The game of basketball is played on a court that measures 91 feet long and 50 feet wide with a small circle in the center. It starts with a tip-off, with each team attempting to gain possession of the basketball. There are two 10 foot baskets on the court, as well as a free throw line and a three-point arc on the outside of the ring.
The game was invented in 1891 by James Naismeth. He was working in the Department of Physical Education at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College). He was asked by his colleague Luther Gulick to devise a new game. The first version consisted of two nine-player teams, with each team attempting to throw a soccer ball into a peach basket.
Players on the offensive team must first score. A player may score a basket by shooting or dribbling the ball through the basket of the opposing team. However, the player must be closer to the basket than the three-point line in order to score three points. The other team can score only if they are ahead of the three-point line, or if they make a three-point basket.
Basketball was invented in 1891 and has since grown to be a global sport. It is now played in cities, schools, and parks. Its popularity has grown with the introduction of cable television, which boosted its exposure. With this newfound exposure, the game shot to the forefront of the American sports scene. Since the 1980s, four different areas of the sport have emerged.
The game is fast-paced and requires athleticism and endurance. Players need to be able to run up and down the court for long periods of time. A strong jumping ability is also important. These skills will help them time rebounds and block shots. And the game is a team game, so a good basketball player needs to be flexible and adaptable.
The level of commitment for college basketball varies, but generally teams will start with open gyms and strength and conditioning workouts. Individual players may also be required to work out with a coach for up to two hours a week during the preseason. As basketball players progress, they can enter the professional leagues, where the demands on their time are much more intense.
A player can also be penalized for fouls or infringements committed against another player. A personal foul occurs when a player makes an illegal contact or interferes with the gameplay of another player. A player who commits a personal foul on an opponent is called to the foul line. This foul counts as one point.
