The Basics of Basketball
Basketball is played by two teams who score points by throwing a ball into the
opposing team's basket.
Players can move the ball around the court by passing, tapping, throwing, rolling or
dribbling.
The team who scores the most points are the winners.
Basketball Rules
Basketball is 40 minutes of non-stop, action packed, sizzling excitement and is so
easy to play.
All you need is a hoop and a ball and you too can join the millions now enjoying the
sport all across the world.
So how about finding out about officials, the number of time-outs, or what fouls there
are.
Objective
Basketball is played by two teams of five players on a court. Each team has to try and
get the ball into each others baskets to score points. The team which has scored the
most points at the end of the game wins.
One of the reasons why basketball has become so popular is because the game can be
varied. Although the usual format of the game is for two teams of five, there are
variations such as 3 on 3, 2 on 2, and 1 on 1.
Basketball can also be played outdoors or indoors, but at senior and international
level, it is always played indoors. For professional NBA games, there are four 12minutes quarters. For other basketball games, including college games (NCAA), there
are two 20 minute halves.
How does play begin?
The visiting team has the choice of basket to aim for in the first half. Teams change ends
at the interval or the middle interval in four-quarter games. If the game is played at a
neutral venue then a coin is tossed to determine which team chooses the basket.
The game is started with a jump-ball in the centre circle. The referee will throw the ball
into the air, between two players on opposite teams. The players stand in each half of the
centre circle, on the side nearest to their own basket.
The ball must not be touched until it has reached its highest point in the air, then the two
players may jump up and try and get the ball back to their own team.
All players not involved in the jump-ball must be away from the centre circle. Players
involved in the jump-ball may only touch the ball twice. After that, they cannot touch it
until it has been touched by or has touched, any of the other players not involved in the
jump, the floor, or one of the rings, or backboards behind the rings.
Moving around
When a player has the ball, they bounce the ball between the ground and one hand, while
moving around the court. A player can also pass the ball to another player. The object is
to move the ball along the court and get it through the opposing team's basket. See
Scoring for details.
The act of bouncing the ball as described above is called dribbling. Only the hands may be
used. Touching the ball with the leg or foot, unless done by accident, is a violation.
The ball must always be dribbled if the player who has it is moving. Carrying it is not
allowed, as is using a fist to play the ball. The dribble ends if a player touches the ball
with both hands at the same time, or holds the ball with one or both hands. That player
may not dribble again until they have either taken a shot, or another player has got the
ball.
When a players gets possession of the ball, either from another player, or because the ball
has rebounded after an attempt at basket, the following rules apply:
If the player was standing still upon receiving the ball, they can dribble, pass, or shoot. If the
player chooses to pass or shoot, they cannot move with the ball. A pivot is allowed,
however. This means that one foot can be moved, but the other must stay on the
ground, and allows the player to slightly change angle for a pass or shot.
If the player is moving when they receive the ball, that player can move no more than two steps
before they have to play the ball.
A player must come to a correct stop after collecting the ball on the move, or when
finishing a dribble, and the two-count rhythm is used to make sure of this. Otherwise it is
known as travelling, and it counts as a technical foul.
The first count is when the player gets the ball with one or both feet on the floor, or as
both feet touch the floor, if the player jumped to get the ball.
The second count is when one or both feet touch the floor again after the first count. If a
player stops after the first count, the second count does not apply.
The player is allowed to pivot after stopping, after one or two counts. They must use the
back foot, unless both feet are level. Then they can use either foot.
What points can be scored and how?
There are three different methods of scoring in basketball, and they are all worth
different amounts of points. But they all involve putting the ball fairly through the
opponents' basket.
Field goal - this is scored when a player throws the ball from the court in the course of
normal play (open play), and gets the ball through the basket. It is worth two points from
inside the curved line (the three-point line), three points from outside.
Free throw - called against a team who have committed a foul. It is taken from behind
the free-throw line. If a personal foul has taken place, the player fouled would take the
throw. If a technical foul is awarded, any player on the non-offending team can take the
throw. No other players are allowed in the area until the ball has left the thrower's hands.
A free throw is worth one point. For reasons why a free throw could be given, see below.
.
After a field goal, play is restarted by a member of the non-scoring team, who will pass
the ball back onto the court from off the court, at the end where the goal was scored
from. So if the goal was scored from the right, the player would stand in the right-hand
corner to throw the ball in. This is also how play is restarted after a successful free throw.
The referee will decide if it is unclear which side of the court the ball should be returned
to play from.
If the ball goes off the sidelines at the sides of the court, it is thrown back in by a player
from the team who did not touch the ball last before it went out.
