What is it?
Advantages
Disadvantages
Basketball Equipment
Who Should Participate?
Learning to Play Basketball
Guidelines
Glossary of terms

What is it?

Basketball is a fast moving game that can be played on both indoor and outdoor courts. The object of the game is to score points by making fields goals or free throw shots. The length of time that the game is played varies, depending on the age of the players, but most youth games are made up of four six-minute quarters. There is usually a 2-3 minute break between quarters and at least a 10-minute half-time break.

At the beginning of a basketball game, both teams send five players each onto the court. The game begins with a jump ball at center court. Each team tries to recover the ball and move it toward their designated basketball net. When the ball is within shooting range of the net, players take shots at the basket and score points for each field goal. The opposing team tries to block the shots and prevent the ball from going into the basketball net.

Basketball youth leagues generally accept boys and girls beginning at age 5.

The size of the basketball court varies from 94 feet in length at the college and professional level, to sizes much smaller for youth leagues. Likewise, the height of the basket and the size of the basketball are adjusted for the player's size.

Advantages

Basketball is an excellent conditioning sport that can be enjoyed by both boys and girls alike. Participation in athletic sports like basketball, improves physical fitness, coordination, and self-discipline, and gives children valuable opportunities to learn about teamwork.

Basketball games can be played on school playgrounds, home driveways, and indoor gyms. Although an organized game of basketball requires 10 players, one great thing about basketball is that the skills needed for the game can be practiced individually. Many families purchase portable basketball nets for home use.

Disadvantages

As in most sports that involve running for sustained periods of time, injuries to the lower extremities are most common, particularly ankle injuries, with strains and sprains being the most often encountered basketball injuries.

Other injuries such as bruises, lacerations, and bone fractures can result both from falls and from collisions between players.

A study conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported the following statistics related to sports injuries in children ages 10 to 14:

Basketball Equipment

Shoes

You need very little equipment to play basketball. Since the game requires a great deal of running, jumping, and pivoting, a player's basketball shoes are the most important piece of equipment. Basketball shoes come in low and high top styles; high-tops are designed for added ankle support. A pair of comfortable, absorbent cotton socks are also recommended.

Basketballs

Basketballs come in varying sizes. The ball used in many youth leagues measures 28-1/2 inches around. You are advised to check out what size basketball your child will be using before purchasing one. Standard NBA basketballs are 30 inches around.

Mouthpieces and Protective Pads

Basketball is a very physical sport and at times players will encounter hard physical contact. Some youth leagues may require players to wear a mouthpiece. Protective knee and elbow pads are also available and they will help to provide a cushion if you dive or fall for a loose ball.

Who should participate?

Children of varying ages and size can enjoy basketball. Most youth leagues accept children age 5 and over.

Learning to play basketball

The fundamentals or the basic skills that are needed to play basketball include:

Dribbling-moving the ball around the court by bouncing it.

Passing- throwing the ball from one player to another.

Shooting-throwing the ball toward the basketball net in hopes of scoring a goal.

When children are first introduced to the sport of basketball, they will spend a lot of time practicing drills that help them to acquire these needed skills.

There are five members on each basketball team: the center, two forwards and two guards. While on offense (with the ball), the team members work together to move the ball forward and shoot it into their designated net. While on defense (without the ball), the team members try to stop the opposing team from scoring.

The team that has scored the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Guidelines

Guidelines for safe basketball play include:

• Players should play only their position and know what other basketball positions are responsible for. This results in fewer collisions on the court and safer play. Players may not hold, block, push, charge, or trip opponents.

• Conditioning is very important. Running, swimming, and bicycling are excellent ways to keep the body in shape while training for basketball.

• Players should get adequate rest and eat moderate meals three to four hours before a game. They should also have an adequate intake of fluids during practice and games.

• Warming up for five or ten minutes should be done before playing. Warming up can consist of running, toe touching, jumping jacks, or push-ups.

• Stretching the calf, groin, hamstrings, back, and shoulders should follow the warm up.

• Select basketball shoes that fit snugly, offer support, and are non-skid. Cotton socks can absorb perspiration and also give added support to the foot.

• Protective knee and elbow pads can be worn to protect players from bruises and abrasions.

• Mouthpieces or mouthguards can be used by players to protect their mouth and teeth.

• If a player wears glasses, safety glasses or glass guards are recommended to prevent injury to the eyes.

• Do not wear jewelry or chew gum during practice or games.

• Outdoor courts must be free of rocks, holes, and other hazards that could cause a player injury. Inside courts should be clean and free of debris, and have good traction.

• When playing outside, environmental conditions must be considered. Players should avoid playing in extreme weather or on courts that are not well lit in the evening.

• Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, water fountains, or other structures. Goals, as well as the walls behind them should be well padded.

• Balls made of various materials can be used, depending on the age of the player. For example, children under age 7 can use a safer, smaller, mini-foam or rubber ball of eight ounces, 22.5 inches in circumference, instead of a regulation-leather ball, which can weigh up to 22 ounces and have a 30 inch circumference.
• Players should be aware of simple first aid measures for strains and bruises such as Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE).

Source: National Basketball Players Association; Youth Sports Institute, Michigan State University; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Glossary of terms

Backboard: The board behind the basket.

Basket: The Metal hoop or goal (rim); also a score when the ball goes through the hoop

Dribble: To move the ball around the court by bouncing it

Field Goal: A shot taken from anywhere on the court; also a basket

Foul: When a player makes illegal contact with an opposing player.

Free Throw: An unchallenged shot that is worth one point, also called a foul shot.

Free throw line: The line showing where the free throw may be attempted.

Hoops: A slang term for basketball

Jump ball: When a referee tosses the ball in the air between two opposing players

Personal foul: A foul called on a player

Pivot: A method of turning on one foot

Rebound: Any missed shot that bounces off the basket or backboard; to grab a missed shot

3 point shot: A shot attempted from outside the three-point line, which if made is worth 3 points

Traveling: Taking more than one step while having the ball; also called walking or steps

Turnover: When the offensive team commits an infraction resulting in the other team gaining possession of the ball.

(Source: Basketball How to Play the All-Star Way by Tom Withers, Raintree Stec-Vaugh, 1994)