Basket Ball

BASKETBALL

Basketball is a game played between two teams of five players each on a rectangular court. Each team tries to score by tossing the ball through the opponents’ goal, which is an elevated horizontal hoop and net called a basket.

THE BASKETBALL COURT AND THE GAME EQUIPMENT

Basketball courts come in different sizes based on the level and type of basketball being played. A professional NBA court is 94’ x 50’ (28.65m x 15.24m). Courts are comprised of several foundational components:

i. The baskets,

ii. The three-point arcs

iii. Free-throw (foul) lines

iv. The half court line.

Indoor courts are usually made with polished wood (often maple), while outdoor courts are typically made from paving, concrete, or asphalt.

Behind the basket is a backboard measuring 1.8m by 1.22m.The ball is called a basketball and is an orange inflated ball. There is a men's ball (size 7) and a women's ball (size 6). A men's ball is about 9.55 inches (24.26 cm) in diameter and a women's ball is about 9.23 inches (23.44 cm) in diameter and in weight from 510-624 g.

THE GAME

At the beginning of the first period of a game, the ball is put into play by a jump ball at Centre court; i.e., the referee tosses the ball up between the opposing centers, higher than either can jump, and when it descends each tries to tap it to one of his teammates, who must remain outside the Centre circle until the ball is tapped. Subsequent periods of professional and college games begin with a throw in from out-of-bounds. Jump balls are also signaled by the officials when opposing players share possession of the ball (held ball) or simultaneously cause it to go out-of- bounds.

A player who takes possession of the ball must pass or shoot before taking two steps or must start dribbling before taking his second step. When the dribble stops, the player must stop his movement and pass or shoot the ball. The ball may be tapped or batted with the hands, passed, bounced, or rolled in any direction.

The basketball game consists of four quarters of 10 - 15 minutes each. Teams play one-way for two quarters, the other way for the next two. There is a two-minute interval between the first and second period, and also between the third and fourth period, with 15 minutes for halftime. After two quarters or half-time, the teams switch sides on the court. The team with more points at the end of the four quarters wins the match. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the game can go into an overtime period.

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the game shall continue with as many

overtimes of 5 minutes duration each as necessary to break the tie.

A limited number of time-outs, clock stoppages requested by a coach for a short meeting with the players, are allowed. They generally last no longer than one minute

Substitutions are unlimited but can only be done when play is stopped. Teams also have a coach, who oversees the development and strategies of the team, and other team personnel such as assistant coaches, managers, statisticians, doctors and trainers.

Fundamentals in shooting

To shoot accurately, square your shoulders to the basket and place your feet shoulder length apart. With your knees bent slightly and back leaning towards the basket, put the fingers of your shooting hand under the ball and tuck your elbows close to your body.

Flick your wrist towards the hoop to release the shot. Your index finger should follow through facing the basket after releasing the ball.

Here are a few commonly used types of shooting in basketball.

1. Jump Shot

A jump shot is most frequently used for a mid to long-range shots, including shooting beyond the arc. To achieve balance when facing the basket for a jump shot, you have to take a wide stance, usually, shoulder width apart, bend your knees and square your shoulders. Make a fluid, explosive upward leap and at the apex of the jump, follow through by shooting the ball.

When the ball is released at the apex of the jump shot, keep your elbows straight to ensure that it is pointed in the direction of the basket. Concentrate on the flicking of your wrist and holding it in position to provide the ball with momentum and spin.

2. Hook Shot

A hook shot is when the shot is made while your body is not directly facing the basket. To execute a shoot shot, you need to face the basket sideways so that your shooting hand dribbling the ball is facing away from the basket. This is also the stance to help guard the ball against your opponent. This makes it difficult for your opponent to try to block the shot due to the distance created between you and your defender.

To make the shot, jump with your left foot pushing off the ground if you’re making a right- handed shot or vice versa. The shooting arm should be slightly bent, and it should thrust upwards as the ball is lobbed with a flick of the wrist.

3. Bank Shot

A bank shot is when any shot made where the ball hits the backboard before heading into the net. To execute a bank shot, treat it as though you’re taking a jump shot but this time, aim slightly higher by shooting for the backboard. Jumping higher can also sometimes mean jumping slightly backwards when aiming for the basket to prevent defenders from blocking the shot.

The ball should not be hitting the rim too much after bouncing off the backboard. The ball should then bounce off the backboard and into the net.

4. Free Throw

A free throw is a shot attempt given to a player that was fouled and it is taken on the free throw line. The player must stay behind the free throw line when taking the shot. Before attempting to shoot, one must maintain their balance. Find the nail or dot in the middle of the free throw line and line your shooting foot against it. For right-handed shooters, the shooting foot will be the right foot and vice versa. Your elbow on your shooting hand must be lined up to make an “L” right under the ball with fingers spread out for the backspin. Aim for the back of the rim with your eyes focusing on the rims, do not look at the ball while you execute the shot. Follow through your shot by keeping your hands up in the air for a second or two after releasing the ball.

