The Topic: Basketball Easier - Basketball is a game where players try to throw a round inflated ball through a raised basket like goal. It is played on a court by two teams of five players. Points are made by shooting the ball through a high metal hoop and net at the opponent's end of the court. The large round ball used in this game is also called a basketball.   Harder - One of the most popular sports around the world, basketball is a fast-paced competition played by men and women of all ages and ability. The basketball court on the playground or in a gymnasium is rectangular with regulation rims located 10 feet above the ground. In the early days, basketball was played with a soccer ball. Today's standard basketballs are orange to brown in color with an outer cover of leather or nylon and a pebbled (indented) surface for grip and control. In men's play, a regulation basketball is 29.5 to 30 in (74.9 to 76.2 cm) in circumference and 20 to 22 oz (567 to 624 g) in weight. Women's version can be slightly smaller and lighter in weight.   The game involves two five-player teams that play both offense and defense. With a few exceptions, basketball games whether they are played informally or in organized leagues follow generally consistent rules that have changed little since the game's invention in 1891. Games begin with a jump ball at center court; a referee throws the ball up while two opposing attempt to direct the ball to their teammates control. The basic offensive skills of basketball are passing, ball handling, shooting, and rebounding. Defensive skills include guarding opponents, blocking and positioning to defend the basket, using quickness to intercept or steal the ball, and rebounding missed shots.   Basketball http://www.btinternet.com/~jets/bbframes.html This introductory site provides a quick look around the game.   Basketball Highway http://www.bbhighway.com/ Designed for coaches and players, this is a comprehensive site includes tips for young players to improve basic skills and understanding of the game, plus articles on passing, defense, dribbling, and more. Not-To-Be-Missed Section: 2) Playground Pointers http://www.bbhighway.com/Talk/Coaching_Box/Playground/playground.asp   Basketball Tips & Drills from eteamz http://www.eteamz.com/basketball/instruction/tips/ Visit the instructional libraries, post a message to the basketball bulletin board, email online coach, Vic Pruden with your basketball questions, and get tips for playing better basketball. Not-To-Be-Missed Section: 2) Conceptual Basketball http://www.eteamz.com/conceptualbasketball/ Related Websites: 3) Basketball Tips http://www.prostar.com/web/northshr/bb-tips.htm 4) Tip of the Month from S. Slade http://www.sandyspinslade.com/archives.htm   Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame http://www.hoophall.com/ The site includes history of the game, information about the 246 individuals and five teams enshrined and lots more. Not-To-Be-Missed Section: 2) Hoop Hall History Page http://www.hoophall.com/history/history.htm Related Websites: 3) Hooptown USA http://www.masslive.com/hooptown/ 4) Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame http://naismithmuseum.com/ 5) Women's Basketball Hall of Fame http://www.wbhof.com/   After visiting several of the websites, complete one or more of the following activities.   Compare And Contrast Basketball. Examine the rules, the court, and game of basketball at the high school, college, and professional levels. Identify the ways that are different at these levels of play. An alternative compare and contrast activity would be to examine the game of basketball in its early years and how it is played today.   Make A Basketball Jumpshot. Learn about the physics of a basketball jumpshot and Make a Basketball Jumpshot Every Time! from Fear of Physics. Then go to the basketball court and try applying this science to your jumpshot.   Create A Basketball Poster. Focus on a specific message for your poster such as favorite player, team, or tournament. Make it as colorful and attractive as possible. Display your finished artwork.   Take Some Basketball Lessons Online. You will find the online basketball skills lessons at Get Ready for Round Ball from Sports Guru.   Complete A Basketball WebQuest. Adapt or follow the directions found at the following webQuest sites: 1) Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball: Comparing Statistics http://www.wfu.edu/~mccoy/NCTM00/amy.html 2) Salaries and Professional Basketball Players (Grade 7) http://www.spa3.k12.sc.us/WebQuests/Basketball/MathGuidedTour2.htm   What Would You Change About Basketball Competition? Begin preparation by identifying the positive and negative effects of school basketball competition as it exists today. Then pose both sides of the argument in a final presentation, this could be done using a multimedia presentation software such as PowerPoint. Summarize your findings and include your recommendations for change. If it were in your power, what would you change?   