TEAM SPORTS

BASKETBALL

A. HISTORY

1. Basketball came to existence through the ingenuity of Dr. James Naismith.

2. It was first played in 1891 at Springfield, Massachusetts, YMCA.
3. The first ball used was a soccer football, because of its ability to bounce uniformly.
4. The first baskets were peach baskets suspended from the traditional running track of so
many gymnasiums built in that period.
5. Heights of the baskets were determined by the running track or balcony height.
6. The first team had nine players, three forwards, three centers, and three guards.
7. Later it became optional to reduce five, and finally five was selected as the best number.
8. As late as 1950, a total of 16 foreign nations had hired Americans to teach the game
abroad, conduct clinics, and act as consultants in schools and cities.
9. Basketball was first used in Olympic Games in 1936 in Berlin where the United States
toyed with all oppositions.
B. FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT

1. Playing Court – Length – 28 meters; Width – 15 meters

- Boundary line
- Center line, center circle and semi-circles
- Free throw lines, restricted areas and free-throw rebound places
- Three point field goal area
- Team bench areas

2. Equipment

- Backstop units, consisting of:

 Backboards
 Baskets comprising rings and nets
 Backboard support structures including padding
- Basketballs
- Game clock
- Scoreboard
- Twenty-four second device
- Stopwatch or suitable device (not the game clock) for timing time-outs
- Two separate, distinctly different and loud signals
- Score sheet
- Player foul markers
- Team foul markers
- Alternating possession arrow

C. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BASIC SKILLS

1. PASSING – Regardless of which pass is used, certain factors are common to all
passes.

a. For firm control, hold the ball with the thumb and finger pads and not with the
palms of the hands.

b. Passer step forward in the direction of the receiver. Passes should be made
with a quick arm extension and a snap of the wrists, with thumbs and fingers
providing momentum.

c. After the pass is released, the palms should be facing the floor.

d. Avoid telegraphing the direction of the pass. Learn to use peripheral vision and
keep eyes moving from place to place to develop an awareness of the
teammates’ positions.

e. Anticipate the spot toward which a teammate will be moving to receive the
pass.

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 2. CATCHING – Receiving the ball is a most important fundamental skill. Many turn
overs involve failure to handle a pass properly.

a. Move toward the pass with the fingers spread and relaxed, reaching for the
ball with elbows bent and wrists relaxed.

b. Hands “give” as the ball comes in.

3. DRIBBLING – It is used to advance the ball, break for a basket, or maneuver out
of a difficult situation.

a. The knees and trunk are slightly flexed, hands and eyes forward. Peripheral
vision is important. Do not look beyond the ball and see it in the lower part of the
visual area.

b. The ball is propelled by the fingertips with the hand cupped and relaxed. There
is a little arm motion. Push rather than slap the ball.

c. The dribbling hand should be alternated.

4. SHOOTING – The primary objective of the game is to score goals.

a. Both the toes and the shoulders face the basket. The weight is evenly
distributed on both feet. The ball is held between the shoulder and eye level.

b. A comfortable grip, with fingers well spread and the ball resting on the pads of
the fingers is essential. One should be able to see daylight between the palm of
the hand and the ball.

c. The eye is fixed on the target (the rim or the backboard) for the rest of the
shot. As the shot starts, the wrist is cocked.

d. The follow-through imparts a slight backspin to the ball. The arms are fully
extended, the wrist is completely flexed, and the hand drops down towards the
floor. The arch should be 45 degrees or a little higher.

5. PIVOTING – It is a maneuver that protects the ball by keeping the body between
the ball and the defensive player.

a. The ball is held firmly in both hands, with elbows out to protect it.

b. One foot, the pivot foot, must always be in contact with the floor. Turning on
that foot is permitted, but it must not be dragged away from the pivot spot. The
lead foot may, however, step in any direction.

