Written by: Umanga Khatiwoda - 23047, Grade XI
Posted on: 11 November, 2021
Basketball is a widely popular and loved sport that is played all around the world. An essay on basketball would be incomplete without the mention of its smart moves and team-building benefits. Basketball is believed to have originated in Canada and the United States of America in the 19th century. There are several health benefits of playing basketball and it is an extremely fun physical activity.
Numerous physical and mental benefits result from playing basketball. Basketball is highly effective in promoting the cardiovascular health of its players. A healthy heart diminishes risks of heart diseases later in one’s life. Basketball’s high physical demand is crucial in burning calories and reducing body fat in its players.
In basketball, many violations are “fouls.” An example of fouls includes disruptive physical contact or personal foul penalized to an offensive by awarding the opponent player a free throw if he is fouled during the shooting process. Certain violations of the rules such as unsportsmanlike conduct are punishable by issuing a technical foul assessed against bench personnel, team or players. Technical fouls earn the opponents a free throw. During a regular game, the ball must be within the court. If a team sends the ball out, it loses possession to their opponent. The ball is out of the court if it dashes over the borderline or is in contact with a player outside the court. This is different from other sports such as volleyball, tennis or football where the ball remains, or the player remains inside provided any part is in touch with the borderline.
Players with the ball should not step with both their feet without dribbling, as this will be a violation referred to as travelling. The player’s hand cannot be directly below the ball while dribbling, as this will be an infraction called carrying the ball. Another rule of basketball is that the ball cannot be struck by the fist or be kicked. If a team gains control of their opponent’s side or front half court, it should not return the ball to their side or backcourt and be the first to possess it. Violating these rules leads to a change of the shot clock if committed by the defense or loss of ball possession.
There are four quarters in a regular basketball game, and each takes 10 or 12 minutes. In college basketball games, the game uses two-twenty minute halves. Extra time should take 5 minutes in all games except in high school, where it takes four minutes. Teams need to change sides after the first half of the game. A typical basketball game might take approximately 2 hours excluding the time when the game is inactive. At any given time, the court should have ten players, 5 from both sides. Despite substitutions being unrestricted, it can only be performed when the game is stopped. Additionally, teams must have a uniform consisting of a jersey and a pair of shorts. For identification purposes, the jersey should have a unique number in the team printed at the front and back. In some instances, the jerseys have the names of players, sponsors and team printed on them.
For a team to win a basketball game, it needs to have more points than their opponents at the end of the game. A tie, especially when the two teams end in a draw, is broken by adding extra time. The ball advances in the court either by bouncing while running or walking, or by passing from one player to another. The term dribbling refers to the advancing of the ball while running or walking. However, it is against the rules not to dribble the ball while moving, to double dribble, or to carry it. Double dribbling refers to holding the ball with both hands then continuing dribbling.
In conclusion, regulation basketball hoop comprises a rim or basket attached to a backboard. Violating the rules of the game results in a change of the shot clock if committed by the defense or loss of ball possession. Basketball teams comprise of five players, which includes the point guard, shooting guard, power forward, small forward and center. A typical basketball game might take approximately 2 hours excluding the time when the game is inactive.
