teams must wear shirts with the same shade of color and each shirt must have
a different number. The size of each number must be at least six inches.

1.5 All players must wear non-marking rubber-soled athletic shoes.

1.6 Jewelry of any kind (friendship bracelets, chains, rings or earrings)

may not be worn. Penalty: Technical Foul.

1.7 Casts (plaster, metal or other hard substances in their final form) or any other item
judged to be dangerous by the supervisor, official or athletic trainer may not be worn
during the game. Knee braces made of hard, unyielding substances covered on both
sides with all edges overlapped and any other hard substance covered with at least 1/2
inch of slow recovery rubber or similar material will be allowed.

2. Length of Game and Timing

2.1 There will be two twenty minute halves of continuous running time. Clock stops
for time outs or official time outs (e.g. for injuries or retrieving a ball). Clock is not
stopped for violations. Exception: During the last two minutes of the second half, the
clock will be stopped for all dead ball situations (e.g., violations, turnovers, time outs,
fouls, etc.).

2.2 When a team is shooting free throws and a time out is called, the clock will start
when the ball is touched after a throw in on a made basket or when the ball is touched
in bounds on a missed basket. The clock continues to run on technical fouls unless a
time out has been called.

2.3 Three minute intermission between halves.

2.4 If necessary, a 2 minute overtime shall be played to determine a winner. Clock

stops on all dead ball situations. The overtime period will be repeated until a winner is
declared. There will be a 1 minute break between each overtime.
2.5 Mercy Rule:

35 point lead at or after halftime or 15 points at the 2-minute mark.

In an effort to prevent teams from running up the score, the maximum amount of
points that can be gained in point differential will be 35. This will in no way affect the
mercy rule which is already in effect at 2 minutes with a lead of 15 or more.

3. Time Outs

3.1 Each team will have four, one minute, time outs per game with a limit of two per
half. After each time out, the official should record the number of the player who
called the time out and the time it was called.

3.2 Time outs may only be called by the team with possession of the ball or during a
dead ball situation.

3.3 Time outs in excess of the allotted number may be requested and shall be granted
during regulation playing time or during any overtime period at the expense of a
technical foul. The technical foul must be given even if the official was unaware that
the time out was excessive.

3.4 One time out per overtime is allowed. Time outs from regulation play do not carry
over into the overtime.

4. Violations

4.1 Back Court: Teams will have ten seconds to cross the half court line. Once the
ball has been established across the half court line (both feet and the ball), it is a
violation to cross back over into the back court. Penalty: Turnover.

4.2 Three seconds: An offensive player cannot be inside of or in contact with the free
throw lane for more than three seconds while the ball is in his/her team's front
court. Penalty: Turnover.

4.3 Five Seconds: If a player is closely guarded (within six feet) in the front court and
holds the ball for more than five seconds, or dribbles the ball for more than five
seconds then a violation will be called. Penalty: Turnover.

4.4 Kicking: Kicking the ball is a violation only when it is

an intentional act; accidentally striking the ball with the foot or leg is not a
violation.

5. Throw In Violation

5.1 The thrower shall not leave the designated throw in spot until the ball has crossed
the plane of the boundary, except on the baseline after a made basket. Penalty:
Turnover.
5.2 The thrower must pass the ball into the court within five seconds of the start of a
throw in. Penalty: Turnover.

5.3 The thrower may step on but not over the sideline.

5.4 The opponent of the thrower cannot reach through the throw in boundary plane
and foul the thrower. Penalty: Intentional Foul.

5.5 The opponent of the thrower cannot reach through the throw in boundary plane
and touch or dislodge the ball. Penalty: Technical Foul.

5.6 The opponent of the thrower cannot cross the end line or its imaginary plane.
This is a delay of game. The team should be warned on the first offense and then
penalized with a technical foul on each subsequent offense.

6. Fouls

6.1 A player shall be allowed 5 personal fouls per game. On the fifth personal, that
player shall be removed from the game. A personal fouls is a player foul that involves
illegal contact with an opponent while the ball is live.

6.2 A double foul is a situation in which two opponents commit personal fouls against
each other at approximately the same time. In the case of a double foul, fouls are
recorded, no free throws are awarded, and play shall resume at the point of
interruption. This means the team in possession of the ball at the time of the fouls will
get the ball out of bounds.

6.3 An intentional foul is a personal or technical foul designed to stop or keep the
clock from starting, to neutralize an opponent's obvious advantageous position, and
contact away from the ball or when not playing the ball.

6.4 A flagrant foul may be a personal or technical foul of a violent or savage nature or
a technical non contact foul, which displays unacceptable conduct. If a flagrant foul
occurs the player is ejected from the game.

6.5 when a player control (charging) foul is committed, no points can be scored.

6.6 A technical foul is a foul by a non player, a non contact foul by a player; an
intentional or flagrant contact foul while the ball is dead.

6.61 One technical foul against a player or coach can result in immediate ejection of
that person from the game. Two technical fouls constitute immediate ejection from
the game and playing area.

6.62 Slapping either backboard or grabbing the rim is a technical foul. A player may
grab the rim to prevent injury.
6.63 Dunking is legal during the game only. Dunking or touching the rim
during warm ups or in a dead ball situation will result in a technical
foul.

