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Basketball

• Dr. James Naismith invented basketball
• It was first played in 1891 at Springfield, Massachusetts, YMCA
• The first ball used was a soccer football
• Peach baskets were the first baskets used
• The running track or balcony height determined basket heights initially
• Early teams had nine players: three forwards, three centers, and three guards
• Reducing players to five became optional, then standard
• By 1950, 16 foreign nations had hired Americans to teach basketball
• Basketball was first played in the Olympics in 1936 in Berlin

Facility and Equipment

• Playing Court Dimensions: Length - 28 meters; Width - 15 meters
• Court Markings: Center line, center circle, semi-circles, free throw lines, restricted areas, three point field goal area, team bench areas
• Equipment includes: backstop units with backboards and baskets, basketballs, game clock, scoreboard, 24-second device, stopwatch, two distinct signals, score sheet, foul markers and alternating possession arrow

Basic Skills: Passing

• Hold the ball with the thumb and finger pads, not the palms
• Step forward in the direction of the receiver when passing
• Arm extends quickly with a snap of the wrists
• Thumbs and fingers should provide momentum when passing
• After release, palms face the floor
• Avoid telegraphing passes
• Use peripheral vision and keep eyes moving
• Anticipate where the teammate will be

Basic Skills: Catching

• Receiving the ball is a fundamental skill
• Move toward the pass with fingers spread and relaxed
• Reach for the ball with elbows bent and wrists relaxed
• Hands should "give" as the ball comes in

Basic Skills: Dribbling

• Used to advance the ball, break for a basket, or maneuver out of a difficult situation
• Knees and trunk slightly flexed, hands and eyes forward
• Peripheral vision is important to see lower part of the visual area
• Propel the ball with fingertips, hand cupped and relaxed
• Use a little arm motion, pushing rather than slapping the ball
• Alternate the dribbling hand

Basic Skills: Shooting

• Primary objective is to score
• Both toes and shoulders face the basket
• Weight is evenly distributed on both feet
• Ball is held between the shoulder and eye level
• Use a comfortable grip with fingers spread on the pads
• There should be daylight between the palm and the ball
• Focus vision on the target (rim or backboard)
• Cock the wrist as the shot starts
• Follow-through should impart slight backspin
• Extend arms fully, flex the wrist, and drop the hand down towards the floor
• The arch should be 45 degrees or a little higher

Basic Skills: Pivoting

• Protects the ball, keeping the body between the ball and the defense player
• Hold the ball firmly in both hands, elbows out to protect it
• The pivot foot remains in contact with the floor, but turning is allowed
• The lead foot can step in any direction

Softball History

• George Hancock of Chicago, Illinois started softball in 1889
• Lewis Rober of Minnesota also started a version of the game in 1895
• Early names of softball: playground ball, kitten ball, recreation ball, four old cats, ladies ball
• Walter Hakanson gave the game its official name, Softball

Softball - Facility and Equipment

• The playing field’s clear radius is 220 ft. for junior and women fast pitch; 250 ft for junior and men
• The One meter (3 ft.) line is drawn parallel to and 0.91 m (3 ft) from the baseline, starting halfway between home plate and first base
• The Batter's On-Deck circle is a 1.52m (5 ft) circle 0.76m (2 1/2 ft)
• The Batter's Box is 3 ft by 7 ft and placed on each side of the home plate
• The Catcher's Box is 10 ft in length from the rear outside corners of the batters' boxes, and 8' 5" wide
• Coach’s Boxes are position behind a line that is 15 feet outside the diamond
• The Home Plate is five-sided figure made of rubber that measures 17 inches wide, 8 1/2 inches long sides and 12 inches at the point near the catcher
• The Pitcher's Plate is made of rubber, measuring 24 inches long and 6 inches wide
• Male Fast Pitch (Adult and Junior) pitching distance is 14.02m (46 ft)
• Female Fast Pitch (Adult and Junior) pitching distance is 13.11m (43 ft)
• Bases (excluding home plate) are 15-inch squares, no more than 5 inches thick, made of canvas
• A fast pitch bat may be 34 inches long with an weight of 38 ounces
• The ball circumference is 12 ½ inches in circumference and 6 ½ ounces in weight
• Any player can wear a glove, the catcher and the first baseman may use mitts
• All players should wear shoes

