Basketball is a totally American sport. It has grown from a simple game, invented by James Naismith in 1891, to an international sensation played on courts in huge arenas throughout the world. This easy-to-follow narrative provides readers with a history of the game and the thirteen original rules of basketball. Regulation play, player positions, techniques for shooting and running plays, and stretching exercises are also described. The handy volume includes informative sidebars on popular basketball lingo, common fouls, pivoting, layups, and playing defense, among other topics.