Basketball is one of the more popular sports in the U.S., and all basketball players want to perform at their best, regardless of ability. Understanding the rules of basketball -- including traveling, back court violations, time out structure -- is important to playing the game at the highest level.
Game Timing
Basketball is played with a variety of timing rules. The National Basketball Association plays four 12-minute quarters, while college basketball is played as two 20-minute halves. High school basketball plays four eight-minute quarters. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a five-minute overtime period is added at all levels. The shot clock -- the amount of time a team is given to shoot during a possession -- also differs. The NBA has a 24-second shot clock, while college men play with a 35-second shot clock. College women have a 30-second shot clock, while high school basketball is typically played without a shot clock.
Scoring
Basketball is a game of points with the team scoring the most at the end of regulation time -- or overtime if necessary -- winning the game. All field goals count as two points, except field goals made from behind the three-point arc, which count as three points. All free throws count as one point. Baskets may only be scored during live ball situations. Free throws are scored during dead ball situations when play is stopped and a player is shooting foul shots.
Game Play
The basketball game starts with a jump ball, and the winning team establishes possession. The ball must be dribbled while a player moves, not carried, kicked or palmed, with allowances made for players moving at typical speeds. A violation of this rule is known as traveling, and is a relatively common call at all levels except the NBA. Dribbling with two hands is also not allowed, and is known as a double-dribble. Kicking the ball intentionally results in a turnover; an unintentional kick causes the shot clock to be reset.
Boundraies
A player must not exit with the ball out of bounds, and if the ball travels out of bounds by itself, possession goes to the opposite team. When dribbling, players must advance the ball past midcourt in a specific amount of time -- in high school and college, 10 seconds and eight in the NBA). Players not dribbling the ball must not stay in the painted area around the basket -- known as the key -- for longer than three seconds.
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