When children are between the ages of 8 and 10, they are at an ideal age to learn the basics of basketball.

If you or a family member has flat feet, you're not alone. Doctors say up to 25 percent of the population has a low arch, also known as flexible flat feet, while some people have inflexible, or stiff, flat feet.

Performing a basic dribble with a large, rubber basketball is fairly easy. Dribbling a smaller, less bouncy tennis ball is not. Learning to dribble a tennis ball, therefore, can refine your coordination and dribbling skills, leading to better ballhandling on the basketball court.

Basketball can be a great aerobic exercise that also tones your muscles. The calories you burn playing basketball for 30 minutes varies from person to person and type of basketball activity.

The sports of tennis and basketball involve quick stopping and starting as well as lateral movement. The shoe you choose should offer durability and support during play. Wearing a tennis shoe for basketball or vice versa, though, will not enhance your play.

Whether you're an NBA All Star like Lebron James or just an amateur playing hoops at the park, elbow pain can hurt both your physical and mental basketball game. In 2010, LeBron James told the Associated Press that he cannot avoid thinking about his elbow pain during a game.

The game of basketball has many rules to help maintain control and keep the game flowing smoothly. Players must abide by them and in order to understand the game, it's important for fans to learn the rules. Some rules, especially those regarding the throw-in, can be confusing.

You don't need anyone or anything except a ball to improve your basketball-handling skills. There is more to basketball-handling proficiency than dribbling and shooting. In fact, the way you move the ball when pressed by opponents can make or break your success as a basketball player.

Basketball can help kindergarten-age children get some exercise while learning a new skill. According to Keven A. Prusak, author of "Basketball Fun and Games: 50 Skill-Building Activities for Children," basketball drills for children in kindergarten should focus on learning the game rather than competition.

Dribbling and ball-handling skills are vital if you want to be a good basketball player. To develop and perfect your skills, repetition and practice are your allies. There are no shortcuts if you want to be the best. And one of the best ways to practice dribbling is with cone-dribbling drills.

A basketball official’s job is not only to make judgment calls on what happens during the course of the game but also to make sure players, coaches and the scorekeepers understand what those calls are. That’s why basketball referees use hand signals to indicate certain fouls or violations.

To ensure youth basketball players are successful and safe while playing the game, you'll need to provide them with the proper equipment. Among the items needed for basketball is the right sized ball for the age and size of the children partaking in the game. Basketballs come in a variety of sizes and weights.