Basketball

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This article is about the sport. For the ball used in the sport, see Basketball (ball). For other uses, see Basketball (disambiguation).

Basketball

Michael Jordan goes for a slam dunk at the oldBoston Garden

Highestgoverning body

FIBA

First played

1891, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Characteristics

Contact

Contact

Team members

13 to 15 (5 at a time)

Mixed gender

Single

Categorization

Indoor or Outdoor

Equipment

Basketball

Olympic

1936

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by placing a ball through a 10 foot (3.048 m) high hoop (the goal) under organized rules. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world.[1] Points are scored by throwing (shooting) the ball through the basket from above. dunking and slamming the ball into the rim, or any other acrobatic styles to make the ball into the basket from any distance; the team with more points at the end of the game wins, but additional time(overtime) may be issued when the scores of both teams are the same. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it (dribbling) or passing it between teammates. Disruptive physical contact (foul) is penalized and free throws will be issued if the player is fouled while shooting the ball and there are restrictions on how the ball can be handled (violations). Through time, basketball has developed to involve many common techniques of shooting, passing and dribbling, as well as players' positions, and offensive and defensive structures. Typically, the tallest members of a team will play center or one of two forward positions, while shorter players or those who possess the best ball handling skills and speed, play the guard positions. While competitive basketball is carefully regulated, numerous variations of basketball have developed for casual play. In some countries, basketball is also a popular spectator sport. While competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport, played on a basketball court, less regulated variations played in the outdoors have become increasingly popular among both inner city and rural groups.
Contents
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1 History

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
4 Height

1.1 The first rules, court, and game 1.2 Women's basketball 1.3 Surge in popularity 1.4 Basketball Hall of Fame founded 1.5 Development of equipment and technique 1.6 Historical antecedents 1.7 Early college basketball development 1.8 Early women's basketball development 1.9 First Canadian interuniversity game 1.10 Early American professional and barnstorming teams 1.11 American national college championships 1.12 U.S. high school basketball 1.12.1 National championships 1.13 National Basketball Association 1.14 Women's National Basketball Association 1.15 Philippine Basketball Association 1.16 International basketball 1.17 Pros in the Olympics 1.18 International stars in the NBA 1.19 Globalization of basketball 2 Rules and regulations 2.1 Playing regulations 2.2 Equipment 2.3 Violations 2.4 Fouls 3 Common techniques and practices 3.1 Positions and structures 3.2 Shooting 3.3 Rebounding 3.4 Passing 3.5 Dribbling 3.6 Blocking

 o o o o o o o o o o o

5 Variations and similar games 5.1 Wheelchair Basketball 5.2 Water Basketball 5.3 Beach Basketball 5.4 Dunk Hoops 5.5 Slamball 5.6 Streetball 5.7 Unicycle Basketball 5.8 More distantly related basketball games 6 Social forms of basketball 7 Fantasy basketball 8 See also 9 References 10 External links 10.1 Historical 10.2 Organizations 10.3 Other

History

The first basketball court: Springfield College.

Main article: History of basketball

The first rules, court, and game

In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith,[2] a Canadian-born physical education professor and instructor at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School[3] (YMCA) (today,Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, 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 wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto a 10-foot (3.05 m) elevated track. In contrast with modern basketball nets, this peach basket retained its bottom, and balls had to be retrieved manually after each "basket" or point scored; this proved inefficient, however, so a hole was drilled into the bottom of the basket, allowing the balls to be poked out with a long dowel each time. 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, paving the way for the game we know today. A soccer ball was used to shoot baskets. Whenever a person got the ball in the basket, his team would gain a point. Whichever team got the most points won the game.[4] The baskets were originally nailed to the mezzanine balcony of the playing court, but this proved impractical when spectators on the balcony began to interfere with shots. The backboard was introduced to prevent this interference; it had the additional effect of allowing rebound shots.[5] 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. Naismith called the new game "Basket Ball".[6] The first official game was played in the YMCA gymnasium 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. By 18971898 teams of five became standard.

Women's basketball
Women's basketball began in 1892 at Smith College when Senda Berenson, a physical education teacher, modified Naismith's rules for women. Shortly after she was hired at Smith, she went to Naismith to learn more about the game.[7] Fascinated by the new sport and the values it could teach, she organized the first womens collegiate basketball game on March 21, 1893, when her Smith freshmen and sophomores played against one another.[8] Her rules were first published in 1899 and two years later Berenson became the editor of A.G. Spaldings first Women's Basketball Guide[8], which further spread her version of basketball for women.

Surge in popularity

Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at several women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for initially developing and spreading the game, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as rough play and rowdy crowds began to detract from the YMCA's primary mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly filled the void. In the years before World War I, the Amateur Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for control over the rules for the game. The first pro league, the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898 to protect players from exploitation and to promote a less rough game. This league only lasted five years.

Basketball Hall of Fame founded

By the 1950s, basketball had become a major college sport, thus paving the way for a growth of interest in professional basketball. In 1959, abasketball hall of fame was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, site of the first game. Its rosters include the names of great players, coaches, referees and people who have contributed significantly to the development of the game. The hall of fame has people who have accomplished mant goals in their career in basketball.

Development of equipment and technique

Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball. 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 only became a major part of the game around the 1950s, as manufacturing improved the ball shape.

Historical antecedents
Basketball, netball, dodgeball, volleyball, and lacrosse are the only ball games which have been identified as being invented by North Americans. Other ball games, such as baseball and Canadian football, have Commonwealth of Nations, European, Asian or Africanconnections. Although there is no direct evidence as yet that the idea of basketball came from the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame, knowledge of that game had been available for at least 50 years prior to Naismith's creation, in the writings of John Lloyd Stephens and Alexander von Humboldt. Stephens' works especially, which included drawings by Frederick Catherwood, were available at most educational institutions in the 19th century and also had wide popular circulations.

