Who doesn’t love basketball? Whether it’s watching the NBA Finals or taking your kids to an open gym night, basketball never fails to entertain. And with all those bodies flying around, colliding with each other, it can be easy to assume that basketball is just another contact sport, like football or rugby. However, if you look at the rules and nature of the game, you might be surprised by the answer.
How is or Isn’t Basketball a Contact Sport?
If you asked someone to list contact sports, they might include hockey, football, rugby, and basketball. But is basketball a contact sport or not? And can you even define what that means? In general, there are four things that distinguish collisions from other types of physical contact in sports: force, time duration, intent, and effort. As it turns out, in terms of collision sports only rugby fits all four qualifications!
It’s hard to force your opponent into committing an intentional foul because they have time to react; as well as giving them the intention to either block or stop your progress. Hockey has very short periods of impactful contact with less intent and less effort due to wearing skates on an ice surface.
How Players are penalized?
Players are penalized in various ways for different infractions. For example, fouling another player to stop their fast break can result in two shots from the free throw line and possession of the ball for that team.
A flagrant foul is a more serious foul that results in two shots from the free throw line and possession of the ball to be given to an opposing team. If you commit a fighting foul (punching, kicking, biting), you are sent to jail or suspended pending review.
The Evolution of Basketball Players
Is basketball a contact sport that can result in injuries, but as players become more skilled, they’re able to prevent collisions?
If you’re not one of those players, though, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and aware when it’s time to get out. Winter leagues are designed for those who enjoy playing basketball year-round without having to deal with the other problems that come along with winters like frostbite and snow-covered courts.
Why Basketball Isn’t Considered a Collision Sport?
Basketball is a contact sport that can result in injuries, but it’s not always considered a collision sport because of its amount of contact. The NBA estimates that there are between 100 and 200 player-to-player collisions per season.
This number is relatively low when compared to other sports like football, hockey, and soccer which have an estimated 400 player-to-player collisions per game. Injuries are more prevalent in these sports because it’s much more likely to bump into someone on the court or field than it is to bump into someone on your own team.
What’s Wrong With Calling Basketball a Contact Sport Anyway?
Is basketball a contact sport that can result in injuries? If you are playing basketball, it is your responsibility to be aware of what your opponent will do, and how they are going to react. Basketball is not just an individual sport. Playing basketball requires teamwork, which means there will be some contact with other players on the court at some point during the game.
While many people think that basketball is just for kids in school, it actually has become more popular in recent years as an outdoor winter sport. So while playing basketball may be a contact sport, it isn’t as dangerous as other sports such as football or rugby where tackles and heavy physical contact happen on every play.
How NBA Players Get Injured
NBA players are always on the court due to their high levels of athleticism. With this, they are also susceptible to injuries that can range from minor sprains to debilitating fractures. These injuries can be quite common in basketball, which is an intense contact sport that requires frequent running and jumping. For example, with all of these physical demands on the body, it’s not uncommon for players to suffer ankle sprain or plantar fasciitis.
There are many types of ankle sprains that can happen such as lateral, medial, or high ankle sprains which can all make playing difficult at best and impossible at worst. In order for injuries like these to be avoided, there are some precautions that should be taken such as stretching before and after games as well as wearing appropriate footwear when practicing.
NFL Players are Tougher than You Think
Is basketball a contact sport that can result in injuries and playing it can be dangerous? However, if you are careful and wear appropriate safety gear, there is no reason why you should be afraid to play this game.
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself and make sure not to take basketball too seriously or get carried away with thinking that the sport is more complicated than it actually is. In fact, children often do better at basketball because they’re less intimidated by the skills required for the game.
Conclusion
Is basketball a contact sport that can result in injuries? Is basketball a winter sport? Sure, it’s played outside in colder weather but it doesn’t necessarily mean that basketball players are immune to the effects of extreme temperatures.
In fact, research has shown that injury rates are greater for basketball players during the winter months than during other seasons. Factors such as snow and ice on court surfaces, colder air temperature due to wind chill, and less time spent outdoors can all contribute to injury rates in cold weather.
