Basketball was first discovered by DR. James Naismith who was a Canadian physical instructor. It was first played in the winter of 1892 on January the 20th. Even though it was made and discovered by a man, women soon started to play the sport.

The sport is a team sport where there are nine players on each team when the team with the ball is trying to score they are trying to score in a hoop that is ten feet tall and there is also going to be a center that is trying to deflect the ball but cannot be goal tending. While the other team is dribbling down court towards the defending team the defending team is standing their ground waiting for the ball to come to their hoop. If the team with the ball scores the defending team is given the ball and is allowed to try to get basket unless the other defending team steals the ball then they could run down court and make a simple lay up. Basketball is a competitive sport and when being played both teams should be trying to get the most points that they can make.

The first basketball was a soccer ball which was white since the fans and announcers couldn’t keep up with the white ball the ball was changed to orange in the 1950s. The court is to be 94×50 which is going by the NBA standards. The goal is going to be ten foot tall with a steel hoop and net with it. There are to be 4 quarters with each of them lasting 12 minutes each. After the first two periods there is to be a fifteen minute break which is known as halftime when the period resumes to the 3rd period the teams switch baskets where they are now opposite to where they were playing before.

In the NBA today the players are required to wear matching jerseys to their teams and are required to have at least 9 players to a team. After the teams have been organized the game would start with a jump ball and either team with the highest person to jump would get the ball first hand to try and make a basket. If the team scored the defending team would then get the ball and would be allowed to try and score against the opposite team for a score of either two points or three points depending on where the shot be taken from. If the shot was missed by the offense then the defending team would be allowed to try and rebound the ball so that they could get a point without having to let the offense score. If the offense had missed a shot and the defense had recovered the ball that is known as a rebound and can be played.

There’s much more that can be said about the sport and this is the time of year when everyone is tuning in to see who is going to make it to the playoffs. Watch your favorite sports channel to follow your team and be sure not to miss March Madness.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about rock climbing as well as extreme sports equipment at http://www.nsearch.com

Michael Jeffery Jordan is probably one of the most well known names in the world of basketball. He was born on February 17, 1963 in New York City. Jordan was responsible for making National Basketball Association or the NBA famous, during the 1980s and 1990s. He is the fourth child of his parents, James R. Jordan, Sr. and Deloris Jordan.

As he developed his interest for basketball the high school he went to wouldn;t let him play because of his height, a few months later he went from being 5’11″ to 6’3″. He then got a basketball scholarship in 1981 from the University of North Carolina because of his impressive records in school. In the 1982 NCAA Championship game he made the game winning jump shot, as which he says is the turning point in his career and what made him what he is today.

He then started his pro career in 1984 when he signed with the Chicago Bulls. When he turned pro he was soon a public icon and he was also on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline, “A Star Is Born”. He won the NBA championship from 1991 to 1993 and was then known as the best basketball player around. Although many people disliked him, many loved to see him dunk from the free throw line. As that is what he was most famous for doing in those times and what gave him the nickname of Air Jordan. This is also the name of the signature shoes that just about every kid wants.

In October 1993, he took a temporary leave to go play baseball but wasn’t really good at it at all and the only reason he even left basketball was because of the loss of his father, he joined back in 1995 again. He then won it again by winning the NBA championships from 1996 to 1998. He then took another break again in 1999 to return back again in 2001, but this time he would join the Washington Wizards. He played with the team till 2003.

Michael Jordan was part of two award winning gold medalist Olympic teams. His first team won the first gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics and the second one was in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. He set a record in NBA by making the highest career regular season scoring average of 30.1 points per game. He was the best that ever lived I think and he was my favorite player for a number of years until Carmelo Anthony and Labron James started to play in the NBA. He will always be remembered as making history and he will always be the one who first dunked from the free throw line. Even though he was a small guy once he grew fast into the NBA.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about basketball as well as basketball equipment at http://www.nsearch.com

If someone were to tell you that basketball was created for white athletes and black players were both unable to understand the game or play well you would not only think that person is a racist, you would think they were absolutely insane. The thought that any race would be unable to play a sport is based on racial stereotypes and not founded in any sort of educational or real-life understanding.