Early college basketball development

Dr. James Naismith was instrumental in establishing college basketball. He coached at the University of Kansas for six years, before handing the reins to renowned coach Forrest "Phog" Allen. Naismith's disciple Amos Alonzo Stagg brought basketball to the University of Chicago, while Adolph Rupp, a student of Naismith's at Kansas, enjoyed great success as coach at the University of Kentucky. On February 9, 1895, the first intercollegiate 5-on-5 game was played at Hamline University between Hamline and the School of Agriculture, which was affiliated with University of Minnesota.[9][10] The School of Agriculture won in a 9-3 game. In 1901, colleges, including the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, the University of Minnesota, the U.S. Naval Academy, the University of Utah and Yale University began sponsoring men's games. In 1905, frequent injuries on the football field promptedPresident Theodore Roosevelt to suggest that colleges form a governing body, resulting in the creation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS). In 1910, that body would change its name to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Early women's basketball development

In 1891, the University of California and Miss Head's School played the first women's interinstitutional game. Berenson's freshmen played the sophomore class in the first women's intercollegiate basketball game at Smith College, March 21, 1893.[11] The same year, Mount Holyoke andSophie Newcomb College (coached by Clara Gregory Baer) women began playing basketball. By 1895, the game had spread to colleges across the country, including Wellesley, Vassar, and Bryn Mawr. The first intercollegiate women's game was on April 4, 1896. Stanford women played Berkeley, 9-on-9, ending in a 2-1 Stanford victory. Women's basketball development was more structured than that for men in the early years. In 1905, the Executive Committee on Basket Ball Rules (National Women's Basketball Committee) was created by the American Physical Education Association.[12] These rules called for six to nine players per team and 11 officials. The International Women's Sports Federation (1924) included a women's basketball competition. 37 women's high school varsity basketball or state tournaments were held by 1925. And in 1926, the Amateur Athletic Union backed the firstnational women's basketball championship, complete with men's rules.[12] The Edmonton Grads, a touring Canadian women's team based in Edmonton, Alberta, operated between 1915 and 1940. The Grads toured all over North America, and were exceptionally successful. They posted a record of 522 wins and only 20 losses over that span, as they met any team which wanted to challenge them, funding their tours from gate receipts.[13] The Grads also

shone on several exhibition trips to Europe, and won four consecutive exhibition Olympics tournaments, in 1924, 1928, 1932, and 1936; however, women's basketball was not an official Olympic sport until 1976. The Grads' players were unpaid, and had to remain single. The Grads' style focused on team play, without overly emphasizing skills of individual players. The first women's AAU All-America team was chosen in 1929.[12] Women's industrial leagues sprang up throughout the United States, producing famous athletes, including Babe Didrikson of the Golden Cyclones, and the All American Red Heads Team, which competed against men's teams, using men's rules. By 1938, the women's national championship changed from a threecourt game to two-court game with six players per team.[12]

First Canadian interuniversity game

The first Canadian interuniversity basketball game was played at the YMCA in Kingston, Ontario on February 6, 1904, when McGill Universityvisited Queen's University. McGill won 9-7 in overtime; the score was 7-7 at the end of regulation play, and a ten-minute overtime period settled the outcome. A good turnout of spectators watched the game.[14]

Ad from The Liberator magazine promoting an exhibition in Harlem, March 1922. Drawing by Hugo Gellert.

Early American professional and barnstorming teams

Teams abounded throughout the 1920s. There were hundreds of men's professional basketball teams in towns and cities all over the United States, and little organization of the professional game. Players jumped from team to team and teams played in armories and smoky dance halls. Leagues came and went. Barnstorming squads such as the Original Celtics and two all-African American teams, the New York Renaissance Five ("Rens") and (still in existence as of 2009) the Harlem Globetrottersplayed up to two hundred games a year on their national tours.

American national college championships

The first men's national championship tournament, the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball tournament, which still exists as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament, was organized in 1937. The first national championship for NCAA teams, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in New York, was organized in 1938; the NCAA national tournament would begin one year later. College basketball was rocked by gambling scandals from 1948 to 1951, when dozens of players from top teams were implicated in match fixing and point shaving. Partially spurred by an association with cheating, the NIT lost support to the NCAA tournament.

U.S. high school basketball

Before widespread school district consolidation, most United States high schools were far smaller than their present day counterparts. During the first decades of the 20th century, basketball quickly became the ideal interscholastic sport due to its modest equipment and personnel requirements. In the days before widespread television coverage of professional and college sports, the popularity of high school basketball was unrivaled in many parts of America. Perhaps the most legendary of high school teams was Indiana's Franklin Wonder Five, which took the nation by storm during the 1920s, dominating Indiana basketball and earning national recognition. Today virtually every high school in the United States fields a basketball team in varsity competition. Basketball's popularity remains high, both in rural areas where they carry the identification of the entire community, as well as at some larger schools known for their basketball teams where many players go on to participate at higher levels of competition after graduation. In the 200304 season, 1,002,797 boys and girls represented their schools in interscholastic basketball competition, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. The states of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky are particularly well known for their residents' devotion to high school basketball, commonly calledHoosier Hysteria in Indiana; the critically acclaimed film Hoosiers shows high school basketball's depth of meaning to these rural communities.

