THE BASE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Nhlanhla ‘Kid’ Maphanga
Vice President: Bonginkhosi Shabangu
Secretary General: Nomalungelo Mkhombe
Treasurer: Nomfundo Jiyane
Head of Technical: Mandisa Zwane
Head of Coaching: Penga Vunga
Head of Competitions: Melusi Hlophe
Gender Equity: Philile Simelane
Disability Sports: Madalitso Mtine
Basketball is a team sport. Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground.
The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line. If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has eight (8) seconds to get the ball over the mid-court line. If it doesn’t, then a violation has occurred (possession of the ball goes to the opposite team).
Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have possession of the ball in the area in back of the line. If it does (backcourt violation), the defence is awarded the ball.
The rules of basketball, thankfully, are fairly straightforward. However, for the younger players, some rules can be easily forgotten. The three-second rule addressing how long an offensive player can be in the key before clearing out is a good example.
Once you have taught the rules of the game to your team, there is a simple way to make sure that they don’t forget them. Have them tell you the rules for instance.
Spend a few minutes during each practice quizzing them. Make it fun. Additionally, you can teach and reinforce the rules of the game during drills.
The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offensive side. The team without the ball is called the defensive team. They try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other team. If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point. Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half/quarter and/or the type of foul committed. Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot.
If he was beyond the three-point line, then he gets three shots. Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated during a quarter/half. Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a ‘1-and-1’ opportunity. Two free throws are awarded to the fouled player.
Each game is divided into sections. All levels have two halves. Each half has two quarters of 10 minutes each. If the score is tied after the 4 quarters, an extra 5 minutes (Overtime) is added for a winner to be determined.
Each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend. This means that the other basket is their scoring basket. At halftime, the teams switch goals. The game begins with one player from either team at centre court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off. In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways for a team to get the ball.
One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.
I WANT TO BE PART OF THE BASKETBALL FAMILY – WHERE TO GO
Contact Mandisa at our offices who will provide you with details for a club near you
Mandisa Zwane
Basketball Association of Eswatini
Portion 104, Mahleka St., Malunge Township, Mbabane
P O Box 1430, Mbabane H100
Cell: +268 7621 4897
Or
Reach out to us on our Facebook Page Basketball Association of Eswatini League or on our twitter account @basketball_SNBL#MTNSNBL.