Women’s Basketball

Women’s basketball is essentially a team sport developed in the late 1800s, largely in parallel with its male counterpart. Women’s basketball gained popularity, spreading over the west coast from the mid-1800s to the west coast in the greater part through women’s amateur basketball competitions. The popularity of the sport was fueled by an array of factors. One was the recognition and admiration for female athletes, particularly during the early years when sports such as track and field, soccer, and baseball were dominated by men. Sports writers at the time saw women as potential competitors and so wrote extensively about their achievements and women’s games.

By the start of the twentieth century, there had been significant advances in facilities, coaching, and uniforms, and in general, the attitude of the general population toward women in sports was markedly more positive than it had been in previous decades. Today women’s basketball skills are taught to young women as soon as they start attending junior high and often continue on to play on teams at both the junior and senior year levels. Many top college programs are actively recruiting women today, even offering scholarships and receiving applications. The number of female athletes at both the college and professional levels is increasing.

As a result of this growing trend toward women playing basketball at both the college and professional levels, the history of women’s basketball has been shaped by many important women in our history. Two who stand out for their accomplishments are WNBA players Hope Scanlon and Sheryl Strange, who have become household names. Other notable names include Diana Taurasi, Lisa Fernandez, Karen Bass, and Joique Olsson.

Women’s basketball skills vary depending on the level of play. College athletic programs are using a variety of criteria to evaluate players including athleticism, technical skill, and strength. The recruiting process for these programs is particularly sensitive because the majority of head coaches at these levels are men. In order to stand apart from the crowd and to gain exposure, many programs are actively seeking out athletic and skilled women recruiters.

Women’s basketball coaches need to develop an overall strategy to be successful. A good coach must decide how to exploit the differences between players in terms of size, speed, height, and skills. Some programs utilize specialized recruiting strategies that help find the best players. Coaches may use screenings and tests in order to evaluate potential recruits. Other coaches seek out transfers from other colleges or actively recruit college players who have an interest in playing at the school.

In order to be successful, a coach must know how to find the best players. He/she must ensure that transfers meet the specific requirements of the school. Many programs are actively seeking out athletes with the ability to improve their college basketball skills. Coaches have a lot of responsibility and influence in the lives of college coaches’ recruits. Women’s basketball skills need to match the specific needs of these programs.