Definition Essay

Essay II

Definition Essay

The definition of basketball as defined by the Webster dictionary is as follows:

Basketball - noun. Bas-ket-ball: A usually indoor court game between two teams of five usually five players each who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal; also: the used in this game.

The game of basketball was invented in December 1891 by the Canadian-American educator by the name of James Naismith, which at the time was an instructor at what is now Springfield but back then was the Young Men’s Christian Association Training School in Springfield, MA. How it actually came about was Mr. Naismith was tasked by his superior Dr. Luther H. Gulick, to create a very high intense recreation that could be played indoors during the winter. It incorporates elements from three other popular games such as football, soccer and hockey.

It was played by teams of nine up until 1897 and then that is when teams of five became standard. As in the definition it stated that two teams of five would run up and down a wooden court that is about 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. By either dribbling or passing the ball. In which you will try to shoot the ball into the opponent’s basket without losing it to either fouls or by the other team trying to take it from you.

When the game was first invented there only 13 rules which consisted of:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.

3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.

4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee

when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.

13. The side