Basketball

History

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in the winter of 1891-92. He was a college instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts. He wanted his students to have physical exercises between the time when the football season closed and the baseball season opened. That’s why he tried to invent a good indoor game to keep them fit and warm during the cold New England winters.

He hung peach baskets on the walls at the opposite ends of the gym and organized nine-man teams. He formulated the first 13 rules of the game. The purpose of the game was to shoot the ball into one basket and to attempt to prevent the opposing team from throwing the ball into the other basket. Players got the ball out of the basket after each score. Later, they made a hole into the bottom of the basket and got the ball out with a long rod. In 1906, the peach baskets were replaced by metal hoops with backboards.

In the beginning, basketball was played with a soccer ball. The first balls made for basketball were brown. In 1950, Tony Hinkle wanted to make a ball that would be more visible to players and spectators. He introduced the orange ball that is now in common use.

Basketball has become the second most popular ball game in the world. There have since been many changes in the rules, but basically, the game is the same today as it was more than one hundred years ago.

The first professional league was organized in the USA in 1906. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1946.

Basketball appeared at the Olympic Games in 1904 in St Louis as a demonstration sport because there were only American teams.

The game has been part of the Olympic Games since 1936, at the Berlin Games, when basketball officially joined the Olympic program. Women’s basketball appeared at the 1976 Games in Montreal.

In 1992, at the Barcelona Games, famous players from the National Basketball Association (NBA) represented the USA for the first time. This team is known as the “Dream Team”.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was founded in 1932 in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Exercise 1.

Answer True or False.

1. Basketball is an old sport.

2. Basketball is the most popular sport in the world.

3. James W. Naismith was an American teacher.

4. James W. Naismith worked in Massachusetts.

5. James W. Naismith wanted to find a good outdoor game.

6. At first basketball was played with orange baskets.

7. In the beginning basketball was played with a brown ball.

8. James W. Naismith formulated 13 rules.

9. Basketball joined the Olympic Games program in 1904.

10. Basketball was invented in Massachusetts.

11. Basketball was invented on the basis of baseball and football.

12. Women’s basketball appeared later than men’s basketball.

13. The American National Basketball team is known as “the dream team”.

14. Tony Hinkle introduced the brown ball.

15. The basketball rules are very different now from what they were a hundred years ago.

Exercise 2.

Answer the questions:

1. When was basketball invented?

2. Where is it most popular?

3. Who was basketball invented by?

4. Who was James W. Naismith?

5. Where was he from?

6. What kind of game did he want to find?

7. How many rules did he formulate?

8. How did the players get the ball out of the basket in the beginning?

9. What colour was the first basketball?

10. Why did Tony Hinkle make an orange basketball?

11. When did basketball appear at the Olympics?

12. What does FIBA stand for?

Exercise 3.

Fill in the gaps with the words below.

popular height referee bounce Association dribble played foreign hole

1. NBA stands for National Basketball …………….

2. Some say that football is more ……..than basketball because more people watch it on TV. But basketball is …………by more people.

3. The …………..of the basket is 3.05 meters off the floor.

4. Early basketball was different from today’s game. For example, the basket didn’t have a …………in the bottom.

5. Another difference is that in early basketball players couldn’t ………….because the balls didn’t ……………well enough.

6. There are thirty American teams in NBA, but there are also some …………..players from different countries in many teams.

7. The game ends when the …………blows his whistle.

Basketball Court

The game is played on a court marked out on a flat, usually hard-wood surface.

The baselines (or end lines) are the lines located at the ends of the court. The baselines are used to denote in-bounds and out-of-bounds on the court. Those are also marked by the sidelines, which are on the sides of the court. If a player steps on these lines or crosses them, he is out of bounds. The sidelines are home to all types of people, like the head coach, the players, and the media. The sidelines and the baselines make up the perimeter of a basketball court.