National championships

There is currently no national tournament to determine a national champion. The most serious effort was the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament at the University of Chicago from 1917 to 1930. The event organized by Amos Alonzo Stagg and sent invitations to state champion teams. The tournament started out as a mostly Midwest affair but grew. In 1929 it had 29 state champions. Faced with opposition from the National Federation of State High School Associations and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that bore a threat of the schools losing their accreditation the last tournament was in 1930. The organizations said they were concerned that the tournament was being used to recruit professional players from the prep ranks.[15] The tournament did not invite minority schools or private/parochial schools. The National Catholic Interscholastic Basketball Tournament ran from 1924 to 1941 at Loyola University.[16] The National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament from 1954 to 1978 playing at a series of venues at Catholic University, Georgetown and George Mason.[17] The National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament for Black High Schools was held from 1929 to 1942 at Hampton Institute.[18] The National Invitational Interscholastic Basketball Tournament was held from 1941 to 1967 starting out at Tuskegee Institute. Following a pause duringWorld War II it resumed at Tennessee State College in Nashville. The basis for the champion dwindled after 1954 when Brown v. Board of Education began an integration of schools. The last tournaments were held at Alabama State College from 1964 to 1967.[19]

National Basketball Association

Main article: National Basketball Association In 1946, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) was formed. The first game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between the Toronto Huskies and New York Knickerbockers on November 1, 1946. Three seasons later, in 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). An upstart organization, the American Basketball Association, emerged in 1967 and briefly threatened the NBA's dominance until the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Today the NBA is the top professional basketball league in the world in terms of popularity, salaries, talent, and level of competition. The NBA has featured many famous players, including George Mikan, the first dominating "big man"; ball-handling wizard Bob Cousy and defensive genius Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics; Wilt Chamberlain, who originally played for the barnstorming Harlem Globetrotters; allaround stars Oscar Robertson and Jerry West; more recent big men Kareem AbdulJabbar and Karl Malone; playmaker John Stockton; crowd-pleasing forward Julius Erving;

European stars Dirk Nowitzki and Drazen Petrovic and the three players who many credit with ushering the professional game to its highest level of popularity: Larry Bird, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and Michael Jordan. In 2001, the NBA formed a developmental league, the NBDL. As of 2008, the league has sixteen teams.

Women's National Basketball Association

Main article: Women's National Basketball Association The NBA-backed Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) began in 1997. Though it had shaky attendance figures, several marquee players (Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Candace Parker among others) have helped the league's popularity and level of competition. Otherprofessional women's basketball leagues in the United States, such as the American Basketball League (1996-1998), have folded in part because of the popularity of the WNBA. The WNBA has been looked at by many as a niche league. However, the league has recently taken steps forward. In June 2007, the WNBA signed a contract extension with ESPN. The new television deal runs from 2009 to 2016. Along with this deal, came the first ever rights fees to be paid to a women's professional sports league. Over the eight years of the contract, "millions and millions of dollars" will be "dispersed to the league's teams." The WNBA gets more viewers on national television broadcasts (413,000) than both Major League Soccer (253,000)[20] and the NHL(310,732).[21] In a March 12, 2009 article, NBA commissioner David Stern said that in the bad economy, "the NBA is far less profitable than the WNBA. We're losing a lot of money amongst a large number of teams. We're budgeting the WNBA to break even this year."[22]

Philippine Basketball Association

Main article: Philippine Basketball Association The Philippine Basketball Association is the second oldest professional league in the world. The first game was played on April 9, 1975 at theAraneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Philippines. It was founded as a "rebellion" of several teams from the now-defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association which was tightly controlled by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (now defunct), the then-FIBA recognized national association. Nine teams from the MICAA participated in the league's first season that opened in April 9, 1975.

International basketball

XX. Olympic games Munich 1972Kreimir osi of Yugoslavia (blue shirt) vs. Petr Novicky of Czechoslovakia

The International Basketball Federation was formed in 1932 by eight founding nations: Argentina,Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania and Switzerland. At this time, the organization only oversaw amateur players. Its acronym, derived from the French Fdration Internationale de Basketball Amateur, was thus "FIBA." Men's Basketball was first included in the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936, although a demonstration tournament was held in 1904. The United States defeated Canada in the first final, played outdoors. This competition has usually been dominated by the United States, whose team has won all but three titles, the first loss in a controversial final game in Munich in 1972 against the Soviet Union. In 1950 the first FIBA World Championship for men was held in Argentina. Three years later, the first FIBA World Championship for Women was held in Chile. Women's basketball was added to the Olympics in 1976, which were held in Montreal, Canada with teams such as the Soviet Union, Brazil and Australiarivaling the American squads.

Pros in the Olympics

FIBA dropped the distinction between amateur and professional players in 1989, and in 1992, professional players played for the first time in the Olympic Games. The United States' dominance continued with the introduction of their Dream Team. However, with developing programs elsewhere, other national teams started to beat the United States. A team made entirely of NBA players finished sixth in the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis, behind Yugoslavia, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand and Spain. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, the United States suffered its first Olympic loss while using professional players, falling to Puerto Rico (in a 19-point loss) andLithuania in group games, and being eliminated in the semifinals by Argentina. It eventually won the bronze medal defeating Lithuania, finishing behind Argentina

and Italy. In 2006, in the World Championship of Japan, the United States advanced to the semifinals but were defeated byGreece by 101-95. In the bronze medal game it beat team Argentina and finished 3rd behind Greece and Spain.

International stars in the NBA

Worldwide, basketball tournaments are held for boys and girls of all age levels. The global popularity of the sport is reflected in the nationalities represented in the NBA. Players from all over the globe can be found in NBA teams: Chicago Bulls star forward Luol Deng is a Sudanese refugee who settled in Great Britain. Steve Nash, who won the 2005 and 2006 NBA MVP award, is a South Africaborn

Canadian. Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors, top pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, is from Italy. In

addition, American superstar Kobe Bryant spent much of his childhood in Italy while his father was playing there. Dallas Mavericks superstar and 2007 NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki is German. All-Star Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers is from Spain. 2005 NBA Draft top overall pick Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks is Australian.

Also, 200809 rookie Nathan Jawai is the firstIndigenous Australian ever to play in the league. Houston Rockets All-star center Yao Ming is from China. All star and former three point champion Peja Stojakovic is Serbian. All star Andrei Kirilenko is Russian. Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson

Varejao and Denver Nuggets center Nen are Brazilian. Cleveland Cavaliers big man ydrnas Ilgauskas is Lithuanian. Perhaps no NBA team is as identified by international players as the San Antonio Spurs.

