Positions in Basketball

Centers

Centers--Centers are basically the tallest player on the team. This person is always the closest person by the hoop. This is where they are positioned.

Offensive Center--Since the center is the closest to the basket their goal is to get open and take an easy shot. They are also responsible for getting some rebounds if a shot is missed. When a player is driving in to the basket the center is responsible for blocking the defenders so it will make it easier for their teammate to score. The centers have to set up a pick or screen for their teammate.

Defensive Center--The main goal for the center on defense to do is to keep players on the other team from scoring by blocking shots and passes in their designated area. They are responsible for getting rebounds because it is much easier for them, obviously because they are the tallest on the team.

Example of Centers--Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal and Patrick Ewing

Forward

Forwards--The next tallest player on the team is most likely to be your forward. There are two types of forwards. There is a small and power forward. A forward is most likely be called to play under the hoop and play in the wing and corner areas.

Offensive Forward--Their role is to get open for an easy shot. They are also responsible for driving in to the basket and making lay-ups and getting some rebounds.

Defensive Forward--On defense they are responsible for preventing the opposing team from driving in to the hoop and also responsible for getting some rebounds.

Example of Forwards--LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Garnett

Guards

Guards--Guards are the shortest players on the team. There are two types of guard. There is a point guard and a shooting guard. They are the players on the team that are fast at dribbling, seeing the whole court, and setting up plays. These are the play makers of the team.

Offensive Guard--Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are the guards responsibilities. They have to look for open players, and shoot shots from a good perimeter. They also have to have energy, because they will have to drive in to the basket plenty of times.

Defensive Guard--The guards main responsibility on defense is to prevent fast breaks and driving to the lane, getting plenty of steals, differing shots, and to box out to get the ball.

Example of Guard--Kobe Bryant,Chris Paul, and Baron Davis

The Rules and Concept of Basketball

Basketball is a sport that will need team cooperation and the key word is "TEAM". Basketball consists of 2 teams of 5 on the court. The main objective of the game is to score in the baskets that are 10 ft. above the court. The game begins with a tip-off. The tip-off consists of one player from each team stand in the center circle and wait for the referee to throw up the ball and one player who reaches the ball first will attempt to tip it to their teammate. *Each time is assigned a basketball or goal to defend.*
The basketball court which is 84 ft long in high school and college, and 94 ft long in the NBA is divided up to to main sections by the mid court line also known as the half court. Each half are for the opposing teams. When the offensive team put the ball into play you have 10 seconds to bring it down the court to your half. If you don't get it down the court within the ten seconds the defensive team now get possession of the ball. When the offensive brings the ball down the court past the mid court line the offensive team can no longer dribble back to the other half of the court, if so the defensive team now gets possession of the ball.

Your probably wondering how do you get the ball down to the other half of the court? Well I will tell you. To get the ball to your side of the court you will either have to dribble or pass the ball to get there. The team that has possession of the ball is called the offense and the team, and the team that is trying to gain possession of the ball is called the defense. The defensive team will try to gain possession of the ball by trying to steal, deflecting passes, and trying to get rebounds when you miss a shot. Since we got that dealt with lets now move onto scoring. When you make a shot and it is successful two points are rewarded to your team. Two point shots are the majority of shots taken in basketball.


When a player gets fouled they either get possession of the ball or the referee rewards that a number of free throw shots at the free throw line. If you don't have no idea what a foul is this picture above is one example what a foul is. A fouled shooter will always be rewarded two or three shots depending on where the shoot was taken. For every free throw shot you make one point is rewarded to your team.

Other types of fouls may not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated during a half. Once that number is reached, the player who was fouled is awarded a "1-and-1" opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to to take a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.**Remember every time you get fouled you won't always get to take a free throw shot. It depends on the type of foul committed.**

If you are behind the three point and you attempt a shot and if its successful three points will be rewarded to your team. The three point line isn't always taken because it is relatively hard depending on your skills.

This game is divided up to two halves. The halves consist of two quarters and time vary depending on the level you are playing at. For example in High School each quarter are either 8 or 6 minutes long. In college each quarter is 10 minutes long, and in the NBA each quarter are 12 minutes long. After quarter the teams are given a short period of time to get ready for the next. If at the end of the game the scores are tied the teams will go into overtime and play until there is a winner.

Overview of Basketball

If your new to this sport and want to know the overview and how basketball started, your in the right place. Well lets get started with the rules and overview of basketball. There was a man named Dr. James Naismith who developed this game named "Basketball". It all started in the year 1891 where he moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. In the YMCA training school James was faced with a dilemma. He could not find a sport for the kids to play indoor during the winter time. It was to cold to play football, baseball, or soccer, so Naismith came up with an idea. He wanted a game that was based on skill, and didn't matter about how big or strong you were. James placed to peach baskets, which were used as goals, and a soccer ball. James developed 13 rules for this game.

James Naismith devised a set of thirteen rules of basketball:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. Goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.

**Highlight- Basketball was introduced at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Today basketball has grown to become one of the world's most popular sports that can be played indoor and outdoor.**

Welcome

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