Basketball, 

game played between two occasionally set at five by mutual consent; the

teams of five players each on a rectangular rules stipulated five players two years later, and
court, usually indoors. Each team tries to score this number has remained ever since.
by tossing the ball through the opponent’s goal,
Since Naismith and five of his original
an elevated horizontal hoop and net called a
players were Canadians, it is not surprising
basket. The only major sport strictly
that Canada was the first country outside
of U.S. origin, basketball was invented by James
the United States to play the game. Basketball
Naismith (1861–1939) on or about December 1,
was introduced in France in 1893, in England in
1891, at the International Young Men’s
1894, in Australia, China, and India soon
Christian Association (YMCA) Training School
thereafter, and in Japan in 1900.
(now Springfield
College), Springfield, Massachusetts, where While basketball helped swell the
Naismith was an instructor in physical membership of YMCAs because of the
education. availability of their gyms, within five years the
game was outlawed by various associations
For that first game of basketball in 1891,
because gyms that had been occupied by classes
Naismith used as goals two half-
of 50 or 60 members were now monopolized by
bushel peach baskets, which gave the sport its
only 10 to 18 players. The banishment of the
name. The students were enthusiastic. After
game induced many members to terminate their
much running and shooting, William R. Chase
YMCA membership and to hire halls to play the
made a midcourt shot—the only score in that
game, thus paving the way to the
historic contest. Word spread about the newly
professionalization of the sport.
invented game, and numerous associations
wrote Naismith for a copy of the rules, which Originally, players wore one of three
were published in the January 15, 1892, issue of styles of uniforms: knee-
the Triangle, the YMCA Training School’s length football trousers; jersey tights, as
campus paper. commonly worn by wrestlers; or short padded
pants, forerunners of today’s uniforms, plus
While basketball is competitively a
knee guards. The courts often were of irregular
winter sport, it is played on a 12-month basis—
shape with occasional obstructions such as
on summer playgrounds, in municipal,
pillars, stairways, or offices that interfered with
industrial, and church halls, in school yards and
play. In 1903 it was ruled that all boundary lines
family driveways, and in summer camps—often
must be straight. In 1893 the Narragansett
on an informal basis between two or more
Machinery Co. of Providence, Rhode Island,
contestants. Many grammar schools, youth
marketed a hoop of iron with a hammock style
groups, municipal recreation centres, churches,
of basket. Originally a ladder, then a pole, and
and other organizations conduct basketball
finally a chain fastened to the bottom of the net
programs for youngsters of less than high
was used to retrieve a ball after a goal had been
school age. Jay Archer,
scored. Nets open at the bottom were adopted
of Scranton, Pennsylvania, introduced “biddy”
in 1912–13. In 1895–96 the points for making a
basketball in 1950 for boys and girls under 12
basket (goal, or field goal) were reduced from
years of age, the court and equipment being
three to two, and the points for making a free
adjusted for size.
throw (shot uncontested from a line in front of
History the basket after a foul had been committed)
were reduced from three to one.
The early years
Baskets were frequently attached to
In the early years the number of players
balconies, making it easy for spectators behind a
on a team varied according to the number in the
basket to lean over the railings and deflect the
class and the size of the playing area. In 1894
ball to favour one side and hinder the other; in
teams began to play with five on a side when the
1895 teams were urged to provide a 4-by-6-foot
playing area was less than 1,800 square feet
(1.2-by-1.8-metre) screen for the purpose of
(167.2 square metres); the number rose to
eliminating interference. Soon after,
seven when the gymnasium measured from
wooden backboards proved more suitable. Glass
1,800 to 3,600 square feet (334.5 square
backboards were legalized by the professionals
metres) and up to nine when the playing area
in 1908–09 and by colleges in 1909–10. In
exceeded that. In 1895 the number was
1920–21 the backboards were moved 2 feet (0.6
metre), and in 1939–40 4 feet, in from the end a 12-member board representing all three
lines to reduce frequent stepping out-of-bounds. NCAA divisions. It has six members from
Fan-shaped backboards were made legal in Division I schools and three each from Divisions
1940–41. II and III. It has jurisdiction over colleges, junior
colleges, the National Association of
A soccer ball (football) was used for the
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Armed
first two years. In 1894 the first basketball was
Forces basketball. There is a similar body for
marketed. It was laced, measured close to 32
women’s play.