The team's three most prominent players are all internationalTim Duncan of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Manu Ginobili of Argentina and Tony Parker of France (Duncan competes for the United States internationally, as the Virgin Islands did not field a basketball team for international competition until well after Duncan started playing internationally, and all U.S. Virgin Islands natives are United States citizens by birth). Ginobili's countryman Andrs Nocioni plays for the Sacramento Kings.

Even in the '90s, many non-American players made their names in the NBA, such as Croats Draen Petrovi and Toni Kuko, Serb Vlade Divac, Lithuanians Arvydas Sabonis and arnas Mariulionis and German Detlef Schrempf.

Globalization of basketball
The all-tournament teams at the two most recent FIBA World Championships, held in 2002 in Indianapolis and 2006 in Japan, demonstrate the globalization of the game equally dramatically. Only one member of either team was American, namely Carmelo Anthony in 2006. The 2002 team featured Nowitzki, Ginobili, Yao, Peja Stojakovic of Yugoslavia (now of Serbia), and Pero Cameron of New Zealand. Ginobili also made the 2006 team; the other members were Anthony, Gasol, his Spanish teammate Jorge Garbajosa and Theodoros Papaloukas of Greece. The only players on either team to never have joined the NBA are Cameron and Papaloukas. The strength of international Basketball is evident in the fact that the last three FIBA world championships were won (in order) by Serbia (Yugoslavia in 1998) and Spain.

Rules and regulations

Main article: Rules of basketball Measurements and time limits discussed in this section often vary among tournaments and organizations; international and NBA rules are used in this section. The object of the game is to outscore one's opponents by throwing the ball through the opponents' basket from above while preventing the opponents from doing so on their own. An attempt to score in this way is called a shot. A successful shot is worth two points, or three points if it is taken from beyond the three-point arc which is 6.25 metres (20 ft 6 in) from the basket in international games and 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) in NBA games.

Playing regulations
Games are played in four quarters of 10 (international) or 12 minutes (NBA). College games use two 20-minute halves, while high school games use 8 minute quarters. Fifteen minutes are allowed for a half-time break, and two minutes are allowed at the other breaks. Overtime periods are five minutes long. 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 (out of a twelve player roster) 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 (140 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 teams scoring, timekeeping, individual and team fouls, player substitutions, teampossession arrow, and the shot clock.

Equipment
Main articles: Basketball (ball), Basketball court, and Backboard (basketball)

Traditional eight-panel basketball

The only essential equipment in a basketball game is the basketball and the court: a flat, rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends (or in the case of 3-on-3 street basketball, half a court with one basket). Competitive levels require the use of more equipment such as clocks, scoresheets, scoreboard(s), alternating possession arrows, and whistle-operated stop-clock systems.

An outdoor basketball net.

A regulation basketball court in international games is 28 by 15 meters (approx. 92 by 49 ft) and in the NBA is 94 by 50 feet (29 by 15 m). Most courts are made of wood, usually maple.[23] A steel basket with net and backboard hang over each end of the court. At almost all levels of competition, the top of the rim is exactly 10 feet (3.05 m) above the court and 4 feet (1.2 m) 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 but a few inches can have an adverse effect on shooting. There are also regulations on the size a basketball should be. If women are playing, the official basketball size is 28.5" in circumference (size 6, or a "285 ball") and a weight of 20 oz. For men, the official ball is 29.5" in circumference (size 7, or a "295 ball") and weighs 22 oz.

Violations
The ball may be advanced toward the basket by being shot, passed between players, thrown, tapped, rolled or dribbled (bouncing the ball while running). The ball must stay within the court; the last team to touch the ball before it travels out of bounds forfeits possession. The ball is out of bounds if touches or crosses over a boundary line, or touches a player who is out of bounds. This is in contrast to other sports such as soccer, volleyball, and tennis (but not rugby or American football) where the ball (or player) is still considered in if any part of it is touching a boundary line. The ball-handler may not move both feet without dribbling, an infraction known as traveling, nor may he dribble with both hands or catch the ball in between dribbles, a violation called double dribbling. A player's hand cannot be under the ball while dribbling; doing so is known as carrying the ball. A team, once having established ball control in the front half of the court, may not return the ball to the backcourt and be the first to touch it. The ball may not be kicked, nor be struck with the fist. A violation of these rules results in loss of possession, or, if committed by the defense, a reset of the shot clock (with some exceptions in the NBA). There are limits imposed on the time taken before progressing the ball past halfway (8 seconds in international and NBA; 10 seconds in NCAA and high school), before attempting a shot (24 seconds in the NBA, 30 seconds in NCAA women's and Canadian Interuniversity Sport play for both sexes, and 35 seconds in NCAA men's play), holding the ball while closely guarded (5 seconds), and remaining in the restricted area below the foul line (the lane, or "key") (3 seconds). These rules are designed to promote more offense. No player may touch the ball on its downward flight to the basket, unless the ball has no chance of entering the basket (goaltending). In addition, no player may touch the ball while it is on or in

the basket; when any part of the ball is in the cylinder above the basket (the area extended upwards from the basket); or when the ball is outside the cylinder, if the player reaches through the basket and touches it. This violation is known as "basket interference". If a defensive player goaltends or commits basket interference, the basket is awarded and the offending team gets the ball. If a teammate of the shooter goaltends or commits interference, the basket is cancelled and play continues with the defensive team being given possession.

Fouls

The referee signals that a foul has been committed.

