Basketball was invented in a pursuit for an
indoor game, which would provide complete fitness.
Dr James Naismith, a Canadian physical instructor,
wrote down the basic rule for the game after initial
rejection of many ideas, at a YMCA Training School.
This game was officially played for the first time
on January 20, 1892, in the YMCA Gymnasium, at
Springfield College. Women began playing basketball
in 1892, at Smith College, and different sets of
rules were laid down for them.
This is a team sport where two teams, consisting of
nine members each, throw ball into a ten-foot high
basket of the opponent in order to get a score.
While one team member aims for the basket, member of
the other team prevents him from doing so. The team
that has the highest score wins the game. The ball
is dribbled and carried forward. In competitive
basketball variation there are lot of regulations
and the handling of the ball is restricted. Less
regulated versions have been developed for
recreational purposes and in some countries, this
game is considered as a spectator sport.
Initially a soccer ball was used in basketball after
which a brown colored ball was introduced. But to
increase the visibility of the ball to the players
and spectators alike the color was changed to
orange, in 1950s by Tony Hinkle. Initially dribbling
wasn't a part of the game. It was included in the
game in the 1950s.
Different versions have different rules and time
limits. According to NBA, some of the rules have
been discussed here. The basketball court should be
94 X 50 feet. There should be baskets on two
opposite ends of the court. The court is either made
out of wood or cement. The ten feet high basket is
made out of steel rim with a net attached. One
score, also called shot, is counted as two points or
three points when aimed from a distance of 7.24
meter. The game is divided into four quarters which
each of them with a time limit of twelve minutes.
A break of fifteen minutes is allowed after the
first two quarter and in between each quarter, there
is a break of two minutes. In the third quarter,
both the teams exchange their baskets. At a time
five members of each team are present on the court.
Permission is given to have up to seven substitutes.
Other than the coach assistant coaches,
statisticians, managers, trainers and doctors
assists a team. Other equipments, other than the
ball, required during the game are scoreboard, score
sheets, clocks, stop clocks, whistles, and
alternating possession arrows.
The male and the female player require to wear a
pair of shorts and a jersey with clear number
printed on the front and the back. High-top sneakers
can be worn to provide extra ankle support.
Sometimes the coach can request clock stoppages in
between the game, if he wants to discuss something
important with his team members. Usually three
referees watch over the game. Other things like
timekeeping, fouls by an individual or a team,
score, team possession arrow, shot clock and player
substitutions are taken care of by the table
officials.
Over the period of time, various positions have been
developed in basketball. Initially there were one
guard, two forwards, and two centers or two guards,
two forwards, and one center. Later on point guard,
shooting guard, small forward, power forward and
center positions were added.
Actions, which lead to violations are double
dribbling, traveling, and carrying the ball and shot
clock. Foul is illegal physical contact with the
opponent team members, which would hinder them.
The other variations of the professional basketball
are wheelchair basketball for the physically
handicapped, water basketball to be played in a
swimming pool, beach basketball which has very few
or no regulations, half court game which has only
one basket, and street ball and one-on-one which has
two players and smaller court.
