BASKETBALL HISTORY Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, an instructor at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Unlike football, baseball and other sports that evolved over the years from earlier games in other countries, Naismith s game was specifically created to stimulate attendance during winter. Several elements contributed to the success of his game as an indoor sport. Running with the ball and hard contact were eliminated. The ball was light and large (for safety and handling) as it would not be hit or kicked. Setting the basket over the heads of the players reduced the body contact normally found near an on-the-ground goal. Two half-bushel peach baskets attached to the gym balcony 10 feet above the floor gave the game its name and also established a measurement that remains in use today. Women s competition started the next year and has been a major force in the sport from the beginning. A player from the first women s team later married James Naismith. Spalding made the first basketball, and today Spalding is the official ball of the NBA. In 1893, a metal ring with a netted bag was introduced, but after each goal the ball had to be released by pulling a chain. Nets without bottoms were not used until 1913. Backboards were first installed in1894 to keep spectators from reaching out to deflect the ball. The game began with 13 fundamental rules which were expanded over the years. It was originally played with nine on a side because Naismith had eighteen members in his class; five on a side has been standard since 1895. The first college game (Chicago vs. Iowa) was played in 1896, and the first professional game was in 1898. The sport grew in popularity during the next 50 years. Rules were standardized, arenas were built, competition began between teams from different parts of the country and annual tournaments were established for all levels of play. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1949 from a consolidation of earlier leagues. The Women s National Basketball Association (WNBA) began play in 1997. The televising of college and pro games brought basketball to millions of additional fans. Dr. Naismith s original 13 rules were the foundation of what is now the most popular indoor sport in the world. OBJECT OF THE GAME Each team tries to score points by shooting (throwing) a ball into a basket (goal) while preventing its opponents from scoring. The team that scores the most points wins the game. 1
GENERAL RULES o Each team has five players on the court, usually a center, two forwards, and two guards. o The ball may be passed, thrown, rolled, or dribbled (bounced on the ground with one hand) as the team with the ball moves towards the goal. The ball may not be carried or kicked. o A dribble ends when the player catches the ball with one or both hands or touches the ball with both hands. o The game is started by a jump ball in the center circle. The referee throws the ball into the air between the two opposing centers. o The team that controls the ball moves it forward by players dribbling or passing between teammates and trying to score a goal. o If a basket is made, the opposing team is given possession of the ball out-of-bounds behind its endline. If the shot is missed, either team can get the rebound. o After a timeout, play is resumed with a throw-in by the team that had control of the ball or alternating possession if neither team had control. A ball is dead when: o A foul or violation occurs. o A free throw is not successful after the first of two free throws. o A held ball occurs (two opposing players both have their hands firmly on the ball) o A time out is called. The ball is not dead and any score counts if: o A foul occurs, a whistle is blown, or the game ends when the ball has left the player s hand and is in flight towards the basket. o The opponent fouls a player during the shooting motion. The ball becomes live when: o Tapped at a jump ball 2
o On a throw-in (the ball put into play from out-of-bounds) o When given to a player for a free throw A player receiving a live ball may: o Pivot by keeping one foot in contact with the floor with no limit on the steps taken with the free foot. o Dribble by taking any number of steps as the ball is bounced on the court with one hand while walking or running, but may not dribble again (double dribble) if the ball is held in one or both hands. A second dribble is permitted if the ball is touched by another player or leaves the dribbler s control. o Pass or hand the ball to a teammate. o Try to score. o Three-second rule: TIMING No offensive player can stay within the free throw lane in front of the opponents basket (in the key) for more than three seconds while the player s own team has possession of the ball. The three- second rule does not apply when the ball is dead, in the air, or rebounding off the backboard or basket rim after a missed shot on goal. If an offensive player has been in the lane for less than three seconds and receives the ball, the player has an additional three seconds to shoot or get out of the lane. o Five-second rule: Teams have five seconds to pass the ball into play after a basket or a free throw is made or any time the ball is coming in from out-of-bounds. o Ten-second rule: Team gaining possession of the ball in its back court must move it into the front court with ten seconds. Taking more than the time allowed is a violation, and the opposing team gets the ball out-of-bounds. 3
SCORING o A goal is made when a shot goes into the basket from above and passes through the net. o A field goal may be shot from anywhere on the court and counts two points. o Three points can only be scored when the court is marked for three pointers. o A free throw (unobstructed try for a goal) is taken from the free throw line as a penalty shot after certain fouls. It counts one point JUMP BALL Under the alternating possession rule, the play continues with one of the teams being given the ball out-of-bounds for a throw-in instead of both actually jumping for the ball. The team that did not get control of the ball at the beginning of the game starts the alternating process with a throw-in from a spot nearest to where the situation occurred. Then it alternates with each jump ball. All levels, except the NBA, use the alternating possession rule in place of the jump ball. OUT-OF-BOUNDS The ball is considered out-of-bounds and possession is awarded to the team that did not touch it last when: o A player with the ball touches the floor on or beyond a boundary line. o The ball touches a person or object on or beyond a boundary line. o The ball goes out of the boundary lines for any reason other than a foul or violation. THROW-IN When a team is awarded the ball out-of-bounds, the in-bounding player must throw, bounce, or roll it to a teammate on the court within five seconds. The thrower cannot step on or over the sideline or move while releasing the ball. Defensive players cannot cross the boundary line or touch the ball before the throw-in. After a score, the player making the throw-in does not have to stay in a designated spot but may run along the endline. 4