Main articles: Personal foul (basketball) and Technical foul An attempt to unfairly disadvantage an opponent through physical contact is illegal and is called a foul. These are most commonly committed by defensive players; however, they can be committed by offensive players as well. Players who are fouled either receive the ball to pass inbounds again, or receive one or more free throws if they are fouled in the act of shooting, depending on whether the shot was successful. One point is awarded for making a free throw, which is attempted from a line 15 feet (4.6 m) from the basket. The referee may use discretion in calling fouls (for example, by considering whether an unfair advantage was gained), sometimes making fouls controversial calls or no-calls. The calling of fouls can vary between games, leagues and even between referees. A player or coach who shows poor sportsmanship, such as by arguing with a referee or by fighting with another player, can be charged with a more serious foul called a technical foul. The penalty involves free throws (where, unlike a personal foul, the other team can choose any player to shoot) and varies between leagues. Repeated incidents can result in disqualification. Blatant fouls with excessive contact or that are not an attempt to play the ball are called intentional fouls (or flagrant fouls in the NBA). In FIBA, a foul resulting in ejection is called a disqualifying foul, while in leagues other than the NBA, such a foul is referred to as flagrant.

If a team exceeds a certain limit of team fouls in a given period (quarter or half) four for NBA and international games the opposing team is awarded one or two free throws on all subsequent non-shooting fouls for that period, the number depending on the league. In the US college and high school games, if a team reaches 7 fouls in a half, the opposing team is awarded one free throw, along with a second shot if the first is made. This is called shooting "one-andone". If a team exceeds 10 fouls in the half, the opposing team is awarded two free throws on all subsequent fouls for the half. When a team shoots foul shots, the opponents may not interfere with the shooter, nor may they try to regain possession until the last or potentially last free throw is in the air. After a team has committed a specified number of fouls, it is said to be "in the penalty". On scoreboards, this is usually signified with an indicator light reading "Bonus" or "Penalty" with an illuminated directional arrow indicating that team is to receive free throws when fouled by the opposing team. (Some scoreboards also indicate the number of fouls committed.) If a team misses the first shot of a two-shot situation, the opposing team must wait for the completion of the second shot before attempting to reclaim possession of the ball and continuing play. If a player is fouled while attempting a shot and the shot is unsuccessful, the player is awarded a number of free throws equal to the value of the attempted shot. A player fouled while attempting a regular two-point shot, then, receives two shots. A player fouled while attempting a three-point shot, on the other hand, receives three shots. If a player is fouled while attempting a shot and the shot is successful, typically the player will be awarded one additional free throw for one point. In combination with a regular shot, this is called a "three-point play" or "four-point play" (or more colloquially, an "and one") because of the basket made at the time of the foul (2 or 3 points) and the additional free throw (1 point).

Common techniques and practices

Positions and structures

Basketball positions in the offensive zone

Although the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever, they have evolved as part of basketball. During the first five decades of basketball's evolution, one guard, two forwards, and two centers or two guards, two forwards, and one center were used. Since the 1980s, more specific positions have evolved, namely:

1. 2. 3.

point guard: 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 shooting guard: creates a high volume of shots on offense; guards the

opponent's best perimeter player on defense small forward: 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: plays offensively often with his 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: uses height and size to score (on offense), to protect the basket closely

(on defense), or to rebound. The above descriptions are flexible. On some occasions, teams will choose to use a three guard offense, replacing one of the forwards or the center with a third guard. The most commonly interchanged positions are point guard and shooting guard, especially if both players have good leadership and ball handling skills.

There are two main defensive strategies: zone defense and man-to-man defense. Zone defense involves players in defensive positions guarding whichever opponent is in their zone. In man-to-man defense, each defensive player guards a specific opponent and tries to prevent him from taking action. Offensive plays are more varied, normally involving planned passes and movement by players without the ball. A quick movement by an offensive player without the ball to gain an advantageous position is a cut. A legal attempt by an offensive player to stop an opponent from guarding a teammate, by standing in the defender's way such that the teammate cuts next to him, is a screen or pick. The two plays are combined in the pick and roll, in which a player sets a pick and then "rolls" away from the pick towards the basket. Screens and cuts are very important in offensive plays; these allow the quick passes and teamwork which can lead to a successful basket. Teams almost always have several offensive plays planned to ensure their movement is not predictable. On court, the point guard is usually responsible for indicating which play will occur. Defensive and offensive structures, and positions, are more emphasized in higher levels in basketball; it is these that a coach normally requests a time-out to discuss.

Shooting

Player releases a short jump shot, while her defender is either knocked down, or trying to "take a charge."

Shooting is the act of attempting to score points by throwing the ball through the basket. While methods can vary with players and situations, the most common technique is outlined as follows:

The player faces the basket with feet about shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and back straight. The player allows the ball to rest on the fingertips of the dominant hand (the shooting arm) slightly above the head, with the other hand supporting the side of the ball. To aim the ball, the player's elbow should be aligned vertically, with the forearm facing in the direction of the basket. The ball is shot by extending the bended knees and straightening the shooting arm; the ball rolls off the finger tips while the wrist completes a full downward flex motion. The shooting arm, fully extended with the wrist fully bent, and the fingers pointing downward, is held stationary for a moment following the release of the ball, this is known as a follow-through, which when properly done, enhances the accuracy of the shot. Generally, the non-shooting arm is used only to guide the shot, not to power it. Players often try to put a steady backspin on the ball to deaden its impact with the rim. The ideal trajectory of the shot is somewhat arguable, but generally coaches recommends a proper arch. Players may shoot directly into the basket or may use the backboard to redirect the ball into the basket. The two most common shots that use the above described set up are the set shot and the jump shot. The set shot is taken from a standing position, with neither foot leaving the floor, typically used for free throws. The jump shot is taken while in mid-air, when the ball is released near the top of the jump. This provides much greater power and range, and it also allows the player to elevate over the defender. Failure to release the ball before the feet return to the ground is considered a traveling violation. 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 backboardfree, underhand version is called a finger roll). The most crowd-pleasing, and typically highestpercentage accuracy shot is the slam dunk, in which the player jumps very high, and throws the ball downward, straight through the hoop. Another shot that is becoming common 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, and/or facing away from the basket. 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.

Rebounding
Main article: Rebound (basketball)

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.

Passing
See also: Assist (basketball) 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 twothirds 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. The crucial aspect of any good pass is it being difficult to intercept. Good passers can pass the ball with great accuracy and they know exactly where each of their other teammates prefers to receive the ball. A special way of doing this is passing the ball without looking at the receiving teammate. This is called a no-look 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.

