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Basketball Is More Than Just Shooting Baskets

Involving yourself in a community where you can take part in an activity you

simultaneously both enjoy and thrive in, as well as benefitting yourself for the future can be very

useful. In my case, getting involved at UCF seemed to be the best decision. After playing

basketball for years, I had a desire to continue with the sport. I decided to join intramural

basketball during the fall semester which allowed me to continue to engage in the activity, with

the convenience of playing on any day that I choose. By taking part in intramural basketball at

UCF, I was setting myself up for both short and long-term success.

Method:

There is a plethora of ways to analyze different information. One useful way is the

method of activity theory. Activity theory is specifically used for understanding how people in

different communities carry out their activities (Activity Theory: An Introduction for the

Writing Classroom, 397). With various aspects or lenses associated with activity theory, it is

best to use the activity system lens to effectively analyze intramural basketball at UCF. An

activity system is a group of people who share a common object and motive over time, as well

as the wide range of tools they use together to act on that object and realize that motive

(Activity Theory: An Introduction for the Writing Classroom, 398). Activity systems, which are

similar to discourse communities, are analyzed by identifying the subject, community, divisions

of labor, rules, tools and motive (object and outcome). Seeing how all of these areas are linked

together in the activity system will provide the greatest understanding of how the community, or

in this instance, how intramural basketball functions.

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Results:

Intramural basketball at UCF is a basketball league where students, male and female, of

any skill level can participate at no charge. Whether its to stay active, continue playing because

you enjoy the sport, or even to try something new, intramural basketball is available to everyone,

although it is best suited for those who are physically able and willing to compete. It differs from

other leagues such as club or varsity basketball because the games are played at UCF amongst

the students rather than consisting of traveling and competing against other schools students. It

also does not limit the number of students who can participate. Games are played from Sunday

through Friday ranging from 4:30 in the afternoon to 10:30 at night. Your specific team is

designated to play on just one night of the week during the regular season. There is a total of five

regular season games on the schedule and once the regular season is completed, a playoff bracket

will be created consisting of every team. Matchups are randomized so regular season record is

not a factor. In the playoffs, games may take place on any night and the format is single

elimination. This eventually leads up to the championship game where one team will be named

intramural basketball champion. Both regular season and playoff games consist of twenty minute

halves so each game is scheduled to be approximately an hour long. Should the score be tied

after regulation time, a five-minute overtime will be awarded. The team with the highest score is

victorious.

Intramural basketball at UCF as a community is made up of a number of people, most

who collectively enjoy the game of basketball. The game as a whole is composed of students and

faculty. Students either come to compete on teams or to cheer on other students who are playing,

while faculty members make up the score table personnel, those who update the website and

game officials (referees). In some instances, there may also be a coach for the students
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competing. Coaches may be faculty or students. As members of intramural basketball come and

go, games may physically change but the dynamic will continue to function.

Among the students and faculty, there are separate roles that each person plays. Students

competing make up the two teams that are facing one another. The two teams each have a roster

of at least five players, one being the team captain who was appointed based on whoever created

the team. They are responsible for distributing game jerseys as well as discussing rules with

officials before the game begins. During game time, each individual team will have five players

on the court and the remaining players on the bench from each roster will have the opportunity to

substitute into the game for players on the court. If a team chooses to, they may have their five

players on the court assigned to the positions of point guard, shooting guard, small forward,

power forward and center, but this is not required. Each position carries a different role such as

the point guard being the best ball handler and the center usually being the tallest and best post

player. Teams may also have the option of running plays on offense or using certain strategies on

defense, but this is also not one hundred percent necessary. If a team has a coach, he or she may

assist with designating positions or plays. As for students who attend as fans, they are either

there to cheer on a specific player or players, cheer on a team, or to just be entertained by the

game. There are three separate jobs that faculty members may be assigned to at the score table.

The first job is operating the score board to show each teams score, number of fouls and time

remaining in the game. The next job is doing the score book, which keeps track of the same

things as the score board but just verifies that everything is correct. The last job is identifying

players on each team and making sure they are eligible to play by checking student IDs before

the game and keeping track of substitutes during the game. Any faculty members who work on

the website will update all the information on the games that have been played as well as
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ongoing matchups. Game officials have a much more difficult role than anyone working at the

score table or on the website. They keep everything under control during the game. There are

typically three game officials during each game and they do anything from making the correct

placement when players are inbounding the ball to making foul calls to verifying that the score

board is correct. They must also enforce all of the rules associated with intramural basketball,

which is most critical. With each of the roles presented, the game is able to easily flow without

issue.

