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1. History of Basketball
The history of basketball began with its invention in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by
Canadian physical education instructor James Naismithas a less injury-prone sport than football.
The game became established fairly quickly, very popular as the 20th century progressed, first in
America and then throughout the world. After basketball became established in American
colleges, the professional game followed; the American National Basketball Association (NBA),
established in 1949, grew to a multi-billion dollar enterprise by the end of the century, and
basketball became an integral part of American culture.
Invention of the Game. The game of basketball, as we know it today was created by Dr. James
Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts to condition young athletes during the
cold. It consisted of peach baskets and a soccer style ball. He published 13 rules for the new
game. He divided his class of 18 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.
The First Basketball Game. On December 21, 1891, James Naismith published rules for a new
game using five basic ideas and thirteen rules. That day, he asked his class to play a match in the
Armory Street court: 9 versus 9, using a soccer ball and two peach baskets. Frank Mahan, one of
his students, wasnt so happy. He just said: "Harrumph. Another new game". However,
Naismith was the inventor of the new game. Someone proposed to call it "Naismith Game", but
he suggested "We have a ball and a basket: why dont we call it basketball?" The eighteen
players were: John G. Thompson, Eugene S. Libby, Edwin P. Ruggles, William R. Chase, T.
Duncan Patton, Frank Mahan, Finlay G. MacDonald, William H. Davis and Lyman Archibald,
who defeated George Weller, Wilbert Carey, Ernest Hildner, Raymond Kaighn, Genzabaro
Ishikawa, Benjamin S. French, Franklin Barnes, George Day and Henry Gelan 10. The goal
was scored by Chase. There were other differences between Naismiths first idea and the game
played today. The peach baskets were closed, and balls had to be retrieved manually, until a small
hole was put in the bottom of the peach basket to poke the ball out using a stick. Only in 1906
were metal hoops, nets and backboards introduced. Moreover, earlier the soccer ball was replaced
Assist -- You will often see in a players stats a certain number of assists. These are passes that
subsequently result in a goal being scored
Double Team -- When two defenders mark one attacker, usually their best player.
Dunk Shot -- A dunk is the spectacular scoring maneuver when a player jumps high, reaches
above the ring, and stuffs the ball down through the hoop.
Free Throw -- An uncontested shot from the free throw line, taken by a player who has been
fouled. It is worth one point only.
Game Clock -- This is a clock that runs whenever the ball is in play, and stops whenever the
ball goes out of bounds or when a foul is committed.
Goal Tending -- An illegal move by a defender of striking the ball on its downward flight to
the basket. Two points are awarded.
Jump Ball -- A jump ball is the method by which the game is started. The ball is tossed up
between two players, who try and tap it down to their teammates.
Paint -- When a player takes a shot from within 'the paint' it means they are shooting from
inside the key, which these days is often painted a different color.
Personal Foul -- Personal fouls are fouls committed by a player, and after five of these (or six
in the NBA) the player has to sit out the game. A replacement is allowed to enter the game.
Pick / Screen -- An offensive maneuver using one player to block for another, without
making contact, by placing themselves between the defender and their own teammate who
has the ball.
Shot Clock -- A 30-second clock (or 24 in the NBA) which limits the time a team may have
possession of the ball without shooting. If a shot is not put up in this time then possession
passes to the other team.
Substitution / Sub -- When a player on court is substituted which one from the bench. This
can occur whenever there is a break in play, on direction of the referees.
Time Out -- A time out is when play is stopped on request of the coach, which gives each
team a chance to discuss tactics.
Traveling -- Taking more than 1 1/2 steps without dribbling, which results in a penalty free to
the opposing team.
TERMINOLOGIES
Basketball Positions
1. Point Guard - The point guard takes command of the team and calls the play on the basketball
court. He needs good ball handling skills, passing skills, as well as strong leadership and decision
making skills. A point guards goal is to get the ball to the team.
2. Shooting Guard - Not necessarily a great ball handler, but the teams best perimeter shooter.
He needs to be an accurate shooter from three-point range.
3. Small Forward - A very well rounded player, can do everything any other position can do,
just not as well. They're very fast and strong, however they're not fast or strong enough for the other
positions.