6.64 A technical foul on a spectator or coach is charged to the team captain. Any
two players and/ or coaches and/ or spectators ejected from a game will result in
an automatic forfeiture of the game by the offending team. A technical foul will
also be recorded as a personal foul of the offender; also included in the total
team fouls.

7. Free Throws

7.1 A player will receive the one and one bonus after the offending team has
accumulated 7 fouls each half. This rule applies to all fouls except
shooting, offensive, technical, intentional or flagrant. On the tenth foul and thereafter
the opposing team will shoot two free throws for all fouls except offensive fouls.

7.2 When a player control foul is committed, the basket will not be allowed and free
throws will not be awarded.

7.3 Players will be allowed two free throws and possession of the ball for all
technical, intentional or flagrant fouls.

7.4 Players will be allowed two free throws when fouled in the act of shooting. If the
basket is made, then it counts and the player is allowed one free throw.

7.5 Any shooting foul committed behind the three point line, on a missed shot, will
merit three free throws. If a player is fouled, in the act of shooting, behind the three
point line, and makes the shot, one shot will be awarded.

7.6 Each of the second positions to the end line must be occupied by an opponent of
the free thrower. The lane spaces adjacent are not to be occupied.

8. Free Throw Violations

8.1 Players wishing to occupy the marked lane spaces must do so quickly, and must
alternate lane spaces if the opponenets wish to occupy the space nearest them. These
players may enter the lane as soon as the ball has touched the rim and/or
backboard.

8.2 Any player other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a marked lane space,
must be behind the free throw line extended and behind the three point line. These
players may not enter this area until the ball has touched the rim and/or
backboard.

8.3 The thrower must not touch the free throw line. He/she cannot fake a try and must
release the ball within 10 seconds.

a. In a one and one situation this will result in a turnover.

b. If this occurs on the first attempt of a two shot foul, then the first shot is void and
the second will be administered.

c. If this occurs on the second attempt of a two shot foul, then it will result in a
turnover.

8.4 Failure to cause the ball to touch the rim will result in a dead ball.

a. In a one and one situation this will result in a turnover.

b. If this occurs on the first attempt of a two shot foul, then the first shot is void and
the second will be administered.

c. If this occurs on the second attempt of a two shot foul, then it will result in a
turnover.

Ref: http://web.mst.edu/~ima/Rules/basketballrules.html

10 April 2015

How to recover effectively after basketball games

Every athlete wants to perform at their best throughout the competitive season. There are few things that
compare to the feeling of hitting a basketball court fresh and busting out a great game. In competitive sport,
the struggle comes when we have to maintain this level of performance throughout the season. In order to
stay strong, fit and fresh, recovery is very important to athletes at every level. Here are some tips to help
maintain a strong season.

1. Make ice your best friend.

People often associate ice to injury recovery and neglect it when it comes to fatigue recovery. Ice can help
reduce inflammation resulting from miniscule muscle damage that normally occurs after running a game. It
will help reduce muscle soreness and can assist you to get back to training sooner for the next game. If you
are able to have an ice bath, that is ideal. Just remember for an ice bath there's no need for the water to be
sub zero - the optimal temperature for an ice bath is 10 C. If you don't have an ice bath facility avaliable, ice
massage works really well too. 

2. Sleep.
Sleep is highly underrated as a recovery method. During sleep your body can rest and repair itself. Every
athlete should be getting a minimum 8 hours of sleep a night. To help you get to sleep and have a good
night’s rest, shut off all screens (T.V., computer, phone etc) an hour before bed. The light these produce will
prevent you from sleeping and cause restlessness.
3. Keep a balanced diet.
Your body gets its nutrition from your food, which is the building blocks that your body uses to repair itself.
Try to stay away from fad or crash diets. Eat healthy, well balanced meals, 2 fruit and 5 veg daily. Athletes
can get hung up on protein, but the body can only handle so much protein – the rest it just excretes. Two
eggs, 1 can of tuna and a piece of meat (chicken, steak, or fish) a day spread throughout your meals is
enough.

4. Pull out the goggles and swimming cap.

Hit the pool. Training in water unloads the system and can help strengthen joints due to the constant
resistance of movement. However, don’t forget to drink water – just because you’re in water, doesn’t mean
you don’t sweat. It is very easy to dehydrate yourself in water.

5. Stay Flexible. Yoga isn’t only for mums.

Doing a mobility or range of motion session once a week helps prevent tension build up in joints and
muscles. Core exercise also help associate the body’s proprioception and stability. The best of athletes must
also be flexible.

6. Drop the weights. Less is more.

If you are heading into a tournament, tough part of the schedule or nearing the end of the season, reduce the
volume of your training. The more you train, the more recovery your body needs. By reducing the volume of
training your body won’t be under as much stress and will stay fresh. It is still important to keep the intensity
the same to help prevent detraining, just shorten the time of each session.

By Ben Hutchinson
BSc. Biomechanical
Strength & Conditioning Coach

Ref: https://senatorsbasketball.com.au/blog-inner?rid=NQ==