Lesson 1: The History of Basketball

The history of basketball began with its invention in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by
Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith as a less injury-prone sport than
football. Naismith was a 31-year old graduate student when he created the indoor sport to
keep athletes indoors during the winters.

Starting from there, Naismith developed a set of 13 rules that gave origin to the game of
basketball. Of course it was not exactly as we know today. The first game was played with a
soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed 10 –feet high used as goals, on court just half the
size of a present – day- court.

The game became established fairly quickly and grew very popular as the 20th century
progressed, first in America and then in other parts of the world. After basketball became
established in American colleges, the professional game followed. The American National
Basketball Association (NBA), established in 1946, grew to a multibillion-dollar enterprise by
the end of the century, and basketball became an integral part of American culture. It
become an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games held in Berlin.

Basketball Before the NBA(1891-1950): A Brief History

Basketball was introduced in the Philippines by the Young Men's Christian Association of
America as a women's sport in 1910. Soon after, it became the most popular sport in the
country replacing soccer.

Basketball was first introduced to Filipinos within the historic walls of Intramuros, Manila as
what some historians noted. The Philippines was among the world's first basketball-playing
nations. From the 1910s to the early 1930s the Philippines dominated the Far Eastern Games
basketball tournament winning 9 out of 10 basketball championships.

Lesson 2: Facilities, Equipment and Proper Attire in Playing

Basketball
I. Court
A. Dimensions - The size of the court depends on the playing level. The size of the court for
NBA and College games is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide.
B. Court Label

The Foul Line - For all size courts the 'foul line' is 15 feet in front of the backboard.

The Key - The key is 12 feet wide, and is the same for all basketball courts. The backboard
extends 4 feet out over the baseline into the key. A half circle of diameter 6 foot extends
from the foul line away from the basket to complete the key.

The 3 Point Line (Arc) - For NBA Basketball Courts the 3 point arc is 22 feet to the center
of the rim on the sides with a straight line extending out 16 feet 9 inches from the baseline.
Past those points the line extends out 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the rim.

Line Markings - All line markings on the floor are 2 inches wide and can vary in color
II. Backboard
The regulation height above the ground for the rim (hoop) is 10 feet, and the rim is 18
inches in diameter. Backboards are 6 feet wide (72 inches)by 42 inches tall, with the inner
square being 24 inches wide by 18 inches tall.

III. Ball
Standard Men’s Basketball (Size 7) - It has a circumference between 29.5 and 30 inches
and weighs between 20 and 22 ounces.
Standard Women’s Basketball (Size 6) - It is between 28.5 and 29 inches in circumference
and weighs 18-20 ounces

Junior Basketball (Size 5) - The junior size basketball is for boys and girls between the
ages of 8-12. It is between 27.25 to 27.75 inches in circumference and weighs 14 -16
ounces.

IV. Game Clock

The game clock in basketball keeps track of the amount of time in the current half or
quarter during a game.
V. Manual and Electronic Scoreboard
A manual Basketball scoreboard display the period and both teams' scores.

The electronic score board keeps track of the time and score of the basketball game. It has
been there for a long time and is still being used in almost all sports. The score board has
gone through several changes to become what it is now (the digital score board)

VI. Possession Arrows

To determine which team receives the ball after a held ball or other situations, such as when
the ball gets stuck between the rim and the backboard or after a double foul in which
neither team earns possession.
VII – Whistle
All officials wear a whistle that is used to stop play as a result of a foul or a violation on the
court. Hand signals are used to indicate the nature of the infraction or to administer the
game.

VII. Proper Attire

The basketball uniform generally consists of a tank top and shorts. You also need socks and
some good basketball type sneakers. Also, you may want to wear a mouthpiece to protect
your teeth.
Lesson 3: Basic Skills and Terminologies
Many people think that a player needs to excel in shooting to play a better basketball game.
Unfortunately, this may not always be the case. Though knowledge would tell us that if a
player has the ball, he /she may shoot, pass or dribble, a challenging question would be, “
what else should a player do if he/she is not holding the ball? “

I – Passing - When a player throws the ball to a teammate to advance the ball during a
possession.

