Basketball (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what basketball is and its history. Also, what are the rules, elements and positions within this sport.

What is basketball?

Basketball, básquet or básqueball is a sport that is played as a team on different surfaces, covered or not, and consists of scoring the greatest number of “baskets” or as many as possible in the time the match lasts. Each team is made up of five players who attack to score goals and defend when the opposing team has possession of the ball.

In basketball, goals or “baskets” are made when the ball (thrown by the players) is introduced into a hoop metal which hangs at 3.05 meters and has an open net for the ball to fall after being scored. The many add different amount of points depending on the area of the court from which the shot is executed.

basketball history

basketball It was created in 1891 by James Naismith a Canadian physical education teacher, in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Naismith I wanted to incorporate a sport that could be practiced within the school to avoid the low temperatures of winter, and that involved less physical contact than popular sports such as football or rugby.

He placed some fruit baskets in the gym at a certain height that served as a basket into which a soccer ball could be thrown. Basketball was played by 18 players and thirteen key rules were established.

The game spread in schools and universities in the United States and became popular after the First World War thanks to American soldiers. It was included as an exhibition sport in the Amsterdam Olympic Games (1928) and Los Angeles (1932) and established as an Olympic sport at the Berlin Games (1936).

Basketball in the world

Basketball is a sport that It is played on all continents, both professionally and amateur. First division matches and competitions are spectacles that bring together a large number of in-person spectators and television viewers.

basketball rules

The basic rules of basketball were established in 1891 by James Naismith and they were updated with the development of the sport. Among the most representative current basketball rules established by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) are:

Game:

The ball can be thrown in any direction on the playing field with one or both hands.
Before throwing a ball to the basket or making a pass to a teammate, a player can take only two steps without a bounce.
A team has 24 seconds to throw the ball into the basket.

Score:

The team with the most points scored at the end of the game wins.
When it is scored from close to the basket it is worth two points, when it is scored from long distance it is worth three points, and when it is scored from a free throw it is worth one point.

Time:

The coach can substitute players on the court unlimitedly.
The game stops every time the ball leaves the court or a foul is committed.
In the event of a tie, five minutes of overtime are played until one of the two teams scores.

Faults:

Personal fouls are made when a player commits an illegal move towards the opponent.
A player is thrown off the field when he commits five personal fouls.

Player positions in basketball

Each of the players on a team has a position and function within the game:

Base. Player who creates play and directs the team's attack, it is common for him to be the shortest player. He must be the computer of the game, with initiative, creativity and good ball handling and vision. In defense, the base covers the rise of the rivals.
Escort. Player who stands out for his speed and agility; He must contribute by scoring and have good ball handling.
Eaves. Player of average height who must balance his game between strength and shooting at the rim. His position is important when defining when he is under the rim, therefore, he must perform with agility in that area of the opponent. It is even more important for counterattacks and long-distance shots (three-point shots).
Power Forward Player with an important presence with a physical role that serves as an assistant to the center to score under the basket and as a ball hog and recoverer.
Pivot. Player who has the greatest height and physical strength on the team, his playing style depends on great physical ability. He must use his height and power to take advantage and accommodate himself in uncomfortable areas under the rim.

Basketball technical fundamentals

There is a series of movements that players make on the playing field:

Boat. Action in which a player controls the ball by making it hit the ground and return to his hand. The dribble can be done with either hand and is essential to advance the opposing team's defense.
Happens Action in which a player gives the ball to another to avoid the defense, gain position or look for a good shot at the basket. There are different types of passes: chest, pick, baseball, among others.
Shot Throwing the ball by a player with the intention of it entering the basket to score points in the game. There are different types of shots: free throw, jump shot, hook or dunk.
Defensive movements. Defensive action performed by a player between the rim and a rival attacker to try to destabilize him, steal the ball or prevent him from making a pass or shooting at the basket.

Basketball Features

The objective of each team is to put the ball into the opposing team's basket and thus achieve the greatest number of points.
It is made up of two teams of twelve players with a maximum of five players on the court simultaneously per team.
It is directed by three referees assisted by the table officials (the scorer, the timekeeper and the 24-second rule operator).
dThere are four ten-minute periods
The game takes place on a playing field that measures 28 meters long and 15 meters wide.

basketball elements

There are certain elements that are fundamental for the practice of basketball:

Ball. Spherical ball with a rough surface that is usually orange in color and measures between 70 and 78 cm in diameter depending on the category. It is made up of a rubber chamber covered with leather or synthetic material.
Board. Rectangle of wood, metal or other material to which the hoop and net are attached.
Basket. Element formed by a bottomless net that hangs from a metal ring that is attached horizontally to the board. It is one of the fundamental elements of basketball, since the objective of the game is to dunk the ball in the basket.
Equipment. Consisting of a sleeveless t-shirt, shorts or Bermuda shorts, short socks and sneakers that cover the ankle and have hard soles.
Playing field. Hard, flat rectangular court 28 meters long by 15 meters wide delimited by the side and back lines. It can be covered or uncovered and has two boards and baskets, one at each end of the court, a central circle, a free throw area and a restricted area on each side.