Basketball Study Guide

History

 Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith

in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
 Dr. Naismith was a college professor who
wanted to create a game that his physical
education classes could play inside during the
long winters.
 The first games used peach baskets nailed to
the wall for rims. The first ball used was a
soccer ball.
 The Game
 Basic Rules of Basketball
 The object of a basketball game is to score points by making
field goals or free throw shots. There are two opposing teams,
each with five players.

 A game commences with a jump ball at center court. Each team

then tries to recover the ball and make baskets in their
opponents basket.

 The rim of the basket is 10 feet from the floor.\

 A varsity high game consists of four 8 minute quarters. A college

game consists of two 20 minute halves.
 Scoring
 A field goal (basket) scores two points if
shot inside the 3 point line/arc (19’9”). If
shot behind the 3 point line the basket is
worth 3 points

 A free throw is worth 1 point

 Team/Positions
 5 players
 1) Point Guard
 2) Shooting Guard
 3) Small Forward
 4) Power Forward
 5) Center
Court Dimensions
Court Terminology
 Definition of Terms
 Backcourt
 the area from the midcourt line to the end line (baseline) furthest
from the offense’s basket
 Blocking
 the use of a defender’s body position to illegally prevent an
opponent’s advance
 Dead ball
 any ball that is not live, occurs after each successful field goal or
free throw attempt, after any official’s whistle or if the ball leaves
the court. It stops play which is then resumed by a jump ball,
throw in, or free throw
 Defensive team
 the team that does not have the ball and is trying to prevent the
other team from scoring
 Definition of Terms
 Dribbling
 when a player repeatedly pushes, taps, or bats the ball towards
the ground with one hand. Used to advance the ball or keep
control of it

 Frontcourt
 the area between the midcourt line and the end line (baseline)
closest to the offense’s basket

 Free throw
 an unguarded shot taken from the free throw line (15 feet from
the backboard). Free throws are awarded to an offensive player
who was fouled while in the act of shooting by a defensive player
or if the foul occurred in the “bonus”
 Violations
 Violation- an infraction of the rules that
does not involve personal contact with the
opponent or unsportsmanlike conduct

 When a violation occurs the ball is called

dead and rewarded to the opposing team
for a throw in from the sideline nearest
where the violation occurred
 Violation Examples
 Traveling
 To move one's pivot foot illegally or to fall to the floor without maintaining a pivot foot.
Carrying/palming the ball is also considered traveling.
 Double dribble
 To dribble the ball with two hands at the same time (2) To dribble, stop, and then begin to
dribble again; Either act results in a loss of possession

 Stepping on the sideline while in possession of the ball

 5 seconds holding the ball

 10 seconds in the backcourt

 3 seconds in the lane (offensive player)

 Over & back

 Touching the ball in the backcourt after it has entered the frontcourt and was not last touched
by the other team.
 Fouls
 Foul
 an infraction of the rules that involves personal
contact with the opponent or unsportsmanlike conduct

 If a player is fouled while in the act of shooting

the ball he/she is rewarded free throws- 2 free
throws if the shot did not go in, 1 free throw if the
shot went in

 Each player is allowed 5 personal fouls. The

player is ejected from the game on the 5th foul
committed.
 Fouls

 “Bonus”
 After a team has seven fouls in a half, the opponent
is in the “bonus.” A bonus is awarded in the form of a
1&1 from the free throw line.

 “Double Bonus”
 After the 10th team foul in a half the opponent is in the
“double bonus” where the opponent’s player who was
fouled is given a 2 free throw opportunity
 Foul Examples

 Blocking-
 The use of a defender's body position to illegally
prevent an opponent's advance.
 Charging
 an offensive foul which occurs when an offensive
player runs into a defender who has establish
position.
 Hand Check
 Impeding the progress of an opponent with the illegal
use of hands.
 Basic Skills
 Dribbling
 Shooting
 Rebounding
 Defense
 Passing
 Chest pass
 Bounce pass
 Overhead pass