Dribbling

A U.S. Naval Academy ("Navy") player, left, posts up a U.S. Military Academy ("Army") defender

Main article: Dribble 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 bounce the ball 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. A skilled player can dribble without watching the ball, using the dribbling motion or peripheral vision to keep track of the ball's location. By not having to focus on the ball, a player can look for teammates or scoring opportunities, as well as avoid the danger of having someone steal the ball away from him/her.

Blocking
Main article: Block (basketball)

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. 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.

Height
At the professional level, most male players are above 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and most women above 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m). Guards, for whom physical coordination and ball-handling skills are crucial, tend to be the smallest players. Almost all forwards in the men's pro leagues are 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) or taller. Most centers are over 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) tall. According to a survey given to all NBA teams, the average height of all NBA players is just under 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m), with the average weight being close to 222 pounds (101 kg). The tallest players ever in the NBA were Manute Bol and Gheorghe Murean, who were both 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m) tall. The tallest current NBA player isYao Ming, who stands at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m). The shortest player ever to play in the NBA is Muggsy Bogues at 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m). Other short players have thrived at the pro level.Anthony "Spud" Webb was just 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall, but had a 42-inch (1.07 m) vertical leap, giving him significant height when jumping. The shortest player in the NBA as of the 2006-07 season is Earl Boykins at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m). While shorter players are often not very good at defending against shooting, their ability to navigate quickly through crowded areas of the court and steal the ball by reaching low are strengths.

Variations and similar games

Main article: Variations of basketball Variations of basketball are activities based on the game of basketball, using common basketball skills and equipment (primarily the ball and basket). Some variations are only superficial rules changes, while others are distinct games with varying degrees of basketball influences. Other variations include children's games, contests or activities meant to help players reinforce skills.

There are principal basketball sports with variations on basketball including Wheelchair basketball, Water basketball, Beach basketball,Slamball, Streetball and Unicycle basketball. An earlier version of basketball was Six-on-six basketball played until the end of the 1950s. There is even a form played on donkeys known as Donkey basketball, but that version has come under attack from animal rights groups. Games using basketball skills and equipment include popular versions of the half-court game played in informal settings without referees or strict rules. Perhaps the single most common variation is the half court game. Only one basket is used, and the ball must be "cleared" - passed or dribbled outside the half-court or three-point line -each time possession of the ball changes from one team to the other. Half-court games require less cardiovascular stamina, since players need not run back and forth a full court. Half-court games also raise the number of players that can use a court, an important benefit when many players want to play. (Interestingly, half court games are also played when there is an insufficient number of players to form full 5-on-5 teams). There are also other basketball sports like 21 (also known as hustle, cutthrow and roughhouse) 42 Around the world Bounce Firing Squad Fives H-O-R-S-E Hotshot Knockout One-shot conquer Steal The Bacon Tip-it Tips "The One" Basketball War. One-on-One, a variation in which two players will use only a small section of the court

(often no more than a half of a court) and compete to play the ball into a single hoop. Such games tend to emphasize individual dribbling and ball stealing skills over shooting and team play.

Wheelchair Basketball
Main article: Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair basketball, created by disabled World War II veterans,[24] is played on specially designed wheelchairs for the physically impaired. The world governing body of wheelchair basketball is the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation[25] (IWBF).

Water Basketball
Main article: Water basketball Water basketball, played in a swimming pool, merges basketball and water polo rules.

Beach Basketball
Main article: Beach basketball A modified version of basketball, played on beaches, was invented by Philip Bryant.[26] Beach basketball is played in a circular court with no backboard on the goal, no out-of-bounds rule with the ball movement to be done via passes or 2 steps, as dribbling is next to impossible on a soft surface.[27] Beach basketball has grown to a very popular, widespread competitive sport. Fifteen Annual World Championships have been organized.

Dunk Hoops
Main article: Dunk hoops Dunk Hoops (aka Dunk Ball) is a variation of the game of basketball, played on basketball hoops with lowered (under basketball regulation 10 feet) rims. It originated when the popularity of the slam dunk grew and was developed to create better chances for dunks with lowered rims and using altered goaltending rules.

Slamball
Main article: Slamball Slamball is full-contact basketball, with trampolines. Points are scored by playing the ball through the net, as in basketball, though the point-scoring rules are modified. The main differences from the parent sport is the court; below the padded basketball rim and backboard are four trampolines set into the floor which serve to propel players to great heights for slam dunks. The rules also permit some physical contact between the members of the four-player teams.

Streetball
Main article: Streetball Streetball is a less formal variant of basketball, played on playgrounds and in gymnasiums across the world. Often only one half of the court is used, but otherwise the rules of the game are very

similar to those of basketball. The number of participants in a game, or a run, may range from one defender and one person on offense (known as one on one) to two full teams of five each. Streetball is a very popular game worldwide, and some cities in the United States have organized streetball programs, such as midnight basketball. Many cities also host their own weekend-long streetball tournaments.

Unicycle Basketball
Main article: Unicycle#Unicycle Basketball Unicycle basketball is played using a regulation basketball on a regular basketball court with the same rules, e.g., one must dribble the ball whilst riding. There are a number of rules that are particular to unicycle basketball as well, e.g., a player must have at least one foot on a pedal when in-bounding the ball. Unicycle basketball is usually played using 24" or smaller unicycles, and using plastic pedals, both to preserve the court and the players' shins. In North America, popular unicycle basketball games are organized.[28].