All about Timing
If a winner must be found, overtime periods are used for games which end normal time
in a draw. There are extra periods of five minutes until a winner is found. There can be as
many extra periods as necessary.
The game clock is stopped between periods of play, during time-outs, when the ball goes
out of play, and when free throws are taken.
The game clock starts when a player has touched the ball at the beginning jump-ball at
the start of the game. If the referee blows the whistle for any of the following, the clock
also stops:
- Delay in restarting play after a dead ball.
- Field goal is scored against a team after that teams coach has asked for a time out
Foul - Held ball (when two players on opposing teams both hold the ball)
Stop in play because of injury
Stop in play as ordered by an official.
Thirty second signal is sounded
Violation
There are further rules relating to timing and playing. To keep the game flowing
smoothly, there are rules on how quickly certain action must take place.
Three-second rule - a player is not allowed to stay in the opponents area of court
between the end line and the free throw line while that player's own team has the ball.
Five-second rule - a player who has the ball must play it within five seconds or a
violation will be called against that player. Also, a player who is out-of-bounds must
release the ball into play within five seconds, or possession will go to the defensive team.
Ten-second rule - when a team gains possession in their own half of the court (back
court), the ball must be progressed to the opposing teams half of the court (front court)
within ten seconds, otherwise a violation is called. A team also cannot move the ball
backwards into their own backcourt after being in possession in the front court.
Thirty-second rule - A team which has possession of the ball must shoot for the basket
within thirty seconds, otherwise it is a violation.
Time-outs - a team coach can call up to two charged time-outs in a half. The time-out
cannot begin until the ball becomes dead (out of play). The coach would ask the scorer
who passes the message on to the other officials. As and when the ball becomes dead the
charged time-out lasting one minute begins. The coach can use this to discuss strategy,
re-motivate players, and so on. If there is extra time, there can be one time-out per
period of extra time.
Dead ball
When the ball is dead, the clock is stopped, and if relevant, time-outs can take place. The
ball is dead when:
- The official enters the circle to set up the jump-ball
The official enters the free throw area to set up the free throw
A player taking a throw-in is in an out-of-bounds (off court) position, and has
possession of the ball
- Play is stopped for any other reason
The ball becomes alive and active when:
- A player involved in the jump-ball touches the ball
The official gives the ball to a player who is to take the free throw
From a throw-in, the ball touches a player who is in play
Playing Positions
As with many other team sports, there are set formations, although in basketball, any
player can be involved in legal play in any position. There are three categories of player,
guards, forwards, and centres. Of course, any player can score.
What do the players do?
Guards - generally the quicker players in a team, they usually play further away from the
basket, and start the attacking moves. They must also be good at long-range shots, and
be able to pass accurately.
Forwards - usually positioned by the side of the key (area which covers the free throw
circle to the basket) and are good at passing and collecting rebounds.
Centres - often the tallest members of the team, they must be good jumpers as they are
usually positioned closest to the basket, and should also be good close range shooters,
rebounders and passers, as they are likely to be involved in action around the basket.
Fouls, violations, and misconduct
Physical contact between players in basketball is against the rules. But it is likely to
happen, as basketball is a fast game. A foul is given for personal contact. A violation is
for a breach of the rules not involving personal contact, and is penalized by the nonoffending team having possession of the ball on the side-line nearest to where the
offence took place. There are two types of foul:
Personal foul
Called against a player who makes contact with another player at any time, whether the
ball is alive or dead. This can be tripping, blocking, holding, pushing, charging, or
stopping the progress of an opponent by extending the arm, hip, shoulder, knee, leg or
so on. If the hands are used on an opponent at any time, other than touching hands
while getting or trying to get the ball, this also counts as a foul. A free throw will be given
to the non-offending team.
Technical foul
Fouls that do not involve contact with another player, like preventing a throw-in being
taken, arguing with officials, or unsporting behaviour. Two free throws will be given to
the non-offending team.
If a player has five fouls (of either type) called against them in one game, that player must
leave the game. After seven player fouls (of either type) against a team in one half, the
one-and-one rule applies. This means that when a player of that team commits a foul
after the one-and-one rule has been implemented, the player / team fouled may take two
free throws, but the first has to be scored to take the second.
Notes
- If a basket is scored either during or just after a violation has been committed, it does
not
count.
- Olympic basketball allows two free throws regardless of whether the first was scored or
not.
Substitutes
A team may have one or more players removed from play due to fouls and violations.
Each team is allowed up to five substitute players. If a team want to bring on a substitute
in normal play, they must notify the scorer, and wait for the ball to go dead.
If a team want to bring on a substitute after they have committed a violation, they cannot
do so, unless the non-offending team do aswell. If they do not, the offending team would
have to wait for the next dead ball situation when no violation had taken place, or if it
had, that they were not at fault.