Become A Basketball Statistician. Here are a few sites to help you get started. Practice keeping stats of your favorite team. 1) Basketball Scrimmage or Game Stastistics (Form) http://www.flash.net/~statman/forms/bskstats.pdf 2) 2003 Basketball Statistician Manual from NCAA http://www.ncaa.org/library/statistical/basketball_stats_manual/2003/2003_basketball_stats_ man.pdf 3) Individual and Team Basketball Statistics (Form) http://www.ighsau.org/hoops/BBStatSheet.pdf 4) NCAA Basketball Statisticians' Manual Archive http://www.ncaa.org/library/statistical/basketball_stats_manual/ 5) Official Basketball Boxscore (form) http://www.flash.net/~statman/forms/bskbox.pdf 6) Official NCAA Basketball Boxscore (Form) http://www.ncaa.org/library/programs/stats/2003_basketball_stats.pdf 7) Shooting Chart (Form) http://www.flash.net/~statman/forms/bskshots.pdf 8) SportsStats (Download AClarisWorks/AppleWorks shareware for basketball statistics database) http://www.santel.net/~bmastel/basketball.html 9) TurboStats Software for Basketball (Download Windows software) http://www.turbostats.com/download.htm   Shoot Some Hoops. Get out and shoot some baskets. Play a game of "Horse" or scrimmage with your friends. Compete shooting free throws, even if that is competing against yourself. Keep a record of how many shots you make out of twenty-five trys. Keep a record. Shoot the same series as many times as possible for one month. Make a graph that shows the results of your basketball shooting experiment.   Imagine Basketball in the Year 3000. Basketball has evolved and changed from when it was first devised. Imagine the game being played in about a thousand years from now. Write a futuristic basketball game story that is centered on the game.   Websites By Kids For Kids How Does A Basketball Bounce? (Grade 3) http://schools.portnet.k12.ny.us/~guggenheim_school/guggenweb/creative%20writing/bounceba sketball.htm Did you ever wonder how a basketball bounces?   James Naismith (1861-1939) http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/tecumseh/student/5/Naismce.htm Here is a student report on the man who invented basketball. Similar Projects & Reports: 2) Dr. James Naismith by R. Garner http://www.usd314.k12.ks.us/curriculum8/naismith/naismith.html 3) James Naismith http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/tecumseh/student/5/Naisek.htm   More Websites Association for Professional Basketball Research by R. Bradley http://hometown.aol.com/bradleyrd/apbr.html This site houses professional basketball records, statistics, history, research, and lots more. Related Website: 2) Basketball Statistics Archive http://ok.kalnieciai.lt/ 3) NBA History from CBS SportsLine http://www.sportsline.com/u/basketball/nba/history/ 4) Pro Basketball from InfoPlease http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0003691.html   Becoming a Basketball Official from National Association of Sports Officials http://www.naso.org/BeOfficial/bask.htm This is a very useful site if you’ve thought about becoming a basketball official and need a place to get started.   Black Legends of Professional Basketball http://www.blacklegendsbasketball.com/ This website showcases the often forgotten history of black professional basketball players and their barnstorming teams from 1900-1960. Related Websites: 2) Art of the Harlem Rens: Black Basketball and Performance http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/caas/diaspora/conferences/1998_blackbball.htm 3) Basketball: The Black Game http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CLASS/am483_97/projects/walters/mjbball.html 4) Freedom to Play: The Life and Times of Basketball's African-American Pioneers http://www.hoophall.com/exhibits/freedom_to_play_opener.htm 5) Questions of Race by J. Entine from Philadelphia Magazine http://www.jonentine.com/articles/question_of_race_recon.htm 6) Remembering the New York Renaissance Five by H. Frommer http://www.travel-watch.com/littleleague.htm 7) Remembering The Rens by J Hareas from NBA History http://www.nba.com/history/encyclopedia_rens_001214.html   College BasketBall - Pro Basketball: History Of The Game & More from All Sports Posters http://www.all-sports-posters.com/collegebasketball.html This site contains an extensive timeline covering the history of basketball. More Websites on Basketball History: 2) Basketball Archives from The Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/basketball.html 3) Basketball History http://www.wi-travel-guide.com/basketball_jerseys-AV-0127-K.html 4) Born in the USA (Father: Canadian) http://www.geocities.com/luwbc/history.htm#born 5) History of Basketball http://www.hoops.co.uk/hoops/infofile/bg_history.htm 6) History of Basketball http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/7110/histbball.html 7) History of Basketball 1891-Present http://members.tripod.com/opey3/history.html 6) March Mayhem from CBS SportsLine http://old.sportsline.com/u/madness/1998/history/ 7) Men's Basketball History from the Big Ten http://www.bigten.org/history/bko/bkc/intro.cfm   Glossary of Basketball Terms from AllCoach http://206.67.48.188/basketball/glossary.asp Here is a basic list of basketball terms and their meaning.   