Basketball is a sports game in which there are two teams of 5 players. They try to throw the ball into the opponent's basket. Lasts 4 periods of 10 minutes. This is an Olympic sport. There are countries where it is very popular. These are the USA, Spain, Greece, Lithuania. He gained the greatest fame in the United States of America. This is not surprising, because this is where basketball was born.
Basketball and the USA
USA basketball players are the best in the world, they almost always become winners and champions. In the country, love for "ball and basket" is developed since childhood. From an early age, kids play some kind of sport, and one of the most popular is basketball. This is almost a national pastime. Younger children are often involved in it, the payment is sponsored by volunteer organizations. Children play in schools and students play in colleges. Many who entered high school only to become a professional basketball player in the future, because usually it is impossible to get further without college.
The USA is a paradise for basketball players, so most of those who play this sport want to get here. So, why do Americans love playing basketball so much? Why do children do this:
- They want to get into the national basketball organization (NBA).
- Want to go to college on a basketball scholarship.
- The game develops all muscle groups.
It is the most competitive sport in the United States. And only 100 people out of 500,000 high school students who play it professionally will make it to the NBA. By the way, for those who are 180 cm tall, getting into the NBA is still more rare than the rule. Height in most cases should be 190 cm or higher. Every March, March Madness takes place, when approximately 60 people from one college are selected in the NBA draft. And yes, it is impossible to get into the NBA out of college. The only exception is when you enter it from a college or professional team in another country.
There are 2,000 colleges in the US that offer basketball. At the same time, these are incredibly good educational institutions. To enter there, you need to start playing the game from early childhood. It is considered a winter sport. In order to enter the school team, you should pass the competition around October. There are also basketball courses in the USA. There are many of them, they are outside the school and teach privately. And there are basketball camps. In short, not a country, but one big basketball court. And how did it all begin?
History of basketball
Of course, during the existence of mankind, there have been many attempts to play games with round objects. As early as 1500 BC, the inhabitants of South and Central America played something similar to basketball. But it was a ritual thing. In addition, there were similar games in ancient Rome and Greece, then in France in the 8th century.
But it is still known exactly when basketball appeared. After all, his birth is documented. Physical education teacher James Naismith worked at Springfield College. The students were bored during the long winter and did not want to do the typical gymnastic exercises. Therefore, it was decided to come up with a game that would be interesting for everyone. But at the same time, it could not be too contact and it had to be played in a small room. Therefore, baskets for peaches, a leather ball were taken and 5 main principles were formed:
- The ball should be small and comfortable.
- You can't run when you don't have the ball in your hands.
- When the game is in progress, any player can have possession of the ball.
- Physical contact of participants is prohibited. But they can rally in any part of the field.
- The rings are hung high above the heads.
The game of basketball was introduced on December 21, 1891. Participants had a soccer ball. Baskets for peaches were attached to both sides of the hall. And the rules of the game hung on the wall. There were 13 of them. Of course, it was not at all similar to the modern one. In fact, at first the players simply passed each other the ball and tried to throw it into the basket. Here, gymnastic exercises and reaction speed were successfully combined. The rules were later improved, because disputes constantly arose.
The first game, which is considered official, was held in Albany on January 20, 1892. Already from that time, it began to be used in schools and it was recommended for children. Since 1892, women have also been playing basketball.
In the 20s of the 20th century, the USA already had teams of professional basketball players. And in 1932, the International Basketball Federation was created. In 1936, basketball participated as a full-fledged sport at the Olympic Games in Berlin.
In 1949, the National Basketball League was founded.
Interesting facts about basketball
Despite the fact that basketball is a relatively "young" game, it also has many interesting features:
- At first, the game did not use professional baskets. Peach baskets with a closed bottom remained for a long time. And every time the ball got there, the judge took a ladder and got it out of there.
- Previously, a soccer ball was used. And in 1929, a professional ball appeared. It was brown, only to turn orange over time.
- Before the beginning of the Second World War, this sport was known almost exclusively in the USA. And after its end - all over the world. Since the 1980s, it has become mega-popular, because it was broadcast on TV screens.
- At first, there was no shield and the spectators sometimes caught the ball. Therefore, it is now mandatory and is made of special glass. Although it can often crash.
- There are two "old-timers" teams that have existed since the beginning of the game: the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks.
- 30% players are less than 2 meters tall.
- Basketball was first played in the Russian Empire in 1906. But this sport became popular only in the USSR.
- Michael Jordan is considered the best basketball player in the world.
- Earl Lloyd was the first black athlete to play in the NBA. It happened in 1950.
- The tallest basketball player is Suleiman Ali Nashnu. His height is 245 centimeters. The shortest is Muggy Boggs (160 centimeters).
- Cheerleaders get more injuries than players. They perform at every competition.
- The best Soviet basketball player was Yanis Krumyshyn. At the age of 26, he became a medalist at the Olympics.
- Some countries include the game in the school curriculum. After all, it develops dexterity and reaction.
Basketball is a game that all Americans love. But you can play it in any country, because it develops all the qualities that are necessary for a person.