VIOLATIONS Violations are infractions (breaking rules) that do not involve personal contact. o Sending the ball out-of-bounds. o Running with the ball. o Traveling illegal progression, such as jumping or walking, while in possession of the ball. o Kicking or punching the ball. o Double dribble dribbling the ball again after it has been held in one or both hands or touching the ball with both hands while dribbling. o Keeping the ball in the back court more than 10 seconds. o Staying in the opponents key more than three seconds when a player s own team has possession of the ball. o An opponent crossing the boundary line before the ball does on a throw-in. o The player taking the throw-in does any of the following: Leaves the correct out-of-bounds position Takes more than five seconds to throw the ball in-bounds. Carrying or handing the ball onto the court Throwing the ball at the basket Touching the ball in the court before it touches another player. Penalty for a violation: When a violation is called, any goal made does not count, and the ball is awarded to an opponent for a throw-in from the closest spot on the sideline or endline to the infraction. 5
FOULS Personal fouls are infractions involving contact with an opponent, whether the ball is in play or not. The offender is charged with a foul. Personal fouls include the following: o Holding, pushing, charging, or tripping. o Interfering with an opponent s progress by extending the arm, shoulder, hip or knee by bending in an unnatural body position. o Pushing from behind. o Contact with a shooting player. o Rough behavior. o Using the hands to prevent an opponent s movement (hand checking). o Illegal screens. Penalty for a foul: o A player fouled while shooting is awarded two free throws if the shot misses, or one free throw if the shot is successful. o If the foul is committed when the player was shooting a three pointer, than three free throws are awarded. o If the fouled player is on offense but not shooting, the team is awarded a throw-in near the place of the foul. o If the foul is committed by an offensive player, the defense gets possession of the ball out-of-bounds. No free throws are awarded. o An intentional foul is a deliberate personal foul in which a player does not make a true attempt to play the ball or an opponent. The penalty is two free throws and possession of the ball. o A flagrant foul is a violent contact that might cause injury. The penalty is two free throws, possession of the ball, and the offender may be removed from the game. o A technical foul is a non-contact foul by a player or a flagrant foul when the ball is dead, including: Delay of game. 6
Taking more timeouts than allowed. Using profanity, obscene gestures, or teasing opponents. Penalty for a technical foul: o Two free throws are awarded to the offended team, plus possession of the ball at the division line. Any player on the non-fouling team may take the free throw. The other players do not line up on the free throw lane. FREE THROW o A free throw is an opportunity to score one point by an unhindered shot from behind the free throw line and inside the free throw semi-circle. o The shooter must remain behind the line until the ball touches the basket. Opponents take the space closest to the basket on either side of the free throw lane. o Teammates of the free throw shooter may take the next positions on each side. The remaining players alternate along each lane line. Only the spaces nearest the basket must be taken. Only the four spaces on each side may be used. All other players must be behind the three point line. o The players at the lane remain in position until the ball is shot. The other players must stay beyond the three point line until the ball hits the rim. If the ball only hits the backboard, the other team gets the ball out-of-bounds. o If the shot is good, play restarts by a throw-in from behind the endline. If a shot is unsuccessful and a player rebounds it, play continues from the rebound. o On free throw violations, no point is scored if the violation is by the shooter or the shooter s teammate. The ball is dead. o On a violation by the shooter s opponents, if the free throw is good, the goal counts. If the free throw is missed, another one is taken. GUARDING When defending a player with the ball, the legal position is to face the opponent and have both feet on the ground. No time or distance is required. 7
CONTACT Blocking is contact that interferes with an opponent s movement. A player makes contact by holding, pushing, tripping, or charging into an opponent. The first player to establish position without contact has priority. The player that moves into the path of another is responsible for the contact. o Both teams use the same basket. THREE ON THREE RULES o Play begins by a throw-in from the division (center) line. o Same rules apply for violations as in full court basketball. o If a foul occurs, the ball is put into play with a throw-in from out-of-bounds rather than a free throw. o Usually offensive players call most of the fouls. This is because the defense is trying to get the ball, and they will be doing most of the fouling. However, a defensive player can call an offensive foul and an illegal moving screen. o After a goal is made, the team which did not score puts the ball in play with a throw-in from the division line. o With every change of possession, the ball must be cleared past the free throw line. o It is legal to take the ball out of the hands of another player as long as there is no personal contact of any kind. The hands are considered part of the ball. DIAGRAM OF THE COURT 8