However, in the 1960s, college basketball was dominated by such thoughts. Teams had black players on the roster, but usually only played one or two per game. All this changed in 1966, when small Texas Western College from El Paso, Texas won an NCAA championship. What made that team so special? Don Haskins, coach of Texas Western, started five black players and used them throughout the game. His all-black team managing to beat powerhouse Kentucky, changed the game of basketball forever.

Race relations

Don Haskins continually maintains that he did not look for five black players, but looked for five good players to start his basketball team in the NCAA championship. It was a marker in time, because previously no team had ever played an all-black starting lineup in a championship game. In fact, only earlier that year Don Haskins was the first to play on all-black starting lineup ever. The game marked a turn in time as people began to understand basketball was about athletic discipline and prowess, not the color of one’s skin. It took a few years for other colleges to catch up, but soon many colleges were recruiting from both black high schools and white high schools. Integration made its way through college basketball when Texas Western showed sports had no race.

Disciplined defense

One thing that distinguished Haskin’s coaching from other colleges was his stress on discipline and defense. When you look at a film of the 1966 championship game, you think that it would be exciting and full of offense. In fact, one of the stereotypes of black players was what they had no patience or control to manage the game and had to be balanced out with white players to keep focus. Not only was that categorically untrue, but Haskin’s emphasis was not on scoring as many points as you can before the buzzer. The team went on to the court to play a defensive game. His five-man defense kept most opponents down to a limited number of points scored against them. Texas Western’s wins were never high-scoring games, but his defense changed the way that NCAA basketball teams played the game.

Independence

Years later, Texas Western College went on to become the University of Texas at El Paso and incorporated into the Texas university system. In 1966 Texas Western was an independent college of the mines. It certainly should have been no match for a powerhouse basketball program like Kentucky. The win helped all small schools to realize that a basketball program was worth investing in. Although the conventional wisdom of the time was the big schools like Kentucky, Duke and Indiana have a lock on basketball success, small independent colleges with dedicated coaches and good players would be able to make the grade.

Once, basketball was a sport dominated by white coaches, white athletes and outdated racist ideas. The pivot point in that road was in 1966 when coach Don Haskins and the Texas Western miners played what many consider to be the Emancipation Proclamation of basketball and the most important game ever played

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Sinking man-for-man defense was made famous by Coach Hank Iba from Oklahoma State. Used properly, it becomes a strenuous, hardworking, multi-purpose defense. Used improperly, as is so often the case, sagging defense practices result in little more than a rest period for four men while one man gives token effort and attention to the ball handler.

The first task is to sell team members on the idea that when they sink or sag it is not a rest period. It is to be considered a strenuous, arm-waving, coordinated, cooperative effort by all five members. This effort should produce numerous deflections and a terrific psychological barrier to the offense. At its best the sinking man-for-man appears to be almost impenetrable. It appears to be a solid knot of arm-waving maniacs who will not allow a decent shot to be taken in the critical shooting area.

The sinking man-for-man is sometimes employed so effectively that the offense cannot determine the precise nature of the defense. Because of the sag and because of the arm-waving, the offense might well be led into thinking they are attacking a zone defense or a combination defense of some sort. This is especially true if the sinking man-for-man team uses switching tactics and does not call the switches so that the offense can hear them.

Sinking man-for-man is related to zone in other ways. It virtually eliminates pivot play. The offensive post man finds himself surrounded by four men while one of the defensive players harasses the ball handler. He finds it difficult to receive and even more difficult to do anything with the ball. Middle lane drives are eliminated. As a matter of fact, there is little ball movement as a result of passing or dribbling other than around the periphery or outside edges of the defense.

Sinking man-for-man defense creates ideal rebounding conditions. The defensive men are already nearer the goal than the offensive men. In this case, the sinking players are almost shoulder to shoulder and foot to foot when the ball hits the backboards. They present a solid human wall blocking out offensive players from the boards. The only real rebounding danger is that the block off will be executed too close to the goal so that wide rebounds are received by the offense.

