Basketball is a sport that can be played with as few as two people, although official games require at least 10 players. It is a fast-paced game that requires quick thinking and physical skill, as well as the ability to work with teammates. In addition, it is a great way to burn calories and improve overall health.
The game was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a gym teacher who was looking for an indoor sport to keep his students active during the winter. It is a team game and involves passing the ball to your teammates and shooting the ball into a basket. A successful shot scores points and ends the possession. The game is played in halves of eight or twelve minutes, and there are usually short gaps of several minutes between quarters. The teams switch sides at halftime.
To advance the ball, players must dribble it while walking or running. This requires great concentration and requires that a player maintains a pivot foot, which is a point on the ground to which the player must return when he stops dribbling or passes the ball. Taking too many steps while dribbling or passing will result in a turnover of possession. Also, a player may not carry the ball or hold it with both hands after stopping dribbling. It is also a violation to hit an opposing player, and a player can be called for flopping when she over-exaggerates a foul.
A successful shot must go through the hoop and the backboard to score. The most common shots are dunks and layups, where the player jumps to make a basket or drops the ball into the basket. In the latter case, the amount of hang time – or how long a player stays in the air after jumping – is used to determine the success of a shot.
Basketball is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that increases the heart rate and blood flow to the muscles and organs. In addition, it helps build muscle strength and endurance, and it increases coordination and balance. It is a full-body workout, but it particularly strengthens the legs and back. Shooting and dribbling also help strengthen the arms, hand and wrist.
It is important to find a sport that you enjoy, as this will encourage you to play regularly. Basketball is one of the most effective forms of exercise for weight loss, as it burns an impressive number of calories per hour. In fact, an hour of basketball can burn up to 630 calories for someone weighing 155 pounds.
Basketball is also a good stress reliever, and it can help lower the levels of cortisol in the body. This is because intense physical activity stimulates the release of hormones that maintain a healthy brain chemistry and promote a positive mental outlook. This, in turn, can help to prevent depression and boost self-esteem. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships.
