CHAPTER 2 – BASKETBALL
“To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you
get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in
touch. Don't isolate.”
― Michael Jordan
1. CHAPTER 2 – BASKETBALL
Overview of the Lesson
This unit tends to broaden student’s concept in playing different kinds of team
sports like Basketball. Physical Education is a process through which individual obtains
optimal physical, mental, emotional, social skills and fitness through physical activities.
These physical activities include all movements that can contribute to improve health.
Students of all ages playing games and engaging recreational activities to maintain
good health. The main purpose of the sports program whether it is an Individual & Dual
Sports or Team Sports is to optimize quality of life through enjoyable physical activities
and sport experience. The history of the development of modern basketball is a very
long and complex one. The following accounts for the history of the game.
2. LESSON 2 HISTORY OF BASKETBALL
HISTORY OF BASKETBALL
Basketball History: Origin of the Sport
In contrast to other sports, basketball has a clear origin. It is not the evolution from an
ancient game or another sport and the inventor is well known: Dr. James Naismith.
Naismith was born in 1861 in Ramsay township, Ontario, Canada. He graduated as a
physician at McGill University in Montreal and was primarily interested in sports
physiology.
In 1891, while working as a physical education teacher at the YMCA International
Training School (today, Springfield College) in the United States, Naismith was faced
with the problem of finding in 14 days an indoor game to provide "athletic distraction"
for the students at the School for Christian Workers (Naismith was also a Presbyterian
minister).
James Naismith and the original basketball elements, a soccer ball and a peach
basketAfter discarding the idea of adapting outdoor games like soccer and lacrosse,
Naismith recalled the concept of a game of his school days known as duck-on-a-rock
that involved accuracy attempting to knock a "duck" off the top of a large rock by
tossing another rock at it.
Starting from there, Naismith developed a set of 13 rules that gave origin to the game
of basketball.
Of course it was not exactly as we know it today. The first game was played with a
soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed 10-feet high used as goals, on a court just half
the size of a present-day court. The baskets retained their bottoms so balls scored into
the basket had to be poked out with a long dowel each time and dribbling (bouncing of
the ball up and down while moving) was not part of the original game.
The sport was an instant success and thanks to the initial impulse received by the YMCA
movement, basketball's popularity quickly grew nationwide and was introduced in many
nations. Although Naismith never saw the game develop into the spectacular game we
know these days, he had the honor to witness basketball become an Olympic sport at
the 1936 Games held in Berlin.
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Written by Robert Sampson in Basketball
1. Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Written by Robert Sampson in Basketball
The dimensions of a basketball court play an important role in how the game is played.
For example, getting the right distance to the free throw line is a big deal when you’re
going to spend hours and hours practicing.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) official court size is 94 feet long by 50 feet
wide, where the international court is a bit smaller. The FIBA (International Basketball
Federation) rules state the court size should be 91.9 feet long by 49.2 feet wide for
international basketball games.
There are also different size courts for high school, parks, and some college basketball
games, with different distances for line markings like the 3-point line. Keep reading for
detailed dimensions and free diagrams of the different court set ups.
Even though basketball court dimensions will differ between organization or level of
school, they aren’t too far off from each other either. Here’s a helpful chart to show the
different basketball court dimensions quickly before we dive into more detail.
Court Type
Length
Width
Free Throw
3-Point Line
NBA
94′
50′
15′
23.75′
FIBA
91.9′
49.2′
15.09′
22.15′
NCAA
94′
50′
15′
22.15′
High School
84′
50′
15′
19.75
Notice how almost all of the free throw distances are 15 feet, or close to it. The 3-point
line distance is pretty close across the board, but high school basketball courts are
around 10 feet smaller and have a shorter 3-point line distance.
NBA Court Dimensions
An NBA court will be 94 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at 47 feet,
directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the
court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 23.75′ or
23’9′ from the center of the hoop.