More distantly related basketball games

Main article: Variations of basketball#More distantly related games Spin-offs from basketball that are now separate sports include: Korfball (Dutch: Korfbal) started in the Netherlands and is now played worldwide as a

mixed gender team ball game, similar to mixed netball and basketball Netball (formerly known as Women basketball but now played by both males and

females), a limited-contact team sport in which two teams of seven try to score points against one another by placing a ball through a high hoop, Slamball, a full-contact basketball, with trampolines. Points are scored by playing the ball

through the net, as in basketball, though the point-scoring rules are modified. The main differences from the parent sport is the court; below the padded basketball rim and backboard are four trampolines set into the floor which serve to propel players to great heights for slam dunks. The rules also permit some physical contact between the members of the four-player teams.

Social forms of basketball

Basketball has been adopted by various social groups and for which they have established their own environments and sometimes their own rules. Such socialized forms of basketball include:

Recreational basketball, where fun, entertainment and family and camaraderie rule

rather than winning a game Basketball Schools and Academies where students are trained in developing

basketball fundamentals, undergo fitness and endurance exercises and learn various basketball skills. Basketball students learn proper ways of passing, ball handling, dribbling, shooting from various distances, rebounding, offensive moves, defense, lay-ups, screens etc, basketball rules and basketball ethics. Also popular are thebasketball camps organized at various occasions, often to get prepared for basketball events and basketball clinics for improving skills. College and University basketball played in educational institutions of higher learning This includes National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) intercollegiate

basketball commonly known as College basketball in theUnited States although it is also played in most universities in the country Disabled basketball played by various disabled groups such as: Bankshot basketball[29] Deaf basketball Wheelchair basketball, a sport based on basketball but designed

for disabled people in wheelchairs and considered one of the majordisabled sports practiced Ethnic and Religion-based basketball. Examples of Ethnic basketball include Indo-Pak

or Russian or Armenian leagues in the United States or Canada for example or Filipino expatriate basketball leagues in the Gulf or the United States. Whereas Relegion-based basketball includes most notably church-related Christian basketball leagues, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu basketball leagues etc. or denominational leagues like Coptic, Syriac/Assyrian basketball leagues in the United States or Canada. Gay basketball played in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in gay

basketball leagues. Sport of basketball is a major part of events during the Gay Games, World Outgames and EuroGames. Midnight basketball, a basketball initiative to curb inner-city crime in the United States

and elsewhere by keeping urban youth off the streets and engaging them with sports alternatives to drugs and crime. Mini basketball played by underage children Maxi Basketball played by overage individuals Prison basketball, basketball practiced in prisons and penitentiary institutions. There are

also active religious basketball missionary groups to play basketball with prisoners. Some

prisons have developed their prison basketball leagues. At times, non-prisoners may play in such leagues, provided all home and away games are played within prison courts. Film director Jason Moriarty has even released a documentary relating to the sport entitled Prison Ball. Rezball, short for reservation ball, is the term used to describe the avid Native

American following of basketball and in some areas the style of play of their Native American teams. School / High school basketball, the sport of basketball being one of the most

frequently exercised and popular sports in all school systems like: Celebrity basketball teams made of celebrities (actors, singers etc) playing in Show basketball as performed by entertainment basketball show teams, the prime

example being the Harlem Globetrotters. There are even specialized entertainment teams

their own leagues or in public, often for entertainment and charity events. Midget basketball teams made up of athletes of short stature offering shows

using basketball Slamball offered as entertainment events

Women basketball played by females

Fantasy basketball
Main article: Fantasy basketball Fantasy basketball was inspired by fantasy baseball. Originally played by keeping track of stats by hand, it was popularized during the 1990s after the advent of the Internet. Those who play this game are sometimes referred to as General Managers, who draft actual NBA players and compute their basketball statistics. The game was popularized by ESPN Fantasy Sports, NBA.com, and Yahoo! Fantasy Sports. Other sports websites provided the same format keeping the game interesting with participants actually owning specific players.

Basketball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Part of a series of articles on

Sports

A basketball

Basketball is a very popular sport played with a round, orange ball that bounces, also called a basketball. It was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts by a Canadian professor named Dr. James Naismith. Basketball is popular in the United States and other countries. It is played in the summer Olympic Games. Women's basketball is the same, but uses a ball that is 1 inch smaller in circumference.
Contents
[hide] Basketball Baseball Football American football Football (soccer) Rugby league Canadian football National Football League

o o o o

1 History 2 Rules and the game 2.1 Equipment 2.2 Teams 2.3 Playing Regulations 3 Officials 4 Basketball terms 4.1 Positions in Basketball

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[change]History In early December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a PE (physical education) teacher needed a energetic indoor game to keep his students occupied and away from boredom. After rejecting other ideas, he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto a 10-foot tall pole. Unlike modern basketball hoops, the bottom of the basket was still there, so after a point was scored,

somebody had to get the ball from the basket. Over time, people made a hole at the bottom of the basket so the ball could go through more easily. The peach baskets were used until 1906 when they were finally replaced by metal hoops with backboards. [change]Rules

and the game

The aim of Basketball is to score more points than your opponents. You get points by shooting the ball into the opponents basket. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. [change]Equipment The court, where the game is played, is a rectangle shape, and at both endlines there is a goal called a "hoop" in the shape of a circular basket with the bottom cut out. In each game of basketball these things are required: Basketball ring and backboard Basketball Timing device Scoreboard Twenty-four second device Something to measure timeouts Sirens Scoresheet Player foul markers Arrow Basketball court

[change]Teams Basketball is played with two teams, with 5 players from each team on the court at one time. The players that are not on the court can sit on the bench, with a maximum of 7 players on the bench. When a player wants to substitute for another player they tell the score bench who will let them on at the next available time out. Each team is allowed to have a coach and, if they want one, an assistant coach. On the bench with the substitutes a team is allowed to have up to five team followers like: a manager, a doctor and an interpreter. [change]Playing