The free throw line or the foul line is used by players during free throws when a player is fouled. The free throw line is further away from the basket in the NBA and college basketball than high school basketball.

The midcourt line is located in the middle of the court and divides it equally into two sections. It is also known as the half-court line and the timeline.

The three-point line or the three-point arc surrounds each team’s basket. It is used to determine how many points a field goal is worth. If a shot is taken on or inside the three-point line and goes into the net, a team will earn two points. If a shot is taken outside the three-point line and goes into the net, a team will make three points.

The corners are the four edges of the basketball court just outside the three-point lines. The corners are great for shooting three-pointers and are one of the most common spots to shoot a 3-pointer. In the corners, ball handlers have to be careful not to step out of bounds.

The top of the key is a small arc on the court located just above the paint. The top of the key is a great location to practice making jump shots and hook shots. The top of the key is in the 2-point area on the court. If a player is shooting from there, they should be pretty confident they will make the shot. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to pass the ball elsewhere for an open 2-pointer or to try a 3-point shot.

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Each basket (hoop) consists of a pole, an extension arm, a backboard, a rim, and a net.

The pole, a.k.a. backstop, is the support structure of the basket.

The extension arm creates what is known as the safe play area. It allows players to run in for lay-ups and box out for rebounds without worrying about hitting the support structure. In regulation play there should be no obstacle 3m behind the backboard.

The backboard is made of tempered glass for regulation play. Other materials include acrylic, steel, wood, etc.

The hoop is the metal part of the basket and consists of a rim and a net.

Exercise 4.

Match the words with their definitions

pole
extension arm
backboard
hoop
corners
top of the key
baseline
center circle
three-point line
mid-court line
key
free-throw line

the line dividing the court into two halves- the back court and front court
it creates what is known as the safe-play area
the circle at center court, used for tip-offs at the start of a half and after a goal.
the area between the end line and the free throw line. An attacking player mustn’t stay in it for more than three seconds.
the line marking the ends of the court. When the ball crosses this line, one team puts it back into play at the same place.
it is made of tempered glass
a small arc on the court located just above the paint
an arc on the floor 6.25m from the basket, dividing three-point shots from two-point shots
the line parallel to the end line where a player stands to shoot free throws.
the support structure of the basket
the four edges of the basketball court
it consists of a rim and a net

Duration of the Game

The game is divided into four 10-minute quarters (in the NBA they are 12 minutes) with one longer break (interval, intermission) between the second and the third quarter. Teams exchange baskets for the second half.

Clean time is used, and the clock is stopped any time there is a break in the game. No playing time is lost during stoppages. Therefore, games generally take much longer to complete than the allotted game time - typically about two hours.

A game cannot end in a draw. An extra period of five minutes is played, plus as many extra periods as are necessary to break the tie.

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Basic Rules

The game is played by two teams. Each team can consist of up to 10 players, five of whom are on the court during the match. The others are substitutes. The aim of each team is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s basket and prevent the other team from securing the ball or scoring.

The game is started with the tossing of the ball by the referee, which is also called a jump ball at the center circle. The first jump ball is called a tip-off. Only one member of each team can jump for it, the others must remain outside the circle until the ball has been touched (tipped off) by one of the players.

The team in possession of the ball has 8 seconds to move it across the mid-court line and 24 seconds to take a shot at the basket. Players may use only their hands to control the ball. They mustn’t run with the ball in their hands. They can pass it to a teammate within 5 seconds or dribble to move around.

When the ball is in play, it may be passed, thrown, rolled, or dribbled in any direction. When walking or running with the ball, players must dribble (bounce) it with one hand. If players carry the ball in their hands and don’t use dribbling, they are punished for travelling.

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Scoring

Score is a system of points. Two points are awarded for a shot inside the semi-circle (3-point arc), and three points for a shot from outside the three-point line. One point is awarded for a free throw. Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws, depending on where he was when he shot.

