History

Basketball was invented during the school year of 1891-92 at Springfield College in Springfield,
Massachusetts. Dr. James A. Naismith conceived the idea of attaching peach baskets at opposite ends of
the gym on the track that encircled the playing floor. This is where the height of 10 feet for the basket
was arrived at. Basketball derives its name from the original ball and basket used in the first games. The
game was introduced in YMCA’s across America and also to foreign countries. Basketball became part of
the Olympic Games in 1936.

The Modern Era development

Like many other sports, the combination of superstars, radio, and then television helped to spread the
popularity of the game and make the game modern with new stadiums purposely build for basketball.
The first true superstar was George Mikan, who was six feet and ten inches tall. His height forced
changes to the game, mainly the 3-second lane being widened as his large height made the sport less
competitive for opposing teams as he simply dominated underneath the basket with his height. By 1950,
the basketball color barrier, which was far less formidable than that in baseball, was broken by Chuck
Cooper who played for the Boston Celtics. By the late 1940s, slam dunks were becoming part of the
game.[7]

The college game continued to thrive and it was the college game that continued to be ahead of the
pros, with TV rights signed in the 1950s that helped to increase the games popularity. Meanwhile, the
professional leagues popularity stalled, as rules regulating time wasting and fouling were not developed
in the NBA. This led to the game becoming much slower and less interesting for viewers. In 1954, Danny
Biasone introduced the 24 second shot clock and foul limits that then revitalized the professional game.
It now became a much faster sport, with higher scoring, where by 1958 average scoring topped the 100
mark, gaining more popularity. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russel joining the professional game by the late
1950s helped to make the professional game popular. While Bill Russel helped found the Celtic dynasty
of 1957-1969, Chamberlain is best remembered for his high scoring and being the first player to score
100 points in a game. Chamberlain's dominance led to the center lane being widened. The 1950s and
1960s were the first decades when television broadcasted games.

In 1967, the American Basketball Association (ABA) emerged as a threat to the NBA. It did have some
major stars to its name because it began to actively recruit in college campuses. The NBA, meanwhile,
developed its iconic logo that debuted in 1971. The ABA and NBA competed throughout the early 1970s.
This was a period where the NBA grew from 9 to 18 teams, mostly because of the competition with the
ABA forced the NBA to aggressively expand. By 1976, however, the ABA and NBA merged. Another
period of declining interest started in the late 1970s. This time the introduction of the three-point shot
(in 1979) and arrival of major stars that became international phenomena revitalized the game. The first
two were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who famously battled in the 1984 finals. With the arrival of
Michael Jordan in 1984, the game's popularity surged to new heights and helped develop what many
think of basketball today, as his style of play and commercialization of many aspects of the game became
major draws for investors and fans alike.

Nature of the Game

Basketball is played by two teams of five players each. The object of the game is to score more

points than your opponent. The ball is passed, thrown, bounced, batted, or rolled from one

player to another. A player in possession of the ball must maintain contact with the floor with

one foot (pivot foot), unless the player is shooting, passing, or dribbling. Physical contact with

an opponent can result in a foul if the contact impedes the desired movement of the player.

Basketball definition

Basketball is a team sport in which players work together to bounce a ball down the length of a court
and throw it through a hoop. Some college basketball games are hugely popular and very competitive.

In basketball, two teams of five players collaborate to score points by successfully throwing the ball —
also called a basketball — through the nets that hang from hoops at either end of the court. The game
was invented in 1891, and the word basketball first appeared in print the next year, from basket and ball

Equipments

The Ball

The most important thing for training is the ball. There are certain guidelines which one needs to follow
when buying a basketball. For practicing, one can play with a rubber ball. For professional competitions,
one needs to use an inflated ball made of leather.

Official size of a basketball is 29.5 to 30 inches in circumference for men's game and 28.5 inches in
circumference for women's game. It should weigh 18 to 22 ounces. When bounced off 6 feet from the
floor, a well inflated ball should bounce 49 to 54 inches in height.

Shoes

One needs specialized shoes when playing basketball. It should be able to give better support to the
ankle as compared to running shoes. The basketball shoes should be high-tipped shoes and provide extra
comfort during a game. These shoes are specially designed to maintain high traction on the basketball
court.

Basketball Shooting Equipment

The hoop or basket is a horizontal metallic rim, circular in shape. This rim is attached to a net and helps
one score a point. The rim is mounted about 4 feet inside the baseline and 10 feet above the court.
Basketball Court

The basketball court is the next important thing for shooting balls in this game. The court is usually made
of wooden floorboard. The court size is about 28m x 17m according to the International standards. The
National Basketball Association (NBA) regulation states the floor dimension as 29m x 15m. The standard
court is rectangular in shape and has baskets placed on opposite ends.

Backboard

The backboard is the rectangular board that is placed behind the rim. It helps give better rebound to the
ball. The backboard is about 1800mm in size horizontally and 1050mm vertically. Many times,
backboards are made of acrylic, aluminum, steel or glass.

Basketball Coaching Equipment

Uniforms

When one starts coaching a basketball team, the most important requirement for a team is to have a
uniform. This helps one differentiate teams from one another. A uniform consists of a jersey (shirt),
shorts, numbers on the front and back of the shirts for identification.

