All

About
Basket
ball

Mauricio, Joyce Ann A.

CBAFREE4 (TH 10:00-12:00PM)
PE4

Basketball History: Origin of the Sport

In contrast to other sports, basketball has a clear origin. It is not the evolution from an ancient
game or another sport and the inventor is well known: Dr. James Naismith.
Naismith was born in 1861 in Ramsay township, Ontario, Canada. He graduated as a physician at
McGill University in Montreal and was primarily interested in sports physiology.
In 1891, while working as a physical education teacher at the YMCA International Training
School (today, Springfield College) in the United States, Naismith was faced with the problem of
finding in 14 days an indoor game to provide "athletic distraction" for the students at the School
for Christian Workers (Naismith was also a Presbyterian minister).
James Naismith and the original basketball elements, a soccer ball and a peach basket. After
discarding the idea of adapting outdoor games like soccer and lacrosse, Naismith recalled the
concept of a game of his school days known as duck-on-a-rock that involved accuracy
attempting to knock a "duck" off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock at it.
Starting from there, Naismith developed a set of 13 rules that gave origin to the game of
basketball.
Of course it was not exactly as we know it today. The first game was played with a soccer ball
and two peach baskets nailed 10-feet high used as goals, on a court just half the size of a presentday court. The baskets retained their bottoms so balls scored into the basket had to be poked out
with a long dowel each time and dribbling (bouncing of the ball up and down while moving) was
not part of the original game.

The sport was an instant success and thanks to the initial impulse received by the YMCA
movement, basketball's popularity quickly grew nationwide and was introduced in many nations.
Although Naismith never saw the game develop into the spectacular game we know these days,
he had the honor to witness basketball become an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games held in
Berlin.

These are James Naismith original thirteen rules of basketball:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he
catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for
holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The
first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall
disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the
person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as
described in Rule 5.
7. If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents
(consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. Goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and
stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball
rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first
person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The
thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any
side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when
three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men
according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which
side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and
keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.
WHAT IS BASKETBALL?
Basketball is played by two teams of five players. Players score points by throwing a ball
through a hoop 10 feet (3.1 meters) above the ground. The team that scores the most points wins.
HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED
Players move the basketball by dribbling (bouncing) it or by passing it to another player. In
college and professional basketball, teams have a limited time in which to try to score. Then the
other team gets the ball.
Shooting the ball through the basket usually scores two points. The basket scores three points if
the shooter is beyond a line on the court called the three-point line. A player gets to shoot one or
more free throws after a foul (illegal contact) by an opposing player. A successful free throw
scores one point.
Basketball is a fast-moving and high-scoring sport. It has exciting shots like the slam-dunk, when
a player leaps high into the air and slams the ball through the hoop from above. A fadeaway is a
shot taken while the player is moving backward, away from the basket. Another exciting play is
the alley-oopa pass way up near the basket. The player leaps and attempts to catch the pass
and score before returning to the floor.
WHO IS IN THE GAME?
A team plays a basketball game with five players on the court. These players have different roles,
or positions. The standard positions are two guards, two forwards, and one center. Different skills
are required for each position.
The center is usually a teams tallest player. The center usually plays near the basket and shoots
from there. When the other team has the ball, the center tries to block shots and rebound the ball
when it doesnt go into the basket.
There are two kinds of guards. The point guard is usually the teams best ball handler and passer.
The shooting guard is often the highest scorer on the team. Guards shoot from near the basket
and from the three-point line.

