History of Basketball

Have you ever wondered who or where does basketball comes from? Well, in my previous posts, I talked generally about basketball but in this post, I'll share with you of what I know about basketball. So, instead of evolution from an ancient game or another sport, basketball has its origins and it is actually invented by a well known Dr. James W. Naismith.

Naismith is a physician at McGill University in Montreal who was also interested in sports physiology. He was born in Ramsay Township in 1861. When Naismith was working in YMCA International Training School which is now known as Springfield College in US, as a physical education teacher in 1891, he faced a problem to provide an indoor "athletic distraction" for the students at the school for Christian Workers. At that current time, Naismith was also a Presbyterian Minister.

The idea of adapting outdoor games like soccer and lacrosse were given but he chooses to discard the idea. Instead of having the same games to be played indoor, he quickly thought of a game he once played during his schooling days called duck-on-a-rock which involves an attempt to knock a "duck" off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock.

From there, Naismith developed 13 rules to basketball game. The first game, however, was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets that was nailed 10-feet above the ground as a goal. During the time, the bottoms to the baskets was retained and each time a person scored, the balls had to be poked out with a long dowel and bouncing the ball while moving was not allowed at all.

The ball can be thrown and batted in any directions with one or both hands but definitely not by using a fist. However, a player cannot run with the ball but to throw it from the spot where he catches the ball. Furthermore, the ball only can be held between the hands not the arms or body.

Basketball's popularity quickly grew nationwide thanks to the impulse received by the YMCA's movement. It was an instant success and although Naismith never get to see the development of the game that turns into such a spectacular game known worldwide these days yet he still had the honor to witness it becoming an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games that was held in Berlin.

Basketball

Basketball is a dynamic, fast-paced game played by two teams of five players. It is basically one of the most popular sports in the world besides football. To win the game, it is obvious that you have to shoot hoops. In other words, it means that you have to shoot a ball through a hoop which is 10-feet above the ground.

Even if there are roles defined for each player, every player still has to play both as offense and defense. The game will be played on a rectangular floor where there will be a hoop 10-feet above the ground on each end. Basketball can easily be practiced with one person; shooting and dribbling, to make it easier to learn.

When the game starts, the ball will be moved down towards the basket generally by dribbling or passing. Before the game starts however, you have to understand two simple thing which is the offender is the team with the ball and the defender is the team without the ball in which they try to steal the ball, steal and deflect passes, contest shots, and garner rebounds.

COURT & EQUIPMENT

Basketball can be played anywhere. All you need is just a ball and an elevated hoop where you can shoot the ball. For competition, however, it will be played indoor where there will be a hard wood court measuring 94 feet X 50 feet ready for the league. The court dimensions can vary depending on the level of the competition.

SCORING

Every time a player throws a ball into the opponent's hoop, their team scored two points unless it is made outside the three point arc. Points are given depending on the type of shots made;

  # FOUL SHOT/FREE THROW - A player who is fouled while shooting will be granted a foul shot. Each successful free throw is worth one point.

  # 2 POINTS - Shots made in between the end line and the three point arc.

  # 3 POINTS - A successful shot made behind the three point arc. By the end of the game, the team that scores the most points wins the game. However, if the scores are tied when the buzzer sounded, an extra period called "over time" will be played to determine the winner.

VIOLATIONS

When a player breaks one of the "non-foul" related rules, it is a violation.

  # TRAVELING - It is illegal to take more than one step while holding the ball. A pivot foot is allowed but once it is determined, it cannot be lifted before the player shoots, dribbles, or passes the ball.

  # ILLEGAL DRIBBLE - After the first dribble has ended, the player shall not dribble the second time.

  # CARRYING/PALMING - Resting the ball in one or both hands while dribbling.

  # OUT OF BOUNDS - A player must not have a contact with the boundary line that are marked by a solid line about two inches thick while in possession of the ball.

  # BACK-COURT VIOLATION - No player of a team shall touch a ball that is knocked into the back-court if the team in in possession of the front-court.

Basketball is actually interesting if you get the hang of it. Sometimes, if you understand the game well enough, you will know the strength and weakness of the players. Once you understand the strengths and weaknesses, you will have the urge to take up the chance to win more money by betting. After betting, you would want to be at the game personally to cheer for the team that you bet on in hopes that they would win the match. Did you know how awful you looked like when you cheer or maybe scolded the player from afar just because he made a slight mistake that could jeopardize your winnings? Why not do it at home from the comfort of your own living room instead? It's quite easy to find an online casino nowadays and pretty sure they'll have betting for sports. It is just right in the Sportsbook column. Try it out. Who knows luck is on your side?