Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and in the United States. And with 30 franchise teams in the National Basketball Association, the sport has a direct impact on nearly every state in the country and in Canada. And while basketball may appear somewhat confusing and difficult to understand, nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, basketball is one of the easier sports to both understand and play, requiring little equipment to get started. And if you are wondering how to start getting into watching basketball, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, we are going to guide you on how to begin getting into watching basketball step-by-step and by the end of this article we guarantee that you’ll be left a more knowledgeable and avid fan!
Why Should You Start Getting into Basketball?
While each individual’s reason for wanting to learn more about the sport of basketball is different, basketball is often one of the first sports that many people will begin to watch and play. Again, while the reasons may vary, typically it is due to the global popularity of the sport.
Whereas football is the most popular sport in America, it is less prevalent in other countries and typically not as popular around the world. Similarly, whereas soccer is one of the most popular global sports, its impact is less great in America. But basketball appears to cross-over between different countries and cultures, making it one of the true, and only, global sports.
In fact, basketballs popularity often begets a sense of reverence for the players in the NBA. Fans will often wait for hours to watch their favorite team and players play, additional hours to secure an autograph from their favorite player, and additional hours perusing videos online of the latest highlights and streams.
Understanding the Basics of the Sport
Before getting into the sport of basketball, it is absolutely crucial to understand the basic rules and regulations of the game. And while basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, the sport has come a long way since its first inception.
Basketball is meant to be played by two teams of five players. The goal of the sport is to place the basketball through the basketball net, earning points for your team after each successful attempt. At the end of regulation, the team with more points overall is considered the winner of the game.
In basketball, the two teams will play on a rectangular court, with a basketball hoop placed on both ends. In a regulation or professional game, the hoop is elevated 10 feet above the ground. And within the rectangular court, there is a line which divides the two sides, so called the half court line.
The offensive team will look to exploit weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the defensive team as a means to score points. However, in order to move the ball, an offensive player must either maintain a constant dribble or pass the basketball to a teammate. Moving the ball without dribbling is considered a penalty and will result in a loss of possession of the basketball.
And in many professional leagues, a shot clock will be affixed above the basketball hoop, limiting the amount of time the offensive team is allowed to maintain possession of the basketball. This is done as to allow for more constant play between the two teams and to discourage any one team from holding the ball and effectively running down the clock.
Although the offensive team, that is the team with possession of the basketball, will attempt to place the ball through the hoop, the defensive team will attempt to thwart their advances. This is done by playing defense against the offensive team, attempting to steal the ball, blocking or deflecting shots, and securing the ball, so called a rebound, after a missed shot.
And lastly, when it comes to scoring in a game of basketball, each shot made is not created equal. When an offensive team makes a basket, it is considered to be worth two points and possession of the basketball will transfer to the opposing team. However, if an offensive team attempts, and makes, a shot behind the three-point arc, then their team will be awarded three points.
Lastly, if an offensive player is fouled, dependent on the situation, they may be awarded a free throw opportunity. Each successfully made free throw will award the offensive team one point and, again dependent on the situation, an offensive player may be awarded one, two, or three free throw opportunities.
Getting into Watching the Game of Basketball
Once you have acclimated yourself with the basic rules of basketball, you’ll be better positioned to begin watching the games and understanding the nuances of the game. Below, we are going to review some great ways to begin getting into watching the game of basketball.
Choose a Team to Root For – perhaps above-all-else, you should choose a team to root for. And with 30 franchise NBA teams, there are definitely quite a few to choose from. Our recommendation? When you are just starting to get into the sport, we always recommend rooting for the home team or the team that is closest to you by geographical distance. This will help you to build an emotional connection to the team, will allow for you to more easily purchase fan gear and merchandise from local stores, and will make it easier to attend their home games.
Purchase Some Team Gear and Merchandise – a true and real fan will have some of their favorite team’s merchandise or gear with them. Doing so not only helps to support your team, but also signifies to others your fandom and support of the team. And while most big-box retailers will sell local team merchandise, you can also purchase authentic NBA merchandise and gear online.
Consider Purchasing an NBA League Pass Subscription – if you are looking to get into watching basketball and the NBA, then perhaps there is no better way to do so than by purchasing an NBA League Pass subscription. While a plethora of NBA games are televised nationally, either on ESPN, TNT, AABC, or NBA TV, NBA League Pass will provide you with all NBA games played and allow you to keep up with the latest standings and rankings.
Follow Your Favorite Players and Teams on Social Media – in decades past, avid basketball fans had limited options to keep-up with their favorite teams. However, with the inception of the internet, true fans are able to keep-up with their favorite teams and players 24/7. Consider following teams and players on social media to always be in the loop and to build a stronger connection with those teams and players. Also consider checking out our recommendations on the best NBA accounts to follow on both Instagram and Twitter.
