BASKETBALL

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing
one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball
(approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter) through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches
(46 cm) in diameter mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the court),
while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop. A field goal is worth
two points, unless made from behind the three-point line, when it is worth three. After a foul,
timed play stops and the player fouled or designated to shoot a technical foul is given one, two or
three one-point free throws. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but if
regulation play expires with the score tied, an additional period of play (overtime) is mandated.

HISTORY

Creation
In December 1891, James Naismith, a Canadian-American professor of physical
education and instructor at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School
(now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, was trying to keep his gym class active
on a rainy day. He sought a vigorous indoor game to keep his students occupied and at proper
levels of fitness during the long New England winters. After rejecting other ideas as either too
rough or poorly suited to walled-in gymnasiums, he invented a new game in which players
would pass a ball to teammates and try to score points by tossing the ball into a basket mounted
on a wall. Naismith wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto an elevated track.
Naismith initially set up the peach basket with its bottom intact, which meant that the ball had to
be retrieved manually after each "basket" or point scored. This quickly proved tedious, so
Naismith removed the bottom of the basket to allow the balls to be poked out with a
long dowel after each scored basket.

Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball. These round balls from "association
football" were made, at the time, with a set of laces to close off the hole needed for inserting the
inflatable bladder after the other sewn-together segments of the ball's cover had been flipped
outside-in. These laces could cause bounce passes and dribbling to be unpredictable. Eventually
a lace-free ball construction method was invented, and this change to the game was endorsed by
Naismith (whereas in American football, the lace construction proved to be advantageous for
gripping and remains to this day). The first balls made specifically for basketball were brown,
and it was only in the late 1950s that Tony Hinkle, searching for a ball that would be more
visible to players and spectators alike, introduced the orange ball that is now in common use.
Dribbling was not part of the original game except for the "bounce pass" to teammates. Passing
the ball was the primary means of ball movement. Dribbling was eventually introduced but
limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls. Dribbling was common by 1896, with a rule
against the double dribble by 1898.

The peach baskets were used until 1906 when they were finally replaced by metal hoops
with backboards. A further change was soon made, so the ball merely passed through. Whenever
a person got the ball in the basket, his team would gain a point. Whichever team got the most
points won the game. The baskets were originally nailed to the mezzanine balcony of the playing
court, but this proved impractical when spectators in the balcony began to interfere with shots.
The backboard was introduced to prevent this interference; it had the additional effect of
allowing rebound shots. Naismith's handwritten diaries, discovered by his granddaughter in early
2006, indicate that he was nervous about the new game he had invented, which incorporated
rules from a children's game called duck on a rock, as many had failed before it.

Frank Mahan, one of the players from the original first game, approached Naismith after
the Christmas break, in early 1892, asking him what he intended to call his new game. Naismith
replied that he hadn't thought of it because he had been focused on just getting the game started.
Mahan suggested that it be called "Naismith ball", at which he laughed, saying that a name like
that would kill any game. Mahan then said, "Why not call it basketball?" Naismith replied, "We
have a basket and a ball, and it seems to me that would be a good name for it." The first official
game was played in the YMCA gymnasium in Albany, New York, on January 20, 1892, with
nine players. The game ended at 1–0; the shot was made from 25 feet (7.6 m), on a court just half
the size of a present-day Streetball or National Basketball Association (NBA) court.

At the time, soccer was being played with 10 to a team (which was increased to 11).
When winter weather got too icy to play soccer, teams were taken indoors, and it was convenient
to have them split in half and play basketball with five on each side. By 1897–1898 teams of five
became standard.

EQUIPMENT

The only essential equipment in a basketball game is the ball and the court: a flat,
rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends. Competitive levels require the use of more
equipment such as clocks, score sheets, scoreboards, alternating possession arrows, and whistle-
operated stop-clock systems.

A regulation basketball court in international games is 28 meters (92 feet) long and 15

meters (49 feet) wide. In the NBA and NCAA the court is 94 by 50 feet (29 by 15 meters). Most
courts have wood flooring, usually constructed from maple planks running in the same direction
as the longer court dimension. The name and logo of the home team is usually painted on or
around the center circle.

The basket is a steel rim 18 inches (46 cm) diameter with an attached net affixed to a
backboard that measures 6 by 3.5 feet (1.8 by 1.1 meters) and one basket is at each end of the
court. The white outlined box on the backboard is 18 inches (46 cm) high and 2 feet (61 cm)
wide. At almost all levels of competition, the top of the rim is exactly 10 feet (3.05 meters)
above the court and 4 feet (1.22 meters) inside the baseline. While variation is possible in the
dimensions of the court and backboard, it is considered important for the basket to be of the
correct height – a rim that is off by just a few inches can have an adverse effect on shooting. The
net must "check the ball momentarily as it passes through the basket" to aid the visual
confirmation that the ball went through. The act of checking the ball has the further advantage of
slowing down the ball so the rebound doesn't go as far.
 The size of the basketball is also regulated. For men, the official ball is 29.5 inches
(75 cm) in circumference (size 7, or a "295 ball") and weighs 22 oz (620 g). If women are
playing, the official basketball size is 28.5 inches (72 cm) in circumference (size 6, or a "285
ball") with a weight of 20 oz (570 g). In 3x3, a formalized version of the halfcourt 3-on-3 game,
a dedicated ball with the circumference of a size 6 ball but the weight of a size 7 ball is used in
all competitions (men's, women's, and mixed teams).