SOFTBALL

A. HISTORY

1. George Hancock of Chicago, Illinois, started the game softball in 1889 and Lewis
Rober of Minnesota in 1895.
2. The game took different names at different times such as playground ball, kitten ball,
recreation ball, four old cats, and ladies ball.
3. Walter Hakanson gave the official name of Softball.

B. FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT

1. Playing Field – It is the area within which the ball may be legally played and fielded.
It has a clear and unobstructed area within the minimum radius of 220 ft. for junior
and women fast pitch; or 250 ft. for junior and men fast pitch.

 The One meter (3 ft.) line is drawn parallel to and 0.91 m (3 ft) from the
baseline, starting at a point halfway between home plate and first base.
 The Batter’s On-Deck circle is a 1.52m (5 ft) circle 0.76m (2 1/2 ft) radius
placed adjacent to the end of players’ bench or dugout area closest to the
home plate.

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  The Batter’s Box, one on each side of home plate, 3 ft by 7 ft.
 The Catcher’s Box 10 ft in length from the rear outside corners of the batters’
boxes and 8’ 5” wide.
 Each Coach’s Box is behind a line 15 ft drawn outside the diamond. The line
is parallel to and 12 ft5 from the first and third baselines, extended from the
bases toward home plate.
 The Home Plate is made of rubber. It is a five sided figure 17 inches wide,
across the edge facing the pitcher. The sides is parallel to the inside lines of
the batter’s box and 8 ½ inches long. The sides of the point facing the
catcher are 12 inches long.
 The Pitcher’s Plate is made of rubber 24 inches long and 6 inches wide.
a. The top of the plate shall be level with the ground
b. The front line of the plate shall be the following distance from the
outside corner of home plate:
1. Male Fast Pitch (Adult and Junior) – 14.02m (46 ft);
2. Female Fast Pitch (Adult and Junior) – 13.11m (43 ft)
 The Bases, other than home plate is 15 inch square and shall be made of
canvas or other suitable material, and not more than 5 in inches thickness.
The bases should be securely fastened in position.

2. Bat is round and smooth and not more than 34 inches long and 38 ounces in weight.

3. Ball is 12 ½ inches in circumference and 6 ¼ ounces in weight.

4. Gloves and Mitts – Any player may wear a glove, but only the catcher and first
baseman may use mitts.

4. Shoes should be worn by all players.

C. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BASIC SKILLS

1. Gripping the Ball

a. The thumb is on one side, the index and middle fingers on top, and the other
fingers supporting along the other side.

2. Throwing

Overhand Throw

a. Secure a firm grip on the ball, raise the throwing arm to shoulder height and bring the
elbow back.

b. The hand with the ball is then brought back over the head so it is well behind the
shoulder at about shoulder height.

c. The left side of the body is turned in the direction of the throw, and the left arm is
raised in front of the body.

d. The weight is on the back (right) foot, with the left foot advanced and the toe touching
the ground.

e. The arm comes forward with the elbow leading, and the ball is thrown with a
downward snap of the wrist.

f. The body weight is brought forward into the throw, shifting to the front foot.

g. There should be a good follow-through so the palm of the throwing hand faces the
ground at completion of the throw.

h. The eye should be on the target throughout, and the arm should be kept free and
loose during the throw.

Sidearm Throw is much the same as the overhand throw, except that the entire motion is
kept near a horizontal plane. It is used for shorter, quicker throws and employs a whip like
action.

a. Swing the arm out from shoulder and around parallel to the ground.

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 b. The throw curves more because a side-spinning action is usually parted to the ball on
release.

c. There is generally some body lean toward the side of the throwing arm.

Underhand Throw

a. The throwing hand and arm brought back, with palm facing forward, in a pendulum
swing. The elbow is bent slightly.

b. The weight is mostly on the back foot.

c. The arm comes forward, almost in a bowling motion, and the ball is tossed. The weight
shift to the front foot during the toss.

d. The flight of the ball should remain low and arrive at about waist height.