Go to a Game at the Stadium – there really is no better way to get into watching basketball than by going to a game at the stadium. While watching an NBA game at home, with your favorite snacks, is a great experience, nothing truly compares to watching the game at the stadium. Packed with like-minded fans and great energy, you may just be called to compete in the halftime contest!
Familiarize Yourself with Your Favorite Team’s Starting Lineup – while you don’t need to know every player on every team, you should familiarize yourself with your favorite team’s starting lineup. These five players are typically the best players on the team and familiarizing yourself with those players will help you to build a stronger connection to the team.
Always Root for Your Team – although you are allowed to criticize certain aspects of your favorite team, you should always root for your favorite team. Cheer through the great and fun moments and be hopeful when things look bleak.
Read up on the History of the NBA and Basketball – if you really want to get into the sport of basketball, then reading up on the history of the NBA and on specific books about the game will help you to be a more informed and knowledgeable fan.
Watch Basketball Documentaries – basketball is one of the most widely talked about and discussed sports in the world. And with an avid fandom, many documentaries, mini-series, and television shows have been produced discussing the game. If you want to really get into watching the game, then consider watching a few of those documentaries or mini-series.
Get Inspired: How to get into basketball
How do I start?
Find your local club by visiting Englandexternal-link, Scotlandexternal-link, Walesexternal-link or Northern Irelandexternal-link Basketball Association websites.
What is basketball?
A game where two teams compete to score the most points by throwing a ball into their opponents net.
Players can move freely around the court, except for the player with the ball who can only move when bouncing or 'dribbling' the ball.
All you need to get started is a ball and a hoop and you don't need any special kit - just comfortable clothes and trainers.
Is it for me?
Basketball can be played by people of any age, size or ability and with thousands of outdoor courts across the country - where you can play for free - there's plenty of places to practice if you don't fancy competing with a team.
What to expect when I start?
Basketball is a fun, fast and stamina-building sport with players burning up to 600 calories an hour.
The sport is a mixture of dribbling, passing and shooting which helps improve balance and co-ordination.
With clubs across the country, it's a great way to meet new people and develop teamwork and communication skills and many clubs offer a variety of social events away from the court.
Wheelchair Basketball embraces a range of disabilities and is equally as fast paced and exciting as the traditional game. Wheelchair Basketball is a great way of improving upper-body strength and building confidence. British Wheelchair Basketballexternal-link provide opportunities to play across the UK.
To get you in the mood ...
Get Inspired: Learn how to spin the ball
Are you inspired to try basketball? Or maybe you are a keen enthusiast already? Get in touch and tell us your experience of the activity by tweeting us on @bbcgetinspired,external-link visiting us on Facebookexternal-link or email us on [email protected].
All clubs need a chair, secretary and treasurer to help things run smoothly as well as officials, coaches and judges. Whatever role you're interested in, Join Inexternal-link has opportunities to volunteer in your area.
where to study, salary, pros and cons
Author: Professional Guide
Updated by
Basketball player is a professional basketball player. Such a team game is popular, first of all, in the USA. In Russia, it is somewhat inferior to football and hockey, but still quite in demand. By the way, the ProfGid career guidance center has recently developed an accurate career guidance test that will tell you which professions suit you, give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.
Professional knowledge
Famous basketball players
Examples of companies with basketball vacancies
See also :
Brief description: who is a basketball player?
The basic rules of the game of basketball are usually known to everyone: two teams enter the field, the one that scores more points wins. Points are given for hitting the ball into a basket hanging at a height of 3.05 meters from the floor. The number of points that is counted for each hit depends on the distance from which the throw was made. In the process of moving around the field, players must dribble the ball, beating it off the floor, and not hold it in their hands.
Features of the profession
A professional sports career requires a lot of energy, effort, time and dedication. A basketball player must always be in good shape, his salary and popularity largely depend on the performance of his performance on the field, and he must work closely with other team members. The main duties of a basketball player are as follows:
Daily attendance at training.
Compliance with the regime of the day and nutrition.
Participation in matches.
Participation in non-match events of the club.
Regular medical examination, following the recommendations of the doctor and trainer.
A basketball player must be prepared for the fact that he will periodically have to change the clubs he plays for, participate in international competitions from his country, and even during the match, cooperate with different groups of players (frequent substitutions are very common in this game).
Pros and cons of the basketball profession
Pros
Prestigious profession with a decent salary.
Opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Opportunity to travel, communicate with representatives of different countries and peoples.
The joy of victories and the support of the fans.
See also:
Cons
The need for talent or extensive experience to gain recognition and sign expensive contracts.