5. Layup

A layup is a shot made from short range by a player moving towards the basket. Usually utilizing the backboard if he approaches the hoop from an angle. This is also one of the most basic and common way of scoring a basket in the game.

To execute a layup, dribble the ball towards the basket. If you’re on the right flank, dribble the ball with your right hand.

At the three-point line, or within two metres from the basket, take two giant strides towards the hoop and attempt to score by throwing the ball at the top corner of the backboard or lay the ball gently into the basket.

6. Slam Dunk

The dunk is usually the most spectacular shot and is one of the toughest feats in basketball. It usually requires more jumping ability than shooting skills. To execute a slam dunk, dribble and charge towards the hoop when ready to execute the dunk. Jump explosively to get as high as possible and leap towards the hoop. Lift the ball above the rim and push or slam it forcefully through the rim.

Points can be accumulated by making field goals/ field baskets two or three points. Free throw goals accumulate one point.

If a player makes a field goal from within the three-point line, the player scores two points.

If the player makes a field goal from outside the three-point line, the player scores three points.

1 Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.

Offensive -The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking defenders, known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get some offensive rebounds and put-backs.

Defensive - On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.

2 Forwards. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.

Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.

Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.

2 Guards. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.

Offensive -Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.

Defensive - On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out.

MATCH OFFICIALS

During a competitive game of basketball there are two referees, a scorekeeper, timekeeper and a shot clock operator. To ensure that everybody is aware of a decision made, the referees perform a series of hand and arm signals.

TIME RULES

i. 24 SECOND CLOCK

Once a team gains control of the basketball, that team has 24 seconds to put up a legal shot. A legal shot is defined as a shot that is successful, or if unsuccessful, hits the ring. Violation to this rule results in a turnover to their opponents/ possession is awarded to the opposing team.

ii. 8 SECONDS RULE

When a team gains possession of the ball, they need to move the ball into the opposing team's half of the court within 8 seconds. Due to this violation ball possession would be awarded to the opposing team.

iii. 5 SECONDS RULE

A player shall not hold the ball for 5 seconds or dribble the ball for five seconds while closely guarded. A player is considered to be closely guarded if they have control of the ball in the front court, and is guarded by an opponent who is within 6 feet of the player with possession. This violation leads to a turn over.

iv. 3 SECOND RULE Defensive 3 seconds rule

The three seconds rule requires that in basketball, a player shall not remain in their team's foul lane for more than three consecutive seconds while that player's team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt and the game clock is running. The team committing a defensive three-second violation is assessed a team technical foul. The offense receives one free throw and retains possession of the ball.

Offensive 3 seconds rule

An offensive player must not stay in the opponents’ restricted area for more than 3 seconds without the ball. Violation of this rule leads to a turn over.

FOULS

1. Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact. Examples are:

i. Hitting

ii. Pushing

iii. Slapping

iv. Holding

v. Illegal pick/screen - when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.

Personal foul penalties: If a player is fouled while attempting a 2 point shot, then he/she is awarded two free throws if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.

· Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled while shooting for a three-point shot and they miss their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one free throw. Thus, he could score four points on the play.

· Inbounds. If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul was committed upon. They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of bounds, and have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court.

· One & one. If the team committing the foul has seven or more fouls in the game, then the player who was fouled is awarded one free throw. If he makes his first shot, then he is awarded another free throw.

· Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then the fouled player receives two free throws.

Charging. An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a defensive player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed upon.

Blocking. Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.

Flagrant foul. Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and punching. This type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of the ball after the free throws.

Intentional foul. When a player makes physical contact with another player with no reasonable effort to steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.

2. Technical foul. Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups.

VIOLATIONS

Walking/Traveling. Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.

Carrying/palming. When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side of or, sometimes, even under the ball.

Double Dribble. Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or picking up the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.

Held ball. Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.

Goaltending. If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward the basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, or while it's in the cylinder above the rim, it's goaltending and the shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, the attacking team is awarded two points if the shot was within the 3 point area and 3 points if the shot was executed behind the 3 point line.

Backcourt violation. Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line, they cannot go back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to the other team to pass inbounds.

Time restrictions. A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the ball. If he does not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include the rule that a player cannot have the ball for more than five seconds when being closely guarded and, in some states and levels, shot-clock restrictions requiring a team to attempt a shot within a given time frame.

THE GOVERNING BODY

FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, is the world governing body for basketball. Founded in 1932, we bring together 212 National Basketball Federations from all over the world. Its headquarters is in Mies, Switzerland

In Kenya, Kenyan Basketball Federation (KBF) works under the rules of FIBA to organize basketball activities in the country such as training officials and organizing the famous Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League games.

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