Arm movement is of utmost importance to a good sinking man-for-man. Without arm movement by all five men, cross-court passes may be made that would take advantage of the off-side sag. Some offenses treat an attack of sinking man-for-man as though it were a zone. This means they move the ball around the periphery for a jump shot on the weak side. The sag could be hurt in this manner without good arm movement.

The most important single facet of sinking man-for-man defense is good harassment of the ball handler. Many coaches call this pointing the ball. The basic idea is to have all players cue their position by the position of the ball and its relationship with the goal. The player guarding the man who has possession will move in close to prevent the shot.

Basically, there are only two ways to defend against the ball handler in the front court. You can defend against the drive or defend against the shot. Some players are great drivers and poor shots. In this event it might be appropriate to defend primarily against the dribble threat. This would require the defensive player to back off. It is our belief that many high school and college players can shoot the jump shot so quickly and accurately that we must give our primary attention to the shot.

Therefore it is necessary for the man guarding the ball to move in close enough for arm movement to block the vision of the shooter. He should take his position in such a manner that the most dangerous driving route is cut off or overplayed. He is close enough to prevent a shot. The only real good alternative for the ball handler is a pass or dribble in the direction that is shown him.

Master this aspect of defense, and you have a good chance of winning the game!

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A good passing team is a beautiful sight to watch. A team that can handle the ball and pass well is a tough team to beat.

Many coaches will agree that passing is the most important fundamental in basketball. Throwing a ball is not passing! Passing is an art which is controlled by very definite fundamentals.

The usual passing situation is one in which an offensive player must get the ball by his immediate defensive man and to a teammate who is also guarded. Preferably the offensive man should be no more than three or four feet from the opponent he is attempting to bypass. By getting close, he shortens the pass and decreases the danger of the opponent deflecting or intercepting the ball. Many times during a game passes are thrown away because the passer is too far from his opponent.

Pass the ball to a teammate who is away from his defensive man in order to minimize the danger of interception. The receiver can help by coming out to meet the ball and offer a target away from his defensive man.

Do not make a blind pass! Choose your receiver! Learn to pass without staring at your receiver. Do not give your opponent the advantage of knowing where you will pass. Try to pass to a teammate by looking out of the corner of your eyes – split vision. The passer should see but not look at the intended receiver.

Pass the ball ahead of the receiver, waist high. Pass the ball so that it can be handled easily. A ball thrown hard at close range is difficult to handle. Chest-high passes are handled easily and they also enable the receiver to gain some time for his shooting and passing.

Never pass to a teammate cutting away from you with his back turned; wait until he has turned.

Do not pass to a player who is calling for the ball if you think he is cornered and will not be in position to receive your pass.

Keep the ball moving; never hold onto it! Holding the ball gives the defense a chance to get set. When you keep the ball active, the defense is more likely to make mistakes.

Use a fake when necessary! Fake to the left and right, fake up and down. Pass when you see an opening. Avoid cross-court passes, especially in front of the opponent’s basket. If they intercept the pass, they can easily score two points.

Do not force your passes once your team has possession of the ball; it is important to keep it until you make a score! While you have the ball the other team cannot score.

Many good passes are fumbled because of the inability of the receiver to catch the ball properly. In receiving a pass, keep your eyes on the ball. Receive it with relaxed hands, fingers spread with thumbs in. The receiver should give slightly, relaxing arms and shoulders.

From this position the player can receive and pass in one smooth motion without shifting his hands on the ball.

Passing Tips:
1. Do not use “blind” passes (looking one way and passing in the opposite direction).
2. Make your passes chest high.
3. Gauge the speed of the pass with that of the receiver.
4. Pass to the side of the receiver away from his guard.
5. Make the passes snappy and deceptive.
6. Get as close to your guard as possible before making the pass.
7. Never pass to a teammate cutting away from you with his back turned.
8. Use a fake whenever useful.
9. Avoid cross-court passes.
10. Do not force your passes.
11. Do not hold the ball; keep it moving.
12. Keep two hands on the ball so that you will be ready to dribble, shoot or pass.
13. Pass with your wrist and fingers, keeping the palms off the ball.
14. Meet the ball; do not wait for it.
15. Use bounce passes against big men.