BASIC SKILLS

1. Shooting

Shooting is the act of attempting to score points by throwing the ball through the basket,
methods varying with players and situations.

Typically, a player faces the basket with both feet facing the basket. A player will rest the
ball on the fingertips of the dominant hand (the shooting arm) slightly above the head, with the
other hand supporting the side of the ball. The ball is usually shot by jumping (though not
always) and extending the shooting arm. The shooting arm, fully extended with the wrist fully
bent, is held stationary for a moment following the release of the ball, known as a follow-
through. Players often try to put a steady backspin on the ball to absorb its impact with the rim.
The ideal trajectory of the shot is somewhat controversial, but generally a proper arc is
recommended. Players may shoot directly into the basket or may use the backboard to redirect
the ball into the basket.

Another common shot is called the layup. This shot requires the player to be in motion
toward the basket, and to "lay" the ball "up" and into the basket, typically off the backboard (the
backboard-free, underhand version is called a finger roll). The most crowd-pleasing and typically
highest-percentage accuracy shot is the slam dunk, in which the player jumps very high and
throws the ball downward, through the basket while touching it.

Another shot that is less common than the layup, is the "circus shot". The circus shot is a
low-percentage shot that is flipped, heaved, scooped, or flung toward the hoop while the shooter
is off-balance, airborne, falling down or facing away from the basket. A back-shot is a shot taken
when the player is facing away from the basket, and may be shot with the dominant hand, or
both; but there is a very low chance that the shot will be successful.

A shot that misses both the rim and the backboard completely is referred to as an air ball.
A particularly bad shot, or one that only hits the backboard, is jocularly called a brick. The hang
time is the length of time a player stays in the air after jumping, either to make a slam dunk,
layup or jump shot.

2. Rebounding
 The objective of rebounding is to successfully gain possession of the basketball after a
missed field goal or free throw, as it rebounds from the hoop or backboard. This plays a major
role in the game, as most possessions end when a team misses a shot. There are two categories of
rebounds: offensive rebounds, in which the ball is recovered by the offensive side and does not
change possession, and defensive rebounds, in which the defending team gains possession of the
loose ball. The majority of rebounds are defensive, as the team on defense tends to be in better
position to recover missed shots; for example, about 75% of rebounds in the NBA are defensive.

3. Passing

A pass is a method of moving the ball between players. Most passes are accompanied by
a step forward to increase power and are followed through with the hands to ensure accuracy.

A staple pass is the chest pass. The ball is passed directly from the passer's chest to the
receiver's chest. A proper chest pass involves an outward snap of the thumbs to add velocity and
leaves the defence little time to react.

Another type of pass is the bounce pass. Here, the passer bounces the ball crisply about
two-thirds of the way from his own chest to the receiver. The ball strikes the court and bounces
up toward the receiver. The bounce pass takes longer to complete than the chest pass, but it is
also harder for the opposing team to intercept (kicking the ball deliberately is a violation). Thus,
players often use the bounce pass in crowded moments, or to pass around a defender.

The overhead pass is used to pass the ball over a defender. The ball is released while over
the passer's head.

The outlet pass occurs after a team gets a defensive rebound. The next pass after the
rebound is the outlet pass.

Another advanced style of passing is the behind-the-back pass, which, as the description

implies, involves throwing the ball behind the passer's back to a teammate. Although some
players can perform such a pass effectively, many coaches discourage no-look or behind-the-
back passes, believing them to be difficult to control and more likely to result in turnovers or
violations.

4. Dribbling

Dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball continuously with one hand and is a requirement
for a player to take steps with the ball. To dribble, a player pushes the ball down towards the
ground with the fingertips rather than patting it; this ensures greater control.

When dribbling past an opponent, the dribbler should dribble with the hand farthest from
the opponent, making it more difficult for the defensive player to get to the ball. It is therefore
important for a player to be able to dribble competently with both hands.
 Good dribblers (or "ball handlers") tend to keep their dribbling hand low to the ground,
reducing the distance of travel of the ball from the floor to the hand, making it more difficult for
the defender to "steal" the ball. Good ball handlers frequently dribble behind their backs,
between their legs, and switch directions suddenly, making a less predictable dribbling pattern
that is more difficult to defend against. This is called a crossover, which is the most effective
way to move past defenders while dribbling.