Regulations

A game of basketball is made up of four quarters, each ten minutes long. At the start of every game there is a jump ball. At the start of each quarter the team who has the arrow pointing towards them gets the ball and the arrow gets swapped (alternating possession). If the teams draw (have equal scores at the end of the game) then an extra 5 minutes will be played. The fouls count does not reset and the team who gets the ball is determind by the alternating possession arrow. The players of the opposing team will try to block them from making a basket. However, if you try to block them over the back or through the arms it is considered a foul. A foul, if called on you while the opponent is shooting, lets the opposite team shoot either one, two or three shots from the free throw line. Each successful free throw is worth one point. If you foul a player who is not shooting the opposing get's the ball given to them, to throw in, from the closest sideline. Players must "dribble" (bounce) the ball, and not walk with it; they will throw the ball to others on their own team, but will try not to let the opposing team capture the ball. The team who scores the most points wins. Each shot made through the basket is counted as two points. A shot made from 3-point line gives the team three points. [change]Officials In a game of basketball there are a number of people, who are not from either team, that are there to help. They are called officials. Officials are very important because without them the game would not run as smoothly if the game did not have these people. Here is a list of some of these people: Umpire There are either one or two umpires in a game of basketball. It is the umpires job

to make the game more fair by enforcing the rules of the game. The umpires take into consideration the spirit and intent of the player before making any call. Referee There is one referee in a game of basketball. He is the "head" umpire. The

referee has all the jobs of the umpires along with a couple more responsibilities. He is also the one that makes the final decision for most problems and is the one who throws the ball up at the start of the match. Time Keeper There is one timekeeper whose job is to keep track of the time and to tell

the umpires when time for each quarter has run out. He is also in control of adding the scores onto the scoreboard. Scorekeeper There is one scorekeeper whose job is to keep track of and record all

points scores, fouls made and timeouts called.

Assistant Scorekeper There is one assistant scorekeeper in a game of basketball. his

job is to assist the scorekeeper, by telling him the players who score goals, and to hold up a number for each foul called, showing everyone how many fouls that player has got. 24 Second Shot-Clock Operator There is one shot-clock operator and his job in to keep

resetting and holding the 24 second device when needed or told to by an umpire. This person needs to have good reflexes and quickness, as he has to quickly reset the timer when the game resumes. [change]Basketball

terms

There are some basketball terms which players have to understand when playing the game. Here are some terms: Free throw is a basketball throw from the free-throw line from either personal, technical,

unsportsmanlike or disqualifying fouls. Each free-throw made is worth one point. Field goal is a shot made inside the three point line. Field goals are worth 2 points. Personal foul is any contact, committed by a player of the other team, thought, by the

umpires, to have caused a disadvantage. Technical foul is a violation of certain basketball rules. They include: fighting or threatening to fight with another person entering the basketball court when it is not a substitution time lifting a teammate so they can shoot easier a player being out of bounds (away from the court) to gain an advantage having too many players play on the court refusing to sit on the bench returning to play when a player is disqualified (loses his privileges to play) yelling and/or swearing at another player or an official

Rebound is the act of catching the basketball after a shot has been made, but missed. Assist is to pass a teammate the ball, which then the teammate shoots into the

basketball ring successfully. Steal is to take the ball away from a person who is dribbling, shooting or passing without

physically touching the person (committing a foul). Turnover is when the team that controls the ball loses control and the other team gains

control.

Walkover is the automatic victory of a team if the opposing team withdraws, is

disqualified or there is not any competition at all. Substitution is the act of replacing a player from the court to an another player sitting on

the bench. Double Dribble is when a player dribbles the ball and picks it up and then dribbles it

again without having shot or passed it. Dribbling the ball with two hands is also a double dribble. If a player double dribbles, the ball is automatically given to the other team. Carry is when a player physically turns the ball over with their hands whilst dribbling it. Travel is when a player in possession of the ball moves both feet without dribbling the

ball. If a player travels, the ball is automatically given to the opposing team. Shot clock is a clock designed to limit the time a team has to shoot a basketball. Shot

clocks usually contain 24 seconds. After the time ends, the ball is automatically given to the opposing team unless they shot, before the clock runs out, and hit the rim or the ball enters the basket. Substitute (subs) is when a player on the bench swaps for a player on the court. The

player on the bench is allowed to play and the player sits on the bench. Jump Ball happens at the start of every game. This is where the ball gets thrown up from

the centre circle and one person from each team jumps for it, aiming to hit it to one of his team mates. Alternating Possession At the start of the game there is a jump ball. Whichever team

"wins" the jump ball gets the arrow pointed towards their goal. Each time the rules mention it the ball gets given to the team who is trying to score in the direction of the arrow and the arrow gets turned. [change]Positions

in Basketball

In professional basketball teams, each player has a position. A position is a job or role that a player has to take part in to play the game. If everyone is doing their job correctly, the team is usually successful. Point guard (PG) (1) - point guards are responsible for starting the game. They have to

take the ball out (to dribble the ball halfway across their team's court side into the opposing team's court side) and plan an "attack", which means to pass the ball to a player and he passes on to another player and so on till a player shoots the basketball. Point guards can be small, but they have to be very fast. But the most important thing for the PG is a wide view. PG should control the game. That's why PG is called 'the coach on the court'

Shooting guard (SG) (2) - shooting guards are a little bit taller and slower than point

guards. They have to make good shots from far distances (like three-point lines). Small forward (SF) (3) - small forwards are taller than both point guards and shooting

guards. They are the team's most versatile player, doing everything from rebounding and assisting to scoring. Power forward (PF) (4) - power forwards are usually one of the strongest players who

play inside the 3 point line. Their job is to receive rebounds from under the basket and score in the opposing team's basket, although it is unusual for a power forward to score most points for the team. Center (C) (5) - Centers will usually be the tallest player on the team. They score close to

the basket, rebound and block shots on the defensive end. Other positions, more usual in professional basketball teams, are used in basketball. Swingman - a basketball player who can play both small forward and shooting guard

positions. Cornerman - a basketball player who can play both power forward and small forward

positions. Point forward - a basketball player who can play both point guard and forward (either

small forward or power forward) positions. Forward-center - a basketball player who can play both forward (usually power forward)

and center positions.