inches (81 cm), or about 4 inches (10 cm) larger
than the soccer ball, in circumference, and
weighed less than 20 ounces (567 grams). By
Growth of the game
1948–49, when the laceless molded ball was
made official, the size had been set at 30 inches Basketball grew steadily but slowly in
(76 cm). popularity and importance in the United States
and internationally in the first three decades
The first college to play the game was
after World War II. Interest in the game
either Geneva College (Beaver
deepened as a result of television exposure, but
Falls, Pennsylvania) or the University of Iowa.
with the advent of cable television, especially
C.O. Bemis heard about the new sport at
during the 1980s, the game’s popularity
Springfield and tried it out with his students at
exploded at all levels. Given a timely mix of
Geneva in 1892. At Iowa, H.F. Kallenberg, who
spectacular players—such as Earvin (“Magic”)
had attended Springfield in 1890, wrote
Johnson, Julius Erving (“Dr. J”), Larry Bird,
Naismith for a copy of the rules and also
and Michael Jordan—and the greatly increased
presented the game to his students. At
exposure, basketball moved quickly to the
Springfield, Kallenberg met Amos Alonzo Stagg,
forefront of the American sporting scene,
who became athletic director at the
alongside such traditional leaders
new University of Chicago in 1892. The first
as baseball and football. Four areas of the game
college basketball game with five on a side was
developed during this period: U.S. high school
played between the University of Chicago and
and college basketball, professional basketball,
the University of Iowa in Iowa City on January
women’s basketball, and international
18, 1896. The University of Chicago won, 15–12,
basketball.
with neither team using a substitute. Kallenberg
refereed that game—a common practice in that In the early years, games were frequently
era—and some of the spectators took exception won with point totals of less than 30, and the
to some of his decisions. game, from the spectator’s viewpoint, was slow.
Once a team acquired a modest lead, the
The colleges formed their own rules
popular tactic was to stall the game by passing
committee in 1905, and by 1913 there were at
the ball without trying to score, in an attempt to
least five sets of rules: collegiate, YMCA–
run out the clock. The NBC, seeing the need to
Amateur Athletic Union, those used by state
discourage such slowdown tactics, instituted a
militia groups, and two varieties of professional
number of rule changes. In 1932–33 a line was
rules. Teams often agreed to play under a
drawn at midcourt, and the offensive team was
different set for each half of a game. To establish
required to advance the ball past it within 10
some measure of uniformity, the colleges,
seconds or lose possession. Five years later, in
Amateur Athletic Union, and YMCA formed the
1937–38, the centre jump following each field
Joint Rules Committee in 1915. This group was
goal or free throw was eliminated. Instead, the
renamed the National Basketball Committee
defending team was permitted to inbound the
(NBC) of the United States and Canada in 1936
ball from the out-of-bounds line underneath the
and until 1979 served as the game’s sole
basket. Decades passed before another
amateur rule-making body. In that year,
alteration of like magnitude was made in the
however, the colleges broke away to form their
college game. After experimentation, the NCAA
own rules committee, and during the same year
Rules Committee installed a 45-second shot
the National Federation of State High School
clock in 1985 (reduced to 35 seconds in 1993),
Associations likewise assumed the task of
restricting the time a team could control the ball
establishing separate playing rules for the high
before shooting, and one year later
schools. The National Collegiate Athletic
it implemented a three-point shot rule for
Association (NCAA) Rules Committee for men is
baskets made beyond a distance of 19.75 feet
(6.0 metres). In 2008 the three-point line was West and Purdue University’s Rick Mount were
moved to 20.75 feet (6.3 metres) from the two players who demonstrated the devastating
basket. effectiveness of this shot.
