BASKETBALL

(Midterm)

Overview
Basketball brings together a combination of speed, skill, agility, balance, and tactics. The
game is contested by two teams of five players and involves one team invading another team's
territory, with the aim of shooting a basketball successfully through their opponent's hoop.
Basketball is different to most invasion games as, in some versions in North America, it utilises a
shot clock to force teams to shoot within 24 seconds of gaining possession. This makes
basketball action-packed and very enjoyable for spectators.

The game today has a number of different formats and can be played competitively and
recreationally in a range of different disciplines.

History
Unlike most invasion sports, the origins of basketball can be clearly traced to Dr James
Naismith. In 1891 the physical education teacher was asked to create an indoor game for
energetic students.

The very first game did not have the equipment of today. In fact it used a soccer ball and two
peach baskets nailed 10 ft high. Originally the baskets did not have the bottom removed and
required a pole to push the ball out each time a team scored.
However, the game has been a resounding success with both children and adults competing ever
since its inception.

EQUIPMENTS AND FACILITIES

Equipments

1. Basketball-balls

2. Game clock

3. Score book

4. Rule book

5. Whistle

6. 24 second stop watch

7. Foul indicator

8. Score sheets

9. Team foul maker

10. Player foul maker

Facilities

1. Basketball goal with rings and net

2. Basketball court with official measurement

Basketball player positions and playing area

Playing area
A competitive basketball match is played on a large rectangular court and is usually made of
highly polished hardwood. Basketball courts come in different sizes but an official NBA
(National Basketball Association) court is measured at 28.7 m (94 ft) long and 15.2 m (50 ft)
wide, while youth courts should be 26 m (84 ft) long and 15 m (50 ft) wide.
Although the court has no definite size, the inner markings are very precise:

● The baseline - this is the end line of a basketball court.

● The free throw line – this line marks the end of a 3.7 m (12 ft) wide and 4.9 m (16 ft) long
rectangle. However, at all other levels the line is only 4.6 m (15 ft) long.
● The basket - the basket hoop is measured exactly 0.5 m (18 in) in diameter and hangs 3m (10
ft) above the ground. The hoop is mounted to a backboard and is used by the players to deflect
the ball into the net.
● Sideline - this line marks the court out both sides.
● The three-point line - the three-point line was moved back to 7.2 m (23 ft 9 in) for the NBA
1997-1998 season. However, for schools, the distance is 6 m (19 ft 9 in), and for international
games it is 6.2 m (20 ft 6 in).

Players
A basketball team consists of five players per side and is divided into different positions. Like
most sports the team has very clear roles to support their overall success:

● Point guard - this is usually the smallest player on the team and has outstanding passing and
handling skills. Their role requires them to move the ball up court and begin all attacking
positions.
● Shooting guard - this player is normally quite tall in stature but is required to have great
distance-shooting skills. A basketball team will usually try to set an attacking screen and allow
the shooting guard to come off teammates and shoot, pass, or drive at the basket.
● Small forward - this player has a versatile role and is required by the team to be strong,
athletic, have good handling skills, and the ability to shoot effectively from short and long
range.
● Power forward - as the name suggests this player is required to be very explosive and
powerful to ensure they are able to catch passes and hit shots near the basket.
● Centre - this player is usually the tallest player and is required to post up in attacking
positions. Their height allows them to receive the ball with their back to the basket and deploy
basic skills to make a shot.

Basketball scoring, rules and officials

Scoring
In a game of basketball there are three clear ways to score points.
 1. If a shot is successfully scored from outside of the three-point line, three points are
awarded.
2. If a shot is successfully scored from inside of the three-point line, two points are awarded.
3. If a team is awarded a technical foul then they will receive between one and three free
shots. Each shot scored will be awarded with one point.

Rules

● A basketball team can have a maximum of five players on the court.

● Player substitutions can be made at any time and there is no restriction on the number of
substitutions made.
● A ball can travel through dribbling or passing.
● A player is no longer able to dribble with the ball once the player puts two hands on the ball.
This does not include catching. At this point, a player must either pass or shoot.
● If a team wins possession back in their own half, they have ten seconds to get it into their
opponent's end or a foul will be called.
● An attacking team has 24 seconds from gaining possession of the ball to shoot at the basket.
● After the shot is taken, the clock is restarted for another 24 seconds.
● After a team scores a basket, the ball is returned back to the opposition to start again.
● All fouls that are committed throughout a game are to be accumulated and when a certain
number is reached, the umpire will award a free throw.
● Depending on where a technical foul is committed, the umpire may award a number of free
throws a player will receive.
● Violations can be awarded by the officials in basketball for player handling errors. These
include travelling, double dribble, goal-tending and back court violation.