The small forward must have enough height and ability to play inside, and on top of that, play like the
center and power forwards, but also be able to guard.
4. Power Forward - The power forwards are usually the next tallest players in the team, who are
closest to the centre in physical attributes and playing style, but with more speed. A forward may play
under the hoop or are expected to operate in the wings and corner areas.
They must be strong and comfortable with a lot of physical play and must be an effective rebounder
and effective inside shooter like the centre. The power forward is also expected to shoot from further
distances than the centre.
5. Center - Tallest player on the team who is positioned near the basket as he must be able to get
up as high as possible for rebounds.
Offensive -- The centre's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are required to
block defenders, and to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centres
are expected to get some offensive rebounds and put-backs.
The centre should be good at making quick jump shots, hook shots, and using the
backboard on his shots.
Defensive -- On defense, the centre's main responsibility is to keep opponents from
shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get more
rebounds because they're taller.
6. 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.
7. 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.
Zone Defense - a defense where each defender is responsible for an area of the court
and must guard any player who enters that area.
Violations
An infringement of the rules thats not a foul. The penalty for a violation is the awarding
of the ball to the opponent.
Ball handling violations;
1. Double Dribble - It is when a player dribbles the ball with two hands at the same time
or when the player stops dribbling, holds the ball, and starts dribbling again.
2. Over-and-back (Backcourt Violation) - when the offensive team returns the ball into
the backcourt once it has positioned itself in the front court.
3. Traveling - A violation where you take more than one and a half steps without
dribbling while you have the ball.
4. Carrying the ball or Palming - A violation in which a player moves his hand under
the ball and scoops it while dribbling.
5. Goaltending - is when a player interferes with a shot when it is above the rim, but still
on its downward path to the basket, interferes with the ball while on the rim of the basket,
or touches the net or rim while the ball is being shot. If goaltending is called on the
defense, the shot is called good. If goaltending is on the offense, then the shot does not
count and the defense gets the ball.
The player tries to intercept the ball while it is on the rim or on the way down to the
basket.
6. Kicking - Players are not allowed to intentionally kick the ball. If a defensive player
kicks the ball, the offensive team will get it out of bounds.
Time Violations;
1. Lane violation A lane violation takes place when you enter the lane too soon during
a free throw situation. This result in either a turnover or the other team gets another free
throw attempt.
If it was an offensive player, a made shot will not count. If it was a defensive player, a
missed shot will not count and the shooter will get another try.
2. Shot Clock - Offensive team must attempt a shot within 30 seconds (24 in NBA). A
clock that limits the time a team with the ball has to shoot it; 24 seconds in the NBA; in
college, 35 seconds for men, 30 seconds for women.
3. Three in the Key or Three-second Violation - when the offensive player stays inside
the free throw land and doesnt move for 3 seconds.
4. Five-second violation This violation occurs if there are more than 5 seconds delay in
the inbounder passing the ball to his teammate.
And; when a player is pressured by a defender (within a 3 feet radius) and does not go
anywhere, he has 5 seconds to get rid of the ball by either shooting or passing the ball. By
picking up his/her dribble, the 5 second count will reset, and he/she has another 5 seconds
to get rid of the ball.
5. Ten-second violation This occurs if there is more than 10 second delays by the
offensive team in crossing the ball to the mid-court. (8 seconds in NBA)
Fouls
1. Personal Fouls - Among all the types of basketball fouls, personal foul is the most
common type. It relates to the physical contacts, the illegal ones that are not acceptable in
the game of basketball. It can be divided into two more categories, defensive fouls and
offensive fouls.
Blocking - When a player uses their body position to prevent their opponent from advancing.
Charging - When an offensive player runs into a defender who has an established position.
Elbowing - When a player swings their elbows in an excessive manner and makes contact with
their opponent.
Holding - Using the hands to interfere with or limit an opponent's freedom of movement.
Illegal Screen - The player setting the screen is still moving when the defender makes contact
with them. This is a form of blocking which prevents the defender from moving around the
screen.
Let screener get set before running. If you run without screen being set, thats illegal. And also
if you move your hip to block the opponent.