5. Blocking

A block is performed when, after a shot is attempted, a defender succeeds in altering the
shot by touching the ball. In almost all variants of play, it is illegal to touch the ball after it is in
the downward path of its arc; this is known as goaltending. It is also illegal under NBA and
Men's NCAA basketball to block a shot after it has touched the backboard, or when any part of
the ball is directly above the rim. Under international rules it is illegal to block a shot that is in
the downward path of its arc or one that has touched the backboard until the ball has hit the rim.
After the ball hits the rim, it is again legal to touch it even though it is no longer considered as a
block performed.

To block a shot, a player has to be able to reach a point higher than where the shot is
released. Thus, height can be an advantage in blocking. Players who are taller and playing the
power forward or center positions generally record more blocks than players who are shorter and
playing the guard positions. However, with good timing and a sufficiently high vertical leap,
even shorter players can be effective shot blockers.

POSITION OF THE PLAYERS

1. Point guard (often called the "1") : usually the fastest player on the team, organizes the
team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the
right time.
2. Shooting guard (the "2") : creates a high volume of shots on offense, mainly long-ranged;
and guards the opponent's best perimeter player on defense.
3. Small forward (the "3") : often primarily responsible for scoring points via cuts to the basket
and dribble penetration; on defense seeks rebounds and steals, but sometimes plays more
actively.
4. Power forward (the "4"): plays offensively often with their back to the basket; on defense,
plays under the basket (in a zone defense) or against the opposing power forward (in man-to-
man defense).
5. Center (the "5"): uses height and size to score (on offense), to protect the basket closely (on
defense), or to rebound.

RULES OF THE GAME

 Games are played in four quarters of 10 (FIBA) or 12 minutes (NBA). College men's
games use two 20-minute halves, college women's games use 10-minute quarters, and
most United States high school varsity games use 8-minute quarters; however, this varies
from state to state. 15 minutes are allowed for a half-time break under FIBA, NBA, and
 NCAA rules and 10 minutes in United States high schools. Overtime periods are five
minutes in length except for high school, which is four minutes in length. Teams
exchange baskets for the second half. The time allowed is actual playing time; the clock
is stopped while the play is not active. Therefore, games generally take much longer to
complete than the allotted game time, typically about two hours.

 Five players from each team may be on the court at one time. Substitutions are unlimited
but can only be done when play is stopped. Teams also have a coach, who oversees the
development and strategies of the team, and other team personnel such as assistant
coaches, managers, statisticians, doctors and trainers.

 For both men's and women's teams, a standard uniform consists of a pair of shorts and
a jersey with a clearly visible number, unique within the team, printed on both the front
and back. Players wear high-top sneakers that provide extra ankle support. Typically,
team names, players' names and, outside of North America, sponsors are printed on the
uniforms.

 A limited number of time-outs, clock stoppages requested by a coach (or sometimes

mandated in the NBA) for a short meeting with the players, are allowed. They generally
last no longer than one minute (100 seconds in the NBA) unless, for televised games, a
commercial break is needed.

 The game is controlled by the officials consisting of the referee (referred to as crew chief

in the NBA), one or two umpires (referred to as referees in the NBA) and the table
officials. For college, the NBA, and many high schools, there are a total of three referees
on the court. The table officials are responsible for keeping track of each team's scoring,
timekeeping, individual and team fouls, player substitutions, team possession arrow, and
the shot clock.

OFFICIALS OF THE GAME

1. Referees are the main officials of the game. They are the ones who are actually responsible
for enforcing rules and regulations and calling fouls and violations. The number of referees
officiating a game depends on the level of play. In NBA, a crew chief and two referees are
assigned to conduct a game and the official uniform is gray shirt and black pant. In
international basketball or NCAA game, it can be either one referee and one umpire or one
referee and two umpires officiate a game. They wear typical black and white stripped shirts
and black pants.

2. Lead referee (also known as crew chief in NBA) is the in charge of the game. Normally, all
two or three referees are independent in terms of making their decisions but in case of a
dispute, it’s the lead referee whose verdict is considered final.

3. Scorer play supportive role in the game of the basketball. There can be one or two scorers in
a game depending on the rules of the league and their job is to write down the stats relevant
to the game. They keep a running summary of points scored, notify field goals and free
 throws made and missed. They also record the fouls called on each player and informs a
referee if sixth fouls is called against a player (to eject him from game). Also notes the
timeouts and let the referee knows if all timeouts have been used up by a team.

4. Timer assists referee in recording time. Generally, two timers are appointed by the league.
One is official timer who operates the game clock and the other is shot clock operator who
operates 24 second clock. Official timer alerts referee when each half is going to start and
stops the clock when any kind of interruption occurs during a game (fouls, out of bounds,
timeouts etc) while shot clock timer informs referee when a player takes 24 or more seconds
to shoot a ball (keeping the ball in possession for 24 seconds or more is a violation).