In order to successfully fill the position of a basketball player and succeed in this field, an athlete must be in very good physical shape, he must not have serious chronic diseases, he needs excellent endurance, concentration, speed of movement and reactions, perfect coordination. Most often, very tall athletes become successful basketball players. Analytical thinking, the ability to follow the strategy developed by the coach, make decisions quickly, and work together with the rest of the team will also not interfere.
Basketball training
Russian universities and colleges do not offer basketball training as such. You can learn how to play basketball in sports schools, and then improve your skills in basketball clubs. In parallel, you can get a sports education (including to successfully work as a coach after completing a career in big-time sports). In this context, the specialty "Physical Education" in colleges (code 49. 02.01) or the same name in universities (code 49.03.01). A certificate is sufficient for admission to a secondary school, in addition to it, the results of the Unified State Examination in the Russian language, biology and physics are required for admission to the university.
Courses
Stremlenie Basketball Club
It is necessary to think about where to get the profession of a basketball player, if you have the appropriate inclinations, from childhood. Therefore, most basketball schools offer training for children and teenagers. One of these schools is the Stremlenie basketball club, where individual and team trainings are held. Members of the club also take part in competitions.
The best universities for basketball players
MSPU
RGSU
MGOU
RGUFKSMiT
RGUFK them. P.F. Lesgafta
RSPU im. A.I. Herzen
Read also:
Place of work
Basketball players play for basketball clubs, national teams. At the end of their careers, they work as coaches (both in adult clubs and in children's sports schools).
Salary of a basketball player
The level of income of such an athlete directly depends on his talent, experience, professionalism and fame. The more useful a basketball player can bring to the club, the higher the salary will be offered to him.
Basketball player salary for November 2022
Salary information provided by hh.ru portal.
Russia 100000-250000₽
Career growth
Building a career for a professional athlete is about improving your skills and getting more and more lucrative offers from clubs. With age, it may also involve a change from activity to coaching.
Professional knowledge
Human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
History of physical culture.
Psychology of physical culture.
Management of physical culture and sports.
Biomechanics of motor activity.
Rules of the game of basketball.
Team strategies when playing basketball.
Famous basketball players
Michael Jordan, one of the Chicago Bulls' most popular players, was on the club's winning streak six times in the NBA.
Shaquille O'Neal, recognized as one of the best players in the history of the NBA, also known for releasing rap albums and starring in several films.
Clyde Drexler, one of the best basketball players in the NBA, Olympian with 20,000 points in his entire career.
See also:
Examples of companies with vacancies for a basketball player
How to get into the BC "NN"
Many of you regularly ask questions about how to get into the BC "Nizhny Novgorod", or rather in the teams of the youth team and CYBL. After talking with the head coach of BC "NN-2" and BC "NN-3" Roman Gorelovsky, we decided to answer all at once and give you a detailed plan on how to conquer Nizhny. Let's get started!
So, I am a basketball player. I think I'm pretty good. How old do I have to be to get into the structure of the club?
Answer: BC "NN" is considering candidates born in 2000 this year. and younger.
Comment: This year we will bet on 2003 and 2004. But do not think that everything will be limited only to these ages. If a guy a little older wants to get into the youth team or junior junior league, then we will definitely look at him so as not to miss anyone. But this is selective. By and large, a boy who comes to play with us must be a practically ready-made basketball player. Of course, we allow a certain level of shortcomings, permissible marriage, but still an understanding of the game should already be formed, because this is the maximum age for the main team. That is, a player who comes to us at the age of 20 cannot be at the same level of development as a guy born in 2004. As for the younger age limit, it is about 8-9Class.
Excellent. I fit the age criteria. What to do next?
Answer: send an application. We will talk about how to do this a little later.
Comment: Initially, we look at where a potential player is from. If this is Nizhny Novgorod and nearby cities, then they just need to contact the club management or us, leave a request for viewing and arrive at the appointed time. If these are guys from other regions, then everything is a little more complicated here, but still the principle is the same. The necessary phone numbers and email addresses are publicly available on the site, so there should be no problems with this.
Understood. I sent an application. When can we expect a viewing?
Answer: We usually hold screenings during the May holidays or at the end of April, so as not to coincide with school exam days.
Comment: When applications have accumulated, we hold a meeting with the coaching staff, at which we determine the date and place of viewings (usually these are May holidays), and even then we invite all the guys who left applications. We have been following some of the local guys for more than a year, we will see someone for the first time, but we still try to look through everyone in order to find out who deserves special attention in the future.
Let's say I came to this screening and the coaching staff liked me. What then?
Answer: do not rush to relax! Another viewing session ahead.
