The NBA is one of the most popular sports in America, and for good reason. It’s fast-paced and exciting, with a style all its own. But what’s not widely known is that many people work behind the scenes to make it happen: players, substitutes, and coaches. Let’s take a closer look at each role.
Players
Players are an integral part of success in the game; without them, nothing would happen! They’re constantly practicing their technique to be able to perform well during basketball games.
Every NBA team consists of five players. If any of these five players get six personal fouls in one game, then he is replaced by a substitute. If the bench occupants have been already disqualified, the player stays in the game but he gets another foul and his team gets a technical foul.
If the player is injured and can’t participate in the game anymore, they can be replaced by a previously disqualified player. If the situation occurs again, the players are ought to enter the play in the reverse order.
In the basketball team, there can be two co-captains. The captain is a player who has to be selected from the active list and stays the captain through the course of the entire game, even if they sit on the bench. Only the captain can ask the official about the interpretation of a rule if their team is in a timeout, but even they can’t discuss a decision.
Substitute
Basketball substitute comes into play when someone gets injured, is in foul trouble, or needs to rest from playing too long or when the coach needs to change strategy – they have to be quick on their feet with high energy levels if they want to step onto the court since they have no time to prepare. When they are called, they have to go onto the floor as soon as possible and be ready to play.
Substitutes can enter the game when another player is in foul trouble or when the coach makes the decision to put them in the game. The swap has to happen during the same dead ball, which means after a personal or a technical foul etc.
Free Throw and Jump Ball
A free throw shooter is the one who takes the shot that is awarded to a team after they don’t make a goal or commit an infraction. It’s also possible for free throw shooters to be on the bench.
A jump ball player is one who jumps to get possession of the ball. A jump ball happens at the beginning of a game and sometimes when the ball is out of bounds.
There can be an unlimited number of substitutions. The rule is that the substitute can’t replace a free throw shooter or jump ball player unless they are injured or eliminated from the game. Substitutes are only allowed to enter the game before the final free throw happens.
Coaches
And last but not least, the coach directs the strategy of the team on the court and keeps everyone happy. Without them, there would be no teamwork!
Coach, as the name implies, is in charge of directing the team’s strategy on the court. These are the people who help develop, coach, train, and control players, so they’re important to success on and off the court.
In the course of the game, coaches can’t cross the midcourt line and get close to the scorer’s table. There are few exceptions, for example, a coach can come by the scorer’s table during a dead ball or a coach can get on the court then there is an altercation with the other team to serve as peacemakers.
Scorer’s Table
Before the game starts, two teams have to supply the scorer’s table with the list of players and the number they are assigned to. If a player isn’t on that list, they can’t enter the game.
If someone wants to call timeout then they have to get close to the scorer’s table and ask an official or a scorer for it. Only one can be called per period, but if there is a foul on a player, two more can be granted.
Jerseys
In basketball, even the jersey’s colors matter! Home teams traditionally wear light-colored jerseys, and the opposing team dresses in dark colors. The jerseys have to be numbered in the front and in the back and have the player’s surname. The color of the letters and numbers must be contrasting to the jersey.
This is a very short article about the importance of coaches and substitutes in NBA’s basketball teams, but hopefully, you have an understanding of these roles from this article. This was just a brief introduction to help you understand that every position in the basketball game is extremely essential. So next time you watch a basketball match, pay attention not only to each player’s role in the success of their team but also to the coach and the substitutes!
How many substitutions are allowed in NBA?
In basketball, a team can have up to seven substitute players and an unlimited number of substitutions. The starting line-up usually consists of one center, two forwards, and two guards.
