By:Davis Sheppard

 Chapter 1:Why You Should Play Basketball  Chapter 2:Rules  Chapter 3:Shooting  Chapter 4:Defense  Chapter 5:Fouls  Chapter 6:Points  Chapter 7:Comparison  Chapter 8: Ways To Play  Glossary

Basketball is a great exercise. It is fun because you can be with your friends, shoot around, and win games. It also makes your legs stronger because of all the running and jumping. Also, basketball players get paid a lot of money (not in little league of course). Even though the coaches can be hard on you I would still recommend it for others.

The Rules: You can’t “travel” witch means you can’t take 2 steps or more without dribbling. You can’t “double dribble” which means you can’t dribble pick up the ball and then dribble again. There are no “ups and downs” which means you can‘t jump with the ball. You can’t hit the person with the ball. Sometimes you may hit the ball and the ref may still call a foul.

When you’re ready to shoot, put the ball in both hands. If you’re right handed, tuck your right elbow under the ball. If you’re left handed use your left elbow. Bend your knees and jump, then push up and out with your hands (you always have to believe it will go in).

When on defense you always should stay between the person you are guarding and the basket. Your objective is to keep the other team from scoring.

If someone is guarding you, you can’t push them out of the way. When you get fouled while taking a shot you get to shoot free throws. There is a rectangle on the court. At the top of the rectangle you will take 2 free shots with no interference. Although, instead of jumping you will bend your knees and go up on your tip toes when you shoot.

Free throws are worth 1 point. The line farthest from the basket is worth 3 points (if you are on that line or closer you get 2). If you get fouled shooting a 3 pointer you get 3 free throws. If you get fouled while shooting and you make the shot you get 1 free throw. If you commit 5 fouls you get kicked out of the game.

Let’s compare real basketball with a “mini game” called HORSE. In HORSE you can shoot from anywhere, and if you make it all the other players have to make the exact same shot. In HORSE you can say “I think it will go off the back board “ or “I think it will be a swish” or “you can’t jump,” and so on. If you do the things you said you would do before the shot and you make it, all the other players must do the same thing. If you miss the shot that your opponent made, you get a letter. If it’s your turn and you miss it, you don’t get a letter and it’s your opponent’s turn. If you get all the letters in the word HORSE, you lose.

There are many ways to play basketball. You can play in Little League, High School, College, or the NBA. In Little League the rules might be different like you can travel and double dribble but you can’t steal. However as you get older you will be able to steal and you can’t travel etc. You can also just invite some friends for a friendly game called a pickup.

 Basket– A net connected to a rim that is on the back board.  Offense – Where you are trying to score  Defense – Where you are trying to prevent the other team from scoring  Foul– when you commit unnecessary contact  3-Pointer – When you take a three point shot(cool people say it)

 Davis Sheppard Grew up in Birmingham, Michigan. He is 8 and very tall for his age. He grew up watching TV and playing video games. But he also played basketball. He and his family had felt that he was smarter in school than he was at playing basketball. But his dream was to grow up to play in the NBA. His parents are correct and he is excelling in many subjects in school but he is practicing as hard as he can to make his dream come true.