Better Basketball

Origins Of The Game

While some historians claim that the concept of basketball is one that comes from an ancient Mesoamerican ballgame, the credit is given to Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor at the YMCA Training School (now Springfield College in Massachusetts).

In 1891, Naismith wished to develop an indoor game to motivate his students while exercising to maintain appropriate levels of fitness during the lengthy New England winter season.

After sorting through many ideas, he discarded the notions deemed too rowdy or restricted by an enclosed setting and eventually shaped the basic rules of a game centered on aiming soccer balls at a peach basket nailed to a 10-foot elevated track.

The first official basketball game took place in the YMCA gymnasium on January 20th, 1892, when nine players played on a court measuring half the size of today's regulation arena. The name of the sport was settled from the very beginning, as one student dubbed the game, "basket ball." That same year, gym teacher, Senda Berenson established the sport at Smith College, amending the rules for her female students.

Basketball quickly spread across the United States and Canada, attracting amateur, professional, and collegiate interest.

Today, an array of worldwide professional basketball teams (namely the NBA) have evolved with a colorful cast of memorable characters that continue to represent the sport.

Basketball Skills

Whether a crowd gathers at the local park or ESPN highlights the best dunks of all-time, basketball is a sport that blends a collection of athletic elements that include:

* Awesome Leg Power for vertical jumps

* Good aerobic stamina

* Excellent Footwork for court mobility

* Exceptional Handling Skills

Lower Limb Power can be developed with the correct graded resistance training using basic movements like the squat. The whole of the leg as a functional unit should be trainied so that the quadriceps, gluteals, hamstrings and calf muscles in particular are worked.

Aerobic Stamina can be improved by running and skipping regularly.

Footwork can also be really well developed by skipping as well as specific footwork drills. These activities will also significantly strengthen the stability muscles and structures of the knee and ankle which has a positive effect on injury prevention.

Handling Skills require constant ball practice to improve catching, passing and dribbling. Ball exercise drills will also develop strong wrist and finger joints, again helpful in injury prevention terms.

Focus, concentration and a desire to work tirelessly on the fundamental skills of passing, shooting and dribbling are definite requirements in this very demanding sport.