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History of basketball:

Basketball is amongst the most popular sport played in the world using a ball and
a hoop. Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891 as he had wanted to
come up with a unique indoor sport to play at the YMCA during the winter in
Massachusetts. Dr. James Naismith is known world-wide as the inventor of
basketball. He was born in 1861 in Ramsay township, near Almonte, Ontario,
Canada.

The concept of basketball was born out of his early school days when he played a
simple game known as duck-on-a-rock outside his schoolhouse. The game
involved attempting to knock a 'duck' off the top of a large rock by tossing
another rock at it. That is how it all started.
Naismith served as at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts,
USA in 1891. This is where the sport of basketball was born. Naismith was faced
with the challenge of finding a sport that was suitable for play inside during the
winter for the students. Naismith wanted to create a game of skill that could be
played indoors in a relatively small space. The very first game of basketball was
played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets used as goals. The history of
basketball started right here.

Currently, the National Basketball Association, known as the NBA, is the most
popular sports league for professional players across the world.

However, coming to India, basketball started emerging in 1930 and was played for
the very first time which led to the creation of the Basketball Federation of India
in 1950. There are various all-India tournaments held like Master Prithvinath
Memorial, Don Bosco Invitational Tournament and Ramu Memorial amongst
others.

What is Basketball?

Basketball is a team sport where two teams comprising of 5 players each play
again each other, trying to score baskets (shooting the ball through the hoop)
which is located 10 feet above the ground level. Basketball is played on a court
which is rectangular with hoops situated on either ends, where each hoop is 46
cm in diameter and is mounted on to a backboard.
 The Rules and Basic Requirements for
Basketball
 There is a mid-court line that divides the court into two major segments.

 The ball is passed down the court among the various players using techniques
like dribbling and passing, as they move towards the hoops.

 The team that possesses the ball is called the ‘offense’, while the other team is
called the ‘defense’ as they are trying to prevent the offense from scoring a basket
by stealing the ball, deflecting passes, garnering rebounds and contesting shots.

 Two points are awarded upon each scored basket and the ball is then passed on
to the other team.

 However, if a basket is made by the player outside the three-point arc, then the
team gets allotted 3 points.

 The team receives one point for a free throw, which is allowed when a foul is
committed.

 The team whose player fouls a shooter, gets 2-3 free throws, depending on the
position from where he shot.

 If there is a tie in the end, then overtime is played until the winner comes forth.

 The game starts by having one player from either team at the center court. The
referee tosses the ball upwards between the two players and the one to touch it
first will tip is to a fellow team mate. This is known as ‘tip-off’.

 A player cannot hold the ball for over five seconds.In the professional basketball
matches, the quarters last for 12 minutes, which a couple of minutes gap between
the halves. However, the gap between the quarters is much shorter.

Each team is given a basket to defend and at halftime, the baskets/goals are
reversed.

Governing Bodies for Basketball

Basketball Federation of India or BFI is controlling and governing body of Indian
basketball as it seeks to promote and develop the sport across levels by
organising tournaments in schools and colleges. They have collaboration with
FIBA, the international basketball league for promoting Indian Basketball players
internationally.

On an International Level

Olympics– This international event is held every 4 years. India is yet to qualify for
it.

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia– It is held every 4 years. India is

ranked # 52 in FIBA International while it features on position 11 in FiBA Asia.

South Asian Games– This prestigious tournament is held every two years. India
finished 7thin the tournament in 2014.

Lusofonia Games– This tournament is held every 3-4 years. The Indian men’s
basketball team won the title in 2014.

On a National Level

Master Prithvinath Memorial, New Delhi–

Ramu Memorial, Mumbai-

Don Bosco Invitational Tournament, Mumbai

To sum up, basketball has gained global popularity because of the game is as fun
to play as to watch. A lot of basketball players have acquired celebrity status
which has increased their net worth.