The History, Rules, and Play of Basketball

Origin of Basketball

• Basketball started in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
• The Basketball Hall of Fame is now located in Springfield.
• Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian, created basketball.
• Naismith wanted a team game for indoor play during harsh winters in the northern United States.
• Naismith developed the original 13 rules of basketball.
• Naismith considered himself a physical educator and academic.
• Naismith did not seek to profit from basketball.
• Basketball became an Olympic sport in 1936 at the Berlin games.
• Naismith died in 1939.
• The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Game

• Basketball is a dynamic and fast sport.
• Basketball requires athletes to possess a total fitness package.
• Basketball is as enjoyable as a pastime, as when played by professional players.

Scoring and Fouls

• Basketball usually involves two teams of five players.
• Games last for 40 minutes in professional and international play.
• NBA games last 48 minutes.
• Game time is divided into four equal quarters.
• There is a 15-minute halftime break.
• Basketball has a high scoring system.
• There are no ties.
• Five-minute overtime periods are played until one team wins during a tie.
• The basket is a bottomless net with a metal ring of 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter
• Baskets are attached to a backboard 10 ft (3.05 m) above the floor.
• Each basket (field goal) scores players and teams two points.
• Baskets score three points if the player shoots from behind a line 24 ft (7.3 m) from the basket.
• A foul is committed when a player makes illegal body contact with an opposing player.
• Fouls may result in the opposing team gaining possession of the ball.
• Fouls may result in an opposing player being awarded free throws at the basket from the foul line.
• Each made foul shot is worth one point.
• Players exceeding the foul limit are disqualified.
• The standard is usually five, but six in the NBA.
• An unsportsmanlike and serious offense results in a "technical foul."
• Technical fouls are given for dissent.
• Technical fouls are punishable by a free throw.
• Technical fouls can be levied against coaches.
• A coach receiving two technical fouls in a game is disqualified and must leave the court.

Skills

• Players must master the basic skills of the game.
• Fundamentals covered include passing, dribbling, shooting, rebounding, and defensive footwork.

The Players and Court

• Three positions on the court are guards, forwards, and centers.
• Guards are usually the shorter team members
• Centers are usually the tallest team members.
• Centers play near the basket.
• Guards and forwards occupy areas farther from the basket.
• Guards handle the ball and shoot long range
• Forwards drive to the basket from the wings.

Positions

• Point Guard: This position is crucial for offensive moves. The point guard should be unselfish, and willing to pass to teammates.
• Shooting Guard: This position requires someone agile and a good long-distance shooter.
• Small Forward: This position requires an unselfish player who can shoot from the outside and make good cuts to the basket with and without the ball.
• Power Forward: This position requires someone strong, athletic, a good rebounder, and a competent scorer from the 3-second lane.
• Center: This position is most physical and vital. Centers defend against opponents driving to the basket, block shots, and are excellent rebounders, turning defense into offense.

Equipment

• Jerseys and shorts
• Socks and shoes
• Ball
• Scoreboard
• Game clock and shot clock
• Score sheet
• Player foul markers
• Team foul markers
• Alternating possession arrow
• Stopwatch

The Playing Court

• The playing court has a flat, hard surface free from obstructions.
• Courts usually measure 28 m in length by 15 m in width measured from the inner edge of the boundary line.
• All lines are drawn in white with a width of 5 cm.

Original Rules of Basketball

• The ball can be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
• The ball can be batted in any direction with one or both hands but never with the fist.
• A player cannot run with the ball, so must throw it from where they catch it.
• The ball must be held in/between the hands, and the arms or body cannot be used for holding it.
• No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking in any way shall be allowed. Infringement counts as a foul, and the second foul disqualifies until the next goal or for the whole game if with intent to injure, and cannot be substituted.
• A foul includes striking the ball with the fist, violating rules 3 and 4, and acts from rule 5.
• Three consecutive fouls by one side counts as a goal for the opponents.
• A goal is made when the ball is thrown/batted and stays in the basket without being disturbed or touched and counts as a goal if the opponent moves the basket while the ball is resting on the edge.
• When the ball goes out of bounds, the person who touched the ball first throws the ball back in, and if there is a dispute, the umpire throws it straight.
• The thrower has five seconds to throw the ball, otherwise, it goes to the opponent. Delaying the game results in a foul.
• The umpire is the judge of the men, notes the fouls, and notifies the referee when three consecutive fouls are made and has the power to disqualify.
• The referee is the judge of the ball, decides when the ball is in play, and keeps the time. They decide when a goal has been made and keep the account of goals.
• The game shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest in between.
• Whichever side has the most goals will be declared the game winner, and if a case of a draw, by the agreement of the captains, the game may go on until the next goal.
• The original rules were written by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891, and were published in January 1892 in the Springfield College newspaper, The Triangle.