3. Pitching

Slingshot Delivery

a. Grip the ball with index finger and middle finger on top of the ball with the ring finger to
the side and thumb underneath. Both feet must be in contact with pitcher’s plate, facing
the batter, and holding the ball momentarily in front with both hands.

b. The pitcher takes one hand from the ball, extends the right arm forward, and brings it
back in pendulum swing, positioning the ball well behind the body.

c. A normal stride taken toward the batter with the left foot begins the throwing sequence
for a right-handed pitcher.

d. The arm is brought forward with an underhanded slingshot motion, and the weight is
transferred to the leading foot.

e. Only one step is permitted. The follow-through motion is important.

Windmill Delivery is an alternate pitching motion in which the arm describes a full arc
overhead, moving behind the body and then forward toward the batter.

a. The arm goes into full extension on the downward swing in the back, gathering
momentum as the forward motion begins.

b. The pitch is otherwise the same as the normal motion.

4. Fielding

Fly Balls

a. For a low ball, the fielder keeps the fingers together and forms a basket with the
hands.

b. For a higher ball, the thumbs are together, and the ball is caught in front of the chin.

c. The fielder should give with her hands, and care must be taken with a spinning ball to
squeeze the hands sufficiently to stop the spinning.

d. The eye is on the ball continually until it hits the glove or hands.

e. The knees are flexed slightly when receiving and aid in giving when the ball is caught.

Grounders

a. The fielder should move as quickly as possible into the path of the ball and then move
forward and play the ball on a good hop.

b. The eyes must be kept on the ball, following into the hands or glove.

c. The feet are spread, the seat is kept down, and the hands are carried low and in front.
The weight is on the balls of the feet or on the toes, and the knees are bent to lower the
body.

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 d. As the ball is caught, the fielder straightens up, takes a step in the direction of the
throw, and makes the throw.

5. Batting

a. The batter stands with the left side of the body toward the pitcher. The feet are spread
and the weight is on both feet.The body should be facing the plate.

b. The bat is held with the trademark up, and the left hand grasps the bat lower than the
right. The bat is held over the right shoulder, pointing both back and up. The elbows are
away from the body.

c. The swing begins with a hip roll and a short step forward in the direction of the pitcher.
The bat is then swung level with the ground at the height of the pitch.

d. The eyes are kept on the ball until it is hit. After the hit, there must be good follow-
through.

6. Base Running

a. In running to first base, run in all out sprint. Run through first base to the other side
without slowing.

b. In rounding bases, touch base with outside foot, do not break stride. Use banana
approach, turn sharply and accelerate away from base.

c. In sliding, the slide begins 10 feet from base. Hands and arms are extended in most of
the slides.

VOLLEYBALL
A. HISTORY

1. William G. Morgan of Holyoke City, Massachussetts created a game called Mintonette

in 1895.
2. Dr. A. F. Halstead renamed it to Volleyball.
3. Elwood S. Brown introduced it in the Philippines in 1910.
4. It was first played as demonstration sport in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

B. FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT

1. Playing Area – It includes the playing court and the free zone. It shall be rectangular and
symmetrical.

a) The playing court is a rectangle measuring 18 x 9 m, surrounded by a free zone which is

a minimum of 3 m wide on all sides.

The free playing space is the space above the playing area which is free from any
obstructions. The free playing space shall measure a minimum of 7 m in height from the
playing surface.

Lines on the Court

Boundary lines
Center line
Attack line

Zones and Areas

Front Zone
Service Zone
Substitution Zone
Libero Replacement Zone
Warm-up Area
Penalty Area

2. Net

a. The net is placed vertically over the center line whose top is set at the height of 2.43 m for
men and 2.24 m for women.

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b. It is 1 m wide and 9.50 to 10 m long, made of 10 cm square black mesh.

c. Two side bands are fastened vertically to the net and placed directly above each sideline.

d. An antennae is a flexible rod 1.80 m long and 10 mm in diameter. It is fastened at the outer
edge of each sideband.

