HISTORY OF BASKETBALL

Basketball was invented in December 21, 1891 by the Canadian clergyman, educator, and
physician James Naismith. Naismith introduced the game when he was an instructor at the
Young Men's Christian Association Training School (now Springfield College) in Springfield,
Massachusetts. At the request of his superior, Dr. Luther H. Gulick, he organized a vigorous
recreation suitable for indoor winter play. The game involved elements of American football,
soccer, and hockey, and the first ball used was a soccer ball. Teams had nine players, and the
goals were wooden peach baskets affixed to the walls. By 1897-1898, teams of five became
standard. By 1936, FIBA (International Basketball Federation) had been formed and
successfully got basketball on the Olympic roster. Then, basketball rose to international
stardom. Though Naismith invented basketball for college athletes, the history of
basketball as a worldwide hit relies on the US Army. They organized an international game
as early as 1893 in conjunction with the YMCA. Games were held around the world in China,
Japan, and even India.
 1892 – First official game played.
 1893: The first international basketball game took place in Paris, France at a local YMCA.
 1896: The first intercollegiate basketball game using the modern rules of 5 players per
side took place on January 18, 1896 in Iowa City, Iowa.
 1898: The first professional basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL), was
formed in New Jersey. The Trenton Nationals were the first champions.
 1904: Basketball was included as a demonstration sport in the Summer Olympics held in
St. Louis, Missouri. This marked the first appearance of basketball in the Olympic Games.
 1909: Unlimited dribbling is allowed for the first time. In 1901, players were allowed to
dribble the ball for the first time, but they were only allowed to dribble once and they
weren't allowed to shoot after.
 1932: The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was founded on June 18, 1932, the
first international basketball organization tasked with coordinating tournaments and
teams.
 However, the real clincher came in 1904 when basketball became an Olympic
demonstration sport that year.
 The first pro league, the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898 to protect
players from exploitation and to promote a less rough game.
 1936 – Became an official Olympic sport in the Berlin Olympics.
 1946 – Formation of the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
 In 1949 two subsequent professional leagues, the National Basketball League (formed in
1937) and the Basketball Association of America (1946) merged to create the National
Basketball Association (NBA).
 In 1959 a Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts.
 1979: The NBA adopts the 3-point line for the first time for the 1979-1980 season.

THE RULES
 Each team can have a maximum of 5 players on the court at any one time. Substitutions
can be made as many times as they wish within the game.
 The ball can only be moved by either dribbling (bouncing the ball) or passing the ball.
Once a player puts two hands on the ball (not including catching the ball) they cannot
then dribble or move with the ball and the ball must be passed or shot.
  After the ball goes into a team’s half and they win possession back the ball must then
make it back over the half way line within 10 seconds. If the ball fails to do so then a foul
will be called and the ball will be turned over.
 Each team has 24 seconds to at least shot at the basket. A shot constitutes either going in
the basket or hitting the rim of the basket. If after the shot is taken and the ball fails to go
in the basket then the shot clock is restarted for another 24 seconds.
 The team trying to score a basket is called the offence whilst the team trying to prevent
them from scoring is called the defence. The defence must do all they can to stop the
offence from scoring by either blocking a shot or preventing a shot from being fired.
 After each successful basket the ball is then turned over to the opposition.
 Fouls committed throughout the game will be accumulated and then when reached a
certain number will be eventually be awarded as a free throw. A free throw involves one
playerfrom the offensive team (the player fouled) to take a shot unopposed from the free
throw line. Depending on where the foul was committed will depend on the number free
throws a player gets.
 Violations in basketball include travelling (taking more than one step without bouncing the
ball), double dribble (picking the ball up dribbling, stopping then dribbling again with two
hands), goaltending (a defensive player interferes with the ball travelling downwards
towards the basket) and back court violation (once the ball passes the half way line the
offensive team cannot take the ball back over the half way line).

POSITIONING, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND COURT DETAILS

 Each team has 5 players on the court: point guard, shooting guard, small forward,
power forward, and center.
 Point Guard leads the play and handles the ball.
 Shooting Guard focuses on scoring, especially from outside.
 Small Forward is flexible — can shoot, drive, and defend.
 Power Forward plays close to the basket, often strong in rebounds.
 Center is usually the tallest, stays near the rim to rebound, block shots, and score inside.
Basketball Court
(Dimension or layout) (Measurements of
the basketball court)
The official size of a basketball court is:
Length: 94 feet (28.65 meters) – Width:
50 feet (15.24 meters)
The court is divided into two halves, with
each half measuring: Length: 47 feet
(14.32 meters) – Width: 50 feet (15.24
meters)
The center of the court is marked with a
circle that has a diameter of 12 feet (3.66
meters). The free-throw line is located 15
feet (4.57 meters) from the backboard, and the three-point line is located 22 feet (6.71 meters)
away from the center of the hoop. The key, also known as the paint or restricted area, is a
rectangular area located underneath the hoop that measure 16 feet (4.88 meters) wide and 12
feet (3.66 meters) deep. The three-second area, or “lane,” is a rectangular area extending from
the free-throw line to the baseline and is 19 feet (5.79 meters) wide. The sideline is 94 feet
(28.65 meters) long, and the baseline is 50 feet (15.24 meters) long.