Officials
During a competitive game of basketball there are two referees, a scorekeeper, timekeeper and a
shot clock operator. To ensure that everybody is aware of a decision made, the referees perform
a series of hand and arm signals.

PERSONAL FOULS
HOLDING

● When a player uses their hands to grab their opponent to

impede or prevent them from moving or advancing with or
without the ball.

ILLEGAL OR “MOVING” PICK/SCREEN

● When a player fails to maintain a set position while setting a

screen or pick. Screens must be performed in a standstill
manner.

HAND CHECK

● When a player continually uses their hands on an opposing

player. This foul is typically called on defenders at the perimeter
to keep a safe distance between the ballhandler and the basket.

ILLEGAL HAND USE OR “REACHING IN”

● Similar to holding, this is when a player uses their hands in a

fashion that referees deem illegal, typically in the form of touching
a shooter’s arm or hand through their release or touching after an
attempted steal.

TRIPPING

● When a player uses their leg or foot to throw off their

opponent’s balance.

ELBOWING

● When a player excessively swings their elbows and hits another

player.
CHARGING

● When an offensive player makes contact with a defender

who has established position in front of an offensive player
with or without the basketball and is not moving. Some
courts, especially those used for youth basketball, make
this call easier to identify by having a “charge circle”
marked below the basket. If a defender is outside the circle
with their feet planted, it is a charge.

BLOCKING

● When a defender makes contact with an offensive player without

establishing position, without giving proper space or is in the
charge circle.

TECHINCAL FOUL

● When a player or coach displays unsportsmanlike behavior, such

as foul language, obscene gestures or arguing. Two technical fouls
will result in ejection from the game.

FLAGRANT FOUL

● When a player performs an act of violence that can seriously

injure or harm others on the court. This can be unintentional or
deliberate. Flagrant fouls can also result in player ejections at the
referee’s discretion.
 VIOLATIONS

TRAVELING

● When a player takes more than two steps between dribbles or

without dribbling the basketball. Traveling can also occur when a
player who has picked up the dribble switches his or her pivot
foot.

PALMING

● When a player dribbles the basketball in a manner that has their

palm too far to the side or underneath the basketball.

DOUBLE DRIBBLE

● When a player picks up their dribble to establish their position

and then restarts their dribble, or when a player dribbles the
basketball with two hands at the same time.

HELD BALL

● When two players gain possession of the ball and a brief battle
for the basketball occurs. The referee will award possession to
one team, alternating which team gets the ball each subsequent
time it occurs.
BACKCOURT OR “OVER & BACK”

● When an offensive player brings the basketball over the

half-court line and then retreats back over mid court during
their possession.

KICKING

● When a player kicks the basketball.

FREE THROW VIOLATIONS

● Every player must remain in place until the ball is shot by the free
throw shooter. If the offense travels into the free throw lane prior
to the shooter’s release of the ball, then the shot does not count. If
the defense ventures into the free throw lane too early, then
another shot attempt is awarded to the shooter, if they miss.

VARIOUS TIME RESTRICTIONS

● 3-Second Violation: Offensive players cannot stand in the key for

more than three seconds.

● 5-Second Violation (Inbounding): A player must inbound the

basketball within five seconds after the referee hands it to them to
avoid a turnover.

● 5-Second Violation (Offensive): An offensive player must pass, shoot

or dribble the basketball within five seconds if being guarded by a
defensive player who is within arm’s reach.
 ● 10-Second Violation: Players must advance the basketball over the
mid-court line within 10 seconds to avoid a turnover.

ACTIVITY 1: Enumerate the following

1. Equipment used in Basketball

2. Who are the officials in Basketball
3. Kinds/types of players and its’ position in Basketball
4. Playing area
5. What are the fouls in Basketball
6. What are the violations in Basketball

ACTIVITY 2: Define the following

1. Basic rules and its importance

2. Basic violations and its importance
3. The importance of equipment
4. The importance of the playing area
5. The importance of the officials in Basketball

ACTIVITY 3:

Make a collage picture of yourself doing the different signals/gestures of basic

fouls and basic violations indicated in the Module.

REFLECTION

What is the importance of Basketball in our lives? What are the good health
benefits of playing Basketball?
In this Module, I have learned that…