Here’s a handy diagram of an NBA basketball court with dimensions.
Here are some more details about the court line markings and dimensions of an NBA
basketball court.
Court Size – 94′ by 50′
The Key – 16′ wide with backboard extending 4′ onto the court into the key. A 6′ radius
half circle extends away from the basket at the top of the key.
Foul Line – 19′ from the baseline (edge of the court) and 15′ away from the backboard.
3-Point Line – The 3-point line is 22′ feet from the basket on the sides of the court and
23’9″ from the basket around the arc of the 3-point line.
Restricted Arc – A half circle with a radius of 4′ under the basket where players can not
draw charging fouls.
Backboard – 72″ wide by 42″ tall with an inner square 24″ wide by 18″ tall.
Rim/Hoop – Top of rim is 10′ from the ground and 18″ in diameter.
Line Markings – All line markings are 2″ wide.
FIBA Court Dimensions
A FIBA court will be 91.9 feet in length by 49.2 wide, with the half court line at 45.95 feet,
directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the
court and 15.09 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′
from the center of the hoop.
I was crazy to me that the international court dimensions were so weirdly close to
college or NBA courts, but off enough to make things difficult. The reason being is that
the international courts needed to be done in metric rather than feet and inches. So
they came up with nice round numbers in the metric system that translates to odd and
difficult numbers to work with.
If you look at the FIBA court dimensions in meters, it makes a bit more sense. A FIBA
court is 28 meters long by 15 meters wide. These courts are necessary to play on if we
want to play basketball in the Olympics and other international competitions.
Here’s a quick video explaining the differences NBA players have to overcome to play
internationally.
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Written by Robert Sampson in Basketball
1. Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram and Measurements
Written by Robert Sampson in Basketball
The dimensions of a basketball court play an important role in how the game is played.
For example, getting the right distance to the free throw line is a big deal when you’re
going to spend hours and hours practicing.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) official court size is 94 feet long by 50 feet
wide, where the international court is a bit smaller. The FIBA (International Basketball
Federation) rules state the court size should be 91.9 feet long by 49.2 feet wide for
international basketball games.
There are also different size courts for high school, parks, and some college basketball
games, with different distances for line markings like the 3-point line. Keep reading for
detailed dimensions and free diagrams of the different court set ups.
Even though basketball court dimensions will differ between organization or level of
school, they aren’t too far off from each other either. Here’s a helpful chart to show the
different basketball court dimensions quickly before we dive into more detail.
Court Type
Length
Width
Free Throw
3-Point Line
NBA
94′
50′
15′
23.75′
FIBA
91.9′
49.2′
15.09′
22.15′
NCAA
94′
50′
15′
22.15′
High School
84′
50′
15′
19.75
Notice how almost all of the free throw distances are 15 feet, or close to it. The 3-point
line distance is pretty close across the board, but high school basketball courts are
around 10 feet smaller and have a shorter 3-point line distance.
NBA Court Dimensions
An NBA court will be 94 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at 47 feet,
directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the
court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 23.75′ or
23’9′ from the center of the hoop.
Here’s a handy diagram of an NBA basketball court with dimensions.
Here are some more details about the court line markings and dimensions of an NBA
basketball court.
Court Size – 94′ by 50′
The Key – 16′ wide with backboard extending 4′ onto the court into the key. A 6′ radius
half circle extends away from the basket at the top of the key.
Foul Line – 19′ from the baseline (edge of the court) and 15′ away from the backboard.
3-Point Line – The 3-point line is 22′ feet from the basket on the sides of the court and
23’9″ from the basket around the arc of the 3-point line.
Restricted Arc – A half circle with a radius of 4′ under the basket where players can not
draw charging fouls.
Backboard – 72″ wide by 42″ tall with an inner square 24″ wide by 18″ tall.
Rim/Hoop – Top of rim is 10′ from the ground and 18″ in diameter.
Line Markings – All line markings are 2″ wide.