If a basket is scored, any defending team member must take the ball out of bounds underneath their basket and pass the ball inbounds to begin the play again. When the ball goes out of bounds, the play is restarted with a throw-in from the sideline.

The winner of a basketball game is the team with the most points at the end of the time limit.

Exercise 5.

Answer the questions.

1. How many players are there on a basketball team?

2. How can you score points in basketball?

3. Can you hold the ball in your hands?

4. How long can a team keep the ball in possession?

5. How can you move with the ball legally?

Exercise 6.

Insert the right preposition.

1. The players try ……. score points ……tossing the ball ……. the opposing team’s basket.

2. The game is played …..a basketball court.

3. There is a hoop ………each end.

4. The court is divided ……two main sections.

5. The ball is moved down the court ………passing or dribbling.

6. The team …….the ball is called the offence.

7. The team …….the ball is called the defense.

8. ……..the beginning …..the game the referee tosses the ball ……in the air.

9. The team ….possession….the ball has 8 seconds to move it …….the mid-court line.

10. They have 24 seconds to take a shot ….the basket.

11. You can pass the ball ……a teammate within five seconds or dribble.

12. You can be punished ……travelling.

13. Fouling a shooter always results ……. two or three free throws.

14. The number of the free throws depends ……. where the player was when he shot.

Exercise 7.

Fill in the gaps with the words below each paragraph.

Basketball is a ………..sport. There are two teams of five………. They try to ……….points by tossing the ball into the ……… team’s basket. The game is played on a ………………floor called the……………., and there is a …………..at each end. The court is divided into two main sections by the………………. The ball is moved down the court toward the …………..by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the…………... The team without the ball is called the ……………………...

team defense score mid-court line court

basket players opposing rectangular hoop offense

At the …………….of the game the referee …………the ball up in the air between the opposing ………….. They try to ………. it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off. The team in ………….of the ball has 8 seconds to …….it across the mid-court line and 24 seconds to take a ……… at the basket. Players may ……… only their hands to control the ……. They mustn’t run with the ball in their……... They can pass it to a teammate ……..5 seconds or …………to move around. If a player ………. the ball in his/her hands and doesn’t use dribbling, he/she is .........for travelling.

beginning centers move shot ball hands

dribble punished tosses tip possession use

within carries

When a team makes a……….., they score two ………..and the ball goes to the other team. If a basket, or ………..goal, is made outside of the three-point……….., then that basket is ……….three points. A …………throw is worth one point. ……….a shooter always results in two or three free throws. It …………..on where he was when he shot. The ………….of a basketball game …………………is the team that has more points than their ……………..by the end of the time limit of the game.

basket field fouling worth winner opponent

points arc free depends competition

Exercise 8.

Insert the words from the box below.

Dribble

double dribble

side-line

draw

inside

clock

tipped off

thrown

quarters

base line

break

Score

Backboard

Court

Intermission

Outside

Substitutes

free throw

mid-court line

surface

basket

bounds

consist of

jump ball

Tossing

Travelling

Rims

Basket

Aim

scoring

Basketball is played on a ……………marked out on a flat, usually hard-wood……………... The baskets consist of …………..and nets, hung on a………..…., one at each end of the playing court. The rim is the metal frame of the…………………..

The game is divided into four 10-minute ………………….(in the NBA they are 12 minutes) with one longer break (interval,……………….) between the second and third quarter. Clean time is used, and the ……………is stopped any time there is a break in the game. No playing time is lost during stoppages. A game cannot end in a……………... An extra period of five minutes is played, plus as many extra periods as are necessary to ………………the tie.

……………..is by a system of points. Two points are awarded for a basket made ……………..the semi-circle (3-point line), three points for a shot from ………………..the semicircle. One point is awarded for a……………………...

The game is played by two teams. Each team can ……………..up to 10 players, five players from each team being on court during the match. The others are…………….. The ……………..of each team is to shoot the ball into its opponent’s basket and to prevent the other team from securing the ball or…………………..

