Basketball is one of the most popular games played in the world. The rules are relatively the same no matter where you go to play. Basketball is not a contact sport, and fouls are called when defensive players make contact with the offensive players. Additionally, teams have a set amount of time--24, 30 or 35 seconds--to take a shot that hits the rim or the other team gains possession.
Shooting Fouls
Defensive players cannot make contact with the shooter. If the player shooting the basketball gets hit or even touched anything more than incidentally, the player who initiates contact is called for a foul. If the player makes his shot, he gets an additional free throw. If he misses the shot, he gets two free throws. Players get called for fouls after impacting the shooter with their hands, arms, shoulders or any part of their body.
Shooting Clock
Teams have a limited amount of time to shoot the ball once they gain possession. In the National Basketball Association and other professional leagues throughout the world, teams have 24 seconds to launch a shot that hits the rim. In college and high school, teams have 30 to 35 seconds to launch their shot. If they do not get the shot off in time, the other team gets possession.
Dribbling
Players must dribble the ball in order to advance it. After picking up your dribble, you must shoot or pass the ball to a teammate. You may not start dribbling again after you stop dribbling. That is called a discontinued dribble and the result is a violation that gives your opponent the ball. While you may switch hands while dribbling, you may not have two hands on the ball while dribbling. Players must dribble the ball over midcourt by the count of eight seconds, or else they are called for an eight-second violation that gives possession to the opponent.
Member Comments