Clever Girls- when it comes to basketball, the rules of the game are slightly more intricate than the North American Free Trade Agreement. While it seems easy- get possession of the big orange ball and put it in the basket- it’s slightly more complicated. I am going to give you the broad strokes and then suggest, unless you have actually played basketball competitively, that you keep your challenging of the officials or the dudes watching the game (dwg- not to be read dawg or dog) to an absolute minimum. You WILL- inevitably- get hamstrung by some obscure exception to the rules.
With a working knowledge of the basic rules and methods of scoring, you can have a conversation with any basketball fan and- as soon as you feel overwhelmed- ask a question or redirect the conversation with a well-placed compliment (“I really appreciate you bringing me to the game,” “Thanks so much for inviting me to watch”). If you are really feeling on the spot- offer to get drinks or refill snacks.
It’s kind of like the movie “The Fugitive”- a lot of running and action, a lot of shooting and sweating, everyone seems exhausted and frustrated, and in the end only one is victorious. The acting is generally Academy Award-winning- like Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford (if you’ve ever seen Bill Laimbeer draw a foul- you know what I’m talking about). In defense of basketball, they score. As opposed to soccer- tons of running, sweating, little shooting- almost no scoring.
The object of the game is fairly simple- score more points by making more “baskets” than the opposition. Two teams match up per game. There are five players at a time on both the offense and defense. Typically, there are two guards, two forwards and one center. More on the roles of each of these players later.
The court itself is shaped as a rectangle divided into two identical halves by the midcourt line. The circle in the center is the center circle where the “tip-off” takes place. The tip-off is the basketball equivalent of a kick-off, or face-off (football and hockey respectively). The dimensions are approximately 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. The lines along the sides of the court (long) are called sidelines- outside of them is considered out of bounds. The lines making up the ends of the court are called endlines and beyond them is also considered out of bounds.
At each end of the court is a basket suspended off the ground affixed to a backboard. In front of that is another rectangle- the end of which is the free-throw line and the sides of which make up what is called the lane.
Almost five feet beyond the free-throw line is an arc that goes all the way to the endline on either side of the sides of the lane- this is the three-point line. Any shot which finds it’s way to the basket shot from beyond this arc is awarded three points instead of the two points awarded for baskets shot within this arc.
The forecourt is where the offense is going to score- the backcourt is behind them.
In order to begin a game of professional basketball- generally the two tallest players meet at center court, the referee throws the ball up in the air (tip-off) and the player who is able to bat the ball to their team creates the offense. Unlike football, the same players are on the court during offense and defense- they do not change lines.
The NBA plays in four 12-minute long quarters. Keep in mind you can count on this taking twice to three times this long.
There are no ties in basketball. At the end of regulation time, the clock is reset for five minutes. Who ever is leading at the end is declared the winner of the game. If there is another tie at the end of overtime- another five-minute period is played until someone is the decisive winner.
As with most other sports with a lot of lines painted on the playing surface, these lines help control the movement of the ball or puck. Why? If not, one person could grab it and run the length of the court and score (not as easy in football- it’s a hell of a run with a whole lot of people looking to relieve you of your burden). So, in basketball, you have a lot of “rules,” lines and a shot clock, which dictate the amount scored and how the ball is moved down the court.
We discussed the “lane”- no offensive player can stand in that space for longer than three seconds without making a shot, Once they do, the clock starts over. A defensive player can defend the basket from there without penalty.
As with the amount of “time” the offense can stay within the lane, time dictates a great many things in this game. The offense must shoot the basketball within 24 seconds in the NBA- this keeps the game from turning into to a game of “keep away” and offers the defense an opportunity to take possession.
After a basket occurs- a member of the opposing team goes out of bounds under that basket to “throw the ball in” to a team member within five seconds. The offense must cross the midcourt line within 10 seconds. This keeps the game moving instead of one person standing there in a “face-off,” dribbling the clock out.
Penalties will be discussed later- on another day when we don’t feel like taking a nap (and really, basketball is a high-energy, exciting game- there is a ton of scoring, major enthusiasm and if you end up at a game where they have given the fans those inflatable clappy things, major FREAKING MIGRAINE)- but I need to cover free throws.
When an offensive player is fouled, they are awarded an opportunity to take an undefended shot from the free-throw line. Each basket is worth one point. They can be awarded up to three, depending on where they were fouled.
Assume the Position
Point Guard
This is the "quarterback"- he is responsible for generating offense and keeping the other players organized. He is the best passer and ball handler- and can be an efficient shooter, thereby making him most threatening.
Shooting Guard (might hear him called a two guard)
This is the best perimeter shooter on the team- expected to produce in key moments on the three-pointers.
Small Forward (might hear him called the swingman)
Need to be proficient scoring both inside and outside the perimeter. They need to be all purpose players on offense.
Power Forward
As in hockey, the power forward is my favorite position. This is generally the most physically adept player. He is often called the enforcer because he isn’t afraid to defend himself or others. He must be skilled in the rebound (when the ball does not go into the basket and is loose), passing, playing near the basket and scoring.
Center
The center is, in most cases, the tallest player. Though he is expected to produce offensively by scoring- he is often used to block shots, grab rebounds and shoot from close and far. He is to be highly versatile.
Now- there is so much more to discuss- but if you are on the same page as I- you are a bit overwhelmed. I must say, watching a game is the best way to understand. The balletic quality of basketball can not be denied. The coach literally must choreograph his team and the results are impressive.
Tomorrow is college gameday- check in for a recipe for turkey reubens that can be prepared on site for a light pre-game meal.
Shopping List-
Hoagie-style buns- do not skimp here- the bun will be exposed to moisture and you do not want it to fall apart or absorb too much
Shaved turkey breast- I prefer Boar’s Head- make sure it is oven roast and not flavored (think four sandwiches with a pound)
Cole slaw- though I love to make my own- it simply tastes better if it is the sweet, deli-style slaw with the fat and sweetness.
T. Marzetti (in the cold section of the grocery store) or Marie’s Thousand Island dressing in the jar. If you cannot find it- purchase the thickest, fattiest Thousand Island you can find. I know- this particular dish departs from my normally healthy recipes. If you want to reduce the fat- do so with a fat-free dressing.
That is all you need! I’ll tell you how to assemble tomorrow and it’s not as easy as you might think. There are some clever tricks to this sandwich.
No comments:
Post a Comment