Basketball, fast-paced game played
on a rectangular court, generally indoors, by two five-player teams. The
primary objective of the game is to score more points than the opposition by
putting a round ball through a circular band, called a rim. The two rims are at
each end of the court, placed 10 ft (3.1 m) above the ground and connected to a
backboard, a rectangular board that hangs from the ceiling or is supported in
the air on a pole or some other structure. One of the most popular sports in
the world, basketball is played by men and women of all ages and ability levels
in more than 200 countries.
In early December 1891,
Luther Gulick, chairman of the physical education department at the School for
Christian Workers (now Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts,
instructed physical education teacher James Naismith to invent a new game to
entertain the school's athletes during the winter season. With an ordinary
soccer ball, Naismith assembled his class of 18 young men, appointed captains
of two nine-player teams, and introduced them to the game of Basket Ball (then two
words). Naismith, who had outlined 13 original rules, dispatched the school
janitor to find two boxes to be fastened to the balcony railing at opposite
sides of the gymnasium, where they would serve as goals. The school janitor,
however, only found two half-bushel peach baskets, and the game was played with
these.
While the dimensions of
individual basketball courts vary, a playing area 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 50 ft
(15.2 m) wide—predominantly used in recreational, high school, and
intercollegiate competition—is considered ideal for most players. Professional
basketball courts are slightly larger, 94 ft (28.7 m) long and 50 ft wide. In
addition to size, courts can vary in other ways, such as in the radius of the
circle situated at the center of the court and in the distance of the 3-point
line (from beyond which a score counts for 3 points) from the basket. For
example, the 3-point line in high school and college games is 19 ft 9 in (6 m)
from the basket, while in international play it is 21 ft 6 in (6.6 m), and in
the National Basketball Association (NBA) it extends as far as 23 ft 9 in (7.2
m). The backboards were originally used to prevent spectators from interfering
with play. They are generally 4 by 6 ft (1.2 by 1.8 m) and are connected to
cast-iron rims, or baskets, that are 18 in (45.7 cm) in diameter. Each basket
has a white, nylon-mesh net 15 to 18 in (38.1 to 45.7 cm) in length connected
to iron loops on the rim.
In the early days of its
development, basketball was played with a soccer ball. Today, the standard
basketball is generally orange or brown in color, with an outer cover of
leather or nylon and a pebbled (indented) surface to help players grip and
control the ball. In men's play, a basketball is 29.5 to 30 in (74.9 to 76.2
cm) in circumference and 20 to 22 oz (567 to 624 g) in weight. In women's play
the basketball can be slightly smaller and lighter, 28.5 to 29 in (72.4 to 73.7
cm) in circumference and 18 to 20 oz (510 to 567 g) in weight. The standard
basketball uniform consists of sneakers, socks, a tank-top shirt, and shorts.
Uniforms are often elaborately designed and manufactured from synthetic fabrics
such as nylon, rayon, and polyester. Each player's uniform has a number, for
identification, that is usually displayed on both sides of the shirt. Sometimes
the player's name is displayed on the back of the shirt as well.
A basketball team is organized,
guided, and instructed by a coach. The team consists of five players—two
guards, two forwards, and one center—all of whom play offense and defense. The
guards—the point guard (known in basketball terminology as the 1 guard) and the
shooting guard (2 guard)—comprise what is called the backcourt. The
point guard is generally the leader of the team on the court, acting as an
extension of the coach. The point guard must have exceptional ball-handling and
passing skills, as well as good vision (ability to see clearly what is
happening in all parts of the court). The shooting guard is generally a good
ball handler with excellent shooting and scoring talents. The small forward,
the power forward, and the center compose what is called the frontcourt. The
small forward (3 player) is usually a strong scorer from both near the basket
and at a distance. This player must have good fundamental skills, including
rebounding, ball handling, and passing. The power forward (4 player), who must
be big and strong, primarily concentrates on defense and rebounding. The center
(5 player) is usually the tallest player on the team, serving as the
cornerstone of most play. Good centers score points on offense and block shots
on defense. Although there are specific positions, players can play anywhere on
the court, according to the team's strategy.
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