One of the most obvious benefits of participating in sports such as basketball, allows kids to stay healthy through physical activity. Basketball, for example, requires jumping and running for extended periods of times. Even kids at an early age can benefit from the physical demands of playing a sport. Those who get more regular exercise have better self esteem and body image perception. Additionally, those who are healthy and participate in sports are better equipped to deal with stress.

Children who participate in group activities such as basketball do better in school. Since practicing a sport requires discipline, the child learns to devote their time and energy wisely. They learn to set goals for themselves and learn that working hard can obtain those goals.

Valuable social skills can be taught through athletic sport and interaction with others. Children who play sports such as basketball learn to work as a team with others. They learn sportsmanship and how to interact with others in a positive way. Working with a group for a common goal is a great life lesson for children of any age. As a team, the children learn to support one another even in very competitive environments. Social development is just another of the many perks of having your kids participate in group sports.

As a parent, it is critical to encourage a child to participate in some type of extracurricular activity without forcing them. Perhaps one sport is not of interest to that child. Allow the child to choose which sport or activity interests them most. If your child is interested in participating in basketball, it is important to encourage that positive decision at home.

Basketball is a very flexible sport. It can be played almost anywhere and in anyway you can imagine. In fact, it probably has been played almost everyway imaginable because it is such a popular sport. The thing about basketball that remains the same is making the basket. Every variation of the sport involves a ball and basket with the ultimate goal being to get the ball through the basket to score.

Variety is one of the things that makes basketball such a popular sport. With all the ways to play the game it is no wonder that people all over the world are playing the game. That’s true no matter who they are, how old they are or what limitations they may physically have.

Game Variation 1: Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball, as the name suggests, is played in wheelchairs. The chairs are specially designed so they move quickly and easily down the court. They also are made so players can be agile, much like players in traditional basketball.

Wheelchair basketball is a serious sport that is regulated by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).

Game Variation 2: Water Basketball

Water basketball, again as the name suggests, is played in water. It can be recreational or as a team regulated sport. In water basketball the rules are a little different. The rules for water basketball combine rules for traditional court basketball and water polo. There is, obviously, no dribbling involved in water basketball.

Game Variation 3: Beach Basketball

Beach basketball is played on the beach and is quite different than other types of basketball. It is not as strict and much more of a physical game than basketball.

Beach basketball is played on a circular court with no backboard on the hoop. There is no dribbling because it is too difficult on the sand. The ball is moved down the court instead by passing or 2 ½ steps. There is also no out of bounds in beach basketball.

Game Variation 4: Informal Basketball

Informal basketball really is not an actual name for a type of basketball, but it is used here to simply describe the type of basketball that most people play - basketball where you are just playing for the fun of the sport. The best kind!