Basketball has been a favorite sport ever since James Naismith first nailed a peach basket to the wall of the YMCA in Springfield, Mass. in 1891. It is popular among many families as boys and girls can practice together at home with just a hoop in the driveway.
Basketball is also a great sport that can help athletes develop hand-eye coordination, cardiovascular health as well as team-building and self-esteem. These are the reasons why it is one of the most loved sports in the United States. More than half a million boys and nearly 460,000 girls participate in youth basketball nationwide.
Risk of injuries
When parents and grandparents take the time to educate themselves about potential risks and encourage their young athletes to protect themselves and stay healthy, then basketball can provide a lifetime of fitness, fun and recreation. I must admit even though approximately 1.6 million basketball injuries at all ages recreational and organized teams are reported each year, I am still shocked that the high-energy, fast-moving, contact collision nature of this sport does not produce more injuries than it currently does. This tells me that parents and coaches are doing something right. However, there is still much that can be done to protect these young athletes.
