Basketball Study Guide

HISTORY:
Basketball was invented during the school year of 1891 at Springfield College, Springfield,
Massachusetts. Dr. James A Naismith conceived the idea of attaching peach baskets at opposite ends of
the gym on the track that encircled the playing floor. This is where the height of 10 feet for the basket
was arrived at. The game, basketball, derives its name from the original ball and basket used in the first
games. The game was introduced to YMCA's across America and also to foreign countries. Basketball
became a part of the Olympic Games in 1936.

Basketball Skills:
●​ Dribbling:
○​ 1. Keep a staggered balanced stance. Bend at the waist and the knees to be in a crouched
position. Keep your weight balanced on the balls of your feet.
○​ 2. Keep your head up – do not look at the ball.
○​ 3. Keep your wrist relaxed and cup your hand slightly.
○​ 4. Dribble the ball by pushing with the finger pads –not the palm of the hand.
○​ 5. Never bounce the ball higher than the waist.
○​ 6. Use the non-dribbling arm and hand to protect yourself from defenders while dribbling.
for speed dribbling: • Keep the body more upright leaning only slightly forward. • Push
the ball forward out in front of the body. • The faster you are running the further forward
you should push the ball.
●​ Passing and Catching:
○​ Chest Pass:
■​ 1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent.
■​ 2. Hold the ball with both hands with your fingers on the sides of the ball and
your thumbs behind the ball.
■​ 3. Hold the ball at chest level with your elbows out to the sides.
■​ 4. Step forward when executing the pass.
■​ 5. Extend your arms outward and flip your thumbs downward (snap wrist upon
release of ball) causing backspin on the ball.
■​ 6. Focus your eyes on your target and follow through in the direction of your
partner’s chest.
■​ 7. Safety point: never throw a pass unless the catcher is looking at you and
expecting the pass.
○​ Bounce Pass:
■​ 1. Same as the chest pass except as follows:
■​ 2. Keep your elbows at your side.
■​ 3. Focus on a point on the floor 2/3 of the way between you and your partner.
■​ 4. Extend your arms toward the spot 2/3 of the way to your partner. 5. Step
forward and follow through toward that target spot on the floor.
○​ Two Hand Overhead Pass:
■​ 1. Hold the ball with both hands above the head with your elbows out to the
sides.
■​ 2. Extend the arms and flick the wrists with your fingers pointing down.
■​ 3. Focus on a target on your partner’s shoulder.
■​ 4. Release the ball at the forehead.
Scoring
●​ Field Goal - A shot made from inside the 3-point line. Each field goal counts as 2 points.
●​ Free Throw - An unguarded shot by a player who has been fouled. It is taken from behind the
free throw line.
●​ Three Pointer - A shot made from outside of the 3-point line. Each 3-point shot counts as 3
points.

Violations
●​ Traveling - moving illegally with the ball
○​ A player may pivot but the pivot foot cannot move
○​ A player may lift the pivot foot to jump, but must pass or shoot before touching the floor
again
●​ Carry - a player contact the ball palm up and then rotates the ball and pushes it to the floor
●​ Double Dribble - a player continues dribbling after grasping the ball with both hands
●​ Kicking - a player kicks the ball

PLAY:
1.​ The game is started with a jump ball in the center circle between two opponents.
2.​ A player is out of bounds when touching the floor on or outside the boundary line.
3.​ The ball is out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds or any other person, the
floor, or any object on or outside a boundary, or the supports of the backboard.
4.​ The ball is caused to go out of bounds by the last player touching it before it goes out. The ball
would be awarded out of bounds for a throw-in by the opposing team.
5.​ While the ball is alive, an offensive player cannot remain for more than three seconds in that part
of the free-throw lane between the end line, the free-throw line, and the free throw lane lines.
6.​ If an offensive ball handler while in the front court is closely guarded by the defense for five
seconds, a violation is called and the defense is awarded the ball.
7.​ If two opponents are both firmly holding the ball a “jump ball” is called. A “jump ball” results in
an alternating possession which is kept track of at the official table. In physical education,
intramurals, or pickup games, a “jump ball” is awarded to the defender.
Court