Basketball is one of America’s most popular sports, with around 30 million people playing the game every year.
Originally invented in 1892 by a Canadian physical educator and sports coach, Dr. James Naismith, Basket Ball (as he called it) has developed and changed quite substantially over the years. Initially it was played with an ordinary “Association football” that was thrown into peach baskets at the goals.
Today’s Savannah sporting equipment follows national rules for basketball equipment, and typically uses a traditional eight-panel, usually orange basketball. Instead of the original basket, a hoop with an open-bottomed hanging net is attached to a 1.8 m x 1.1 m (6 ft x 3.5 ft) backboard.
Naismith originally published 13 rules for his Basket Ball game, none of which referred to sporting equipment to be used or custom uniforms to be worn (although the baskets were mentioned).
The current international basketball rules were approved by the International Basketball Federation – the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) in 2014 and been effective since the beginning of October that year. The rules cover everything including equipment and facilities.
International Basketball Rules for Custom Uniforms
Team members must wear shirts that have a dominant color on the front and back. These must incorporate a team number in a solid color that contrasts with the shirt color. The back number must be at least 20 cm high and the front number must be at least 10 cm high. All must be at least 2 cm wide. If advertising or logos are incorporated on the shirt, these have to be at least 5 cm away from the numbers.
Players should also wear the same color shorts and socks, though these don’t have to be the same color as the shirts. Shirts must be tucked into shorts.
In addition to these custom uniforms, teams should have at least another set of shirts that should be a light color (preferably white) that they wear when they are playing at home. Visiting teams should usually wear dark shirts.
Players are not allowed to wear anything that will increase their height or reach in a way that would give them unfair advantage, or anything that might injure other players, including elbow guards or braces, jewelry and hair accessories.
They are permitted to wear compression sleeves or stocking, as long as these are the same color as shirts/shorts, and knew braces that are properly covered. They may also use protectors for injured noses and transparent mouth guards.
NBA rules specify that coaches and assistant coaches have to wear either a suit coat or a sports coat.
NBA rules regarding players’ shirts or jerseys state that in addition to numbers, each player must have his or her surname fixed to the back, and that it must be at least two inches in height.
Of course clubs don’t need to follow international rules to the letter, but custom uniforms for play should follow the general rules. If you’re in Georgia and are looking for basketball gear and equipment, you will find that Thompson’s Sporting Goods and Trophies is the best choice for Savannah sporting equipment and all types of custom uniforms.