| Basketball is one of the most famous sports in the world and therefore experiences a heavy influx of fans for every pro basketball game. Once you are in such an arena, you will observe the many equipment and gears used in the game. This article is aimed at giving a small insight on what the most commonly used basketball equipment are and how they are used.
There are quite a few important basketball equipment of interest, which are listed and explained below:
The Basketball
The basketball is an inflated sphere usually made out of leather. Leather basketballs are those which are recommended for indoor professional competitions. The rubber covered basketballs are the ones which are used for daily practices and play. A basketball usually weighs 600 to 650 grams and is 75 to 78 cm in circumference.
The size and weight of the basketball depends on who plays the game. If women are playing, the official size of the basketball is 28.5” in circumference (which is size 6) and weighs 20 oz, as opposed to 29.5” circumference and 22 oz weight ball used for men’s games. Prior to the commencement of a match, the referee will test the ball for suitability.
The Basket
The Basket is the Goal in the game, and is made up of a horizontal, circular metal rim with a net attached to it. This rim is mounted 10 feet (3.05 m) above the court and 4 feet (1.2 m) inside the baseline.
The Backboard
The Backboard is the firm rectangular board behind the rim. You would be able to see backboards made of glass, steel, aluminum and acrylic (clear and tinted). The heavier and thicker the backboards are, the better the rebound effect will be. The size of a backboard would usually be 1800mm horizontally and 1050mm vertically.
The Uniform
This is one important part in the game. Every team will have their own uniform, which includes a shirt (jersey) and a pair of shorts, which will be numbered on both the front and back sides (and sometimes with names printed on it) for quick and easy identification.
Shoes
The shoes worn by basketball players are high-topped shoes made to facilitate higher ankle support than normal running shoes for extra comfort during play.
The Shot Clock
This is the clock that counts down the maximum 24 seconds the offence is allowed to have the ball in hand before shooting. If they fail to attempt a shoot that hits the rim within this time limit, they will lose possession of the ball.
The Floor / Court
The Floor / Court is a playing surface made of wooden floorboard. In international games, the regulation basketball court is 28m x 17m (approximately 92 ft x 49 ft), whereas it is 29m x 15m (approximately 94 ft x 50 ft) in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Other Equipment
Other important equipment includes Scoreboards, Score-sheets, Whistle-operated stop-clock systems, Alternate Possession Arrows / Indicators and Lighting.
All of the above mentioned equipment comes into great use during play and hence the proper function of them is vital for the successful flow of the game. Any malfunction could affect the play adversely. |