Shot Clock

The offense is allowed a maximum of 24 seconds to have a ball in hand before shooting. These 24
seconds are counted on the shot clock. If the offense fails to shoot a ball that hits the rim, they will lose
the possession of the ball to the other team.

Whistle

The coach or referee uses a whistle to indicate the start or end of a game. S/he can even use the whistle
to stop the play in the middle of a game. Whistle also helps to indicate fouls, timeout, or out of bound
balls to the players. In order to get the attention of the players, many times coaches use the whistle to
gather the players.

Basketball court size

Basketball courts come in different sizes. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the court is 94 by
50 feet (28.7 by 15.2 m). Under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules,[1] the court is slightly
smaller, measuring 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by 49.2 ft). In amateur basketball, court sizes vary widely. The
baskets are always 10 feet (3.05 m) above the floor (except possibly in youth competition). Basketball
courts have a three-point arc at both baskets. A basket made from behind this arc is worth three points;
a basket made from within this line, or with a player's foot touching the line, is worth 2 points. The free-
throw line, where one stands while taking a foul shot, is located within the three-point arc at 15 feet
from the plane of the backboard. A foul shot is worth 1 point, but if a shot is made from the foul line
while in play it is still worth 2 points.[2]

Size of ball

Terminology
1. Baseline – the end line

2. Boxing out – a term used to designate a player’s position under the backboard that

prevents an opposing player from achieving a good rebounding position.

3. Carrying – In a carry, your hand makes contact with the bottom of the ball, then flips the

ball over in the act of dribbling.

4. Charging – personal contact against the body of an opponent by a player with the ball.

5. Cut – a quick offensive move by a player trying to get free for a pass.

6. Denial Defense – aggressive individual defense where the defensive player works hard to

keep the offensive player from receiving a pass.

7. Double Dribble – when one person dribbles, stops and picks up the ball and starts to

dribble again or dribble with two hands simultaneously.

8. Dribble – the process of bringing the ball down the floor or moving the ball from place
to place using the finger pads to tap the ball.

9. Drive – an aggressive move toward the basket by a player with the ball.

10. Fake (Feint) – using a deceptive move with the ball to pull the defensive player out of

position.

11. Fast break – moving the ball quickly down the court in order to score before the defense

can set up.

12. Field Goal - a basket scored from the field, worth two points, unless outside the three

point line.

13. Free throw – the privilege given a player to score one point by an unhindered throw for a

goal from within the free-throw circle and behind the free throw line.

14. Lay-up – a shot where a player releases the ball close to the basket while continuing to

run off one foot.

15. Pick – a special type of screen where a player stands so the defensive player slides to

make contact, freeing an offensive teammate for a shot, drive, or pass.

16. Pivot – takes place when a player who is holding the ball steps once or more than once in

any direction with the same foot. The other foot, called the pivot foot, is kept at its point

of contact with the floor.

17. Press – a team’s attempt to take the ball away from their opponent before they can set up

their offense.

18. Rebound – when a shot bounces off the backboard or basket and is pulled down by a

player.

19. Team’s Back Court – the part of the court containing the opponent’s basket.

20. Team’s Front Court – the part of the court containing the team’s own basket.

21. Telegraphing the Pass – indicating where you are going to pass by looking or signaling.

22. Throw-in – a method of putting the ball in play from out of bounds.
23. Traveling – when a player in possession of the ball within bounds progresses illegally in

any direction.

24. Violation – an infraction of the rules resulting in a throw-in from out of bounds for the

opponents.

Basic skills

DRIBBLING – the process of bringing or moving the ball place to place around the court
using the finger pads to tap the ball.

1. Touch the ball with your fingertips, not your palms.

2. Get in a low stance.

3. Bounce the ball off the ground firmly, extend through your elbow.

4. Keep your hand on top of the ball.

5. Keep the ball low, below your waist.

6. Keep your head up, eyes up.

7. Protect the ball from the defender.

8. Don’t pick up your dribble unless you are ready to pass or shoot.

9. Avoid dribbling violations such as traveling, double dribble, and carrying.

1 o Dribble a

2 SHOOTING – Practice the B.E.E.F. method for shooting

3

B = Balance Keep your feet shoulder width apart, with your dominate foot

slightly ahead of your non-dominate foot.

E = Eyes Focus on the rim.

E = Elbow Dominate hand’s elbow should be aligned with your torso in a

90° angle so you are looking at the back of your wrist.

F = Follow Through Flick your wrist after releasing the ball. Imagine reaching into
a cookie jar up on a high shelf.

5 Other shooting tips:

 Rest the ball on the finger tips not in the palm of the hand.

 Your non-dominate hand acts only as a guide to the ball. This hand doesn’t assist in

shooting the ball.

 If shooting from a greater distance you must jump in order to recruit power from your

legs.

PASSING – an alternative way to move the ball around the court that is not comprised of the act
of dribbling. There are three common passes in basketball.

1. Chest pass – the ball is thrown from your chest to your teammate’s chest with no

bounce or arc.

