In basketball, passing is an important skill. Players must be able to make crisp, fast passes. They should also be able to control the basketball and stay focused on the game. Players who dribble and lose control of the ball are not effective. It is important to practice passing in different situations and at different speeds.
The game starts with a ball being thrown into the air. The players pass the ball to their teammates and try to make their way to the goal. The goal is a 10 foot square on the back board. Each team tries to protect its own goal and make their opponent’s goal. A shot is considered a successful goal if it is made in the hoop.
Basketball is a team sport that involves two teams of five players each. Players on each team dribble and pass the ball to one another. A made basket is worth two points, and a three-point shot, or a layup, is worth three points. A basketball game has approximately eight to 12 quarters.
During the 1920s, hundreds of men’s professional basketball teams competed in smoky dance halls and armories. A number of leagues were formed and disbanded. The Original Celtics and the New York Renaissance Five (“Rens”) were barnstorming squads. The Harlem Globetrotters, a team of African-American players, played up to 200 games a year.
Basketball rules require players to respect the referee and follow the game’s rules. The rules of basketball are complex and varied. If one player violates a rule, the entire game is stopped. Then the team loses possession. Furthermore, if the player inflicts physical harm on the opposing team, he or she will be penalized.
In the early days, the game played on grass courts was called soccer, but in 1894, a basketball was first marketed. It had a similar shape to a soccer ball, and was about 32 inches (81 cm) in diameter. It was also less than twenty pounds (567 grams). It was not until 1948 that basketball was standardized and established as an official sport.
As basketball is a fast-paced game, athletes need to have great physical strength. They must be able to run and jump for long periods of time. They also need to have exceptional agility and endurance. Those who play basketball must also be able to shoot the ball. A quick arcing motion is essential to time rebounds and block shots.
The shooting distance in basketball is approximately twenty-five feet (76 cm). Players must be within that distance to make a successful shot. A violation of this rule will result in the ball being passed back to the opposing team. The shot clock is usually set for twenty-four seconds during FIBA matches. Once the ball is in the basket or passes through the goal, the shot clock resets to full speed. In some tournaments, it can be set at a lower number.
Another important skill in basketball is defense. Players must learn to defend the hoop and defend against dribblers and opponents. This requires a high level of physical strength and coordination.