Basketball Wallpaper, #1501

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m) high hoop (the goal) under organized rules. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world.While competitive Basketball is primarily an indoor sport, played on a Basketball court, less regulated variations have become exceedingly popular as an outdoor sport among both inner city and rural groups.By the 1950s, Basketball had become a major college sport, thus paving the way for a growth of interest in professional Basketball. In 1959, a Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its rosters include the names of great players, coaches, referees and people who have contributed significantly to the development of the game.There are also regulations on the size a Basketball should be. If women are playing, the official Basketball size is 28.5" in circumference (size 6) and a weight of 20 oz. For men, the official ball is 29.5" in circumference (size 7) and weighs 22 oz.Wheelchair Basketball is played on specially designed wheelchairs for the physically impaired. The world governing body of wheelchair Basketball is the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). Water Basketball, played in a swimming pool, merges Basketball and water polo rules. Beach Basketball is played in a circular court with no backboard on the goal, no out-of-bounds rule with the ball movement to be done via passes or 2 1/2 steps, as dribbling is next to impossible on a soft surface.Variations of Basketball are activities based on the game of Basketball, using common Basketball skills and equipment (primarily the ball and basket). Some variations are only superficial rules changes, while others are distinct games with varying degrees of Basketball influences. Other variations include children's games, contests or activities meant to help players reinforce skills.