More noticeable alteration in the game Play Of The Game
came at both the playing and coaching
Court and equipment
levels. Stanford University’s Hank Luisetti was
the first to use and popularize the one-hand The standard American basketball court
shot in the late 1930s. Until then the only is in the shape of a rectangle 50 feet (15.2
outside attempts were two-handed push shots. metres) by 94 feet (28.7 metres); high
In the 1950s and ’60s a shooting style evolved school courts may be slightly smaller. There are
from Luisetti’s push-off one hander to a jump various markings on the court, including a
shot, which is released at the top of the centre circle, free throw lanes, and a three-point
jump. West Virginia University guard Jerry line, that help regulate play. A goal, or basket, 18
West and Purdue University’s Rick Mount were inches (46 cm) in diameter is suspended from
two players who demonstrated the devastating a backboard at each end of the court. The metal
effectiveness of this shot. rim of the basket is 10 feet (3 metres) above the
floor. In the professional game the backboard is
In the early years games were frequently
a rectangle, 6 feet (1.8 metres) wide and 3.5 feet
won with point totals of less than 30, and the
(1.1 metres) high, made of a transparent
game, from the spectator’s viewpoint, was slow.
material, usually glass; it may be 4 feet (1.2
Once a team acquired a modest lead, the
metres) high in college. The international court
popular tactic was to stall the game by passing
varies somewhat in size and markings. The
the ball without trying to score, in an attempt to
spherical inflated ball measures 29.5 to 30
run out the clock. The NBC, seeing the need to
inches (74.9 to 76 cm) in circumference and
discourage such slowdown tactics, instituted a
weighs 20 to 22 ounces (567 to 624 grams). Its
number of rule changes. In 1932–33 a line was
covering is leather or composition.
drawn at midcourt, and the offensive team was
required to advance the ball past it within 10 Rules
seconds or lose possession. Five years later, in
The rules governing play of the game are
1937–38, the centre jump following each field
based on Naismith’s five principles requiring a
goal or free throw was eliminated. Instead, the
large, light ball, handled with the hands;
defending team was permitted to inbound the
no running with the ball; no player being
ball from the out-of-bounds line underneath the
restricted from getting the ball when it is in
basket. Decades passed before another
play; no personal contact; and a horizontal,
alteration of like magnitude was made in the
elevated goal. The rules are spelled out in
college game. After experimentation, the NCAA
specific detail by the governing bodies of the
Rules Committee installed a 45-second shot
several branches of the sport and cover the
clock in 1985 (reduced to 35 seconds in 1993),
playing court and equipment, officials, players,
restricting the time a team could control the ball
scoring and timing, fouls, violations, and other
before shooting, and one year later
matters. The officials include a referee and two
it implemented a three-point shot rule for
umpires in college play (two referees and a
baskets made beyond a distance of 19.75 feet
crew chief in NBA play), two timers, and two
(6.0 metres). In 2008 the three-point line was
scorekeepers. One player on each team acts as
moved to 20.75 feet (6.3 metres) from the
captain and speaks for the team on all matters
basket.
involving the officials, such as interpretation of
More noticeable alteration in the game rules. Professional, international, and high
came at both the playing and coaching school games are divided into four periods,
levels. Stanford University’s Hank Luisetti was college games into two.
the first to use and popularize the one-hand
Since the 1895–96 season, a field goal
shot in the late 1930s. Until then the only
has scored two points and a free throw one
outside attempts were two-handed push shots.
point. When the ABA was founded in 1967, it
In the 1950s and ’60s a shooting style evolved
allowed three points for shots made from
from Luisetti’s push-off one hander to a jump
outside a boundary line set 25 feet (7.6 metres)
shot, which is released at the top of the
from the basket. With varying distances, the
jump. West Virginia University guard Jerry
change was adopted officially by the NBA in
1979 and, in 1985, by colleges.
Basketball is a rough sport, although it is
officially a noncontact game. A player may pass
or bounce (dribble) the ball to a position
whereby he or a teammate may try for a basket.