There are also two kinds of forwards. A small forward is quick and nimble in getting to the
basket. A power forward is strong and grabs reboundsunsuccessful shots that bounce back. But
any player may play anywhere on the court.
Each team is led by a coach. The coach plans the teams strategy. Basketball involves teamwork.
When a team has the ball, it tries to get a player open for a shot. When it doesnt have the ball, a
team tries to make an opponent miss a shot or lose control of the ball.
One or more referees keep order. They make sure that rules are followed and play is fair.
Court and Equipment
Basketball is an adaptable game. Because of its simple equipment requirementsall you need is
an elevated hoop (10 feet above the ground) and a ballbasketball can be played in almost any
environmental setting: Outdoor, indoor, at a park, or even at the beach. Formal basketball
competitions, however, are generally played indoors on a hardwood court measuring 94 feet x 50
feet (court dimensions can vary depending on the league and/or level). For more specific
information regarding court and equipment specifications, click here to check out the Court
Dimensions page on iSport.
The Uniform
The basketball uniform generally consists of a tank top and shorts. You also need socks and
some good basketball type sneakers. Basketball sneakers are good for all the starting and
stopping required in the game. You can choose high tops, low tops, or three quarter height shoes.
If you play under the basket a lot you may want high tops to help protect you from getting a
twisted ankle. You should not wear a watch or a shirt with buttons while playing basketball.
These can scratch or get caught on other players. Also, you may want to wear a mouthpiece to
protect your teeth.
The Ball
A basketball is a spherical inflated ball used in a game of basketball. Basketballs typically range
in size from very small promotional items only a few inches in diameter to large balls nearly a
foot in diameter used in training exercises to increase the skill of players. The standard size of a
basketball in the NBA is 29.5 to 29.875 inches (74.93 to 75.88 cm) in circumference. Nearly all
basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and then
covered with a tacky surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic
composite. As in most inflatable balls, there is a small opening that allows the pressure to be
increased or decreased.
Professional leagues such as the NBA have very precise parameters for the official basketball
they use. This includes color, material, size, air pressure, and bounce. The main thing to know
about the basketball is the size. There are different sizes for different ages as well as for boys and
for girls.

Basketball Court
Basketball court dimensions
The playing court dimensions are 28m long by 15m wide (Note: measurements are taken from
the inside edge of the boundary line).
If the court is indoors, the height of the ceiling or the lowest obstruction above the floor should
be at least 7m.
Basketball court lines
All lines should be 5cm in width and in the drawn in the same colour (usually white)
Boundary line dimensions
The minimum space around the court for run-off is 2m. Any obstruction (including team bench
seats), must be installed at least 2m from the playing court.Spectator seating must be at least 5m
from the outside edge of the boundary lines of the playing court.
Centre circle dimensions
The centre circle is measured from the outer edge and has a radius of 1.8m. If painted, the inside
of the centre circle should be the same colour as restricted areas.
The radius of the free-throw semi-circles should be 1.8m (which is measured to the outer edge of
the circumference) and with the centre in the middle of the free-throw line.
The free-throw line is parallel to each end line. Its furthest edge is 5.80m from the inner edge of
the endline and is 3.60m long.
The Key dimensions
The Key measures in a rectangle of 5.8m by 3.6m. The restricted area must be painted for
international competitions.
The rectangle areas represent the restricted areas and are marked on the playing court finished by
the endlines. The extended free-throw lines and the lines originates at the endlines, their outer
edges 2.45m from the mid-points of the endlines and terminating at the outer edge of the freethrow lines. These lines, excluding the endlines, are part of the restricted area. The interior of the
restricted areas must be painted.
Three point goal area dimensions

The three point line has been extended from 6.25m to 6.75m. Basketball Australia recommends
that the courts should be marked with both three point lines (6.25m and 6.75m).The new 6.75m
three point line should be marked in white (or the same colour as the rest of the basketball court
line) and the old 6.25m three point line marked in an alternate colour, ie yellow, red, green, blue
or black.The three point field goal area (see diagram on the next page) is the entire floor area of
the playing court, except for the area near the opponents basket., limited by and including:
Two parallel lines extending from and perpendicular to the end lines, with the outer edge
0.90m from the inner edge of the sidelines.
An arc of radium 6.75m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of
the opponents basket to the outer edge of arc. This distance of the point on the floor from
the inner edge of the mid-point of the end line is 1.575m. The arc is joined to the parallel
lines.
The three point line is not part of the three-point field goal area.
Throw-in line dimensions
A throw-in line 15cm long, outside the playing court, will be marked 8.325m from the end line
(at the top of the three point arc) on the sideline opposite the scorers table. Previously this
throw-in was administered at the half way line, opposite the scorers table.No-charge semi-circle
dimensionsThe no-charge semi-circle lines shall be marked on the playing courts, limited by:
A semi-circle with a radius of 1.25m measured from the point on the floor beneath the
exact centre of the basket to the inner edge of the semi-circle. The semi-circle is joined
to:
Two parallel lines perpendicular to the endlines, the inner edge 1.25m from the point on
the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket, 0.375m in length and ending 1.20m from
the inner edge of the endline.
The no-charge semi-circle areas are completed by imaginary lines joining the ends of the parallel
lines directly below the front edges of the backboards. The no-charge semi-circle lines are not
part of the no-charge semi-circle areas.
Basketball: Rules and Regulations
1.

Officials: 2 Referees Score keepers

2.

Coaches: Responsible for discipline, calling time-outs and making

substitutions.

3.

Playing the game:

Each team begins with 5 players on the court.
Each game consists of four, 8-minute quarters. 1 minute between each quarter and up to
a 10 minute half time.
A jump ball starts the game, after which possession situations are decided by an
alternating direction arrow.
The ball may be passed, thrown, tapped, rolled or dribbled but not kicked or carried.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Once you stop dribbling you must pass or shoot. Another player must possess the ball
before you may dribble again.
A player is in possession of the ball when s/he is holding or dribbling a live ball.
A team is in possession of the ball when a team member is in possession or when the ball
is being passed between two teammates.
Scoring
Shots from the field = 2 points (inside the 3 point line)
Shots from outside the 3 point line = 3 points
Foul shots = 1 point
Live Ball
Ball becomes live when: tapped at a jump ball, is touched by a player on the court or
when it is handed to the player on the foul line.
Dead Ball
A ball is dead when: a point is scored, a foul occurs, the ball touches the basket supports,
at the first of two free throws or touches the boundary line.
Throw-Ins
When a ball is out of bounds, possession is awarded to the team that did not touch the
ball last.
During a throw in, only the in-bounder may be out of bounds. The in-bounder may roll,
throw or bounce the ball into play. The ball must be passed directly into the court within
5 seconds.
Foul Shots
A point awarded on an unhindered shot scored from within the free throw circle and
behind the free throw line.
Taken after a technical foul, a personal foul in the act of shooting or after a team has
committed 7 fouls in the half (a bonus situation)
Violations
A minor infraction of the rules, penalized by a loss of the ball
Violation = automatic dead ball
3 types of violations ~ 1) Free throw violation 2) Goal tending and basket interference
3) Floor violations =traveling, double dribble, back court, 3 seconds in key, carrying the
ball
10 second violation = ball must be over the center line within 10 seconds
5 second violation = by a dribbler that is closely guarded, by an offensive player with the
ball that is closely guarded and the ball must be in-bounded from the sideline within 5
seconds
Fouls
Infraction involving personal contact with an opponent
If a player is not shooting when fouled, her/his team is awarded the ball until the 7th foul,
then free throws are awarded
If shooting, the fouled player is awarded free throws ~ 1 if the fouled shot went in or 2 if
it was missed, 3 if fouled while attempting a 3-point shot and missed

BASKETBALL TERMINOLOGY
Dribble: ball movement caused by the player in control who bounces the ball in a one-handed
pushing action towards the floor
Blocking: is an illegal personal contact with an opponent, which impedes or stops her/his
progress
Holding: is an illegal personal contact with an opponent, which interferes with her/his freedom
to move
Pivot: occurs when a player in possession of the ball steps in any direction with the same foot
while keeping the other foot anchored to the floor
A try: an attempt to shoot the ball into the basket, for a possible score of 2 or 3 points
The act of shooting: begins simultaneously with the start of the try and ends after the ball is
clearly in flight
Infraction/Foul: is the breaking of the game rules
BASIC BASKETBALL SKILLS
Ball Handling / Dribbling

Ready position

Maintain body control and balance

Ball controlled beside and slightly ahead of the body

Ball is pushed towards the floor (pads of fingers)

Dribble slightly above waist height

Ball awareness = eyes up

Two Handed Chest Pass

Fingers spread, thumbs behind ball

Elbows bent, in line with shoulders

Ball held at chest and passed to chest of receiver

Step into pass

Arms extend, palms face out, thumbs point down

Two Handed Bounce Pass

Same as above

Ball is bounced slightly before the feet of the receiver (3/4 of the distance to the receiver)
Two Handed Overhead Pass

Ball is raised over the head with tow hands

Fingers spread, thumbs rest under the ball

Elbows flexed, wrists cocked

Step into pass

Arms extend, wrists flick, thumbs point up

Received above chest level

Set Shot

Ready position

Shoulders and hips square to the basket


Ball is in front of and slightly above forehead, supported by shooting arm

Ball held on the pads of the hand, fingers spread comfortably

Elbow is below the ball and is in line with shooting knee and shoulder

Wrist is fully bent so that the hand and forearm are at right angles

Shot begins as body extends from the legs through the arm elbow extension and
finishes with a flick of the wrist.
**** REMEMBER BEEF (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through)
BALANCE: Feet should be shoulder width apart, with dominant foot forward. Ball starts in
shooting pocket and power is generated by the legs.
EYES: Eyes focused on the rim.
ELBOW: Student forms L with shooting arm. Index finger over right eye for right handed
shot. Elbow is under the ball and the wrist is bent so that the wrinkles are visible on the shooting
hand. The off hand is used for support only.
FOLLOW-THROUGH: Together with the power generated by the legs, wave good-bye to
the ball (put your fingers in the cookie jar)
Basketball Referee Signals

These hand signals are used to communicate between the referee and the time keeper in order to
notify starting and stopping of the clock.
Stop Clock To stop the clock at any point in the game, the official will raise one hand straight
over head with his palms facing out and finger tips pointed.

Start Clock Beginning with one hand raised above head, the start of the clock is indicated by
dropping the raised hand directly towards the floor.

Full Timeout When an official wishes to signal for a full timeout it is indicated by two arms
spread to the sides forming a T shape.

Thirty Second Timeout To indicate a thirty second timeout has been called by one of the
teams, the official will take both hands and place them on top of his shoulders with his elbows
out.

Jump Ball When both players have control over the ball at the same time, it is indicated by
both thumbs pointing upwards with arms extended.

Substitution If a substitute player wishes to enter the game it is indicated by having one hand
facing the time keeper, raised in a stop manner, and the other hand waving the substitute player
into the game.

BASKETBALL FOUL SIGNALS

When a player commits a personal foul, the official will give a specific signal to indicate the type
of foul and which player has committed the foul.
Player Control Foul (Charge) One hand on the back of the head and the other pointing in the
opposite direction of the play indicates a charge call has been made.

Hand Check When a player commits a hand check foul, it is signaled by having one arm
extended in front of the chest with the fingers up, and the other arm grabbing the wrist.

Blocking If a defensive player commits a blocking foul the official will have both hands, in
fists, touching his hips, and his elbows in tight against his body.

Holding The holding signal is made by having one arm extended upwards in front of the face,
and the other hand grabbing the wrist.

Pushing To signal a pushing foul, the official will have both hands extended straight in front
of him, with his palms facing outward.

Intentional Foul When a player commits an intentional foul, the official will put both arms
above his head and cross them.

Double Foul If two players have committed a foul at the same time, the official will put both
hands, in fists, extended out towards the sides.

Technical Foul To signal a technical foul has occurred the referee will place both his hands in
front of him and put them in the formation of a letter T.

Illegal Hand Use An illegal hand use foul is signaled by the official putting both of his hands
in front of him, at waist level, and grabbing one of his wrists with the other hand.

VIOLATION SIGNALS
A violation is a rule which is broken, but it does not result in a player picking up a personal foul.
The other team is awarded possession of the ball.

Traveling When a player has committed a travelling violation, the official will signal it by
placing both of his hands in front of him and moving them in a circle.

Carrying or Palming In order to signal a palming or carrying violation, the referee will have
one hand at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.

Double Dribble The official will signal a double dribble violation has been committed by
putting both of his hands in front of him, with palms down, and alternating them up and down, as
if dribbling a basketball.

Three Seconds The official will indicate that a player has committed a three second violation
by having three fingers raised, and the hand makes a swiping motion back and forth at the side.

Five Seconds In order to signal a five second violation the official will have five fingers raised
with arm extended upward.

Ten Seconds The ten second violation is shown when the official has ten fingers raised with
both arms extended upwards.

Kicking the Ball When a player kicks the ball, the referee will have one foot raised in front.

INDICATORS
These indicators allow officials to communicate information to the scorers table during the
game.
Two Point Basket Scored When a two point basket is scored, the official will extend one arm
parallel to the floor and point with two fingers.

Three Point Basket Scored The official will extend both arms directly upwards with fingers
pointed to signify that a player has scored a Three Point Basket.

Counting The referee indicates he is counting for a timed violation by moving his hand back
and forth from the middle of the chest to straight in front continuously. Each movement
represents one second.

Basket Counts To indicate a basket counts, when a foul has also occurred, the referee will
drop his hand from shoulder height directly down.

Basket Does Not Count To wave off a basket, or indicate it does not count because a foul
has occurred, the referee will start with both hands at the shoulders, elbows out, and extend
hands out directly towards the side.

Bonus Free Throws When a player at the free throw line is to be awarded a bonus free throw,
the official will extend both of his arms out to his sides completely straight and then move one
up and down.

Lane Violation If a player is shooting a free throw and a lane violation occurs, the referee will
signal it by raising one of his arms out to his side and holding it there until the free throw is
completed.