TERMINOLOGIES USED IN BASKETBALL

1. Air ball: A shot that misses the rim or backboard.

2. Alive: Offensive player who has the ball and has not dribbled.
3. Assist: A pass to a teammate that results in a made basket.
4. Backboard: The flat surface directly behind the basket. The basket is connected to the
backboard.
5. Basket: Consists of the rim and the net, also known a ‘the hoop’.
6. Basketball: A round ball made of rubber, leather or synthetic leather. Comes in 3 different
sizes (size 5, 6 or 7).
7. Blocked Shot: The successful deflection of a shot by touching part of the ball on its way to
the basket, and preventing a field goal.
8. Blocking: The use of a defender’s body position to legally prevent an opponent’s advance. It
is the opposite of charging.
9. Crossover dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the ball across their body from one hand to
the other.
10. Dead: Offensive player has the ball and has already used their dribble.  They must now either
pass or shot the ball.
11. Dead Ball: Any player with the ball that is not ‘live’. This occurs after each successful field
goal, free-throw attempt, after any official’s whistle or if the ball leaves the court, then play
is stopped.
12. Defense: The act of preventing the offense from scoring. Defense is the team without the
ball.
13. Double Dribble: The act of dribbling the ball, stopping the dribble or motion of the ball and
beginning to dribble again.  Results in a violation and turnover.
14. Dribble: The act of bouncing the ball up and down. The offensive player with the ball uses
the dribble to move the ball around the court.
15. Drive: The movement of an offensive player while aggressively dribbling towards the basket
in an attempt to score.
16. Dunk: A shot in which a jumping player slams the ball down into the opponent’s basket from
above.
17. Exhibition Game: The act of playing another team and the outcome not being counted in
any league standings.
18. Fastbreak: The act of moving the ball quickly down court by an offensive team in hopes of
getting ahead of the defense to score.
19. Feed: To pass the ball to a teammate who is in a scoring position.
20. Floor Violation: A player’s action that violates rules but does not prevent an opponent’s
movement (traveling, double dribble, etc.). They are penalized by a loss in possession.
21. Foul:  Actions by players, which break the rules but are not floor violations. They are
penalized by a change in possession or free throw opportunities.
22. Fouled Out:  A player having to leave the game because they have committed five fouls.
23. Foul Shot or Free Throw: An unguarded shot taken from the foul line by a player whose
opponent committed a personal or technical foul, which is worth one point.
24. Free Ball: A ball, which is in play but is not in the possession of either team, also called a
‘loose ball’.
25. Free Throw:  The act of shooting the ball from the marked free throw line (ranging 10-15
feet from the basket) while the remaining players line up down the ‘key’.  Shot is taken at the
result of a foul or technical foul being called.
26. Guarding: The act of following an opponent around the court to prevent them from getting
close to the basket, taking an open short or making easy passes.
27. Half time: The rest period between two halves of the game.  Usually 5 minutes in length.
28. Jump shot: Field-goal attempt by a player with both feet off the floor, enabling the player to
shoot over the defender.
29. Lay-up or Lay in: A shot taken after driving to the basket by leaping up under the basket
and using one hand to shoot the ball off the backboard.
30. Loose Ball: A ball that is alive but not in the possession of either team.
31. Outside Shooting: Shots taken from the perimeter, further away from the hoop.
32. Pass: When a player throws the ball to a teammate to advance the ball during a possession.
33. Personal Foul: Contact between players, which may result in excessive physical contact or
provide one team with an unfair advantage. Players may not push, hold, trip, hack, elbow,
restrain or charge into an opponent.  These are also counted as team fouls.
34. Pivot: A center, also the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has
stopped dribbling is ready to pass or shoot.
35. Rebound: A term used to describe the actual retrieving of the ball as it rebounds from the
backboard or the ring after a missed shot.
36. Receiver: The player who receives a pass from the ball handler.
37. Referee: The person(s) assigned to the game to maintain the flow and integrity of the game.
38. Shooter: A player who takes a shot at the basket in attempts to score.
39. Shooting Range: The distance from which a player is likely to make their shots.
40. Steal: To take the ball away from an opponent.
41. Substitute: A player who comes into the game to replace a player on the court.
42. Switch: Two defensive players change checks during live play.
43. Technical Foul: A special violation called at the discretion of the referee towards players,
coaches or the team.  Infractions include an intentional or flagrant contact foul,
unsportsmanlike conduct or other actions detrimental to the spirit of the game.
44. Time-out: A period of sixty seconds during which the play is stopped and teams discuss
strategy and a moment to allow players to rest.
45. Violation: An infringement of the rules, which does not involve contact.  The opposing team
is awarded the ball for a throw-in from out of bounds.