The Rules of the Game

Basketball is a team sport.

Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop
elevated 10 feet above the ground.

The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop
at each end.

The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.

If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten
seconds to get the ball over the mid-court line.

If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball.

Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer
have possession of the ball in the area behind the midcourt line.

If it does, the defense is awarded the ball.

Basketball Court 1

The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling.
The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called
the defense.
 The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and garner
rebounds.

Points

When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the
other team.

If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket
is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point.

Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the
number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed.

Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the
shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the
three-point line, then he gets three shots.

Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain
number have accumulated during a half (called “team fouls”).

Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-
and-1' opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second.
If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.

Game Clock

Each game is divided into sections, and all levels have two halves.

In college, each half is twenty minutes long.

In high school and below, the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six)
minute quarters. In the pros, quarters are twelve minutes long.

There is a gap of several minutes between halves. Gaps between quarters are
relatively short.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then overtime periods of various
lengths are played until a winner emerges.

Basket Assignment and Tip-Off

Also, each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend.

This means that the other basket is their scoring basket.

At halftime, the teams switch goals.

The game begins with one player from either team at center court.

A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands
on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off.
Fouls and Violations

In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways
for a team to get the ball.

One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.

FOULS

Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.

 Hitting
 Pushing
 Slapping
 Holding
 Illegal pick/screen -- when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive
player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an
attempt to block the path of the defender.

Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then he gets two
free throws if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.

 Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled while shooting for a three-
point goal and they miss their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-
point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one free throw. Thus, he could
score four points on the play.
 Inbounds. If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul
was committed upon. They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of
bounds, and have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court.
 One & one. If the team committing the foul has seven or more fouls in the
game, then the player who was fouled is awarded one free throw. If he makes
his first shot, then he is awarded another free throw.
 Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then
the fouled player receives two free throws.

Charging

An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a

defensive player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed
upon.

Blocking

Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing

position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.

Flagrant foul
 Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and punching.
This type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of
the ball after the free throws.

Intentional foul

When a player makes physical contact with another player with no reasonable
effort to steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.

Technical foul

Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not
involve player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game.
Foul language, obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be
considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the
scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups.

VIOLATIONS

Walking/Traveling

Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is traveling.
Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.

Carrying/palming

When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side of or,
sometimes, even under the ball.

Double Dribble

Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or picking up
the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.

Held ball

Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball at
the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee
stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.

Goaltending

If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward
the basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the
backboard, or while it's in the cylinder above the rim, it's goaltending and the
shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is
awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.

Backcourt violation
 Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line, they cannot go
back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to the
other team to pass inbounds.

Time restrictions

A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the ball. If he does
not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include
the rule that a player cannot have the ball for more than five seconds when
being closely guarded and, in some states and levels, shot-clock restrictions
requiring a team to attempt a shot within a given time frame.

Player Positions

Center

Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near
the basket.

Offensive

The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also
responsible for blocking defenders, known as picking or screening, to open
other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get
some offensive rebounds and put-backs.

Defensive

On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting

by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot
of rebounds because they're taller.

Forward

Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward
may be called upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to
operate in the wings and corner areas.

Offensive

Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for
goals, and rebound.

Defensive

Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.

Guard
 These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at
dribbling fast, seeing the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball
down the court and set up offensive plays.

Offensive

Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main

responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot
from the perimeter.

Defensive

On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots,

preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out.

Basketball Skills

Dribbling

Dribbling is an important skill for all basketball players. This skill will allow
you to move up and down the court, maneuver past defenders and execute
plays. Proper dribbling requires ball-handling skills and knowledge of how to
spread your fingers for ball control. It is also best if you know how to dribble
equally well with both hands.

Shooting

In order to score points in basketball, you need to shoot the ball into the hoop.
This requires the ability to properly hold and throw the ball into the air toward
the basket while avoiding defenders. A proper shot requires precise aiming,
arm extension and lift from the legs. There are different types of shots you need
to learn, including jump shots, layups and free throws.

