Basketball is a team sport in which players compete to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop that’s mounted on the backboard of a rectangular court. Besides playing in organized leagues and tournaments, people also enjoy recreational basketball games with friends or family. It’s not difficult to learn the game, but there are certain things that every player should know before getting started.
The game of basketball was invented by James Naismeth, a physical education teacher at the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, Massachusetts, in late 1891. He developed the game to encourage his students to stay active during the long winter months. The original game was played with a soccer ball that was thrown at two half-bushel peach baskets fastened to the balcony railing, one at each end of the school gymnasium.
Since then, basketball has become a popular world-wide sport with an enormous following. In the United States alone, more than 66 million people play basketball. There are nearly 300,000 teams and organizations affiliated with the game.
The basic rules of basketball require the use of a team of five players on each side. The players on each side fall into the following five playing positions: The tallest player is the center, a slightly shorter but stronger and more agile player is the power forward, a quick and skilled short player is the small forward, and a person who handles the ball the most is known as the point guard. The point guard implements the coach’s offense by managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays.
During the course of a game, players are allowed to move the ball only by dribbling and may not take more than two steps after picking up the ball before shooting or passing it. Shooting the ball through the round hoop on the floor earns you 2 points, while a shot that goes through the net and into the basket is worth 3 points. Fouls are called by the referee when a player breaks the rules. The most common types of fouls are personal (contact) and technical (generally related to unsportsmanlike conduct).
If a player is fouled while attempting a shot, they receive a free throw for one point. If the free throw is successful, a bonus point—called an “and one”—is awarded.
Good defense is an essential part of the game of basketball. The best players are often able to anticipate their opponents’ moves and block out shots in the areas of the court where they are weakest. In addition to blocking out, players should also be able to jump high and grip the ball firmly to win rebounds. Practicing these skills is key to improving defensive performance.