Hoops for the Soul is committed to demonstrating and teaching the values and attributes identified by Dr. James Naismith, the game's inventor, in his book Basketball: It's Origin and Development. In chapter 10, The Values of Basketball, Dr. Naismith discusses and highlights key characteristics that he believes basketball can help any individual who plays develop.
01. INITIATIVE
The ability to meet new conditions with efficiency.
02. AGILITY
The power of the body (and the mind) to put itself in any position with quickness and ease.
03. ACCURACY
The ability to do the exact thing that is attempted.
04. ALERTNESS
The ready response to a stimulus.
05. CO-OPERATION
Working on a team towards a common goal while helping to enhance the experience of others.
06. SKILL
The ability to acquire and use the correct set of skills to accomplish specific tasks
07. REFLEX JUDGEMENT
The ability to respond and react to adversity in the most efficient way possible
08. SPEED
The ability to get things done correctly and in the shortest amount of time possible.
09. SELF-CONFIDENCE
The consciousness of the ability to do things
10. SELF-SACRIFICE
The willingness to place the good of the team above one's own personal ambitions
11. SELF-CONTROL
The subordination of one's feelings for a higher purpose
12. SPORTSMANSHIP
The players’ insistence of her own rights, and the observance of rights of others. It is playing the game
vigorously, observing the rules accepting defeat gracefully. And winning courteously.