A Canadian physical instructor called Dr. James Naismith laid down the basic rules after much discussion and rejection of ideas. The idea was first mooted at the YMCA Training school. The game was played officially for the first time in 1892 on January 20 at YMCA Gymnasium, Springfield College. Women played their first basketball match at Smith College in 1892 on different set of rules laid down specifically for them.
Basketball is a group game played between two teams. Each team consists of 9 members each. The aim is to throw a ball into a 10 foot high basket that belongs to the opponent. While the members of one team try to put the ball into the opponent’s basket, the other team has to prevent them from doing so. The ball is dribbled and carried forward. Scores are based on the number of balls that pass through the basket. The team with the highest score is the winner. In competitive basketball matches a lot of rules and regulations have to be followed while handling the ball. Recreational games have less regulatory version. Some countries have even declared this game as a spectator sport.
During its initial stages, basketball was played with a soccer ball. Later brown colored ball came into the game. On popular request and to enhance the ball’s visibility to the players and audience the color of the ball was changed to orange by Tony Hinkle in the 1950s. Dribbling of the ball was also included in 1950s.
Basketball is played in different versions with different set of rules and time limits. Some of the NBA basketball championship rules are discussed in this article. A basketball court should measure 94′ x 50′ and should have one basket each on the opposite corners of the court. The playing area or court is made of wood or cement and the baskets measuring 10′ in height are made from steel rims with an attached net. 1 score or a shot as it is called gives the team 2 or 3 points when thrown from the distance of 7.24 mts. The game is played in 4 quarters of 12 minutes time limit each quarter. Each quarter has a break of 2 minutes between them. The teams are allowed to break for rest and refreshment after the first 2 quarters for a period of 15 minutes. When the game begins in the 3rd quarter, the teams exchange baskets. At any given time only 5 members of each team can be present on the court. There is permission to have 7 substitutes. Each team is assisted by a main coach, assistant coaches, managers, statisticians, physical trainers and doctors. The playing teams would need only a ball to play the game. Other equipments required would be clock, score sheets, scoreboard, whistles, stop clocks and alternating possession arrows
Dress code for players, men and women is a pair of shorts and jersey T-shirt with their number printed in bold on front and back. For extra ankle support, high-top sneakers could be worn. Normally 3 referees watch over a game. The coach can request for stoppages during the game to discuss important issues with his team players. Table officials take care of other things like fouls by individual player or the team, timekeeping, scores, Shot clock, team possession arrow and player substitutions.
Various positions in the game of basketball have been developed after constant studying over a period of time. Initially the playing positions were one guard, 2 forwards, and 2 centers or 2 guards, 2 forwards, and one center. Point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center positions were added later on.
Double dribbling, carrying the ball, traveling, and shot clock are considered as violations. Physical contact with members of the opponent team, hindering their movement while playing is foul play.
The game of basketball has been developed into other variations like water basketball played in swimming pools, wheelchair basketball for physically challenged sports enthusiasts, half court game played with only one basket, beach basketball which is solely for recreation purpose and has no or very few rules. Street ball and one-on-one game has two players and a smaller court.
Source: westlake.k12.oh.us/Hilliard/whspe/basketball/basketball_rules.htm