Practice these points and you will become expert in passing.

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Being part of a basketball team or even leading the team requires certain tactics and strategies that must be put into play. The game of basketball is about a lot more than just shooting some hoops. It requires a lot of planning and preparation in making a strong team and helps the players to play their best.

Basketball is really a sport that requires someone who is a trained coach to lead a team. Coaches need to have the proper skills such as the knowledge about conditioning that is done on a daily basis so that players are limber and prepared for the game which also reduces any injuries caused from the stress of the game. Basketball is a game of high physical contact and it is intense physically therefore the team is required to be able to move around quickly and efficiently on the court. Part of the conditioning for basketball requires running practice, training and conditioning the team members to learn how to shoot the ball correctly, dribble, and utilize their offense and defense at all times.

It is also a job of the coach to ensure the safety of his players during conditioning as well as during the game. Basketball is a game where there is a high risk of injury because of the pushing, the running, and the nature of the speed involved. It is also very important that once a player sustains an injury regardless of the magnitude of it that the coach does not push the player and add further strain to the injury. It is essential that any injuries are taken care of in their entirety before the player returns to the game.

Both physical and mental preparation need to be addressed for each and every game. A player can be in top notch physical condition but if the player is not mentally right it is likely that he will not perform well in that game. Respect is a very large part of the game and players need to understand that during the game and also during practices. It is the coach’s job to make sure that players walk away from a game feeling both physically and mentally good in the event of a win or a loss.

Coaching a game such as basketball requires diligence constantly and players need a continual understanding of the game and its basics. This has to be done consistently and with a firm but at the same time caring hand. Coaches are very special
people that can leave a lasting impression on players for years to come. Players will need continual reinforcement and believe it or not need to understand how to both win and lose effectively.

Having the right mindset is extremely important when it comes to playing any game at all and so is morale. Teams that have not unified and that have low morale will essentially have low numbers of wins as well. The responsibility of this lies largely in part of the coach as it is his job to make sure that no matter what morale stays high.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about basketball as well as sports gear at http://www.nsearch.com

If you have decided that you want to coach a basketball team you will want to start with the bare minimum and that is to know and understand the essentials of the game and the core concepts. Once you grasp this part of coaching you will be able to get all of the players on the same page and coordinate a game that everyone loves to participate in as well as to watch.

Basic concepts include the obvious, such as having to opposing teams. Although there will be more players on your team, only five are allowed on the playing court at one time. The goal here, although it may seem simple, is to have each team work together to try and get the basketball thrown through the hoop. Sounds easy enough but you have to remember and never underestimate the opposing team’s defense. Getting the ball through the hoop is how points are scored and like most other games, the high scoring teams, wins. Again, sounds fairly simple but now you have to factor in the rules of what is allowed and what is not. This always makes things just a bit tougher.

For example, when the ball is in play, a holding call will be placed on the player by the referee if the ball is held too long. This gives the team a penalty and allows the opposing team to either gain control of the ball or in some cases the referee gives the opposing team what is called a free shot. During the free shot a designated player is allowed to throw the ball without any interference from opposition. The ball has to be thrown from a specified distance as well. Dribbling is a huge part of the game of basketball. Dribbling is the fast short strokes that a player bounces the ball continuously while it is in motion or play. The dribbling also has to occur within a specified area of the playing court at all times or the referee will call the play or the ball out of bounds.

Basketball has been enjoyed in the United States since around 1891. It was developed for the intent of giving rugby players a way to stay in shape during their off season. Back then, rugby was a very popular sport but it did not take long for the country to embrace the game of basketball and soon after the YMCA gymnasiums were formally accepting the game as well as developing regulations and rules that are still adhered to today. Basketball is now an international sport and is recognized by the National Basketball Association (NBA). Basketball is also accepted and enjoyed on a professional level where literally millions of spectators pay for tickets to entertain the sport of basketball.

