Basketball is an international sport played at the recreational, scholastic, professional and Olympics levels. In addition to the traditional five-on-five game, a variety of rules for two-player games, such as "Horse" or "21," makes the game accessible to many people of different skills and abilities. Knowing the basics of the traditional game will help you enjoy watching and playing basketball, whatever your interest.
Starting a Game
In full-court basketball, teams use two baskets, one on either side of the court. The game starts with a "tip-off" in which two players leap straight up to tip a ball tossed by a referee. The team that gains possession of the ball goes on offense, and the opposing team on defense. If teams are playing half-court, using only one side of a court or only one basket, the game often starts with a coin toss, with a player from the offensive team throwing the ball into play from out of bounds.
Scoring Points
In order to score points in basketball, you must shoot the ball through the basket or hoop. You may do so overhanded, via a shot or dunk, or underhand, with a lay-up. If you are shooting the ball during a regular play and make the shot, your team receives 2 points. If you shoot the ball from behind the 3-point line and make the shot, your team earns 3 points. If the opposing team commits a foul that results in your team receiving foul shots, or "free throws," at the basket, you score one point for each foul shot made.
Moving the Ball
Players move the ball between ends of the court by passing the ball or walking with the ball while bouncing, or dribbling, the ball. If a player takes more than one step without dribbling, or stops dribbling then starts again and continues moving, "traveling" is called and possession of the ball goes to the opposing team.
Goaltending
When an opposing player touches a shot on its way down to the rim or while it is above the rim, goaltending is called. When this occurs the shooter's team is awarded the points that would have resulted if the field-goal was made. If your ball is on the way up, an opposing player may touch the ball and try to stop it from going in the basket.
Fouls
During play, if players or coaches break certain rules, this is known as making a foul. If a player makes a foul after his team has collected a certain number of team fouls, the opposing team gets a chance to take a foul shot and earn a point. In some instances, a foul shot is awarded automatically, regardless of the number of previous fouls by a team. For example, if a player touches another player in the act of taking a shot, a foul occurs and the offensive player may take one, two or three foul shots, depending on the situation governing that particular foul. When one player commits a set number of fouls per league rules, he is disqualified from the game. The number of fouls a player may commit before he fouls out is five at most levels.
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