2. Bounce pass- The ball is thrown from your chest and is bounced once before entering

your teammate’s hands near their chest area. This pass is the most difficult pass to

defend.

3. Overhead pass – The ball is passed from over your head into your teammate’s chest.

Tips to proper passing:

 Grip the ball with both hands.

 Step with your non-dominate foot.

 Follow through with thumbs pointing down and fingers pointing to target.

 Aim for your teammate’s chest so they can quickly be prepared to take a shot.

 Receivers of the pass should always meet the pass.

Rebounding
A rebound is when a player gains control of a basketball after a shot is missed. After the ball bounces off
the rim or backboard, you need to grab the ball into to get a rebound. You can do this with your own
shot, or another player's shot.[1] Whether you are playing offense or defense, getting a rebound is
crucial for your team to have control of the ball. Having the right position on the court and knowing
where the ball is at all times will give you the best chance of bringing down a rebound. Stay alert and be
aggressive, and you can lead your team in this crucial stat that contributes to winning games.

Find a good position on the court.

Get low to the ground.

Spread your arms

Officiating
Things To Consider

Physical Demands

Basketball officials are moving constantly. There are no opportunities for rest while play is ongoing
because basketball officials need to adjust their positions constantly to see the action as player positions
shift. You will run between 1 and 4 miles during a competitive basketball game. Most basketball games
take place indoors, but because of the activity level, hydration is something basketball officials take
seriously. As the players you’re officiating get older and the competitive levels increase, the physical
demands also increase.

Mental Demands

Basketball officials work with one or sometimes two or three partners. You will shift between the lead
position and the trail or center position many times per game, and thus, your responsibilities will change
constantly. Basketball officials are also closer to the players, coaches and the fans than in other sports
and must be able to focus and ignore distractions. You will also need to be able to handle hearing verbal
criticism from the stands and sometimes communicate with coaches. Teamwork and support for and
from your partners is crucial to success in basketball officiating.

Training

Basketball requires officials to move to different positions around the court, and be responsible for
watching different parts of the action depending on where they are. To maximize your success, you’ll
have to learn all these positions well. You can train yourself with rulebooks and manuals from the
Referee Training Center, but you should also join a local officials association where you can expect
lectures, demonstrations and exercises that will prepare you for what you’ll face.

Different organizations have different requirements, but most require at least attendance at a meeting to
go over any current rule changes. Additional requirements may be a written test with a minimum passing
score, payment of fees for the upcoming season and association meeting attendance.

Equipment

Polished, black, athletic shoes.

Black socks.

Black beltless slacks.

A striped V-neck shirt no collar.

A whistle and a lanyard.

Estimated cost: $200. Once you join a local officiating association, there may be veteran officials who are
willing to give or sell you “hand–me–downs” to help you get geared up at a reduced cost.

Game Fees

Game fees vary widely based on the players’ age group, competitive level and the state you officiate in.
The fees range from $10-$25 for youth games and $25-$100 for competitive high school games. To
maximize your income, you can work a combination of levels several days a week, including weekend
tournaments where you can work games all day. You can also work adult amateur, club and AAU
basketball year-round to make reliable income. A basketball official with a full schedule can make several
hundred dollars per week outside their normal jobs.

Certification

Here’s the path for starting and continuing your officiating career:

Youth Level
Many officials start at the youth level. Contact your local recreation department leaders. Your local
association should also help you make contacts to get games. Parks & Rec departments offer youth and
adult games in many cities and you can potentially work multiple games per day on the weekends for
schools and independent organizations, enhancing your earning potential.

High School

National Federation of State High School AssociationsAfter working youth games, you may feel you have
the skills and confidence to work higher levels of competition. You may also start at this level if you have
a good grasp of the rules and/or experience as a player. For jr. high games, ask your association leader or
contact your school district. For high school games, you’ll need to work with an assigner through your
local association. Any work with sanctioned school games requires you to be registered through your
state, to prove you’re competent.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the nation’s governing body for high
school athletics. Through them you can get all the information you need from your state to register and
start the process to work High School sports.

Begin your high school basketball officiating journey at highschoolofficials.com

In most cases, your state association can put you in contact with a local officials’ association. Local
associations assign games, many times offer mentoring programs and assist in training.

High school athletic directors, association assigners and other officials can also get you games.

Plan to attend local camps and clinics. They are focused on helping officials learn and improve.

College
College basketball officiating is highly competitive. Officials with one year of youth experience would
most likely not be a candidate even though there isn’t a designated number of years of experience to
reach the college ranks. Obtaining a conference schedule and advancement within a conference is based
on the league or conference. When first trying to enter a college conference, talk with officials who are
currently in the conference. They can give you valuable information such as the conference
commissioner and officiating camps to attend. College athletic directors or sports information directors
can also be helpful.

You may start your career in the NAIA, work a NCAA Division III conference, advance to a Division II
schedule, then on to a smaller Division I conference and culminate with a major Division I schedule.
Attending officiating camps is an important tool to improve your officiating. Not only can you learn from
experienced veterans, you can be seen by those who assign games at that level, most often conference
commissioners or officiating supervisors.

The collegiate national governing bodies: