BASKETBALL

HISTORY
• Basketball was invented in 1891 at Springfield College, Springfield Massachusetts, by Canadian
born Dr. James Naismith.
• The game was invented in an effort to find a sport that could be played indoors during the long cold
winter months.
• in its initial stages the game was played with a soccer ball and peach baskets that were fastened 10
feet above the ground.
• Several years later the baskets were constructed to allow the ball to fall to the floor.

PLAYING AREA

RULES OF THE GAME

• The game of basketball is played by 2 teams of 5 players on a court.
• The object of each team is to score by putting a ball into the opponent's basket and to prevent the
other team from scoring in yours.
• The ball can be advanced only by passing with the hands or by dribbling the ball on the floor.
• The Game: To start the game, an official tosses the ball up (Jump Ball) between two opponents
who stand in the smaller circle.
• All other players may take any position they wish, outside the larger center circle.
• The two opposition players jump to tap the ball to a teammate, then each team tries to advance the
ball toward the opponent’s goal to score by shooting it through their goal.
• A high school game consists of four 8 minute quarters.
• Scoring: A successful goal from the field is worth 2 points. 1 point is awarded for a successful
free throw. 3 points are awarded from the 3-point line. After a score, the ball is put back into play
at the end of the court by the non scoring team.

• Violations: A violation is a minor infraction of the rules, and the penalty is that the ball is given to
the opponents outside the sideline, opposite the spot where the infraction occurred. Violations
occur for:

Traveling – taking more than one step while in possession of the ball.

Doubling Dribbling – dribbling the ball, stopping, then dribbling again; or dribbling
with two hands instead of one.

Out-of-Bounds – causing the ball to go out-of-bounds by stepping on or over the
boundary line while in possession, or passing or knocking the ball out.

3 Seconds in the Key – offensive player staying in the offensive key for 3 seconds or
more while that team has possession of the ball.
• Fouls

A personal foul occurs when a player holds, trips, blocks, pushes, kicks, or charges an
opponent; or engages in rough or unsportsmanlike play.

If a foul occurs while a player is shooting or in his steps toward the basket for a lay-up,
the shooter is awarded a free throw situation. If the shot was successful, the shooter is
awarded one foul shot. If the field goal was missed, two foul shots are awarded. If the
second free throw is successful, the defending team throws the ball into play from
outside the endline. If the free throw touches the rim but does not go in, play continues.
If the ball fails to touch the rim, the ball is given to the defending team on the sideline.

5 personal fouls on any one player results in disqualification from the game.

7 team fouls and the opponents shoot 1 plus a bonus

10 team fouls and opponents shoot double bonus.

DURATION OF THE GAME

• The playing time is divided into 8 minute quarters for grades 8,9 & 10 and 10 minute quarters for
seniors.
• There is a five minute break at half-time and a one minute break between each quarter.

THREE SECOND RULE

• Offensive players may not remain in their “key” area for more than 3 seconds without someone
taking a shot.

FIVE, TEN, and 30 SECOND VIOLATIONS

• The offensive team is allowed only five seconds to throw the ball in from the sideline and any one
offensive player is allowed only five seconds to hold on to the ball at a time.
• The offensive team is allowed only 10 seconds to advance the ball over the center line.
• The offensive team must attempt a shot within thirty seconds of gaining possession of the ball.

TECHNICAL FOULS
• A foul that is committed by either a coach of any team member on the court or off the court. An
example of a technical foul is the harassing of one of the officials or any other unsportsmanlike
conduct.
• A technical foul results in one FREE THROW taken from the foul line by any member of the team
not committing the foul
• ONCE A PLAYER ACCUMULATS 5 PERSONAL FOULD THEY ARE ELIMINATED FROM
THE GAME.

FREE THROWS
• When a player is fouled in the act of shooting they are awarded free throw shots. If they sink the
basket and are fouled they receive 1 extra shot. If they miss the basket during their shot then they
receive 2 extra shots. If they are fouled during a 3 point shot then they receive 3 extra shots.
• Players have 10 seconds to release the ball once they receive it from the official.
• Players can not enter the box until the ball has made contact with the rim.

POSITIONS
• Although players are allowed to play in any position, the most common positions of the five
players on a team are:
• point guard (best ball handler),
• shooting guard (best outside shooter),
• small forward (versatile inside and outside player),
• power forward (strong rebounding forward), and
• center (inside scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker).

DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
Man-to-Man
• Each of the five defensive players guards one of the five offensive players.
• Even if switching is used, each player is responsible for one offensive player at a time.

Zone
• Each defender is responsible for guarding a certain area, or zone, instead of guarding a specific
offensive player.
• The goal is to double-team the player with the ball.
• When an offensive player with the ball enters a zone between two defenders, those two defenders
attack the dribbler while the other 3 defenders guard their areas.

Defensive Formation 2-1-2 Zone

• Two defenders are positioned above the foul line, one is in the lane and the other two are low on
either side of the basket.

Defensive Formation 2-3 Zone

• Two defenders spread out from another above the foul line and the other three players are spread
across the bottom half of the lane.

Defensive Formation 1-3-1 Zone

• One defender is positioned out front, three are across the foul line extended and the fifth is down
under the basket.
• The player out front tries to force the dribbler right or left. As that player drives, another defender
comes up for the double-team.
LEGEND: PF = POWER FORWARD SF = SMALL FORWARD C = CENTER
SG = SHOOTING GUARD PG = POINT GUARD

KEY TERMS
Boxing out:
• The players attempt to position his body between his opponents and the basket to get rebounds and
prevent the opponents from doing so.

Fake:
• A deceptive move to throw a defender off balance and allow an offensive player to shoot or receive
a pass; players use their eyes, head or any other part of the body to trick an opponent.

Rebound:
• When a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard after a shot attempt; see
offensive rebound and defensive rebound.

Screen or screener:
• The offensive player who stands between a teammate and a defender to gives his teammate the
chance to take an open shot.