Basketball Handout

History of Basketball

Basketball is an American game designed by James Naismith in 1891. The game has evolved from a slow moving and low scoring game to a fast paced, high scoring, and physical game. Basketball is now a widespread game played by people of all ages and sizes on asphalt, playgrounds, and gyms throughout the United States. It is also an international game- players from Australia, Italy, Greece, China, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, and many Eastern European countries excel at the game.

One of the biggest changes in basketball in the past 20 years has been the significant increase in participation of girls and women, who now play Olympic-level and professional-level basketball both within the US and internationally. This increase in participation has also raised the skill level. Younger children are now participating in youth leagues where they are increasing their individual skill levels and gaining the concepts of team play.

(Taken from Physical Activity & Sport for the Secondary Student)

Vocabulary

Box-out: A rebounding technique designed to screen the offensive player from the basket.

Changing Directions: To dart quickly from left to right and vice versa.

Defense: This is the team that keeps the opposing team from scoring.

Double Dribble: Dribbling the ball with two hands at the same time, or dribbling the ball again after having stopped dribbling.

Fast Break: A quick-strike offensive play begun after rebounding an opponent’s missed shot.

Feed: The act of passing the ball to a teammate in a position to score the ball.

Five Second Call: When taking the ball out of bounds the team has 5 seconds to get the ball into play or it is awarded to the other team. The rule also applies if a person has picked up his or her dribble and is closely guarded for 5 seconds.

Follow-through: The continuation of the body movement after a skill is executed.

Fouls: Infractions that give the opposing players possession of the ball or a free throw.

Free-throw line extended: The imaginary line extended from the free-throw line to the wings, or sides, of the court.

High Dribble: Dribble used for speed in an open court.

Jump Ball: 1. Way the game is started. 2. When two players from opposite teams have possession of the ball at the same time. Possession of the ball is awarded to teams in an alternating fashion.

Low Dribble: Dribble used to protect the ball in a highly congested area of the court.

Offense: This is the team that is trying to score.

Outlet Pass: The first pass executed to start a fast break. Out of Bounds: This is when the ball goes over the end line or sideline. The ball is awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball. When taking the ball out of bounds, the player must be behind the sideline or end line before passing it in bounds.

Pick or Screen: A position an offensive player takes to obstruct a defensive player from perusing the dribbler.

Pivot: The act of turning by lifting one foot off the floor and turning on the other foot to face in a different direction.

Man-to-Man Defense: Each defensive player defends a single offensive player.

Rotation: The backspin imparted to the ball as it is released.

Take- off foot: The foot opposite the shooting hand used to push off the floor when shooting a lay-up.

Taking a Charge: Standing in front of an offensive player, and without moving, allowing the opposing player to run into you, causing the player to commit a foul.

Top of the Key: The position on the court at the top of the free-throw circle.

Transition of Play: Changing from defense to offense and quickly attacking the other team offensively. Occurs off a defensive rebound, a steal of the ball, or some mistake on the opposing team.

Traveling: Running with the ball without dribbling.

Basic Skills

1. Dribbling- 2 basic forms a. High Dribble- for speed, open court in front of you b. Low Dribble- used primarily in the half-court game Cues: Head Up, Protect with opposite arm, finger pads, slightly in front of body

2. Passing- 4 types a. Chest pass- Target: teammate, Cues: ball close to chest and in front of body, extend arms forward, snap wrists b. Bounce pass- Target: Floor between you and teammate, Cues: Same as above c. Overhead pass- Target: teammate, Cues: Hands on side of ball, ball above head, step, extend arms, follow through d. Baseball Pass- Target: teammate, Cues: dominant hand throws, step, arm extends, follow through * Passes are the quickest way to move the ball around the court.

3. Receiving- a pass Cues: See the ball, track the ball into soft hands, step to meet the pass, catch with 2 hands

4. Shooting- 3 types a. Lay-up- Right: Plant left foot, ball in right hand, right leg up, lay ball onto backboard, Left: Plant right foot, ball in left hand, left leg up, lay ball onto backboard. b. Free Throw- Cues: feet shoulder width apart, bend to 120 and lift ball at same time, elbow in, release ball after lift, follow through c. Jump Shot- Cues: feet shoulder width apart, bend to 120 and lift ball at same time, elbow in, release ball after lift, jump, follow through

5. Rebounding- 2 types a. Defensive Rebounding- requires a box out by the defender to keep the offense from getting the ball- Cues: Wide base, legs shoulder width apart and bent, elbows wide * Find your player with arm bar b. Offensive Rebounding- Cues: fight around a box out, go to rim after ball is shot 6. Defending- Basic Strategy- keep yourself between your player and the basket. Cues: Stay low, feet wide, slide feet, active hands.

General Play

1. Each team consists of five players 2. Each game is four quarters; halftime is between quarters 2 and 3 3. Games are started with a jump ball in the middle of the court 4. Each basket is worth two points. Free throws are one point. Shots made behind 3-point arc are worth 3 points. 5. Dribbling violations: Double dribble and traveling, moving pivot foot 6. Fouls: Blocking, Charge, Holding

Positions

Center- (Post player) This is usually the tallest or biggest player on the team. Most of their shots are in the free throw lane. This person is also the 5 position.

Two Forwards- These players are versatile. They can play inside or outside of the lane. They are also responsible for rebounding. These people are the 3 and 4 positions.

Two Guards- These are usually your best ball handlers, playmakers, and outside shooters. The shooting guard is position 2 and the point guard is position 1.