Mechanical Analysis of Basic Softball Skills - Gripping the Ball

• The thumb is on one side, the index and middle finger on top
• Other fingers support on the far side opposite to the thumb

Mechanical Analysis of Basic Softball Skills - Throwing - Overhand Throw

• Secure a firm grip, raise throwing arm to shoulder height, bring elbow back
• Bring the hand with the ball back behind the shoulder
• Turn the left side of the body toward the throw
• Raise the left arm in front of the body
• Weight is on the back (right) foot
• Advance the left foot with the toe to the ground
• The arm comes forward with the elbow leading
• The ball is thrown with a downward snap of the wrist
• Body weight is brought forward, shifting to the front foot
• Complete the throw with the palm of the throwing hand facing the ground
• Keep eyes on the target
• Arm should be kept free and loose during the throw

Softball throws - The Sidearm Throw

• Similar to the overhand throw, but kept near the horizontal plane
• Used for shorter, quicker throws
• Action creates a whip-like move
• Swing the arm out from shoulder, parallel to the ground
• The throw curves more due to side-spinning at release
• There is generally a body lean toward the throwing arm

Softball - Underhand Throw

• Throwing hand and arm brought back, palm forward, in a pendulum swing
• Elbow is slightly bent
• Weight is mostly on the back foot
• Arm comes forward, almost in a bowling motion
• Ball is tossed, weight shifts to the front foot during the toss
• Flight is generally low, arriving at about waist height

Softball - Pitching

• Slingshot Delivery - Grip the ball with index and middle finger on top, ring finger to the side, thumb underneath, both feet on pitcher’s plate facing batter, ball held momentarily in both hands
• The pitcher takes one hand from the ball, extends the right arm forward, brings it back in a pendulum swing, position towards the back of the body
• A normal stride taken toward the batter with the left foot begins the throwing sequence – for a right-handed pitcher
• The arm is brought forward with an underhanded slingshot
• Weight is transferred to the leading foot
• Only one step is permitted
• Follow-through motion is important.
• Windmill Delivery - Alternate pitching motion in which the arm describes a full arc overhead, moving behind the body and then forward toward the batter
• The arm goes into full extension on the downward swing in the back, momentum is gathered when forward motion begins

Softball - Fielding Fly Balls

• For a low ball, the fielder keeps the fingers together and forms a basket with the hands
• For a higher ball, the thumbs are together, and the ball is caught in front of the chin
• Fielder should give with her hands
• Take extra care with a spinning ball, squeezing the hands to stop it
• Eyes on the ball continually until it hits the glove or hands
• Flex the knees slightly when receiving

Softball - Fielding Grounders

• Move quickly into the path of the ball for a good hop
• Eyes must be kept on the ball
• Feet spread, seat kept down, hands carried low and in front
• Weight on the balls of the feet or toes with bent knees
• As the ball is caught, the fielder straightens up, steps in the throw direction

Softball - Batting

• The batter stands with the left side of the body toward the pitcher
• Feet spread, weight on both feet
• Body facing the plate
• Hold the bat with the trademark up, left hand lower than the right
• Bat held over right shoulder, pointing both back and up, elbows away from body
• Swing begins with a hip roll with a short step forward toward the pitcher
• The bat level with the ground at the pitch
• The eyes are kept on the ball until it is hit, complete with follow-through

Softball - Base Running

• In running to first base, run in all out sprint through first base to the far side without slowing down
• In rounding bases, touch base with outside foot, do not break stride, use banana approach, turn sharply and accelerate away from base
• Sliding begins approximately 10 feet from base with extended hands and arms

Volleyball - History

• William G. Morgan of Holyoke City, Massachussetts created a game called Mintonette in 1895
• Dr. A. F. Halstead renamed it to Volleyball
• Elwood S. Brown introduced Volleyball in the Philippines in 1910
• It first appeared as a demonstration sport in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics

Volleyball - Facility and Equipment

• The Playing Area includes playing court & the free zone
• It shall be rectangular and symmetrical
• The playing court measures 18 x 9 m
• Surrounded by a free zone, it is a minimum of 3 m wide on all sides
• The free playing space is the space above the playing area which is free of obstructions
• Free playing space must measure 7 m in height
• Court markings consist of boundary lines, a center line, an attack line along with zones such as front, service, substitution, Libero replacement, warm-up and the penalty area
• The net is placed vertically over the center line, the top is set at 2.43 m in the men's game and at 2.24 in the women's game
• The net is 1 m wide, 9. 50 – 10 m long and is made of 10 cm square black mesh
• Two side bands are fastened vertically to the net, placed directly above each sideline
• An antennae is a flexible rod, measuring 1.80 m and 10 mm in diameter, fastened at the outer edge of each sideband
• The posts supporting the net are placed at a distance 0. 50 – 1.00 m outside the sidelines. They are 2. 55 m high and preferably adjustable.
• The posts are rounded, smooth, and fixed to the ground without wires
• The ball shall be spherical and made of a flexible leather, or synthetic leather case
• A bladder is made inside of rubber like material
• The ball color may be a uniform light color, or a combination of colors
• Circumference of the ball is 65 – 67 cm, weight of the ball is 260 – 280 g

Volleyball - Underhand Serve

• Player should face the net with the left foot slightly forward, with weight on right foot
• The left arm should be across the body
• The ball should be positioned in front of the body, resting on the pads of the fingers of the left-hand
• The serving action sees the server step forward, with weight on the front foot
• Bring the right arm back for a preparatory motion
• The right-hand swings forward, contacting the ball just below the center, using an open hand or fist (facing forward or sideward)
• Incorporate a full arm follow through to ensure a consistent serve.

Volleyball - Overhand Serve

• Face the net with the left foot forward, left side of the body turned slightly toward the net.
• Weight evenly distributed on both feet.
• Position the ball in the left hand directly in front of the face, then tossing straight up above the right shoulder.
• Transfer weight to the back foot as the ball is tossed.
• As the ball drops, engage the striking arm forward and contact the ball above the shoulder.
• Transition weight from back to front foot and ensure a full arm follow-through to create a smooth serve.

Volleyball - Forearm Pass (Underhand Pass)

• Achieve optimal positioning to ensure an adept volley.
• Move quickly to where the ball is descending
• Bend the trunk forward, maintain a straight back to create am 90-degree angle between the body and thighs, with the body slightly crouched and feet kept shoulder-width apart.
• Clasp the hands together, position forearms in parallel – using is based on player choice, and comfortability
• Ensure both wrists are turned downwards, with the elbow joints locked securely in place.

Volleyball - Overhand Pass

• Transition under the ball, controlling it at the fingertips
• Assume an easy and comfortable position, ensure to bend the knees
• Create a cup shape with the fingers, positioning the thumbs and forefingers close together, while spreading the other fingers wide
• Hold hands at forehead height, with elbows positioned out and level with the floor
• Contact the ball above the eyes, propel by means of spread fingers, instead of the palms
• Straighten at the moment of content,
• Make sure the legs are straight
• Complete with hands and arms following through
• Ensure the ball is sent high to allow good teammate control.
• Return the ball back to play by projecting forward with more power.

Volleyball - Spiking Approach

• Move towards the side of the court, and approach lines with the last step taken on stronger leg
• Use the 'step close take-off' to transition body momentum to a vertical position
• During motion towards the side, players should have heels both connected to the ground during shift of weight
• Swing both arms up during take off-
• Extend left arm upward above the shoulder
• Right Elbow back in a throwing motion
• When initiating the spiking arm, drive the left elbow and make contact with the open palm.
• Snap the wrist to impart spin on the ball
• Engage in blocking by jumping directly towards the spike, with arms vertically
• Position the volleyball towards a rebounding area for the spiker.