Submitted By Kelli Alexander: University of Florida

To me, basketball has always been football on a much smaller scale – athletes, balls, famous coaches and hot cheerleaders were involved, but basketball had less players and some weird rules. At least this was what I always thought…until my college team went all the way, and I decided I really should understand the drunken words I was yelling at the T.V.

I mean, seriously, how was I supposed to know what “boxing out” and “charging” meant without someone telling me*? I could understand the fanaticism surrounding football, but basketball was a mystery. Well no longer, the key (ha-ha that’s an actual basketball term – see sidebar) to understanding this bizarre sport was finally mine… and now yours. Here are a few things the rest of you girls should know to make sure you’re on the up-and-up this season.

The History Of Basketball At A Glance

The game of basketball was invented in 1891 by a Canadian – yea, seriously, a Canadian. Initially, players would dribble a soccer ball up and down a court of unspecified dimensions. Points were earned by landing the ball in a peach basket, which was essentially just a picnic basket.

Players weren’t paid to play basketball until 1896, and the standard five-men team came soon after. The NBA’s first game was held in November of 1946 in Toronto, Canada. Once the three-point shot was used in 1980 by Western Carolina’s Ronnie Carr, basketball as we know it really began, and the underwear god that is Michael Jordan emerged! Booya!

Common Basketball Terms:

1. Center Circle

The circular area at midcourt from which jump balls are taken.

2. Jump Ball

Two opposing players jump for a ball (try not to bump heads here) that an official tosses above and between them. It is used to gain possession, to start the game (tip-off), during all overtime periods and sometimes to re-start a play.

3. Free Throw

An unguarded shot taken from the foul line by a player whose opponent committed a personal or technical foul; it is worth 1 point, although after the hits some of these guys take, I think it should be at least 3 points!

4. Inside shooting

Shots taken by a player near or under the basket.

5. Key

The area at each end of the court, consisting of the foul circle, foul lane and free-throw line; named for the shape it had years ago.

6. 3-Point Shot

A field goal worth 3 points, because the shooter had both feet on the floor behind the 3-point line when he released the ball; also counts if one foot is behind the line while the other is in the air.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for: How To Dunk

1. Practice your jumping skills. Even if you’re 6’5, if you can’t jump – a slam dunk ain’t gonna happen, which means no victory dance for you.

2. Practice your dribbling skills; just make sure you don’t drool.

3. Dribble to the basket with speed.

4. Stop when you’re 11 feet from the basket. (No, you don’t have to count; just eyeball it.)

5. Take two steps forward, like the old Paula Abdul song says to. Just don’t take two steps back.

6. Grab the ball firmly in both hands.

7. Push up after your second step, soaring as high as you can through the air.

8. Scream at the top of your lungs, “I’m flying!” “I’m flying!”

9. Bring the ball back behind your head.

10. Slam the ball through the basket.

11. Grab onto the basket, and hang from it as if you are a superstar.

12. Raise the roof, and celebrate your dunk with a glory dance.