Comment: We have a second viewing for the guys we singled out on the first one. It passes at the beginning of summer. In fact, these are some kind of fees. Last year we went to the Gorodetsky district, this year, perhaps, there will be the Meshchersky sports complex or the base on the Bor. In a word, at these training camps we make a final conclusion on each player and understand whether he made it to the team or not.
I figured it out. And what happens on the screenings? What to be ready for?
Answer: is essentially a regular workout, but with a special purpose.
Comment: We just give the guys elementary basic exercises, on which we look at the technical preparedness of the player. That is, how he handles the ball, his dribbling, how much he controls his body, coordination, balance, how the guy learns information in exercises in pairs and triples, his physical condition and endurance, ability to play 1 x Although all this is difficult to see in one viewing fee, since constant communication and observation is necessary to fully understand the level of the player. And yet, some moments are noticeable already at the first interactions.
Will all players have a chance or do you select candidates for certain positions?
Answer: We are interested in absolutely all players, regardless of their role on the court.
Comment: Absolutely any player can come and declare himself. Most importantly, send applications and indicate your data. We will definitely look at each guy, whether he was born in 2000 or 2004.
I am going to visit you from another region. Is it possible? Or are you looking for guys only from the Nizhny Novgorod region?
Answer: First of all, we are interested in local students who have been trained in sports schools in the Nizhny Novgorod region. But this does not mean that the doors of the club are closed to players from other regions.
Comment: A person can come even from the other side of Russia. As, for example, the player "НН-2" this season Yegor Chepik. We saw this guy at the IES-BASKET SBL Superfinal, brought him from Blagoveshchensk, and he has been playing for the youth team for a year now. I can say that he has made great progress this season.
I looked at your current line-up and saw that there are a lot of young guys on the rosters. Does this mean that the set will not be as large?
Answer: not at all. The fact that there are practically no children of the maximum allowable age in the teams does not mean that the squads are completed for the next season. Viewings will take place as usual.
Comment: We do not have a plan to take as many people as possible or, on the contrary, to limit the limit. Our goal is to focus on the quality of the players. We want to find guys who can potentially progress better than the rest.
If everything goes according to the best scenario, will I be able to get into the main team?
Answer: of course! You don't have to look far for an example. Ex-youth player Georgy Zhbanov is currently playing for the main team, and in a recent home match with CSKA he updated his performance record (18 points). In a word, everything is in your hands!
Everything is cool, but I sent a request for a long time, and you still have not answered. Why?
Response: We are not currently responding to these applications because the exact viewing dates have not yet been determined. As soon as everything is known, we will definitely let you know.
Can I get some advice from the coach before watching? What qualities will help me in the first place?
Answer: in short, you just have to be strong in spirit.
Comment: Unreal desire, perseverance and diligence. After all, to become a good player and prove yourself, often enough just a strong character. You may be weaker physically, but mentally you are already ready to endure all the difficulties of the training process and progress every day, and this is the most important thing.
And while basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts by James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, the sport has come a long way since its first inception.
Moving the ball without dribbling is considered a penalty and will result in a loss of possession of the basketball.
However, if an offensive team attempts, and makes, a shot behind the three-point arc, then their team will be awarded three points.
Our recommendation? When you are just starting to get into the sport, we always recommend rooting for the home team or the team that is closest to you by geographical distance. This will help you to build an emotional connection to the team, will allow for you to more easily purchase fan gear and merchandise from local stores, and will make it easier to attend their home games.
While a plethora of NBA games are televised nationally, either on ESPN, TNT, AABC, or NBA TV, NBA League Pass will provide you with all NBA games played and allow you to keep up with the latest standings and rankings.
Packed with like-minded fans and great energy, you may just be called to compete in the halftime contest!
Points are given for hitting the ball into a basket hanging at a height of 3.05 meters from the floor. The number of points that is counted for each hit depends on the distance from which the throw was made. In the process of moving around the field, players must dribble the ball, beating it off the floor, and not hold it in their hands. 
02.01) or the same name in universities (code 49.03.01). A certificate is sufficient for admission to a secondary school, in addition to it, the results of the Unified State Examination in the Russian language, biology and physics are required for admission to the university. 
At the end of their careers, they work as coaches (both in adult clubs and in children's sports schools). 
Let's get started! 
As for the younger age limit, it is about 8-9Class. 
In a word, at these training camps we make a final conclusion on each player and understand whether he made it to the team or not. 
As, for example, the player "НН-2" this season Yegor Chepik. We saw this guy at the IES-BASKET SBL Superfinal, brought him from Blagoveshchensk, and he has been playing for the youth team for a year now. I can say that he has made great progress this season. 
Ex-youth player Georgy Zhbanov is currently playing for the main team, and in a recent home match with CSKA he updated his performance record (18 points). In a word, everything is in your hands! 