FIBA Court Dimensions
A FIBA court will be 91.9 feet in length by 49.2 wide, with the half court line at 45.95 feet,
directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the
court and 15.09 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′
from the center of the hoop.
I was crazy to me that the international court dimensions were so weirdly close to
college or NBA courts, but off enough to make things difficult. The reason being is that
the international courts needed to be done in metric rather than feet and inches. So
they came up with nice round numbers in the metric system that translates to odd and
difficult numbers to work with.
If you look at the FIBA court dimensions in meters, it makes a bit more sense. A FIBA
court is 28 meters long by 15 meters wide. These courts are necessary to play on if we
want to play basketball in the Olympics and other international competitions.
Here’s a quick video explaining the differences NBA players have to overcome to play
internationally.
URL:
Play Video
College Basketball Court Dimensions
An NCAA basketball court will be 94 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at
47 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of
the court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′
from the center of the hoop.
The NCAA basketball court dimensions are very similar to the NBA with the exception of
the 3-point line being slight closer. About a foot and a half distance can make a big deal
if you get used to shooting on a college court and move to the NBA, but it doesn’t seem
to be a big hurdle for the professional players.
High School Basketball Court Dimensions
A high school basketball court will be 84 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court
line at 42 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the
edge of the court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line
is 19’9″ from the center of the hoop.
The high school basketball court key and free throw line matches the NBA distances.
The court is about 10 feet shorter in length, but is the same width as a college level or
NBA court.
The three point line is significantly closer to the hoop on a high school basketball court,
partly because the court it shorter, but also to allow the players at that skill level an
opportunity to make those 3-point shots.
Basketball Hoop Height
The top of the basketball hoop is 10 feet from the ground on all regulation basketball
courts including the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, and high school basketball courts. Basketball
rims, sometimes referred to as the hoop or basket, are a regulation 18 inches in
diameter.
It’s recommended that 8 to 10 year olds play on an 8 foot rim height, and 11 year olds
play on a 9 foot rim height. This way younger players can gradually get used to the
height of a basketball hoop without being discouraged from playing the game early on.
Basketball Backboard Dimensions
The regulation dimensions of a basketball backboard are 72 inches wide by 42 inches
tall with an inner square to help players aim for the backboard measuring 24 inches
wide by 18 inches tall. This translates to a backboard 6 feet wide by 3.5 feet tall for
regulation basketball courts.
Basketball backboards sold for recreational or training basketball play are sold in a
variety of sizes. The most common being 60, 54, 52, 48, and 44 inches wide. For a typical
two car driveway, a 54 or 60 inch backboard is most commonly used and is fitting for a
court that size.
RULE ONE – THE GAME
1. RULE ONE – THE GAME
Art. 1 Definitions
1.1 Basketball game
Basketball is played by 2 teams of 5 players each. The aim of each team is to score in
the opponents' basket and to prevent the other team from scoring.
The game is controlled by the referees, table officials and a commissioner, if present.
1.2 Basket: opponents'/own
The basket that is attacked by a team is the opponents' basket and the basket which
is defended by a team is its own basket.
1.3 Winner of a game
The team that has scored the greater number of game points at the end of playing
time shall be the winner.
RULE TWO – PLAYING COURT AND EQUIPMENT
Art. 2 Playing court
2.1 Playing court
The playing court shall have a flat, hard surface free from obstructions (Diagram 1)
with dimensions of 28 m in length by 15 m in width measured from the inner edge of
the boundary line.
2.2 Backcourt
A team's backcourt consists of its team's own basket, the inbounds part of the
backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind its own
basket, the sidelines and the centre line.
2.3 Frontcourt
A team's frontcourt consists of the opponents' basket, the inbounds part of the
backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind the
opponents' basket, the sidelines and the inner edge of the centre line nearest to the
opponents' basket.
2.4 Lines
All lines shall be of the same colour and drawn in white or other contrasting colour,
5 cm in width and clearly visible.