The game is started with the ……………..of the ball by the referee, which is also called a ………………at the centre circle. Only one of each team-member can jump for it, the others must remain outside the circle until the ball has been …………….by one of the players. After scoring, any member of the defending team throws the ball back into play from behind the……………….. When the ball goes out of……………., the play is restarted with a throw-in from the…………………….

When the ball is in play it may be passed, ………………, rolled or dribbled in any direction. When walking or running with ball, players must …………..…(bounce) the ball with one hand.

If a player walks more than three steps (that means ……………..and it is a violation), the other team gets the ball. If you start dribbling again after having stopped dribbling or do it with both hands at the same time it is called……………………..

A team in control of the ball must make a try for …………….within 24 seconds of having gained control. The players have 8 seconds to move the ball across the…………………..

PLAYERS ON THE COURT

Each player has a position, which is usually determined by their height.

The tallest player on the team usually plays “center,” also known as “position 5”, while the medium size ones play “forwards” or “position 3 and 4”. The shortest players play “guards” or “positions 1 and 2”.

The center is the inside scorer, a rebounder, and a shot blocker. The guard (or point guard) is the best ball handler, while the shooting guard is the best outside shooter. The point guard organizes the game. The small forward is not a very tall player but has agility and scores baskets. The power forward mostly plays offensively.

Center: uses height and size to score (on offense), to protect the basket closely (on defense), or to rebound.

Centers are the tallest players. They are positioned near the basket. On offense the centers must be open for a pass and they must shoot. They can block defenders. This is picking or screening. On defense, the centers must keep opponents from shooting. They block shots and passes in the key area.

The next tallest players are the forwards. A forward may play under the hoop or in the wings and corner areas. On offense the forwards must get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound. On defense the forwards must prevent drives to the goal and rebound.

Small forward: often primarily responsible for scoring points via cuts to the basket and dribble penetration; on defense seeks rebounds and steals, but sometimes plays more actively.

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Power forward: plays offensively often with their back to the basket; on defense, plays under the basket (in a zone defense) or against the opposing power forward (in man-to-man defense).

The guards are the shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. They must bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays. On offense the guards must dribble, pass, and set up offensive plays. They should also drive to the basket and shoot from the perimeter. On defense the guards must steal passes, contest shots, prevent drives to the hoop, and box out.

Point guard: usually the fastest player on the team, organizes the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time.

Shooting guard: creates a great number of shots on offense, mainly long-ranged and guards the opponent's best perimeter player on defense.

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Exercise 9.

Find the definitions of the words in bold.

1. To stop a player''s shot, preventing the ball from continuing on its path towards the basket.

2. To grab the ball in the air after a player has missed a shot.

3. To stay between an opposing player and the basket in search of a rebound when someone shoots the ball.

4. To take the ball from an opposing player.

5. To block a defensive player while standing still; also known as "screen" or “block”.

6. To hit the ball with force.

Exercise 10.

Find the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

Поемам външни удари Добър в дриблирането Позициониран

Удрям топката със сила Крило В защита

Създаване на условия за атака Освобождавам се за пас В атака

Блокирам нападател Играя под коша Преча на противника да стреля

Exercise 11.

Choose the right answer.

They are the tallest players.

a)forwards b) centers c) guards

Blocking defenders is called ……………….

a) stealing the ball b) picking c) passing the ball

………….. may play in the wings and corner areas.

a) A center b) A forward c) A guard

They should be good at dribbling fast.

a) forwards b) centers c) guards

He just shoots and scores.

a) Power forward

b) Shooting guard

c) Center

He is usually the smallest player.

a) Point guard

b) Center

c) Small forward

He organizes the players and takes the decisions.

a) Power forward

b) Shooting guard

c) Point guard

He creates situations on the court.

a) Power forward

b) Shooting guard

c) Point guard

He makes good shots from the 3-point arc.