3. Posts

a. The posts supporting the net are placed at a distance 0.50 -1.00 m outside the sidelines.
They are 2.55 m high and preferably adjustable.

b. The posts are rounded and smooth, fixed to the ground without wires.

4. Balls

a. The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather case with a
bladder inside made of rubber or a similar material.

b. Its color may be a uniform light color, or a combination of colors.

c. Its circumference is 65-67 cm and its weight is 260-280 g.

C. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BASIC SKILLS

1. SERVING

Underhand Serve

a. The server stands facing the net with the left foot slightly forward and the weight on
the right foot.

b. The ball is held in the left hand with the left arm across and a little in front of the body.

c. The ball is lined up with a straight forward swing of the right hand. The left-hand
fingers are spread, and the ball rests on the pads of these fingers.

d. On the serving motion, the server steps forward with the left foot, transferring the
weight to the front foot, and at the same time brings the right arm back in preparatory
motion.

e. The right hand now swings forward and contacts just below the center. The ball can
be hit with an open hand or with the fist (facing forward or sideward).

f. An effective follow-through with the arm ensures a smooth serve.

Overhand Serve

a. The server stands with the left foot in front and the left side of the body turned
somewhat toward the net. The weight is on both feet.

b. The ball is held in the left hand directly in front of the face. The ball must be tossed
straight up and should come down in front of the right shoulder.

c. As the ball is tossed, the weight shifts to the back foot. The height of the toss is a
matter of choice, but from 3 to 5 feet is suggested.

d. As the ball drops, the striking arm comes forward, contacting the ball a foot or so
above the shoulder. The weight is shifted to the forward foot, which can take a short step
forward. The contact is made with the open palm or with the fist. An effective serve is
one that has no spin – a floater.

2. Passing (or Returning)

Forearm Pass (Underhand Pass)

a. The body must be in good position to ensure a proper volley. The player must move
rapidly to the spot where the ball is descending to prepare for the pass.

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 b. The trunk leans forward and the back is straight, with a 90 degree angle between the
thighs and the body. The body is bent, and the body is in partially crouched position, with
the feet shoulder apart.

c. The hands are clasped together, so that the forearms are parallel. The clasp should be
relaxed, with the type of handclasp a matter of choice. The wrists in either case are turned
downward, and the elbow joints are reasonably locked.

d. The forearms are held at the proper angle to rebound the ball, with contact made with
the fists or forearms between the knees as the receiver crouches.

Overhand Pass

a. The passer moves underneath the ball and controls it with the fingertips. Feet should
be in an easy, comfortable position, with knees bent.

b. The cup of the fingers is made so that the thumbs and forefingers are close together
and the other fingers are spread. The hands are held forehead high, with elbows out and
level with the floor.

c. The passer contacts the ball at above eye level and propels it with the force of spread
fingers, not with the palms. At the moment of contact, the legs are straightened and the
hands and arms follow-through.

d. If the ball is a pass to a teammate, it should be high enough to allow for control. If the
pass is a return to the other side, it can be projected forward with more force.

3. Spiking

a. Approach – Take 3-4 steps near the side and attack lines with the last step taken with
the stronger leg.

b. Step-close take –off- Transfer the momentum of the body into a vertical direction.
Heels of both contact the floor with the weight shifted forward to the toes during the
last step.

c. Arm movements – Swing both arms forward and upward during the take- off. Extend
left arm directly upward above the shoulder and the right arm is bent into a throwing
position. Left elbow leads the swing, followed by an extension of the spiking arm.
Contact ball with the heel of the open hand. To impart a spin, snap wrist over the ball.

d. Blocking – Jump into the air directly in front of the spike, with the arms extended in an
effort to block the ball and at the same time to rebound it off the arms into the spiker’s
court.