2.4.1 Boundary line
The playing court shall be limited by the boundary line, consisting of the endlines and
the sidelines. These lines are not part of the playing court.
Any obstruction including seated head coach, first assistant coach, substitutes,
excluded players and accompanying delegation members shall be at least 2 m from
the playing court.
2.4.2 Centre line, centre circle and free-throw semi-circles
The centre line shall be marked parallel to the endlines from the mid-point of the
sidelines. It shall extend 0.15 m beyond each sideline. The centre line is part of the
backcourt.
The centre circle shall be marked in the centre of the playing court and have a radius
of 1.80 m measured to the outer edge of the circumference.
The free-throw semi-circles shall be marked on the playing court with a radius of
1.80 m measured to the outer edge of the circumference and with their centres at the
mid-point of the free-throw lines (Diagram 2
The Rules
Basketball is a team sport.
Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated
10 feet above the ground.
The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each
end.
The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.
If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds
to get the ball over the mid-court line.
If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball.
Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have
possession of the ball in the area behind the midcourt line.
If it does, the defense is awarded the ball.
court (4K)
Basketball Court 1
The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team
with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense.
The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
Points
When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other
team.
If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket is worth
three points. A free throw is worth one point.
Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of
fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed.
Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter,
depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three-point line,
then he gets three shots.
Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number
have accumulated during a half (called “team fouls”).
Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1'
opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses
the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.
Game Clock
Each game is divided into sections, and all levels have two halves.
In college, each half is twenty minutes long.
In high school and below, the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six) minute
quarters. In the pros, quarters are twelve minutes long.
There is a gap of several minutes between halves. Gaps between quarters are relatively
short.
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then overtime periods of various lengths are
played until a winner emerges.
Basket Assignment and Tip-Off
Also, each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend.
This means that the other basket is their scoring basket.
At halftime, the teams switch goals.
The game begins with one player from either team at center court.
A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the
ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off.
Fouls and Violations
In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways for a team
to get the ball.
One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.
FOULS
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Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.
Hitting
Pushing
Slapping
Holding
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 shooting while a being fouled, then he gets 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
goal 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.
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, it's a violation and the ball is awarded to the
opposing team for a throw-in.
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.
Player Positions
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.
Forward. 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.
Guard. 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.
BASIC SKILLS IN BASKETBALL
BASIC SKILLS IN BASKETBALL
JUMPING
Jumping is another skill that can define how good a basketball player is. Jumping is
involved in offense during the jump ball in the beginning, while taking shots and
sometimes while trying to catch a pass. On defensive you will need the ability to jump
when trying to block a shot or a pass. Being able to out jump your opponent for a
rebound also is important.
DRIBBLING
Dribbling is an important skill for all basketball players. This skill will allow you to move
up and down the court, maneuver past defenders and execute plays. Proper dribbling
requires ball-handling skills and knowledge of how to spread your fingers for ball
control. It is also best if you know how to dribble equally well with both hands.
SHOOTING
In order to score points in basketball, you need to shoot the ball into the hoop.
This requires the ability to properly hold and throw the ball into the air toward the
basket while avoiding defenders. A proper shot requires precise aiming, arm
extension and lift from the legs. There are different types of shots you need to
learn, including jump shots, layups and free throws.
RUNNING
Running is a big part of basketball. In a full-court game, you will find yourself running back and
forth as the game quickly transitions between offense and defense. When you have the ball,
running will help you to avoid defenders and get to the basket quicker. On defense, you often
will find yourself needing to run after the opponent, especially during fast breaks.
PASSING
Passing is another skill that when mastered can help you become a complete
basketball player. Basketball is a team sport that involves finding a teammate who
is open for a shot. The ability to pass the ball to this player can make the
difference between scoring and not scoring. Really great passers are an important
part of a basketball team and usually the ones who set up scoring plays.