a) Power forward

b) Shooting guard

c) Small forward

He passes to the center and can be a good rebounder.

a) Point guard

b) Power forward

c) Small forward

He plays near the basket and defends it.

a) Point guard

b) Center

c) Small forward

He is in a position for mid-range jump shots.

a) Point guard

b) Center

c) Power forward

SOME COMMON VIOLATIONS

The game is stopped when certain rules are violated. Basketball is a non-contact sport. Besides time rules there are fouls. A personal foul is a player foul which involves contact with an opponent. A technical foul is a violation against the spirit of the rules or the use of unsportsmanlike tactics.

If a player walks more than two steps (that means traveling, and it is a violation), the other team gets the ball.

If you start dribbling again after having stopped dribbling or do it with both hands at the same time it is called double dribble. You get only one chance to dribble. Both quick passing and/or dribbling are used to move the ball into a scoring position. A team in control of the ball must make a try for the basket within 24 seconds of having gained control.

If the ball returns to the backcourt (the own half) after it has entered the front court (opponent’s half), without the defense touching it, it is called over and back, and it is a violation.

If you are in the offensive key for more than 3 seconds and you do not shoot, you violate the 3-second rule.

If the attacker runs into or pushes a stationary player (a defender), the violation is called charging.

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Exercise 12.

Match the violations with their definitions.

Travelling
Double dribble
Out of bounds
Three sec in the key

When the ball or a person goes beyond the boundary line.
When an offensive player remains in the key for more than three seconds.
Moving your pivot foot without dribbling.
Dribbling with two hands or dribbling with one hand after you have already dribbled and stopped.

A ball tossed in the air by the referee so two opposing players can jump and try to tip it to a teammate.
A violation called for an offensive player standing in the key for three seconds.
A basket shot from beyond the three-point line.
The half of the court where the offensive team attacks the basket.
To control the basketball by bouncing it with either hand. dribbling, which is bouncing the ball with one hand.
The half of the court that a team is defending.
A shot, worth one point awarded to a player after a foul.
A violation by a player with the ball who moves both feet without dribbling.

Exercise 13.

Match the words with their definitions. What are their equivalents in Bulgarian?

Back court
Front court
Free throw
Travelling
Dribble
Jump ball
Three-second violation
Three-point basket

Important Terms

Dribble: To bounce the ball continuously with one hand. Required in order to take steps with the ball.

Rebound: A statistic awarded to a player who grabs a missed shot that bounces off the backboard or the rim. A rebound can be grabbed by either an offensive player or a defensive player.

Dunk: To score by putting the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands.

Cut: A term in basketball which describes the action of a player moving across the court. It is used to describe a player making a concerted effort to move quickly across the court in an attempt to get open to receive a pass or draw the defense away from a teammate. The term comes from the speed with which a player must move in order to successfully execute his move across the court, and the way his move "cuts" the court in two. A cut most often applies to an offensive player; a defensive player would be tasked with defending against the cut.

Carry: This penalty, which results in a turnover, occurs when a player holds the ball excessively at the apex while dribbling.

Double Dribble: This penalty, which results in a turnover, occurs when a player dribbles the ball with both hands. It also occurs when a player dribbles, stops dribbling, and then begins to dribble again.

Fast Break: An offensive action where a team attempts to advance the ball and score as quickly as possible after a steal, blocked shot or rebound.

Match the terms with the explanations

Lay-up
Fast break
Steal
Rebound

a) Cause a turnover

b) Move the ball into the scoring position

c) Retrieve the ball after a missed shot

d) A shot close to the basket

TYPES OF PASSES

Players use different passes to forward the ball to a teammate.

The baseball pass – executed e.g. from the baseline under the backboard after a successful basket – is a one hand pass to cover a long distance, executed high above the head to start e.g. a fast break. (A fast break is when the team quickly changes from defense to offense, usually after a successful rebound.)