A. Chest pass

B. Bounce Pass
C. Overhead Pass

D. Baseball Pass

II - Dribbling - Dribbling is maneuvering a ball by one player while moving in a given

direction, avoiding defenders' attempts to intercept the ball. A successful dribble will bring
the ball past defenders legally and create opportunities to score.
III - Shooting - Shooting is the most important skill in basketball. The fundamental skills of
passing, dribbling, defense, and rebounding may enable you to get a high percentage shot,
but you must still be able to make the shot. A large part of shooting is mental attitude. In
addition to shooting skill, you must have confidence in yourself to shoot well. The
integration of the mental and mechanical aspects of shooting fosters shooting success.

lesson 4: Rules and Regulations in Basketball

After learning all the basics in playing the sport of basketball, from history, facilities and
equipment, grip of the ball, movement around the court, and basic skills undoubtedly, you
are now ready and excited to play. But before playing a game, it is best to f irst understand
its basic rules and the accompanying hand signals that are applied by the referees or
officials to better control the game.

The Basic Rules

➤ Basketball is a team sport.

➤ Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball throu gh a hoop elevated
10 feet above the ground.

➤ The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each
end.

➤ The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.

➤ If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds
to get the ball over the mid-court line.

➤ If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball.

➤ Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have
possession of the ball in the area behind the midcourt line.

➤ If it does, the defense is awarded the ball.

➤ The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team
with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense.

➤ The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
The pointing system

➤ When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other team.

➤ If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket is worth
three points. A free throw is worth one point.

➤ Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of
fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed.

➤ Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter,
depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three -point line, then he
gets three shots.

➤ Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain numb er
have accumulated during a half (called “team fouls”).

➤ Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1'
opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the
first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.

Length of a Basketball Game

➤ The basketball game consists of four quarters of 10 minutes each.

➤ Teams play one-way for two quarters, the other way for the next two.

➤ There is a two-minute interval between the first and second period, and also between the
third and fourth period, with 15 minutes for halftime.

➤ Coaches can call two one-minute timeouts at anytime during the first half and three
timeouts in the second half.

➤ The clock stops when the referee's whistle blows. It stays stopped if free throws are being
taken and starts again when the ball touches a player on court — so you get a full 40
minutes of actual basketball play.
Time limits in Basketball

There are also time limits on a player in possession of the basketball with five main rules:

➤ 24-second rule - After a team gains possession of the ball, they have 24 seconds to
shoot. Possession is handed to the other team if they fail to do so.

➤ 8-second rule - When a player has the ball in their own half or ‘backcourt’, they have 8
seconds to move the ball over the halfway line into the ‘frontcourt’. Otherwise they will lose
possession.

➤ 5-second rule - A closely guarded player holding the ball has 5 seconds to either pass or
advance the ball toward the hoop. When called, possession of the ball goes to the opposite
team.

➤ 3-second rule - A player can only be in the opposition's rectangular ‘key’ area under the
basket for 3 seconds. A foul will be called if the player does not leave within those 3
seconds.

Types of Basketball infringement

Basketball players can be penalized for making an infringement or foul on another player,
with the loss of possession or the award of a ‘free throw’.

• Personal foul — this is when illegal body contact occurs between opposing pla yers.
Common examples are charging, blocking, holding, illegal guarding, pushing, illegal
screening, hand checking, and illegal hand use. A personal foul results in either a
player taking free throws or a team losing possession of the ball.
• Charging — called by the official when an attacking player moving with the ball runs
straight into a defender.
• Blocking — a defensive player may not stand in the way or ‘block’ a dribbling player
unless that defender has established a legal guarding stance.
• Holding — this is when personal contact is made with an opponent to slow their
movement.
• Illegal guarding — when a defending player bumps into an opponent from behind.
• Pushing — this is exactly as it sounds, and applies even when a player does not have
possession of the ball.
• Illegal screening — an attempt to slow down or stop an opponent who does not
have control of the ball.
• Hand checking — when a defending player uses their hands to grab or slow an
opponent.
• Illegal hand use — when contact is made on an opponent when they are attempting
to release the ball.
Other types of basketball infringement include:

• Technical foul - these are awarded against any player or coach for unsportsmanlike
behavior such as swearing or arguing with a referee. This leads to at least one f ree
throw and possession of the ball. If a player or coach receives two technical fouls, he
or she is removed from the game.
• Persistent fouling - this can lead to a player being removed from the game. If a
player commits five fouls they must leave the game permanently, but can be
substituted. In Filipino terms, we call this 'graduate'
• Team foul - this is called when a team has committed five fouls of any kind in any
one period. The opposing team is awarded with two free throws.
• Violation - a violation of the rules covers such things as an illegal dribble or not
releasing the ball within the specified time limits. Possession is handed to the
opposition.
• Backcourt violation - an attacking player with the ball may not cross back over the
halfway line once he or she has advanced the ball beyond it.
• Goaltending - If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down
toward the basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched
the backboard, or while it's in the cylinder above the rim, it's goaltending and the
shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is
awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.
• Walking/Traveling - Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is
traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.
• Carrying/palming - When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side
of or, sometimes, even under the ball.
• Double Dribble - Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or
picking up the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.
• Held ball - Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the
ball at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee
stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.

Player Positions

Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the
basket.

➤ Offensive -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also
responsible for blocking defenders, known as picking or screening, to open other players up
for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get some offensive rebounds
and put-backs.
 ➤ Defensive -- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents
from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a
lot of rebounds because they're taller.

Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be
called upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and
corner areas.

➤ Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots,
drive for goals, and rebound.

➤ Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and

rebounding.

Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at
dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court
and set up offensive plays.

➤ Offensive -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main
responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the
perimeter.

➤ Defensive -- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting

shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out.

Lesson 1: Application of Terminologies & Individual Drills

Stretching & Warm Up
It is very important to have a short 5-minute warm-up before you get into the heart of your
practice. A warm-up is a session which takes place prior to doing physical activity; usually a
warm-up will consist of light cardiovascular exercises combined with stretches. The warm-up
should gently prepare the body for exercises by gradually increasing the heart rate and
circulation; this will loosen the joints and increase blood flow to the muscles. Stretching the
muscles prepares them for physical activity and prevents injuries. The warm-up is also a
good opportunity for an individual to prepare themselves mentally for the game ahead and
for a team to work together prior to the start of the game. Warm-ups can also be used to
practice skills and team drills.
 Once you’re done with your stretching get your basketball and let’s start with some
coordination and conditioning drills….

Coordination and Conditioning drills

➤ Circle Basketball around Leg, Knees, Waist and Head

You have to stand while holding your basketball with both hands. You have to circle the
basketball around their leg, knees, waist all the way to your head. Do it 3-5 times stop and
then circle the ball in the opposite direction. This drill may seem very easy, but you will be
surprised how difficult yet fun it is.

➤ Throw ball in the air and catch/ Throw ball in the air, clap and catch

In this drill all you have to do is to toss the ball up in the air and catch it in a standing
position. If you’re a first timer, you have to start by throwing the ball up only a foot or two
into the air. Once you get comfortable doing this, increase the height of your throw. Now,
let’s add some thrill on this drill! Throw the ball in the air, clap 3-5 times and then catch. You
can add as many claps as you can. This drill will help you feel the ball and conditions
your ball handling as well as your reaction time.
➤ Moving Dribbling Drills

In this drill you will need your improvised training cones. Line them up with at least 1 meter
spacing. Dribble with you right hand while walking towards the cones, once you get to the
first cone, transfer the ball to your left and continue dribbling and ball transfer in each of the
cones. Continues this drill for 2-3 minutes or until you achieve some improvements.

Note: If you are a first-timer, take it nice and slow, you’ll get there believe me.
Once you get comfortable with the drill you can always put an “extra” on your speed and to
your cones as well. Always remember that for you to be able to see some results, you will
have to work hard for it.

Passing Drills
➤ Chest Pass

Face the wall with the ball in your hand. Find a spot on the wall (estimate chest level of a
teammate) and focus your eyes on it. Pass the ball towards the spot using both hands. Hit
the spot at least 10 times.

Note: Be careful when throwing a basketball. As much as possible, give just enough power on
your throw. Make sure to catch it for it will bounce back to you.

➤ Bounce Pass

Face the wall with the ball in your hand. Find a spot before the wall and focus your eyes on
it. Bounce pass the ball using both hands, hitting the spot. Hit the spot at least 10 times.
➤ Over Head Pass

Face the wall with the ball in your hand. Find a spot on the wall (estimate over-head level of
a teammate) and focus your eyes on it. Pass the ball towards the spot using both hands. Hit
the spot at least 10 times.