A foul is committed whenever a player makes
such contact with an opponent as to put him at a
disadvantage; for the 2001–02 season the NBA
approved a rule change that eliminated touch
fouls, meaning brief contact initiated by a
defensive player is allowable if it does not
impede the progress of the offensive player. If a
player is fouled while shooting and the shot is
good, the basket counts and he is awarded one
free throw (an unhindered throw for a goal
from behind the free throw, or foul, line, which
is 15 feet [4.6 metres] from the backboard); if
the shot misses, he gets a second free throw. If a
foul is committed against a player who is not
shooting, then his team is awarded either the
possession of the ball or a free throw if the other
team is in a penalty situation. A team is in a
penalty situation when it has been called for a
set number of fouls in one period (five in one
quarter in professional and international play
and seven in one half in the college game). In
college basketball, penalty free throws are “one-
and-one” in nature (consisting of one free throw
that, if made, is followed by a second) until the
opposing team commits a 10th foul in a half,
creating a “double bonus” situation where all
fouls automatically result in two free throws. A
pair of penalty free throws are immediately
earned when teams enter the penalty situation
in both the NBA and international play.
Infractions such as unsportsmanlike conduct or
grasping the rim are technical fouls, which
award to the opposition a free throw and
possession of the ball. Overly violent fouls are
called flagrant fouls and also result in free
throws and possession for the opposition.
Players are allowed a set number of personal
fouls per game (six in the NBA, five in most
other competitions) and are removed from the
game when the foul limit is reached.
Other common infractions occur when a
player (with the ball) takes an excessive number
of steps or slides; fails to advance the ball within
five seconds while being “closely guarded”;
causes the ball to go out-of-bounds; steps over
the foul line while shooting a free throw; steps
over the end line or sideline while tossing the
ball in to a teammate, or fails to pass the ball in
within five seconds; runs with, kicks, or strikes
the ball with his fist; dribbles a second time
after having once concluded his dribble (double
dribble); remains more than three seconds in
his free throw lane while he or his team has the
ball; causes the ball to go into the backcourt;
retains the ball in the backcourt more than 10
seconds, changed in the NBA to 8 seconds for
2001–02; or fails to shoot within the time
allotted by the shot clock (24 seconds in the
NBA, the WNBA, and international play; 30 in
women’s college basketball; and 35 in men’s
college basketball). The penalty is loss of the
ball—opponents throw the ball in from the side.
Common terms used in basketball include
the following:
Blocking
Any illegal personal contact that impedes the
progress of an opponent who does not have the
ball.
Dribble
Ball movement by bouncing the ball. A dribble
ends when a player touches the ball with both
hands simultaneously or does not continue his
dribble.
Held ball
Called when two opponents have one or two
hands so firmly upon the ball that neither can
gain possession without undue roughness. It
also is called when a player in the frontcourt is
so closely guarded that he cannot pass or try for
a goal or is obviously withholding the ball from
play.
Jump ball
A method of putting the ball into play. The
referee tosses the ball up between two
opponents who try to tap it to a teammate. The
jump ball is used to begin games and, in the
professional game, when the ball is possessed
by two opposing players at the same time.
Pass
Throwing, batting, or rolling the ball to another
player. The main types are (1) the chest pass, in
which the ball is released from a position in
front of the chest, (2) the bounce pass, in which
the ball is bounced on the floor to get it past a
defensive opponent, (3) the roll pass on the
floor, (4) the hook pass (side or overhead), and
(5) the baseball pass, in which the ball is thrown
a longer distance with one hand in a manner
similar to a baseball throw.
Pivot
A movement in which a player with the ball
steps once or more in any direction with the
same foot while the other foot (pivot foot) is
kept at its point of contact with the floor.
Pivot player
Another term for centre; also called a post
player. He may begin the offensive set from a
position just above the free throw line.
Rebounding
Both teams attempting to gain possession of the
ball after any try for a basket that is
unsuccessful, but the ball does not go out-of-
bounds and remains in play.
Screen, or pick
Legal action of a player who, without causing
more than incidental contact, delays or prevents
an opponent from reaching his desired position.
