One of the Most Prestigious and Fastest-growing Sports in the World
For a little over a century of existence, this kind of sport has won the hearts of millions of fans around the globe. The US National Basketball Association has become one of the world’s leading sports organizations in terms of fan base and prestige. Basketball is the number one sport in the US. In other countries, this sport is almost always in the top three. In Lithuania, basketball is recognized as a national sport. Despite its simplicity, this sport is a difficult challenge for athletes who train hard to be successful on the basketball court. Let’s learn more about the history of the development of this spectacular sport.
The History of the Emergence and Development of Basketball
At the end of the 19th century, introducing students to sports consisted of monotonous gymnastics, which bored and discouraged any desire to play sports. A young teacher, James Naisweet, from the Youth Christian Association College, decided to change the situation and invented the first prototype of the game, which subsequently spread throughout the world. On December 21, 1891, he suggested that the students split into two teams and try to take turns throwing the ball into the baskets, which James fixed on the railing of the gym. The students were delighted with the innovation and happily began throwing balls trying to outdo the opposing team. At that time, the ball did not bounce off the surface, instead, college students threw the ball to each other.
Naiswit’s invention was liked by the leadership of the college and other educational institutions. The game soon spread throughout the US and Canada. The college even had to create a special committee to regulate and regulate such games. Due to the rapidly growing popularity of the game, the college was unable to combine its main activities with matches, and in connection with which in 1898 it was decided to create the National Basketball League.
The inventor of the game, James Neiswith, took an active part in the development and popularization of basketball.
It was he who wrote the first 13 principles:
- The ball can be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
- The ball can be hit in any direction with an open hand, but not with a fist.
- The player cannot run with the ball. The player must stop when he has caught the ball and throw the ball from that point. An exception is made for athletes running at high speed.
- The ball can only be held with the hands. Holding the ball with the forearm and other parts of the body is prohibited.
- It is forbidden to hit, push and hold opponents. Violation of this rule is recorded as a foul. Two fouls for one player means his disqualification until the next goal. If an athlete deliberately injures opponents, then he must be disqualified for the entire game. Substitution of a disqualified player is prohibited.
- Hitting the ball with the fist should be considered as a violation of the rules in accordance with paragraphs 2, 4, and 5.
- In the event of a team receiving three fouls in a row, the referee shall award a goal to the opposing team as a penalty for the infringement.
- If the ball thrown by the hands enters the basket and remains there, then the team that made the throw is counted as a goal. Defending players are prohibited from moving the basket.
- If the ball goes out of bounds, it must be returned to the field by a throw from the first player who touched the ball. If there is a dispute, then the referee makes the throw. Five seconds are given to complete the throw. In case of intentional time delay, the team is awarded a foul.
- The referee is obliged to observe the actions of the players and report violations and has the right to disqualify players in accordance with paragraph 5.
- The referee must observe the position of the ball and the order of the match.
- The game continues for two periods of 15 minutes with a 5-minute break between them.
- The team that scores the most goals per game is the winner.
These rules were later improved by James himself and his associates.
At the beginning of the 20th century, basketball became a serious sport in which the high-class squads competed. There were about a hundred teams in the US alone.
In 1936, this kind of sport became part of the official competitive program of the Olympic Games. The inventor of the game, James Naismith, was invited to the games as a guest of honor.
The National Association, which is still active today, was formed in 1946 as a result of the merger of two organizations: the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League.
International Distribution of Basketball
The first international basketball match took place in 1904 and attracted great attention from the world community. In 1932, an international convention of basketball associations was held at which a decision was made to establish a multinational basketball federation. The first composition of this federation included such countries as Czechoslovakia, Greece, Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland, and Romania. Very soon, almost all countries of the world were accepted into this organization, which allowed athletes from all over the globe to take part in international competitions.
For a long time, the US team was considered the strongest in the world until the defeat of the USSR team in 1972.
At the moment, basketball teams are truly international thanks to the open draft of players. Basketball competitions are broadcast on television, on the Internet and gather hundreds of thousands of fans at the stadiums.
Be Part of a Unique Sports Community
The popularity of basketball is ensured by its simplicity and entertainment. Matches are filled with adrenaline, the spirit of competition, and the will to win. Watching spectacular games on TV or the Internet causes unforgettable emotions, not to mention the presence directly at the stadium during the match.
The basketball community of fans is replenished every day with new fans of this sport. Become one of them and get an unforgettable pleasure!