BASKETBALL

Nature, Background and History of

Basketball
• Basketball is a game played between two teams of five
players each on a rectangular court, usually indoors.
• The objective of the game is to shoot a ball through a basket.
• Shooting, passing, dribbling and rebounding are the commonly
used techniques used in the game.
• It was invented by the Canadian clergyman, educator and physician
James Naismith on or about December 1891, at the International
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Training School (now
Springfield College) in Springfield Massachusetts.
 Basic Skills in Basketball

• Dribbling It is an important skill for all

basketball players. This skill will allow you to move
up and down the court, maneuver past defenders
and execute plays. This involves bouncing the
ball off the floor with your hands. Proper
dribbling requires ballhandling skills and
knowledge of how to spread your fingers for
ball control. It is also best if you know how to
dribble equally well with both hands.
 Here are the tips on basic
basketball dribbling:
•Use your fingertips to dribble, never the palm.
•Dribble on the side of your body, never bounce the ball in front repeatedly.
•Get used to bouncing the ball off the ground.
•Lower your body slightly so that the ball is bouncing rapidly at waist level.
•Look up when you are dribbling, not on the ground or on the floor.
•When switching the ball from one hand to another, bounce the ball
across hard and quick.
•When changing direction, shift the momentum of your body towards
that direction.
• Shooting The act of
attempting to score points by
throwing the ball through
the basket. It requires the
ability to properly hold and
throw the ball into the air
toward the basket while
avoiding defenders.
 A general procedure that all good
basketball shooters more or less follow:
•Half-bent your knees before shooting a basketball for more potential power.
•Your dominant hand should have its fingers spread out.
•Only the fingertips should be gripping onto the ball.
•Your other hand support the ball on the side.
•The ball should be brought above the head in one motion.
•At this point, the angles at your armpit, elbow, and wrist is at 90 degrees.
•While extending your knees, extend your forearm and your wrist.
•Make sure you follow through with your wrist movement. It feels natural to
jump upon release.
 Tips on shooting a basketball:
• Always keep track of the distance between you and the hoop.
• Tuck your elbows inward towards each other when shooting.
• Shoot the basketball at an arc. It increases accuracy.
• Aim at the part inside the rim farthest from your standpoint.
• Use screens and offensive-plays to get open.
• Square up your shooting hand with the basketball hoop.
• Grip the basketball tightly with only your thumb and little finger.
• Aim with your index finger or middle finger only.
• Never hesitate due to the fear of a block shot.
• Passing Another
skill that when
mastered can help
you become a
complete basketball
player. A pass happens
when one player
throws the ball to
another player with a
purpose of setting up a
play or taking a shot.
 Points of emphasis in teaching
passing:
• A good pass is a pass a teammate can catch.
• •When passing, step toward your receiver.
• •When catching, step toward the pass.
• •Like shooting, the ball should have a backspin to it.
This is accomplished by following through on every pass.
 Basic Passes
• Chest Pass-The pass
originates from the chest.
It is thrown by gripping
the ball on the sides with
the thumbs directly
behind the ball. When the
pass is thrown, the fingers
are rotated behind the ball
and the thumbs are turned
down.
• Bounce Pass- Is
thrown with the
same motion
however it is aimed
at the floor. It should
be thrown far
enough out that the
ball bounces waist
high to the receiver.
• Overhead Pass- Is often
used as an outlet pass. Bring
the ball directly above your
forehead with both hands on
the side of the ball and follow
through. Do not bring the
ball behind your head,
because it can get stolen and
it takes a split-second longer
throw the pass.
• Rebounding The objective of this
is to successfully gain possession of
the basketball after a missed field
goal or free throw, as it rebounds
from the hoop or backboard. This
plays a major role in the game, as
most possessions end when a team
misses a shot. The team with the
most possessions has a better
chance of winning.
 How to rebound:
• Find a good position on the court.
• Get low to the ground.
• Spread your arms.
• Box out your opponent, if necessary.
• Jump towards the ball.
• Grasp the ball with both hands, if possible.
• Have a plan to pass the ball.
• Learn to anticipate missed shots.
• Running - A big part of basketball, you will find yourself running
back and forth as the game quickly transitions between offense
and defense. When you have the ball, running will help you to
avoid defenders and get to the basket quicker. On defense, you often
will find yourself needing to run after the opponent, especially
during fast breaks. Tips to improve running: 1.Lean forward 2.Run
on the balls of your feet 3.Swing your arms and hands from cheek to
cheek (that is butt cheek to face cheek) along-side your body – don’t
allow your arms to cross-over in front of your body. 4.Always do a
combination of dynamic stretching and warm-up activities.
 Tips to improve running:
• 1.Lean forward
• 2.Run on the balls of your feet
• 3.Swing your arms and hands from cheek to cheek (that is
butt cheek to face cheek) along-side your body – don’t
allow your arms to cross-over in front of your body.
• 4.Always do a combination of dynamic stretching and
warm-up activities.
 Equipment in Basketball
• Ball – a ball of
basketball is most of
the time made of
leather with the official
size of 29.5 to 30 inches
in circumference for
men’s game and 28.5
inches in circumference
for women’s game.
• Uniform- When one starts
coaching a basketball team,
the most important
requirement for a team is
to have a uniform. This
helps one in differentiating a
team from another. A
uniform consists of a jersey
(shirt), shorts, numbers on the
front and back of the shirts for
identification.
• Basketball sneakers -
Basketball shoes help
prevent injuries, in part, by
providing adequate ankle
support. High- top
sneakers offer the best
ankle support; these shoes
should also lace up to the
top to help provide a snug
fit.
• Water Bottle - is a container that is
used to hold water, liquids or other
beverages for consumption. The use
of a water bottle allows an individual
to drink and transport a beverage
from one place to another. A
water bottle is usually made of
plastic, glass, or metal.
 To avoid/prevent dehydration:
✓Drink a cup of water 4 hours before the game and another half-
cup of water for every 10 to 15 minutes while playing basketball.
✓Replenish electrolytes like sodium and potassium which are
lost through perspiration with sports drinks or enhanced water.
✓To lower your body temperature and reduce sweating use wet
towels or a water mist on the skin.
✓When you’re working out or exerting yourself, alcoholic and
caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, teas and soda, are not
recommended for optimal hydration.
 Facilities in Basketball
• Court dimensions. The court is a flat, hard surface free
from obstructions, 28m long and 15m wide, measured
from the inner edge of the boundary line. At the
backcourt is the team’s own basket, inbounds part of the
backboard and the part of the playing court limited by
their own end line, side lines and center line. The front
court consists of the opponents’ basket, inbounds part of
the backboard and the part of the playing court
limited by the end lines behind the opponents’ basket,
side lines and inner edge of the center line nearest to the
opponents’ basket.
• Lines - All
lines are white,
5cm wide and
clearly visible.