BASKETBALL
Limited-contact sport played by two teams of five players on the court. The ball is moved by dribbling or passing, and points are scored by shooting it into the hoop, which is 3.05 meters (10 feet) high. Played in four periods of 10 or 12 minutes. Requires great agility, strategy, speed, and shooting precision.
Field/Court Dimensions
Rectangular: 28 x 15 meters (approx. 92 x 49 feet).
Score more points than the opponent by shooting a ball through the superior hoop/basket.
James Naismith
1891
Created by James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891. He sought an indoor sport for winter. It was originally played with peach baskets, and the 13 original rules prohibited running with the ball. It quickly gained popularity through the Young Men's Christian Associations (YMCA) and the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe. It was included in the Olympic Games in 1936.
FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
Olympic Games, FIBA World Cup, EuroBasket, NBA (professional league).
Basketball is a dynamic team sport where offensive fluidity and positional defense are key. Each basket is worth 2 points, unless it's a long-distance shot (3 points) or a free throw (1 point). Common fouls include traveling (running without dribbling), double dribble (dribbling with two hands or restarting a dribble after stopping), and personal fouls (illegal contact). Rules have evolved since 1891, adding the 24-second clock (to enforce shooting) and the three-point shot, transforming it into the fast-paced, athletic spectacle it is today. Player versatility (guards, forwards, centers) is fundamental for a successful strategy.