MATCH DURATION
The game duration usually includes four quarters of 10 minutes each according to FIBA rules and
four quarters of 12 minutes each according to NBA. College men’s matches use two halves of 20-
minutes and women’s matches use 10-minute quarters.
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS OF BASKETBALL
There are several fundamental skills that are essential for playing basketball:
1. Dribbling: This involves bouncing the ball with one hand while moving around the court.
Good dribbling skills allow players to maintain control of the ball while moving and to
navigate around defenders.
2. Shooting: This involves throwing the ball into the basket from various distances and
angles on the court. Good shooting skills require accuracy, consistency, and the ability to
shoot quickly under pressure.
3. Passing: This involves moving the ball from one player to another using a variety of
techniques, such as chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. Good passing
skills require accuracy, timing, and the ability to read the defense.
4. Rebounding: This involves grabbing the ball after a missed shot and gaining possession
for your team. Good rebounding skills require athleticism, timing, and the ability to box out
and position oneself for the rebound.
5. Defense: This involves preventing the opposing team from scoring by blocking shots,
stealing the ball, and disrupting their offensive plays. Good defensive skills require quick
reflexes, anticipation, and the ability to stay in front of the offensive player without fouling.
6. Footwork: This involves the ability to move quickly and efficiently around the court. Both
on offense and defense. Good footwork allows players to create space, change direction,
and maintain balance while executing various basketball moves.

RULES, REGULATIONS, AND VIOLATIONS

Scoring
 3 points – Shot made beyond the three-point line
 2 points – Shot made inside the three-point line
 1 point – Free throw (after certain fouls)
Game Time
 FIBA: 4 quarters, 10 minutes each
 NBA: 4 quarters, 12 minutes each
 Overtime: 5 minutes if tied
Gameplay Rules
 5 players per team on the court
 24-second shot clock: must attempt a shot within 24 seconds
 8-second rule: team must cross half-court in 8 seconds
 Jump ball starts the game
Violations
1. Traveling – Moving without dribbling
2. Double Dribble – Dribble, stop, then dribble again
3. Carrying – Hand under the ball while dribbling
4. Backcourt Violation – Returning the ball to the backcourt
5. 3-Second Violation – Offensive player stays in the paint too long
6. 5-Second Violation – Holding the ball too long without action
7. 8-Second Violation – Failing to cross half-court in time
8. 24-Second Violation – Not shooting within the shot clock
9. Out of Bounds – Ball or player steps outside the court
10.Over and Back – Returning to the backcourt after crossing midcourt
11.Lane Violation – Entering the paint early during a free throw
 12.Goal Tending – Blocking a shot on its way down toward the hoop
Fouls
Personal Foul – Physical contact (pushing, hitting)
Shooting Foul – Fouling a player while they’re shooting
Offensive Foul – Illegal contact by the offensive player
Technical Foul – Misconduct (arguing, delay of game, etc.)
Flagrant Foul – Dangerous or excessive contact
Team Foul Penalty – After 4 team fouls in a quarter, the opponent gets free throws
TERMINOLOGIES
 AIR BALL: This is an unblocked shot that does not touch the board or the hoop. The shot clock does
not get reset once this shot is played, unlike a normal shot.
 AIR PASS: A direct pass to a receiver that does not touch the ground.
 ASSIST: A pass to a teammate that results in a successful shot immediately after one dribble.
 BACKCOURT VIOLATION: The backcourt is the half of the court that belongs to the team that is
attacking. If the ball reaches the frontcourt and is then taken to the backcourt it is a violation. Also,
if the ball is not taken out of the backcourt within 8 seconds, it is considered a violation in the NBA.
 BANK SHOT: A shot that hits the board before going through the basket.
 BASE LINE: Also known as the end-line, this is the line that marks the boundary of the court on
either end where the basket is present.
 BLOCK: To get a hand to a shot which results in the shot not going through the basket.
 BOUNCE PASS: A pass that reaches a teammate after bouncing on the ground.
 CENTER: This is one of the 3 standard positions that a player can take. It is situated right under the
basket so that he can collect rebounds.
 DOUBLE DRIBBLE: A violation where the player dribbles the ball using both hands.
 DRIBBLE: To bounce the ball while moving.
 DUNK: A trademark basketball moves where the player jumps high enough to reach above the
basket, and then slams the ball into the basket with either one hand, or both hands.
 FORWARD: This is also one of the 3 standard player positions. The forwards primary task is to
score as much as possible.
 FREE THROW: The chance to score one point, via an unopposed throw from the free throw line. A
free throw is the direct result of a foul while the other player is shooting. Depending on the location
of the shooter, he will either get 2 free throws, or 3 free throws.
 FOUL: The act of gaining an advantage through extremely physical means, or the act of
committing one of many violations.
 HALFTIME: The period of rest between the two halves of the game.
 JUMP SHOT: A shot that is taken while jumping on one spot.
 LAY-UP: A shot that is taken while the player is running, in order to get as close to the basket as
possible.
 OFFENSIVE FOUL: A foul committed by a player belonging to the team that is attacking, and is
attempting to score.
 PASS: To give the ball to a teammate.
 PIVOT FOOT: The foot that stays stuck to the ground while the player rotates his body to find a
pass.
 REBOUND: To collect the ball after a player has taken an unsuccessful shot. The rebound can be
collected by the attacking team or the defending team.
 SCREEN: To block a defending player from reaching a teammate by standing in front of him. A
screen must remain stationary, and if the screen moves it is a violation.
 SHOT CLOCK: 24 seconds is the amount of time a team must take to make the ball touch the
basket or to score. If the team is unable to do so within 24 seconds, the shot clock is said to run
out.
 TECHNICAL FOUL: A serious foul committed by a team, after which the fouled player gets a free
throw and the fouled team gets to keep possession whether the player makes the shot or not.
 THREE POINTER: A shot that fetches 3 points, because it is taken from outside the three-point
line.
 TRAVEL: To move one’s pivot foot while making a pass.
 TURNOVER: A loss of possession by one team.
 VIOLATION: Breaking the rules of the game, resulting in loss of possession.