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Youth Program Central* Search for Basketball Programs
BASKETBALL HISTORY OF BASKETBALL James Naismith, a physical education teacher, is credited with inventing the game of basketball. In 1891, Naismith, working at the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, Massachusetts, was commissioned by Luther Gulick, the physical education department chair, to invent a game that would keep the athletes busy during the winter months. Naismith started with a soccer ball, two teams consisting of nine players each, two peach baskets, and a game called Basket Ball. The peach baskets were attached to the balcony at each end of the gym. Players used their hands to bat the ball towards these "goals" and then attempted to throw the ball into the basket. When a successful basket was achieved, someone would have to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball from out of the peach basket. A metal rim and net eventually replaced the peach basket. In 1906, it became common to open the bottom of the net, thus negating the need for complicated ball retrieval. In 1910, players were finally allowed to dribble the basketball (an action that was against Naismith's original rules.) In 1942, the molded basketball, with standard shape and size, was invented. In 1896, the first professional basketball team was formed. And in 1898, the National Basketball League (NBL) was created by a group of newspaper sports editors. Six franchises were contained within the original NBL. In 1948, the National Basketball Association, or NBA, was founded. The league was quite successful until the late 1970's when public interest waned. In March 1979, when Larry Bird of Indiana State University faced Magic Johnson of Michigan State, in the NCAA championship game, interest in the game of basketball was rejuvenated. (1) HOW TO PLAY BASKETBALL A basketball court is occupied by two teams, each consisting of five players. The players have certain positions - two forwards, a center, a point guard, and a shooting guard. The forwards play near the basket, on opposite sides of each other, and are responsible for rebounding and shooting. The center plays underneath the basket in a position for rebounding, shooting, and guarding the other team against making baskets. Both guards are responsible for bringing the ball down the court to their team members. The point guard is in charge of determining what offensive plays to run. The shooting guard is in a great position for three-point shots, made from the top of the key. (2) A basketball game is divided into time periods called quarters or halves. A game consists of four quarters and two halves. Players stand in the center of the court, the basketball is thrown in the air by an official and the teams compete for possession of the ball. This is called a jump ball. The basketball is moved up and down the court by dribbling, passing, or shooting. When a basket is achieved, two points are earned, unless the basket was made from outside the three point line at which time three points are earned. Points can also be made from free throws, which are earned when a player has been fouled by the opposite team. Players committing a pre-determined number of fouls are removed and not allowed to play the rest of the game. Fouls are called when opposing players engage in illegal body contact (personal foul.) When a player moving with the ball runs into a defender who is in a guarding position, this is called charging. A blocking foul occurs when a defender stands in the way of the player dribbling the ball (unless the defender is in a legal guarding position.) Unsportsmanlike behavior will elicit a technical foul called by the official. (3) If you have a child with passion for basketball, you've come to the right place. Youth Program Central offers a comprehensive listing of available youth programs designed for children and teens with an interest in basketball. Check it out. You may find just what you and your child have been looking for. REFERENCES 1. history-of-basketball.com. (09/11/04). 2. Mom's Guide to Sports. "Mom's guide to Basketball." (09/11/04) 3. Mom's Guide to Sports. "Mom's guide to Basketball." (09/11/04)
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