Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

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The only major sporT that is completely american in origin, basketball was

invented in springfield, massachusetts, in 1891. perhaps because the game is so

simple—you only need a ball, a net, and a few friends to play—its popularity

grew quickly. Within a decade, there were both men’s and women’s college

teams and a professional circuit. Today basketball is one of the most popular

spectator sports, in america. There are five players on each team, who try to

put the ball into the opposing team’s basket and score points. each basket

is worth one, two, or three points, depending on where the player takes the

shot from. a referee and an umpire enforce the rules. Under

national Basketball association (nBa) rules, each game is

divided into four quarters of 12 minutes, with rest periods.

Women’s BaskeTBall

Women have played

basketball for almost as long

as men, with collegiate

basketball teams

competing as early as 1896.

Women’s basketball

became an olympic sport

at the 1976 summer Games

in montreal, and in 1997 the

Women’s national Basketball

association (WnBa) established

the first professional league.

hIsTory oF BaskeTBall

Basketball was invented by physical

education teacher Dr. james

naismith (above). he nailed two

fruit baskets high on balconies at

each end of a gymnasium, found a

soccer ball and two teams, and the

first game of basketball began.

eqUIpmenT

a basketball net hangs from a

circular rim, which is attached

to a backboard. The air-filled

ball is textured to make it

easier to grip. Basketball

shoes provide plenty of ankle

support, and help absorb the

impact of the turns, jumps, and

stops that are a part of this

fast-moving game.

A basketball is

made of eight

shaped panels.

movInG The Ball

The player with the ball must pass it

to another player or shoot before

taking two steps, or dribble it by

bouncing it along the ground.

Defenders try to block passes and

shots, or steal the ball away.

players

Basketball teams have five players: a center,

two forwards, and two guards. although

players change positions throughout the

game, the center usually operates close

to the basket, the forwards play on the

flanks, and the guards play in defense.

Net and

backboard

Basketball

High-topped shoe

supports the ankle.

A player within range of the

basket can make a jump

shot, releasing the ball at

the top of a high jump.

Center line

Free-throw

circle

BaskeTBall coUrT

a basketball court is a rectangle split

in half by a center line. The two long

sides are called sidelines, and the two

short sides are known as baselines.

above the baseline is a goal, or basket,

suspended 10 ft (3 m) above the floor.

The free-throw line and circle make a

keyhole shape beneath each goal.

Football

olympic games

sports

Find out more

Basket

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