LU Athletics

History of Basketball

Basketball was developed by Dr. James Naismith at a YMCA in Springfield, Ma. in 1891. Dr. Naismith’s purpose for developing the game of basketball was to create an indoor “athletic distraction” for a rowdy class of boys to participate in during the harsh New England winter. At first, Dr. Naismith tried to adapt outdoor sports to be played as indoor sports. Games like soccer and lacrosse were found to be too physical for an indoor setting.

After 13 days of trying new ideas, Dr. Naismith developed the 13 original rules for the game of basketball. He nailed a peach basket to a wall, used a soccer ball for the game, and had nine players to a side. Little did he know at the time, but this first-ever basketball game would change the landscape of sports in America for all future generations.

Since those humble beginnings, many of the rules of the games have changed, allowing the game of basketball to evolve throughout the years to its current game today. However, one basic of basketball remains the same over 100 years later; to win the game you still have to put the ball in the basket!

Positions
Basketball positions are broken down by two different systems. Historically, the five players on the court were slotted into two guard positions, two forward positions, and a center position.

However, in recent years, as the game has become more specialized, the traditional system of naming positions has been replaced by a number system. With players now capable of playing multiple positions, and with teams running multiple offensive formations, the number system was installed in order to make offenses easier to teach to players and easier for players to understand. Differing number systems exist, but the most common one follows:

#1 is the point guard, the team’s primary ball handler. #2 is the shooting guard; typically the team’s best outside shooter. #3 is the small forward; a player who combines good outside shooting with the ability to play in the post as well. #4 is the power forward; a strong post player and rebounder who also has a good outside shot. #5 is the center; typically the tallest player on the court and primarily plays in the post position around the basket.

Basketball Terminology
Like any sport or discipline, basketball has its own language; and in order to better understand the game you need to know the words and rules that define the sport.

Assist – Any pass that leads directly to a basket by a teammate.

Back Court – The half of the court that includes the basket a team is defending.

Baseline – the end line located underneath each basket at either end of the court.

Basket – the metal circle attached to the glass board. The ball must go through the basket in order for a team to score points.

Block Out/Box Out – A technique used to gain and maintain position between the basket and the opponent in order to rebound the basketball.

Bounce Pass – A pass that strikes the floor once before reaching the receiver.

Charge – A personal foul in which an offensive player illegally runs into an opponent who is stationary, having established a legal defensive position.

Chest Pass – A two-handed pass initiated from in front of the chest toward the receiver.

Defense – Refers to the team without the ball, whose objective is to keep the offensive team from scoring.

Defensive Rebound – Gaining possession of an opponent’s missed shot.

Double Dribble – A violation in which a player dribbles the ball with two hands simultaneously, or resumes dribbling after dribbling a first time and coming to a stop.

Dribbling – the act of bouncing the ball in order to move on the court.

Drive – A quick movement of an offensive player towards the basket while dribbling.

Elbow – The name given to the space on the court where the free throw line and the free throw lane line intersect.

Fast Break – An offensive strategy used to push the ball up the floor and score before the defense has time to set up.

Free Throw Line (aka Charity Stripe) – You must stand behind this line when shooting a free throw.

Follow Through – The act of finishing one’s shooting motion after the release of the ball for a shot.

Foul – An infraction of the rules involving contact, which could result in the awarding of free throws or possession of the basketball to the other team.

Foul Shot (aka Free Throw) – An obstructed shot from behind the free throw lane, awarded as the result of a defensive foul committed on an offensive player in the act of shooting. Also awarded if a foul occurs after a team’s total fouls reach 7 in a half.

Front Court – The half of the court that contains the offensive team’s basket.

Give and Go – A play in which the ballhandler passes to a teammate, then breaks to the basket to receive a return pass.

Halfcourt – One of the two halves of the court on either side of the center line.

Halftime – The rest period (lasting 15 minutes in college basketball) between the two halves of the game.

Jump Ball – A method of putting the ball in play by tossing the ball into the air between two opponents located in the center circle, with each player attempting to tap the ball to a teammate outside the center circle.

Jump Shot – A shot taken away from the basket during which the ball is released near the top of a jump.

Jump Stop – A method of stopping and both feet hit the floor at the same time.

Key (aka Free Throw Lane, or the “Paint”) – The area between the free throw line and the baseline under each basket, enclosed by the sides of the free throw area.

Lay-up – A shot made from close to the basket off the dribble.

Offense – Refers to the team possessing the basketball and attempting to score.

Offensive Rebound – A rebound by the offensive team following a missed shot by that same team.

The “Paint”- The area inside the lane lines from the baseline to the free throw line. If an offensive player has a foot in the lane or on the lane for 3 seconds, the player will be called for a three second violation. There is no restriction on the time a defensive player can occupy the paint.

Pass – A ball thrown from one teammate to another.

Pivot Foot – The foot on which a player pivots, and which must remain in contact with the floor as long as the player has the ball and is not dribbling.

Rebound – A missed shot that carams off the rim or the backboard and is grabbed out of the air or picked up after bouncing by a player.

Shooting – The act of projecting the ball toward the basket in an attempt to have the ball go through the basket.

Three-Point Line – The circular line that extends from the baseline, around the top of the free throw circle, to the opposite side of the baseline. The line is 19’9” from the basket, and a basket made from behind this line counts for three points.

Traveling – a violation in which a player with the ball lifts or drags their pivot foot without dribbling.