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Basketball is a team sport played between two teams of five players each on a rectangular court. The game was invented by James Naismith in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and has since become one of the world's most popular sports. The objective of the game is for players to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop, also known as a basket, mounted at each end of the court. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Players can advance the ball by dribbling (bouncing it on the floor) or passing it to a teammate. Each team is assigned a basket to defend, and they must try to score by shooting the ball through the opponent's basket. The game begins with a jump ball, where a referee tosses the ball up between two players, who try to tip it to their teammates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Number of players per team | 5 |
| Objective | Shoot a ball through the defender's hoop (basket) |
| Shape of the court | Rectangular |
| Scoring | Field goal (2 points), three-point field goal (3 points), free throw (1 point) |
| Game format | 4 quarters of varying length |
| Winner | Team with the most points at the end of the game |
| Ball movement | Dribbling or passing |
| Player movement | A player who has stopped dribbling can take only two steps before they must pass or shoot |
| Game start | Jump ball at the center court |
| Fouls | Personal fouls, traveling fouls, double dribble |
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What You'll Learn
- Basic rules: Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop
- Terminology: Learn terms like hoop, basket, dribble, free throw, jump ball, and paint
- Scoring: Understand how points are scored, including field goals, jump shots, and free throws
- Player positions: Know the standard positions and their roles, like point guard and shooting guard
- Fouls: Understand what constitutes a foul and the consequences, such as free throws for the fouled player
Basic rules: Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop
Basketball is a team sport played between two teams, each with five players. The game is played on a rectangular court, and there is a hoop, or basket, at each end of the court. The primary objective of the game is for players to score points by putting the ball through the hoop. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Each team is assigned a basket to defend, and the other basket is their scoring basket. Teams switch goals at halftime. The game begins with one player from each team at the center of the court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two, and the player that gets their hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off.
Players can advance the ball by passing it to a teammate or dribbling (bouncing it on the floor) as they move up and down the court. If a player stops dribbling, they may not resume dribbling; they must either pass the ball or shoot. If a player moves their feet without dribbling, it is called a traveling foul, and the opposing team gets the ball.
Points are scored by shooting the ball through the hoop. A field goal, or basket, is worth two points if scored inside the three-point arc, and three points if scored outside of it. Free throws, which are worth one point, are awarded to a team according to the number of fouls committed. If a player is fouled while shooting, they get to shoot free throws.
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Terminology: Learn terms like hoop, basket, dribble, free throw, jump ball, and paint
Terminology
Basketball has its own set of terms and jargon that can be helpful to know when learning about the game or watching a game. Here are some of the most common terms explained:
Hoop/Basket: The hoop or basket is the goal or target. It consists of the rim and net, and hangs from the backboard. The term 'basket' is also used when a team scores, as in "the team scored a basket".
Dribble: Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, where players bounce the ball with their hand to move it around the court. Dribbling can be done with either hand, and different parts of the hand can be used to control the ball. For example, dribbling with the fingertips allows for more control and precision. Being able to dribble effectively helps players assist on baskets and score points.
Free Throw: A free throw is an unopposed attempt to score a point by shooting from behind the free-throw line (also called the foul line). Free throws are usually awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team, or when the fouling team has reached a certain number of fouls. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
Jump Ball: A jump ball occurs when the referee tosses the ball up between two players from opposing teams, usually at the start of the game or a period of extra time. It can also be used to settle certain situations, such as when penalties cancel each other out, or when two players are stalemated in trying to wrestle the ball from each other.
Paint: The paint refers to the area on the basketball court located under each basket. It is usually painted a different colour to the rest of the court, hence the name. It is also known as "the key". Players can score points from inside the key, either by shooting or dunking the ball. However, a player cannot stay in the paint for more than three seconds while their team has control of the ball, or it will result in a turnover.
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Scoring: Understand how points are scored, including field goals, jump shots, and free throws
Basketball is a team sport played between two teams of five players each. The objective of the game is to score points by shooting the ball through the hoop or basket, which is positioned 10 feet above the ground at each end of the rectangular court.
Scoring
Points are scored by getting the ball into the basket, either through field goals, jump shots, or free throws.
Field Goals
A field goal is any basket scored other than a free throw and is worth two or three points, depending on the location of the shot. If a basket is made outside the three-point arc, it is worth three points. A slam dunk is a type of field goal where a player jumps near the basket and throws the ball down into it while airborne, and this is worth two points.
Jump Shots
The jump shot is the most important shot in basketball, as it is hard to defend against and allows players to score from a distance. It involves a player jumping straight up and throwing the ball towards the basket. The complicated throwing motion requires a lot of practice to master, but it offers a better throwing angle and makes it harder for opponents to block.
Free Throws
Free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, situated at the end of the restricted area. They are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team or when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
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Player positions: Know the standard positions and their roles, like point guard and shooting guard
Basketball is played with two teams of five players each. The standard team features two guards, two forwards, and a center. The guards are typically called the "back court" and the forwards and centers the "front court".
The point guard (PG) or 1, is often the shortest player on the team and is responsible for advancing the basketball up the court and setting up the team's offense. They are the quarterback of the team, setting the pace on offense and defense. They are also the team's best dribbler and passer.
A shooting guard (SG) or 2, is also known as the two or the off guard. They are prolific from three-point range and long mid-range. They are usually the best outside shooter on their team. They must be able to stay free while others pass the ball around and correctly space the floor to find open space for themselves.
A small forward (SF) or 3, is considered the most versatile of the main five basketball positions. They can score, rebound, handle the ball, pass, and defend.
A power forward (PF) or 4, is a more specialized position. They dominate rebounding but rarely dribble the basketball.
The center (C) or 5, is typically the tallest player on the team. Their main job is to rebound the ball and block shots. They are central to the team's defense.
In recent years, the concept of "positionless basketball" has emerged, with players taking on multiple roles and greater versatility.
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Fouls: Understand what constitutes a foul and the consequences, such as free throws for the fouled player
Fouls are an important part of basketball, and they can often be subjective, depending on the referee's opinion. A foul is generally called when a player impedes the progress of an offensive player using their body. If a player is already established in their position, it is a foul on the offense if the offensive player uses their body to create physical distance.
Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact. For example, if a player swings their arm and hits an opponent, whether or not the opponent has the ball, it is considered a foul. Striking or running into a shooter is also considered a shooting foul, as it interferes with the player's shot through contact.
When a foul is called, the fouled player is often awarded free throws. A free throw is worth one point. If a player is fouled while shooting and the basket is made outside the three-point arc, they are awarded three free throws. If the player was fouled beyond the three-point line but missed the basket, they are awarded two free throws. In other cases, once a certain number of team fouls have accumulated during a half, the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1' opportunity, meaning they get to attempt a second free throw if they make the first one.
There are also technical fouls, which are assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct or detrimental behaviour to the game. These can be called on any player, coach, or trainer on the court or bench. A maximum of two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike acts may be assessed, and the offender must be ejected after two such fouls.
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Frequently asked questions
Each basketball team fields five players.
The standard positions in basketball are point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
You score points by putting the ball through the hoop. A basket, or field goal, is worth two points. If the basket is made outside of the three-point arc, it is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point.
A foul is any type of illegal physical contact. If a player is fouled while shooting, they are awarded free throws.
A basketball game is divided into four quarters, the length of which depends on the level of play.