Certain rules may vary depending on the school but the majority follow at least the basic

rules of basketball in general. At UCF, basic rules are enforced as well as a few unique rules.

Without going into too much detail, some of the basic rules are things such as foul calls

(blocking, charging, flagrant 1 or 2, technical, etc.), violations (traveling, double dribble, 3

seconds, etc.) and ball placement (inbound passes, possession after timeout, etc.). Some rules

that are unique to UCF are the length of the games, players must wear either designated or

personalized team jerseys, teams get three timeouts per game, and players must check in with a

valid UCF ID. With these rules standing out the most, all other rules associated with intramural

basketball at UCF can be found in a handbook provided on the IM League website.

There is an abundance of tools that allow intramural basketball to function. For anyone

who wants to participate, UCF uses the IM Leagues website that was mentioned earlier. The

website allows students to sign up and gives them the option to create a team or join any team as

a free agent. The process is simple because it displays all of the days and times that are available

to choose from as well as which teams need new players or not. The website also keeps track of

each teams wins and losses during the season and once playoffs arrive, it will have the playoff

bracket (http://www.imleagues.com/spa/league/f1ad1eb195824724af1ef82ff7e2f1e3/home). The

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courts that games take place on are provided at UCFs Recreation and Wellness Center. Courts

2-6, all regulation size, are used on a daily basis. Most obvious, the game is played with a

basketball that is also regulation size (28.5 for women and 29.5 for men). Players are required to

wear jerseys and they may also wear anything that might help them during the game. This could

include basketball shoes, shooting sleeves, sweatbands, etc. Score table personnel use the

scoreboard and score book to keep track of details about the game. Lastly, referees wear the

typical black and white striped uniform and control the game using their whistles as stoppage on

various circumstances. Each tool mentioned plays a pivotal role in how the game is effectively

played.

Competing in intramural basketball at UCF allows students to be a part of something that

they believe can benefit them. Some students want to get better at basketball or just want to

enjoy playing the sport. Altogether, it is able to give students the immediate reward of whatever

their objective may be. Based on teams, their goal is usually to win each week and improve.

When it comes time for the playoffs, every team wants to continue to advance and eventually

win the championship. Winning a championship in intramural basketball is a privilege because it

is very difficult to do considering the number of teams involved and the format of the playoff

system.

Analysis:

The subject, community, divisions of labor, rules, tools, and motive of intramural

basketball are like several webs attaching to different areas rather than like a chain where there is

a set link of one relying on the other to allow it to grow. Each area coexists. Intramural

basketball as a whole would be nothing if one area was not incorporated. If no one participated,
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there would be no intramural basketball. If people did not do their job, the game would not run

smoothly. Likewise, you need all of the tools to play the game because not one tool is more

important than the next. Without rules, the game would be chaotic. If you have no reason to play,

then why participate in the first place.

Each part that makes up intramural basketball at UCF is linked together to create a

community that functions to the best of its ability. Taking certain parts out would cause the game

to crumble. For example, if there is no basketball, then what would you dribble and shoot with?

Or if there are no game officials, then who will enforce the rules? Things like this are what make

the community so complex. Every part relies on each other allowing it to properly function.

Discussion:

After playing intramural basketball at UCF and using the activity system concept to

analyze how it functions, I can determine that the information presented justifies the notion that I

gain several benefits from participating. It is evident that while taking part in intramural

basketball, I am engaged in an activity where I am immediately gaining the satisfaction of

playing the sport that I enjoy as well as acquiring the health benefits associated with its physical

nature. While participating, I constantly test my skills and abilities in hopes to continue

improving. Being a part of a team involves dedication and teamwork. If you want to win games,

you cannot slack off and try to take things on by yourself. These are two traits that can carry over

into any field or activity in the future. Overall, intramural basketball at UCF has been a great

community to be a part of and it has given me several benefits from participating.