What is it?Basketball is a fast moving game that can be played on both indoor and outdoor courts. The object of the game is to score points by making fields goals or free throw shots. The length of time that the game is played varies, depending on the age of the players, but most youth games are made up of four six-minute quarters. There are shorts break between each quarter, and at halftime.At the beginning of a basketball game, both teams send five players each onto the court. The game begins with a jump ball at center court. Each team tries to recover the ball and move it toward their ...view middle of the document...
Likewise, the height of the basket and the size of the basketball are adjusted for the player's size.AdvantagesBasketball is an excellent conditioning sport that can be enjoyed by both boys and girls alike. Participation in athletic sports like basketball, improves physical fitness, coordination, and self-discipline, and gives children valuable opportunities to learn about teamwork.Basketball games can be played on school playgrounds, home driveways, and indoor gyms. Although an organized game of basketball requires 10 players, one great thing about basketball is that the skills needed for the game can be practiced individually. Many families purchase portable basketball nets for home use. Jumping rope at home is another great way to prepare to play basketball.DisadvantagesAs in most sports that involve running for sustained periods of time, injuries to the lower extremities are most common, particularly ankle injuries, with strains and sprains being the most often encountered basketball injuries.Other injuries such as bruises, lacerations, and bone fractures can result both from falls and from collisions between players.A study conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported the following statistics related to sports injuries in children ages 10 to 14:
