Basketball is a very common sport that has spread to become a worldwide game. The rules of basketball vary depending on age and level of play. However, the basic regulations and objective remain the same, wherever basketball is played.
Logistics
Basketball is played on a court 94 feet wide and 56 feet wide. The foul line is 15 feet from the basket. The three-point line has parallel lines extending from the baseline, three feet inside the sideline. The parallel lines are connected are connected by an arc with a distance of 23 feet and nine inches. The backboard should be flat and transparent. It is 6 feet wide and 3½ feet high. The basket should be positioned 10 feet above the floor. Basketballs should weigh 7½ to 8½ lbs. Teams must have five players on the court. All players on the same team must wear identical jerseys. Game length varies depending on level of play. Professional basketball uses four 12-minute quarters.
Game Rules
The game begins with a tipoff, where the official throws the ball straight up in the air and two opposing players attempt to tip the ball to a teammate. From there teams go back and forth attempting to get the ball into the opponent's basket. Players must dribble the ball when moving if they have possession of the ball. After a player picks the ball up, they are allowed two steps before they must pass or shoot the ball. Depending on level of play, there may or may not be a shot clock. If there is, the length of the clock varies. In professional basketball, there is a 24-second shot clock, meaning a team has 24 seconds to shoot or they lose possession. Once a team crosses half-court with the ball, it cannot go back into their half of the court. If the ball goes out of bounds, the team who did not touch the ball last gains possession.
Scoring
If a team shoots the ball through the basket, they are awarded two points. However, if a player is standing behind the three-point line when they shoot, the basket is worth three points. When a player is fouled they are awarded foul shots. Each foul shot made is worth one point. The team with the most points at the end of the games wins.
Fouls
There are various types of fouls in basketball, categorized as either personal, technical or flagrant. Personal fouls are the most common. They include pushing, holding, charging into or impeding the progress of an opposing player. Technical fouls are called for player or coach misconduct, such as arguing with an official or fighting another player. A player is given a flagrant foul if it is deemed their foul was excessive or on purpose.
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