History of Women's Basketball (Part 1 of 3) by J. Molina http://www.womensbasketballmuseum.com/ The goal of this online museum is to provide an overall view of how the game started and evolved into what it is today. Related Website: 2) History of Women's Professional Basketball http://hometown.aol.com/bradleyrd/women.html   James Naismith http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Naismith.htm Basketball started with 18 men in a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. James Naismith had 14 days to create an indoor game that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter. Other Naismith Biography Sites: 2) Basketball - James Naismith (1861-1939) http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbasketball.htm 3) Dr.James Naismith: Father Of The Game http://www.varsityhoops.com/files/father.shtml 4) Dr. James Naismith from Kansas Sports Hall of Fame http://www.kshof.org/inductees/naismith.html 5) Dr. James Naismith http://naismithmuseum.com/naismith_drjamesnaismith/main_drjamesnaismith.htm 6) History of Basketball http://www.ku.edu/heritage/graphics/people/naismith.html 7) James Naismith - Canadian Inventor of Basketball http://www.allsands.com/Entertainment/People/jamesnaismith_byx_gn.htm 8) James Naismith Section from Hoop Hall History http://www.hoophall.com/history/history.htm   Know Your Basketballs from SportsMom http://www.sportsmom.com/basketballs.htm Did you know that basketballs come in different sizes and are made from a variety of materials for indoor and outdoor play? Related Websites: 2) Basketballs: Frequently Asked Questions from Spalding http://www.spalding.com/spalding_faqs.html# 3) Basketball Specifications from Sportime http://www.sportime.com/products/smartbasketballs.jsp   Labor Pains Nothing New to the NBA by R. Bradley http://hometown.aol.com/apbrhoops/labor.html This article chronicles the history of labor negotiations between the league and it's players - - the painful, litigious, and drawn out process.   NCAA Playing Rules and Officiating Books http://ncaa.org/library/rules.html#basketball Here you can download the (1) Men's and Women's Basketball Rules and Interpretations and (2) Men's and Women's Illustrated Basketball Rules plus similar documents for other sports. Related Websites: 2) Anthony's International Basketball Officiating Site http://www.members.shaw.ca/jazzace/ace/hoop/ 3) Basketball (Rules) from National Federation of High School Associations http://www.nfhs.org/rules-basketball.htm 4) Men's FIBA (International), NBA, And NCAA Basketball Rule Differences http://www.usabasketball.com/rules/rules.html 5) NCAA Official Basketball Signals http://www.ncaa.org/library/programs/signals/2002_basketball.pdf 6) Official Rules of the National Basketball Association http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_index.html 7) Official Rules of the Woman's National Basketball Association http://www.wnba.com/analysis/wnba_rules_regulations.html 8) Online Rule Books (Links-site) from Hoops.ref http://www.hoopsref.com/onlinerulebooks.php 9) Rules and Regulations form the International Basketball Federation http://www.fiba.com/fs_main.asp   Official Site of USA Basketball http://www.usabasketball.com/ As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.   Original Harlem Globetrotters http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/ Here you can learn about this team's players and history and find out where they're appearing this season. Related Website: Harlem Globetrotters http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/harlem_globetrotters.htm   Remember the ABA http://www.geocities.com/~arthurh/ The "red, white and blue" league, the defunct American Basketball Association, existed from 1967 to 1976 -- for nine full seasons. During that time, they fought a bitter war with the established National Basketball Association (the NBA) for players, fans, and media attention. Related Website: NBA History http://www.nba.com/history/   Basketball Organizations, Leagues, & Tournaments AAU Girls' Basketball (Amateur Athletic Union) http://www.aaugirlsbasketball.org/index.html Canada Basketball http://www.basketball.ca/ CBA Hoops Online (Continental Basketball Association) http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/ International Basketball Federation (FIBA) http://www.fiba.com/fs_main.asp Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA http://www.nba.com/jrnba/ Men's Basketball from Big Ten Conference http://www.bigten.org/bko/bkc/ National Basketball Development League (NBDL) http://www.nba.com/nbdl/ NBA (National Basketball Association) http://www.nba.com/ NCAA Basketball (National Collegiate Athletic Association) http://ncaa.org/sports/basketball/index.html NCAA Sports (Links to sections for Men & Women, Division I, II & III) http://www.ncaasports.com/ NCAA Final Four (Men & Women, National