Basketball
Insider Info
Dunking is not just for cookies and dribbling is not just for leaky taps.
You'll quickly find these things out when you hit the court for a game of
basketball.
Basketball is a team sport, usually played with five members on each team.
When you play for fun, you can change the game to play one-on-one, three-on-three
and so on.
The game begins at the centre of the court with a jump ball. The game official
throws the ball up in the air and one member of each team tries to tip the
ball to another member of their team.
Then each team tries to get the ball into the other team's basket. When
moving with the ball up and down the court, each player may take one and a
half steps then they must bounce the ball. This bouncing is called dribbling.
If a player moves two steps or more without dribbling, it is called traveling,
and the opposing team gets possession of the ball.
Each time the ball goes through one team's basket, the other team gets
two points. The game has four periods, and each period in the National Basketball
Association (NBA) is 12 minutes long. This may differ from club to club, and
according to the level of competition, so just ask when you are starting to
play.
Regardless of age or skill level, almost everyone can play basketball.
It is played both indoors and outdoors. All that is required is a ball, a
basket and your gym clothes. Most recreational facilities have basketball
hoops available.
To get involved in your community, search the Internet for programs near
you.
Lawrie Johns is the manager of a youth basketball program. He says that
these programs are a great place to start because coaches are well-trained
and there is adequate supervision. Also, even though programs are organized
by adults, they are "kid-centered." That means more fun for you!
As with all sports, some degree of physical preparation is needed to perform
well without getting hurt. More 10- to 19-year-old kids get injured playing
basketball than any other sport or recreational activity. That's according
to an injury prevention organization..
Injuries to ankles and knees are the most common, followed by hands and
wrists. About half the injuries are because of body contact, with rebounding
being a top threat.
"I'm surprised the numbers are so high," says Chris Gist, a basketball
enthusiast. "I've been injured playing, but nothing serious: a broken nose;
a twisted ankle; and some bruises, cuts and scratches."
To stay in good repair, his advice is to wear high-top shoes tied fairly
tight. If you feel your ankle start to roll, just fall down -- don't put your
weight on it. Also, keep your fingernails cut short so you don't scratch other
players.
There are opportunities for people with physical challenges to take part
in basketball: leagues for wheelchair basketball, for example. Opportunities
differ depending on your community, so check with your local recreation or
leisure services facility to find out about available programs.
It is possible to find basketball-centered work, but opportunities are
limited and often on a volunteer or part-time basis. Some people work for
basketball sport organizations. Others find full-time jobs at the municipal
level for basketball programmers. There are also jobs for coaches and officials.
Often, coaching is on a volunteer basis. People get paid for officiating,
but it is usually only enough for a supplemental income (it's not enough for
you to live on). At the professional basketball level, there are full-time
jobs for officials but not many of these positions exist.
Getting Started
If you have never played basketball before, it is a good idea to seek out
a well-trained coach to teach you the skills and rules of the game. A good
place to start your search is at your school.
"I learned the basics of the game in grade school," says Gist, who has
been playing ever since.
"Our dad put up a hoop in the back yard and I used to shoot hoops with
my brothers. You can make your own court in a small area. You don't need a
big back yard and you can play with as many people as you have."
The upside to playing at school is that the programs are free. You just
need gym shoes. There may be some cost if your team travels, but those costs
will vary. The downside to playing at school is that there is no guarantee
that you will make the school team. But if you don't make the school team,
don't worry! There are many places in the community to play, on both a fun
and competitive level. The cost to join a program varies from community to
community, but fees are generally low.
"Basketball is an inexpensive sport to play, and it can be played indoors
so it's warm in the winter!" says Johns.
Warming up prior to any training session or game is essential to help prevent
injuries and perform at your best. Try 10 minutes of light running or shooting.
Follow that with five to eight minutes of stretching. Follow your stretching
with some jumps and short sprints.
If you have never played before or if it's been a long time since you've
played, Gist suggests running, jumping rope, light weight lifting and biking
as ways to get into shape.
"You can pick up some of the rules by watching basketball games on TV,"
advises Gist. He suggests watching amateur games, "because it's a more normal
game. You will see a lot more of the fundamentals and learn moves that you
might be able to do successfully. The level of play in the NBA is unrealistic
for people who just play for fun."
Associations
USA Basketball
Internet
:
http://www.usabasketball.com/
Links
Better Basketball
Look up tips to improve your game
National Wheelchair Basketball Association
Find out more about wheelchair basketball
Hoops World
Keep up-to-the-moment with all the news from the professional
world of basketball
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