Page 534 - Ultimate Visual Dictionary (DK)

SPOR TS

Basketball BASKETBALL SKILLS

BASKETBALL IS A BALL GAME for two teams of five players, originally devised
in 1890 by James Naismath for the Y.M.C.A. in Springfield, Massachusetts. The
object of the game is to take possession of the ball and score points by throwing the
ball into the opposing team’s basket. A player moves the ball up and down the court
by bouncing it along the ground or “dribbling”; the ball may be passed between CHEST PASS
players by throwing, bouncing, or rolling. Players may not run with or kick the ball,
although pivoting on one foot is allowed. The game begins with the referee throwing
the ball into the air and a player from each team jumping up to try and “tip” the
ball to a teammate. The length of the game and the number of periods played varies
at different levels. There are amateur, professional, and international rules. No game
ends in a draw. An extra period of five minutes is played, plus as many extra periods
as are necessary to break the tie. In addition to the five players on court, each team DRIBBLE
has up to seven substitutes, but players may only leave the court with the permission
of the referee. Basketball is a noncontact sport and fouls on other players are
penalized by a throw-in awarded against the offending team; a free throw at the
basket is awarded when a player is fouled in the act of shooting. Basketball is a
fast-moving game, requiring both physical and mental coordination. Skillful tactical
play matters more than simple physical strength and the agility of the players makes
the game an excellent spectator sport.

INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL COURT
BASKET AND BACKBOARD OVERHEAD PASS
Backboard End-line Backboard

Restraining
circle
Basket

Player’s
bench Semicircle
Cord
Metal
Right net
Referee guard rim LAY-UP SHOT
Timekeeper 6 ft
Left guard
(1.8 m)
Center
Clock Centerline
operator
Left forward
Scorer BASKET AND BACKBOARD
STRUCTURE
Center circle JUMP SHOT
Referee
Right Free-throw
forward line
10 ft
(3.05 m)
Three-
point line Sideline

49 ft (15 m)
LONG PASS
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