Shots from the field
One of the main field shots is the layup, in which
the shooter, while close to the basket, jumps and
lays the ball against the backboard so it will
rebound into the basket or just lays it over the
rim. Away from the basket, players use a one-
hand push shot from a stride, jump, or standing
position and a hook shot, which is overhead.
Some players can dunk or slam-dunk the ball,
jamming the ball down into the basket.
Traveling (walking with the ball)
Progressing in any direction in excess of the
prescribed limits, normally two steps, while
holding the ball.
Turnover
Loss of possession of the ball by a team through
error or a rule violation.
Other special terms are discussed below.
Principles of play
Each team of five players consists of two
forwards, two guards, and a centre, usually the
tallest man on the team. At the beginning of the
first period of a game, the ball is put into play by
a jump ball at centre court; i.e., the referee
tosses the ball up between the opposing centres,
higher than either can jump, and when it
descends each tries to tap it to one of his
teammates, who must remain outside the centre
circle until the ball is tapped. Subsequent
periods of professional and college games begin
with a throw in from out-of-bounds. Jump balls
are also signaled by the officials when opposing
players share possession of the ball (held ball)
or simultaneously cause it to go out-of-bounds.
In U.S. college games the alternate-possession
rule is invoked in jump ball situations, with
teams taking turns getting possession. After
each successful basket (field goal) the ball is put
back in play by the team that is scored on, by
one player passing the ball in from behind the
end line where the score was made. The ball is
put in play in the same manner after a
successful free throw or, if two have been
awarded, after the second if it is successful.
After non-shooting violations the ball is
awarded to the opposing team to be passed
inbounds from a point designated by an official.
A player who takes possession of the ball
must pass or shoot before taking two steps or
must start dribbling before taking his second
step. When the dribble stops, the player must
stop his movement and pass or shoot the ball.
The ball may be tapped or batted with the
hands, passed, bounced, or rolled in any
direction.
As basketball has progressed, various
coaches and players have devised intricate plays
and offensive maneuvers. Some systems
emphasize speed, deft ball handling, and high
scoring; others stress ball control, slower
patterned movement, and lower scoring. A
strategy based on speed is called the fast break.
When fast-break players recover possession of
the ball in their backcourt, as by getting the
rebound from an opponent’s missed shot, they
race upcourt using a combination of speed and
passing and try to make a field goal before the
opponents have time to set up a defense.
Some teams, either following an overall
game plan or as an alternative when they do not
have the opportunity for a fast break, employ a
more deliberate style of offense. The guards
carefully bring the ball down the court toward
the basket and maintain possession of the ball in
the frontcourt by passing and dribbling and by
screening opponents in an effort to set up a play
that will free a player for an open shot. Set
patterns of offense generally use one or two
pivot, or post, players who play near the free
throw area at the low post positions (within a
few feet of the basket) or at high post positions
(near the free throw line). The pivot players are
usually the taller players on the team and are in
position to receive passes, pass to teammates,
shoot, screen for teammates, and tip in or
rebound (recover) missed shots. All the players
on the team are constantly on the move,
executing the patterns designed to give one
player a favourable shot—and at the same time
place one or more teammates in a good position
to tip in or rebound if that player misses.
Systems of defense also have developed
over the years. One of the major strategies is
known as man-to-man. In this system each
player guards a specific opponent, except when
“switching” with a teammate when he is
screened or in order to guard another player in
a more threatening scoring position. Another
major strategy is the zone, or five-man, defense.
In this system each player has a specific area to
guard irrespective of which opponent plays in
that area. The zone is designed to keep the
offense from driving in to the basket and to
force the offense into taking long shots.
A great many variations and
combinations have been devised to employ the
several aspects of both man-to-man and zone
defensive strategies. The press, which can be
either man-to-man or zone, is used by a team to
guard its opponent so thoroughly that the
opposition is forced to hurry its movements and
especially to commit errors that result in
turnovers. A full-court press applies this
pressure defense from the moment the
opposition takes possession of the ball at one
end of the court. Well-coached teams are able to
modify both their offensive and defensive
strategies according to the shifting
circumstances of the game and in response to
their opponents’ particular strengths and
weaknesses and styles of play.