Basketball - Also Known As Hoops

The game is played as a team sport. Two teams of 5 players score points by putting the basketball through the hoop. Techniques for scoring points include dunking, slamming, or other acrobatic moves to get the ball through the basket. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Basketball has been around since the 1890s. A Canadian-born physical education professor wanted to find a vigorous indoor game to keep his students fit during the long winters. Unable to find a satisfactory game, he wrote some rules and hung a peach basket at the end of the gymnasium. The peach basket remained as the basket until 1906 when it was replaced by a metal hoop. A soccer ball was used and one point was earned for a basket.

The rules do not specify any positions, but they have evolved with the game. In the early years of basketball, teams consisted of one guard, two forwards, and two centers or two guards, two forwards, and one center. During the 1980s, basketball positions evolved to what we know today:

1. Point guard - team offense organizer, makes sure the right player gets the ball at the right time, and usually the fastest player on the team.

2. Shooting guard - shoots a high volume of baskets on offense and guards the best perimeter player on defense.

3. Small forward - has nothing to do with height. primarily responsible for scoring points by cutting to the basket and dribble penetration. Rebounds and steals on defense.

4. Power forward - plays with his back to the basket on offense. Defensively plays under the basket in zone defense or against the opponent's power forward in man-to-man defense.

5. Center - height does matter for this position. Uses height and size to score on offense and to defend the basket or rebound on defense.

The positions on a basketball team are flexible. Occasionally a team will use a three guard offense by replacing one of the forwards or the center with a third guard. The point guard and the shooting guard are interchangeable, especially if both players exhibit good leadership skills.

The two most common shots in basketball are the set shot and the jump shot. The set shot is performed without the feet leaving the floor and is typically used for free throws. The ball is released at the top of the jump in the jump shot. This gives the shot more range and is more powerful.

The layup is another common basketball shot. This shot requires the player to be in motion and lay the ball up by the basket so it goes in, usually utilizing the backboard to reflect the shot. If it is done without using the backboard, it is referred to as a finger roll. The slam dunk is performed by the player jumping high into the air and throwing the ball downward through the basket. This is the most crowd-pleasing and highest accuracy shot in basketball.

The circus shot is flipped, heaved, scooped, or flung toward the hoop while the player is airborne, falling down, off-balance, or facing away from the basket. This shot doesn't get made often, but it sure is fun to watch. When the shot is made it brings a loud ovation from the crowd.

A shot that doesn't hit the backboard or the rim of the basket is referred to as an air ball. A bad shot, like one that just hits the backboard or rim, is called a brick.

A successful shot is referred to as a field goal. It is worth 2 points or 3 points if made from outside 3 point arc marking on the court. When a foul is committed against a player, he/she is rewarded with a free throw. The severity of the foul determines whether one or two free throws are awarded.

To understand how a game is played you need to learn the language of the game. I'll define some of the most common basketball terms for you. I'm sure there are more, but I'll give you a basic understanding of basketball.

Rebounding is successfully gaining possession of the ball after a missed free throw or field goal as the ball rebounds off the backboard or rim. Offensive rebounds mean the team that has the ball retains possession. Defensive rebounds mean that possession of the ball goes to the other team.

Passing the ball is just moving the ball between players. There are several types of passes. A common pass is the chest pass which is the ball being thrown from one player's chest to another player's chest. It is a quick pass and doesn't allow much time for the defense to react. A bounce pass requires that the ball bounce off the floor between players. The overhead pass is accomplished by holding the ball over the player's head and passing the ball over the defender's head. After a rebound is made, the next pass made is called the outlet pass. The no-look pass requires the passer to know where each of his teammates likes to receive the ball and pass it to that spot without looking. This is a great example of teamwork. Another type of difficult pass is the behind-the-back pass. Very few players can perform this pass and the no-look pass effectively and most coaches discourage their use.

Dribbling is the act of bouncing the basketball on the floor while moving with the ball. Pushing the ball downward with the fingertips gives more control of the ball than just patting it. When a player is dribbling past a defensive player the hand furthest away from that player should be used. A skilled dribbler bounces the ball close to the ground, can switch hands seamlessly, and dribble behind their back or between their legs to aid in changing direction quickly.

Blocking a shot refers to the defender altering the direction of the ball by touching it. However, if the defender touches the ball when it is coming downward, this is called goaltending.