Collegiate Athletic Association) http://www.finalfour.net/ National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) http://www.nwba.org/ National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) http://www.nwbl.com Women's Basketball from Big Ten Conference http://www.bigten.org/bko/bkw/ WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) http://www.wnba.com/ Magazines, Newspapers, & Media Basketball.com http://www.basketball.com/ College Basketball from CNN Sports Illustrated http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/ College Basketball - Men from Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/sports/leaguesandsports/mencollegebasketball/ College Basketball - Women from Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/sports/leaguesandsports/womencollegebasketball/ Men's Basketball (NCAA) from USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba/skm/skcm.htm Men's Basketball (College) from USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/digest.htm NBA from Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/sports/leaguesandsports/nba/ NCAA from CBS SportsLine http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball Pro Basketball from CNN Sports Illustrated http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ Pro Basketball from USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/front.htm Today's NBA News http://www.boston.com/scoreboard/nba/ WNBA from CBS SportsLine http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/basketball/wnba/index.html WNBA from Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/sports/leaguesandsports/wnba/   Websites For Teachers Basketball Lesson http://www.roanoke.edu/education/Dlugos/basketball1.htm Here is a set of 8 lessons for introducing beginning basketball skills. Similar Lesson Plans: 2) Basketball Lesson http://www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/staff/dkohlman/BASKETBALLLESSON.PDF 3) Basketball Lesson http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/foxchapeles/basketball.htm   Basketball Passing (Grades 3-5) by C. Ekern from AskERIC Lessons http://www.askeric.org/cgi- bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Physical_Education/Skill_Related/SRF0202.html This lesson concentrates on the basketball chest pass and bounce pass. Other Related Lesson Plans from AskERIC: 2) Basketball (Grade 5) by L. Goins http://www.askeric.org/cgi- bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Physical_Education/Skill_Related/SRF0006.html 3) Name of Game: Throw and Run Basketball (Grades 4-5) by M.L. Thompson http://www.askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Physical_Education/Team_Sports/TSP0002.html   Basketball Statistics http://cesme.utm.edu/resources/math/MAG/6-8MAGActivities.pdf/6-8C3A4.pdf This activity has students gathering and keeping statistical information about their favorite basketball team. Related Website: 2) Basketball Statistics and Mathematics (Grade 6) by S. Ankeney http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/mathed/HumanResources/ankeney/lesson1.htm   Does Air Have Mass and Density? (Grades 7-12) by T. Ramey from AskERIC Lessons http://www.askeric.org/cgi- bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Physical_Sciences/PHY0201.html Using a basketball, students conduct an experiment to determine if air has mass, and therefore, density.   High-Fives! An Introduction to Finite Differences (Grades 6-10) from PBS's Teachersource Mathline http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/concepts/womeninmath/activity5.shtm The technique of finite differences was one of the keys to how the difference engine worked. Ada Lovelace studied this method. The technique of finite differences can be used in problem solving to find and extend terms in a pattern, as well as to develop a general algebraic statement.   Mathematical Investigation with Excel by L. Petraitis and J. Walraven http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/courses/ci301fall98/petraitis/EXINTRO.html In our excel problem students will study the motion of a basketball. The point of the problem is to find the best angle or the best velocity the ball should be thrown so that it will go in the basket from the free throw line.   basketball hook shot passing referee backcourt James Naismith fast break travel statistics defense full court press rope games sidewalk game bounce pump inbound pass dribbling break away shooting dunk perimeter point guard goaltending screen cheerleader traveling pivot foot Olympics air ball open player guard weak side charging pick block out half court press tip in forward bank shot frontcourt whistle rebound off the glass court post up give and go jump ball alley oop pump fake personal foul trap Negro Baseball Leagues lane post fast break pick & roll out of bounds shot block center backboard biking hoop time out bounce pass turnover dance ball handling jump shot steal the ball rim switch offense        Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 2/03.