Basketball for Fun and Exercise
Basketball for Fun and Exercise
Lydia Quinn
Basketball is a great game for both fun and exercise. Here are some advantages to learning and playing the game of basketball.
Basketball has been around for many years. The incarnation that we know as basketball today was started in the late 1800′s in the United States. The very first record of it being played was in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891. Though similar ball games were played decades and even centuries earlier. In some central American cultures, like the Incas, Aztecs and the Mayas, a similar game was played where a ball was played on a court style area and opposing teams or opponents tried to get the ball through a circle or hoop. Next to ancient ruins of pyramids in Mexico, archaeologists have found actual evidence of this type of game being played.
Exercise
Nowadays, there is nary an elementary school, junior high, high school or college that doesn’t have at least one basketball court available to their students. Many schools have many courts available, including a main court inside of the school’s gymnasium. Basketball is excellent for cardiovascular fitness, as well as overall fitness. There are few sports where the cardiovascular exercise is more intense. Running from end to end at high speeds, constantly having to wave your arms or bounce a basketball, this makes for a pretty comprehensive workout. Due to it’s strenuous exercise though, basketball may not be for anyone who isn’t in the best of health.
Fun
Even smaller children, older kids and tweens can compete in a basketball game and, by osmosis, reap the benefits of strenuous exercise. Since the game is competitive, kids can get into the game without even thinking about the benefits it is having for them. Just about every school has a basketball team or teams that kids of any age group can join. Whether boys or girls, the game can be enjoyed by all kids and teens. Since it is easy to learn, the game can be picked up fast and easy, without the need for a learning curve.
Social
The game is a team game, therefore it’s great for building confidence, teamwork and self-esteem. It’s great for kids to learn about winning and losing and that both are a part of life. Kids can learn how to deal with winning, being a humble winner and also learn about how to deal with losing, and being a gracious loser. Being able to practice good sportsmanship is great for learning how to deal with people of all types later on in life. Kids also learn how to work with each other, building a true team, getting along well, leadership and pulling their own weight.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and play this traditional, fun, exciting and beneficial game! Head out to your local school or college, just about every school has basketball courts available. You may even find a community basketball court available in your neighborhood or check out the local YMCA or YWCA.
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