Officials
A game of basketball is presided over by a referee and an umpire, along with a
timekeeper, a scorer, and a thirty-second operator.
The referee and umpire control the game and take up positions on opposite sides of the
court. Before each jump-ball and after each foul they swap sides. The referee has the final
say on disciplinary matters.
The scorer keeps a record of points scored, all fouls called against each player, time-outs
charged to each team, notes the starting line-ups, and keeps a record of all substitutions.
The timekeeper keeps a record of playing time and stoppages in play, and times the timeouts, and indicates when each half or overtime ends.
The thirty-second operator starts the thirty-second clock every time a team takes
possession of the ball.
Equipment
The ball
The ball is round, and the outer casing/coating should be rubber, leather or some other
suitable synthetic material. Its circumference is between 74.9 and 78 centimetres (29 and
a half and 30 and a quarter inches). It weighs between 567m and 650 grammes (20 and 22
ounces). It is inflated to a pressure so that when it is dropped from a height of 1.8 metres
(6 feet) onto the court, it should bounce up to a height between 1.2 and 1.4 metres (4
feet and 4 feet 7 inches).
The court
The court (if played indoors) should measure 28 metres (92 feet) long, and 15 metres (46
feet) wide. There is flexibility allowed, up to 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) and 1 metre (3 feet
3 inches) variance on height and width respectively is acceptable, as long as it remains
proportional. The basket should be 2.9 metres (9 feet 6 inches) above the floor, and any
seating or tables, and so on, must be at least 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) away from the
court side-lines and end-lines.
The basket and backboard
The ring which holds the net or basket should be 3.05 metres (10 feet) above the floor.
The net is made of cord and is 40 centimetres (15 inches) long, and has to be wide
enough to let the ball fall through (the ring has a diameter of 45 centimetres/1 foot 6
inches). The ring is made of solid iron, and is painted orange.
The backboard is the board behind the net which provides for rebounds when the ball
has missed the basket. It measures 1.8 metres by 1.05 metres (6 feet by 3 feet 5 inches). It
is usually made of hard wood, 3 centimetres (just over one inch) thick, or of a similar
transparent material. The front must be flat and white (unless transparent). A rectangle is
painted on the board, measuring 59 centimetres by 45 centimetres (2 feet by 1 foot 6
inches).
The bottom line of the rectangle should be level with the top of the net. The lines of the
rectangle should be 5 centimetres (2 inches) wide, and there should also be a border
around the edge of the board the same width.
The backboard is positioned above the court with its lower edge 2.9 metres (9 feet 6
inches) above the floor. It is centrally placed between the two sidelines, and the supports
should be at least 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) outside the end-line, and painted in a
contrasting colour so that players can see the backboard clearly. It will also be covered in
padding for safety.
Glossary
Alley-oop
When a player lobs a pass above the basket and a teammate
catches it in midair and puts it in the basket on the way down.
Assist
a pass which gives the receiver an easy, close score
Back court violation when a team in possession takes or passes the ball back into the
half of court containing their own basket
Basket
not just the literal name, to 'score a basket' is to score point(s)
Disqualifying foul
serious foul which puts player out permanently
Double dribble
stopping after dribbling, then starting dribbling again, or using
both hands together
Double foul
when two players from opposing sides commit fouls against each
other. Play is restarted with a jump-ball
Dunk
also known as stuff or slam dunk, when a player jumps up and
puts the ball through the basket
Fast break
a quick move out of defence with possession to take the defensive
team by surprise
Full-court set
when defenders start guarding the offense in the backcourt
Give-and-go
when the player who passes the ball goes straight to the basket
Half-court press
when a team develops a play in the frontcourt
Held ball
when two players on opposing teams firmly hold the ball at the
same time
Inbounds
the area of court not out of bounds (within the lines). An
inbound ball is a ball thrown in by the team with possession
Intentional foul
a personal foul which the official feels was deliberate. Two free
throws are awarded, as well as a personal foul against the offender
Lay up
to bounce the ball off the backboard so that it goes through the
net
Man-to-man defence a defensive player marks a specific attacking player
Outlet pass
first pass of a defensive team after a rebound
Out-of-bounds
a player or the ball if they / it touch the floor outside the side or
end lines
Rebound
when a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard
after a shot attempt. Also offensive rebound and defensive rebound
depending which team gets the ball
Strong side
the side of court which the attacking team has possession in
Three-point play
when a player is fouled while scoring a two-point basket, then
scores another from the free-throw (this becomes a four-point play
if a three-point score is made prior to a free throw)
Weak side
the side of court opposite where the attacking team has
possession
Zone defence
also known as zonal defence, marking players as they go into
specific areas