Because of the explosive growth of basketball coaching has also become a multi million dollar business as well. Coaches have had to literally develop an art to coaching by teaching teams how to interact and work as a team towards the same objectives.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about coaching basketball as well as basketball equipment at http://www.nsearch.com

Any rookie fan is sure to have questions about the game of basketball. They want to learn all about the game that made the NBA famous. They see the NBA trademark on everything from tee-shirts to jerseys and hear about all of the fine basketball players that very vividly earn their salaries on the court each week. Seeing the game action firsthand, however, requires them to understand what is going on in front of them.

There are so many things to consider when they enter an NBA arena. They have to become educated on the basketball game court because there are so many lines and half circles and so much distance between the two hoops. They might even wonder if the players will ever be able to reach the hoops and that thought will quickly change when the team comes out of the back and runs across the court.

Fans will quickly realize that professional basketball is dramatically different from the basketball that they experienced at their school gym in high school. They might even have to find out the new rules for fouls and other violations that have made NBA Basketball so thrilling on television. So many games have been one by one free throw from an NBA player who was violated in some way on the court.

A true understanding of the game that made the NBA so famous will come only after a fan has a thorough understanding of the positions of the NBA players and all of the terms that are used throughout the game. Some of these terms are used by the officials of the basketball game and others are uttered by the announcers of the game. The daily newspapers is sure to use a few well placed words to talk about the game too and getting the full affect of the game they saw makes it all worthwhile.

When learning about basketball, fans will usually realize that there are many different styles in play on the court. Some of the styles will come through the influence that coaches have on a players time on the court. There are other styles in place that are indicative of which conference the team plays in. Some of the styles are the NBA basketball player’s signature moves, and those are what have made the player so famous thus far in their NBA playing career.

To round out the education about the game of basketball, fans will typically pursue a thorough understanding of the NBA Draft and they will be sure to mark their calendars with the dates that the NBA Playoffs are supposed to be televised. Some might go as far as learning all about the NBA All-Star game. With a continual learning curve applied, fans can become very educated about basketball by the end of the basketball season.

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A decent share of the credit for a good defense can be traced to the mental attitude of the team’s players. Their defensive attitude should be aggressive. Too many athletes get the idea that defense is passive. Passivity creates negative actions. Aggressiveness is positive. The top defenders are all aggressive minded and aggressive acting athletes. Even while defending a goal, the players should all be inspired to think and act like attackers.

Where does the offensive attack begin? It starts on the opponent’s end of the floor when ball possession is gained. The outstanding defensive basketball player really believes he can jam the ball down the throat of the man he is guarding. He believes he can “shut him out” that particular evening. He knows that the real fun of basketball – the real sense of satisfaction – is in observing the frustrations of a top scorer he has just stymied for the evening.

The great defensive performer is ready to start guarding his man when he comes out of his dressing room and will guard him if he goes into the balcony and until the final whistle. He is ready to “hook up with” him, to “marry” him for that 32 or 40 minutes of action. The opponent should go home with the vague feeling that a “leech” or giant octopus has attacked him. He should have nightmares dreaming about the aggressive tactics he has been made to submit to, by a wild man who wouldn’t give him one minute of peace.

All our recent great teams have been good defensive clubs. California won the N.C.A.A. championship one year and went to the finals the next year. They lost in the finals the second year because their opponents played great defense even though their reputation was obtained by offense.

Many of the top teams such as West Virginia have developed great reputations for their offensive play, but they readily admit that they win many games with defense. The public wants 100 points a night and some coaches have decided to give them what they want.

In the meantime, they are very careful to develop a sound defense to keep their opponents from scoring 100, too. Coach John Mc-Lendon of Tennessee A. & I. told me that their defense never received the credit it deserved. A. & I. won three straight N.A.I.A. national championships, running up big scores. The casual observer did not take note of the fact that their opponents usually scored in the sixties.