Hand Check can be Holding - When a defender intermittently or continuously uses one or both
hands on an opposing player, usually the ball handler.
When hand is in contact with the offensive.
Over-the-Back - Jumping on and over the back of an opposing player who is attempting to
rebound the basketball.
Tripping - When a player uses their foot or leg to cause their opponent to fall or loose their
balance.
2. Defensive Fouls - Illegal physical contacts which are made by defensive players are
known as defensive fouls. These contacts are primarily aimed to impede the progress of
offensive player. Some of the typical defensive fouls are blocking, reaching in, holding,
tripping and pushing.
3. Offensive Fouls - Offensive players also commit personal fouls, mainly charging and
illegal screen. Charging is called when offensive player moves into a defensive player,
pretending as he is fouled by the defender and illegal screen when player setting the
screen constantly moves and blocks the way of the defender.
4. Flagrant Foul - When an illegal physical contact gets more violent, obvious,
unnecessary and excessive, then it is called a flagrant foul. Its intended to harm a player
and results in more harsher penalties than personal fouls. Hitting, punching, shoving etc
in such manner that could injure a player or actually ends up hurting him can lead to fines
and ejection from the game. There are two types of flagrant fouls: flagrant foul 1 and
flagrant foul 2. Upon measuring the severity of contact, referee decides whether to call it
type 1 or type 2. He can reclassify his decision after reviewing it.
5. Technical Fouls - Technical foul include those acts or behaviors that are against the
sportsmanship or spirit of the game. Its an unsportsmanlike conduct from an on court
player, bench player, coach or entire team against a player, coach, referee or spectator.
For example, releasing anger or frustration in reckless manner like throwing chair or any
object, spitting, punting a ball, using improper language or trash talking. Team fighting or
fight with crowd, pretending to be fouled
Any infraction from general rules of the game also leads to technical foul. Delaying a
game, asking time-out without having any, unnecessary argue or protests with refs, any
violation regarding the rules of substitutes. Its purely up to the referee, if he recognize a
specific behavior as misbehavior, then he can call technical foul against the offender.
6. Intentional Foul - A foul committed on purpose, usually by a defensive player, to stop
the clock or prevent a basket.
Flagrant Foul - Two free throws, possession of the basketball out of bounds, and the player
committing the foul is disqualified.
Intentional Foul - Two free throws and possession of the basketball out of bounds.
Personal Foul - Possession of the basketball out of bounds. One-and-one free throw situation
if the team is above their foul limit.
Shooting Foul - Two or three free throws depending on the type of shot taken.
Technical Foul - Two free throws and possession of the basketball out of bounds.
Terms
1. Assist - A pass that immediately precedes and sets up a scored basket.
2. Airball - A basketball shot that misses everything; net, backboard, and rim.
3. Backboard - The rectangular or fan-shaped board behind the basket.
4. Backcourt - The half of the court that is opposite a teams offensive basket; the court a
team is attempting to defend.
5. Bank shot - A shot where the ball is first bounced (or banked) off the backboard at
such an angle that it then drops into the basket.
6. Free throw - An unguarded shot taken from behind the free-throw line after a foul. If
successful, the shot counts one point.
7. Fake or feint - A deceptive move to throw a defender off balance and allow an
offensive player to shoot or receive a pass; players use their eyes, head or any other part
of the body to trick an opponent.
8. Fastbreak - An offensive strategy in which a team attempts to move the ball
downcourt and into scoring position as quickly as possible so that the defense is
outnumbered and does not have time to set up.
9. Jump ball or Tip-off - The procedure for starting play at the beginning of a game or
an overtime period. The official tosses the ball into the air between the two opponents
positioned at the center-court circle; the two players jump up and try to tap the ball to a
teammate.
10. Substitution / Sub -- When a player on court is substituted which one from the
bench. This can occur whenever there is a break in play, on direction of the referees.
11. Time Out -- A time out is when play is stopped on request of the coach, which gives
each team a chance to discuss tactics.Dunk Shot -- A dunk is the spectacular scoring
maneuver when a player jumps high, reaches above the ring, and stuffs the ball down
through the hoop.
12. Rebound:
The act of gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot.
13. Defensive rebound -- A rebound caught by defenders.