backsketball

There is a third thing that I like to do in mah spare time, basketball. Basketball is very different from football. Actually, they are two completely different games. In basketball, you try to make a 29.5 inch (circumference) ball go into a basket that is ten feet off the ground; that is absolutely the only way to score. Although there is only one way to score, there are many different point amounts given per make. The average shot (called a field goal) will get two points if it goes in. A shot made from beyond the three-point line is surprisingly worth three points. When a player is fouled while shooting (I will get to that later) they can go to the free-throw line and shoot free shots that are worth one point if they go in.

When a player has the ball, he is only allowed to move one of his' feet while holding the ball. The only legal way to move with the ball is to dribble it with only one hand. Once a player has dribbled at least once, if he touches the ball with both hands and dribbles again, it is a double dribble and the ball is turned over to the other team. If a player's hand moves under the ball while he is dribbling it is called a carry and the ball is turned over. If a player steps with both feet while holding the ball, it is called a travel and it is also a turnover.

If a defender hits the arm or body of the ball handler or trips him, it is a foul. A player is ejected from the game if he commits five fouls. You can also get a foul by swearing at the refs, fans, or players, or by being unnecessarily rough.

I actually don't know that much about basketball, but the sport really interests me, especially when you realize that the football season is over and fishing doesn't start for months so I am just in limbo for a little bit.

So maybe I will know a little bit about what I talk about for the next few weeks- or maybe not. Here is to hope.