BASKETBALL

   

   1.      THE GAME

   -          fast-paced game, played indoors, by two five-player teams

   -          the objective is to score more points than the opposition by putting the ball
   through a circular band, called a rim

   -          the rims are connected to backboards

   

   2.      THE COURT

   -          rectangular court

   -          circle at the centre

   -          3-point line

   -          a net is attached to the rim (basket)

   

   3.      THE TEAM

   -          5 players: 2 guards, 2 forwards, 1 center – all play offense and defense

   -          the point guard (1 guard – the leader of the team) + the shooting guard (good ball
   handler, excellent scorer) = backcourt

   -          the small forward (3 player – strong scorer) + the power forward (4 player – big
   and strong) + the center (the tallest – scores and blocks shots)

   

   4.      THE PLAY

   -          the team that has scored the most points wins

   -          prof. game – 48 min., women – 40 min.

   -          game begins with a jump ball – ref. tosses the ball into the air

   -          scoring a basket – a field goal, a hoop

   -          a basket is worth 2 or 3 points depending on the distance of the shot

   -          a foul shot or free throw is awarded when a defender makes illegal contact by
   pushing, holding, charging or tripping;  a ref. Awards 1, 2 or 3 shots from the free-throw
   line, each is worth one point

   -          rebound: when an offensive team misses a shot, the ball is free and both teams have
   an opportunity to retrieve it

   -          time-out: coaches instruct players or develop a new strategy

   

   5.      OFFENSE

   -          skills: passing, ball handling, shooting, rebounding

   -          passing: chest (thrown from chest height); bounce (bounced on the ground); overhead
   (thrown with both hands); baseball-style; behind-the-back (thrown with one hand whipping the
   ball around the back)

   -          ball handling: keep the ball low, use either hand to dribble, change directions
   quickly

   -          dribbling: speed (the player is moving); crossover (bounced and crossed from one
   hand to the other); behind-the-back (bounced and crossed behind the back); between the legs;
   spin (player spins and crosses the ball)

   -          shooting: layup (easiest shot, under the basket using either hand); dunk shot (ball
   is slammed forcibly through the basket); jump shot (in the air); foul shot (following a foul);
   hook shot (player turns sideways to the basket and releases the ball over his or her head in a
   high arc

   -          slow-down offense: screen (players impede defenders´movement); give-and-go (pass –
   run – receive a return)

   -          fast-break offense: quick shots

   

   

   

   6.      DEFENSE

   -          short, quick steps when moving side-to-side, not crossing one foot over another

   -          steal or intercept the ball, block attempted shots

   -          team defense – verbal communication

   -          man-to-man defense: player guards specific opponent usually on the same position

   -          zone defense: guards specific area