Changes in basketball
Did you know?
Did you know the average shoe size for an NBA player is size 14?
A size 14 shoe is 30.48 cm long.
Basketball shoes are one part of the sport that have changed a lot over time! Improvements to the shoe have helped to improve professional players’ overall game.
Are you ready to learn about important changes in sports and everyday life? Let’s begin!
Brainstorm
What else has changed and improved in basketball since it was invented in 1891?
Brainstorm and record a list of changes and/or improvements to the sport.
Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice. Then, share with a partner if possible.
Innovations
When someone has a new idea, and it improves what already exists, they have created an innovation. Innovation is about introducing something new. It might be an idea, tool, device, etc.
We will explore some of the innovations made in professional basketball, but let's first review player positions.
Player positions
In basketball, every player has a position. Players will play offense and defense.
Offense is when a team is trying to score, and defense is when a team is trying to stop the other or opposing team from scoring.
Basketball positions on an overview of the basketball court. The power forward and centre player are on opposite ends of the key, and they're the closest to the net. The shooting guard and the small forward player are on opposite ends of the third point line. The shooting guard is close to the power forward, and the small forward is close to the centre player. The point guard is the furthest from the net.
Check out the following descriptions to learn more about each basketball position.
Source:
Basketball Positions. Junior NBA. (2016, December 19). https://jr.nba.com/basketball-positions/
Take a moment and think about what you’ve learned so far!
Basketball shoes
Check out the following shoe.
Converse All Star “Chuck Taylor” basketball shoe.
In the early 1900s, basketball shoes were created with canvas sneakers with rubber soles. The design had a high top to help support the players ankles as they ran and jumped.
This style of shoe stayed until the 1960s. As professional basketball became more and more popular, the design of basketball shoes began to change.
Materials, such as leather and suede, were introduced, and depending on the player, the shoe was designed to provide different types of support.
Shoes for every position
Guard player shoe design.
For example, guard and small forward players might use low-mid cut shoes that are lightweight and created for speed. These shoes allow players to grip the floor and propel them forward so they can move quickly across the court and cut or change direction quickly.
Power forward shoe design.
Power forwards and centres might focus on a shoe that had a mid-to-high cut making it a sturdy shoe built for stability. This shoe provided protection for the ankle and enhanced jumping performance. A power forward or centre player could also add an additional ankle brace to these shoes.
Breakaway rims
Another type of innovation in basketball has been the breakaway rim.
Original basketball rims and backboards could not hold up to constant pressure.
When a player dunked the basketball, the pressure of the player would spread from the rim to the backboard causing the glass to shatter.
Backboard shatters.
The breakaway rim was introduced in the mid-1970s.
It is a type of basketball hoop that can bend slightly when a player dunks the ball and then snaps back into place.
This also protected the backboard from breaking and helped to prevent wrist injuries.
Check out the following video to see an example of the breakaway rim.
In 1981, the breakaway rim was used by the NBA. It has since been introduced to basketball arena in the NBA, NBL, WNBA and local arenas all over the world.
Press Let’s Check! to access a definition of the word dunk.
Dunk: In basketball, a slam dunk is a shot in which a player jumps up and forces the ball through the basket.
Fun fact
Precision Time System
Another important innovation in the sport of basketball was the Precision Time System. This was created by former referee Mike Constabile in 1993, and it has since been used by the NBA and college basketball teams.
When a referee blows their whistle, the system uses radio technology to stop the time instantly. Then, once it is time to start the game again, the referee can do it instantly. This ensures that no time is lost throughout the game.
Pause and reflect
Reflect on the following:
- How have the innovations of the breakaway rim, basketball shoes, and the Precision Time System improved the sport of basketball?
- Can you think of any innovations in everyday life?
Record your responses using a method of your choice.
Profile
Vince Carter
Vince Carter, #15 of the Toronto Raptors (2000) jumps to dunk the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns. Anfernee Hardaway jumps and stretches an arm out to defend against Carter, while Chris Childs, #1 of the Toronto Raptors (2000) looks from the other side of the net.
Vince Carter is a former American basketball player with the NBA. He has had the longest career in the NBA; playing for a total of 22 years and representing eight different teams!
He is an eight-time All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist. He is also known for his ability to dunk. Vince Carter had many signature dunks throughout his career, however one of the most dunks was a reverse 360-windmill dunk in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest!
Press Example to explore a 360-windmill dunk.
Check out the following video to explore how a 360-windmill dunk is done.
Sources:
ESPN Internet Ventures. (n.d.). Vince Carter Biography. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/136/vince-carter
Reynolds, T. (2020, June 25). Former Raptors star Vince Carter retires after record 22 seasons | CBC sports. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/nba-vince-carter-retirement-1.5626623
Create your own innovation
In the sport of basketball, innovation has been important to help improve the courts and the equipment. Overall, efficiency has been improved by using technology.
Check out the following images of innovations we have previously explored:
Your turn!
Consider the sport of basketball and the types of innovations you have explored.
It’s time to create your own innovation!
It could be to improve the sport of basketball in some way (i.e., equipment for players, equipment for court, etc.) or you can choose to create an innovation in an area of your choice.
Create a sketch, drawing, or text description of your innovation and explain how it will help create improvements. You may also record your idea using another method of your choice.
Complete the My Innovation Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the My Innovation Activity.
Activity
(Open PDF in a new window)
Great job! Think about how you might use what you've learned about changes and innovation in your own life. Catch you next time!