Running

Running is a big part of basketball. In a full-court game, you will find yourself
running back and forth as the game quickly transitions between offense and
defense. When you have the ball, running will help you to avoid defenders and
get to the basket quicker. On defense, you often will find yourself needing to
run after the opponent, especially during fast breaks.

Passing

Passing is another skill that when mastered can help you become a complete
basketball player. Basketball is a team sport that involves finding a teammate
who is open for a shot. The ability to pass the ball to this player can make the
difference between scoring and not scoring. Really great passers are an
 important part of a basketball team and usually the ones who set up scoring
plays.

Jumping

Jumping is another skill that can define how good a basketball player is.
Jumping is involved in offense during the jump ball in the beginning, while
taking shots and sometimes while trying to catch a pass. On defensive you will
need the ability to jump when trying to block a shot or a pass. Being able to out
jump your opponent for a rebound also is important.

Types Of Basketball Dribbles

How to Dribble

Use your fingertips, not the palms of your hands.. Basketball is played on the
tips of your fingers and the balls of your feet. Use your forearm and wrist to
bounce the ball. Don't look at the ball... keep your head up and eyes forward.
You must learn to use either hand. So when doing drills, always work both
hands.

"Control Dribble" (when the defender is up close on you)

When a defender is guarding you closely, you should use the "control dribble".
Keep in a somewhat crouched, bent over position. Keep your body between the
ball and the defender. Keep the ball low to the floor, behind and close to your
body. Keep your other arm straight out in front of you, as a guard against the
defender.

You can't push off, or grab the defender, but you can use your "arm-bar" to
keep the defender from reaching around you. Do not stop your dribble until you
can either pass or shoot.

"Speed Dribble" (in the open court)

To move the ball quickly down the floor use the "speed dribble". Push the ball
forward, ahead of you several feet. Bounce the ball at least waist high. As
always, keep your head up, and visualize the whole court, so you can find the
open teammate.

Crossover Dribble

Simply, the crossover dribble has you switch dribbling from one hand to the
other, by bouncing the ball in front of you across to the other side. Then the
other hand picks up the ball and you are now dribbling with the opposite hand.
 You can use this dribble to quickly change your direction on the court. For
example, you could be on the point, dribbling with your right hand to the right
wing, then suddenly crossover the dribble to the left and drive up the lane.

In and Out Dribble

The "in and out" dribble is a good fake move to help you get around a defender
and take it to the hoop. With this move, you make one bounce in front of you as
if you were going to crossover, but instead of picking the ball up with your
other hand, you just roll your dribbling hand over the top of the ball, and bring
it sharply back and go hard around the defender.

For example, if you are dribbling right-handed, make one dribble to the left in
front of you and "dip" and put your weight on your left foot. To the defender,
this looks like you will crossover and go left. Instead, roll your right hand over
the top of the ball and bring it back quickly to the right, push off the left foot,
and go hard around the right side of your opponent.

Hesitation Dribble ("Rocker Move")

This is another fake move to help you get around the defender in the open
court. You speed dribble up to the defender, then suddenly come to a stop by
putting your inside foot forward and "rocking" backward onto your outside
foot. Then as the defender closes, you blow around his side, resuming the speed
dribble, straight to the hoop.

For example, you are speed dribbling with your right hand. As you approach
the defender, you stop suddenly by putting your left foot forward, and then
rocking back on the right foot. This hesitation throws the defender's timing off.
Then push hard off the right foot, and speed dribble around his right side. You
can also use this move and combine it with a crossover dribble and go hard left.

Spin Move

The spin move is an excellent move to get around a defender in the open court.
But be careful of a defender stealing the ball from behind, on your "blind side"
as you make the spin. When making the spin, reverse pivot (spin) on your front
foot, and pull the ball hard and quickly around your body. Don't let your hand
get under the ball (a "carrying" violation). Then continue the dribble with the
opposite hand.

Back-up Dribble and Crossover

The back-up dribble is useful in retreating from a defender or a trap. Dribble

backwards and then do a quick crossover dribble (or a through the legs dribble
or around the back dribble) to get free.