Basketball

What Kids Say:

"The reason I like basketball is because you get to handle the ball a lot.You get to shoot baskets and they're easy to make. You get two points for every one shot you make.  I like basketball because I get to rebound the ball a lot and I get to score.  Also I like basketball because my dad is the
coach.  I like basketball because it is fun and good for your body."
        -Pierce Kocjan, age 11, Santa Cruz, California

"I like basketball because it's a very competitive sport with a lot of action.  I have been playing for 3-4 years.  To me basketball is fun because it's a game that just makes you feel good for no important reason."
         -Darci Bogdan, age 11, Santa Cruz, California

What is your background in this sport?
I played 4 years of high school basketball at Campbell High in Campbell, California, 2 years on Varsity.  In my junior year we were ranked 3rd place in the C.C.S. I am now the Happy Valley School basket ball coach, and have been for 6 years

How does basketball help your body?
Basketball is a great sport for physical fitness. You are required to use your entire body to play the sport.  You use your legs for running and jumping, and your upper body for shooting and rebounding. It is also a very good conditioning sport. The game is pretty much nonstop running. It's really just a series of sprints up and down the floor.

How does this sport help you mentally?
All intense exercise releases endorfins in your body. What these do is increase your mental awarness--they make you more alert. They also make you in a better mood. 

What sort of body type does a player need?
It is helpful if you are tall, but it isn't necessary. You can neutralize a taller player by getting in the proper position and playing "smarter" than him. Many short players can take advantage of the taller players with their quickness.

What are the dangers involved in playing this sport?
Since 10 bodies are in motion for most of the game, there is much contact.  So you get your fair share of bumps and bruises.  The two most common injuries though are probably "jammed" fingers and sprained ankles.  The fingers happen when you do not quite get your hand up fast enough to block a pass. And the sprained ankles usually happen when you jump up in the air and when you come down, land on someone else's foot, and roll your own ankle.

What equipment do you need to play this sport and how mch does it cost?
Not much is really required to play basketball, all you really need is a
Ball         $10.00-$40.00
Hoop      $25.00
it also helps if you wear shorts and a loose shirt, and if you do not have your own hoop there are always schools and parks that have some. 

Do you have anything else to add?
Just that basketball incorporates a lot of very good things such as teamwork, physical fitness, getting along with others, competition, and the satisfaction of giving it your best effort. Basketball has a fair amount of rules, but the basic idea remains the same: put the ball in the basket. And even though you could fit two basketballs side by side through a hoop, it still is a tough task. That is where practice comes in. And another great thing about basketball is all you need is a ball and a hoop, and you can work on your game all by yourself. 

Links to Other Sites
NCAA KidsCourt
Youth Basketball of America
www.nba.com
 

History
Basketball was invented in 1892 by Dr.James Maismith a  P.E.teacher at Springfield College in Massachusetts. He wanted to invent a game that could be played indoors and between baseball and football  seasons. Naismith put peach baskets high on the wall on each side of the gym.  The baskets gave the game it's name "basket ball."