When 100 points are scored, the opponent gets ball possession many times if only after a basket is scored. To hold them to a score in the sixties requires great defense. Usually, too, the team that scores 100 points fast-breaks at a great rate of speed. To return to defense at the same speed requires much more effort than it does for the team that does not fast-break.

The big basketball upsets are nearly always provided by defensive basketball teams. The great scorer left unattended will humiliate mediocre teams with mediocre talent. These same mediocre teams and players can cause some great offensive teams many moments of anguish. Check the scores of all the major upsets that occur in basketball during one season of play. You will find that nine-tenths of them are brought about by an outstanding job of individual and team defensive play.

The current basketball trend is toward defense. I will not say back to defense for I feel that defense was never played any better than at present. Actually, defense is almost new in scope. Never in the history of the game has defense been played as it is currently played by top teams.

It has never received the attention – it has never been played individually and collectively as modern teams are playing it. Some contemporary coaches who have been active for years, such as Hank Iba and Adolph Rupp, have always played good defense. As a matter of fact, they have almost had a corner on the market because for many years no one challenged them defensively.

Now more basketball teams and coaches are realizing the value of defense.

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One must have that “do-or-die” spirit and wholehearted determination to give his best at all times. A basketball player, no matter how good, is a detriment to the team if he does not have a keen desire to play the game.

Desire

Many deficiencies can be overcome by a strong desire to achieve a goal – whether it is a position on the basketball squad or success in other fields.

Sacrifice for Success

You will find that your most successful basketball players are those who gave up many hours of their time to practice. They not only practiced during the season, but worked hard developing their game all year round.

In order to become an outstanding athlete the beginner must observe certain training rules. A diet of soft drinks, candy, and hot dogs cannot and will not build a strong body. Foods should consist of green and yellow vegetables, meat and eggs, which are high in protein. Fruits and dairy products, including a minimum of three glasses of milk each day, are important.

A boy needs eight to ten hours of sleep every night. Lack of sleep will affect his speed, stamina and skill, which are essential in athletics. Dates and parties should be reserved for weekends that have no games scheduled.

Smoking and drinking do not mix with athletics. Because smoking accelerates heart action and restricts blood vessels it may affect performance in sports which require endurance. Exhaustion and physical illness are partners of the smoking habit.

Alcohol reduces the power to judge distance and speed. Liquor affects coordination to the point where the drinker cannot even stand or walk.

It has been said by many coaches that the boys who drink or smoke are not dependable. When the going gets tough, they will let the team down.

There will be many times when a boy will be tempted to break training rules. One must have strong character to impose self-discipline when necessary.

Proper attitude, constant practice and strict training produce skill which may offset mere physical power.

Accept coaching

It is an honor to play on a team. A player must remember that he is just a small part of it. It takes five players, all working together, to produce a winning team. When each boy plays his part well, a successful team is born.

The best players make the team. Players may not always agree with the coach’s choice of the starting five, but keep in mind that the coach wants to win as much as anyone. He will not permit personal feelings to interfere with the selection of squad members. It is up to you to prove to the coach that you belong in the line-up.

You can do this by reporting to practice on time and by working hard. Above all, be big enough to take constructive criticism. The desire to improve must come from within. No one can help you unless you have a healthy and respected attitude toward improving yourself.

Work hard to develop two or three dependable shots. Learn to use both hands. The player who uses both hands in shooting, passing and dribbling is more valuable to his team than one who uses only one. Master the defensive skills. A player who works only on offense is only half a player.

A player who learns early in his career that defensive skills are just as important as scoring ability will be going a long way toward eventual success. Work hard on the fundamentals, such as dribbling for speed and control, a variety of shots, good footwork and defensive balance.

There is no place on the squad for boys who use unsportsmanlike tactics. Play hard, but fair! Always play to win! A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins. If victory does not come your way, be big enough to accept defeat! Congratulate your opponents for their good playing, and do not offer alibis.

Accept the officials’ decisions. These men work hard and are above reproach. Blaming officials is a poor excuse for your defeat. Be a gentleman at all times!

Remember, athletics, like mathematics or history, is one of the skills in the field of education.

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