What Is Basketball?

What Is Basketball? — page 1 — shooting hoops Basketball is a fast-paced and exciting sport It is very popular in the United States where it was first played in the 1890s It has also become popular in many other countries In a basketball game two teams of five players compete The goal is to score more points than the other team Players score by tossing or shooting a ball through a raised goal called a basket or hoop Basketball has always enjoyed great popularity Within a decade There is always someone moving on the basketball court which makes games quick and entertaining 4

What Is Basketball? — page 2 — Many countries outside the United States have their own professional basketball leagues Vocabulary Athletic circuits are leagues of teams that compete against each other of its invention there were women’s teams professional circuits and college leagues The game quickly spread to Canada Europe and Australia Today young people play basketball in grade school high school college and at athletic clubs In addition to amateur teams there are professional leagues and independent professional clubs throughout the world 5

What Is Basketball? — page 3 — playing area and equipment The dimensions of a basketball court are 50 feet 15 2 meters by 94 feet 28 7 m for professional and college play There is a line that divides the court in half and in the middle is the center circle Another court marking is the three-point line It is 20 feet 9 inches 6 3 m from the basket for college players In the US men’s professional league it is 23 feet 9 inches 7 2 m Every basketball court used for professional games in the United States has the same dimensions 6

What Is Basketball? — page 4 — The orange metal hoop and white net are among the most well-known parts of a basketball court At each end of the court is a basket 10 feet 3 m above the floor The basket is an orange metal ring with an open net hanging from the rim Players wear sleeveless jerseys and athletic shorts This loose clothing helps players run jump and shoot Basketball shoes are thicker and heavier than running shoes They help players jump and change directions A basketball team has five players two forwards two guards and a center The players at each position have special skills and tasks For example guards are good at moving the ball down the court and passing it to teammates Think About It Why do you think basketball players do not wear padded uniforms 7

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