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How to Play Basketball
Basketball teams typically have 12 players, with five players per

team allowed on the court at a time. The objective is to outscore the
opponents by shooting the basketball through the hoop more times
than they do.
Every game begins with one player from each team meeting at the
mid-court line for the tip-off. The referee tosses the ball into the air
between them. Play begins when either player touches the ball and
tips it off to one of their teammates.
The offensive team attempts to transport the ball to the scoring

basket on their end of the court. This can be done by dribbling
(bouncing) the ball or passing it to teammates. Meanwhile, the
defensive team tries to block shots, deflect passes, steal the ball, or
catch rebounds from missed shots. After each successful basket, the
ball goes to the other team, which must transport it to their scoring
basket on the opposite end of the court.
How to Score and Count Points in Basketball

Shooting the basketball through the hoop is worth two points. If a
player scores from behind the three-point line, that basket is worth
three points. Free throws awarded to individual players for fouls
made against them are worth one point.
The team with the most points at the end of the fourth quarter is
declared the winner. If there’s a tie, the game continues for an extra
quarter, known as overtime.
How the Basketball Game Clock Works

Basketball games are divided into four quarters of six to 12 minutes
long, depending on the age and skill level of the players. The clock
stops any time the ball is not in play, and halftime occurs between
the second and third quarters.
The shot clock is an important aspect of basketball gameplay. Each

team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot. If someone shoots and
misses, the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds. If the defensive team
gains possession of the ball on the offensive side of the court, they
have 10 seconds to get it over the mid-court line. Otherwise, the
referee calls a foul and turns the ball over to the other team.
Common Basketball Fouls and Rules

Violations
In basketball, fouls are penalties assessed by the referee for rough
or unfair play. When a player is fouled, the referee awards them the
ball from out of bounds, and they get to throw it back into play. If
the foul occurs while the player is shooting, the player is awarded
one to three free throws, depending on where they were when they
were fouled and whether they made their shot. Each player is
allowed five fouls before they are removed from the game.
Here are some of the most common basketball fouls:
Charging in Basketball
Charging is an offensive foul committed when one player pushes or

runs into a defensive player.
Blocking in Basketball
Blocking is a personal foul caused when a defender makes illegal

personal contact with an opponent who may or may not have the
ball.
Flagrant Fouls in Basketball
A flagrant foul is described as violent contact and may include

kicking, punching, or kneeing an opponent.
Intentional Fouls in Basketball
An intentional foul is when a player makes physical contact with

another player while not legitimately attempting to play or steal the
ball.
Common Technical Fouls in Basketball

A technical foul does not involve player contact but instead
revolves around a player’s “manners.” If a player starts swearing or
arguing with the referee, or the team’s coach or benched players
act poorly, the referee may call a technical foul.
Violations are another form of breaking the rules and result in the
team losing possession of the ball. Here are some of the most
common violations in basketball:
Traveling Foul in Basketball
Traveling is when a player walks without dribbling the ball.
Double Dribble Foul in Basketball
Double dribble is a violation called for touching the ball with both
hands (not including catching the ball) and then dribbling again.
Goaltending Fouls in Basketball
Goaltending occurs when a defensive player touches a shot ball

while it’s on its way down from above the rim.
Backcourt Violation Fouls in Basketball
A backcourt violation is declared if the offense crosses the mid-

court line after bringing the ball onto their side of the court.
Lane Violation Fouls in Basketball
A lane violation is called during a free throw if a player steps out

of line too soon.
Basketball Player Positions
There are five positions on a basketball team. Here’s a look at each

one:
 The center is usually the tallest player on the team. They tend
to score lots of points, block the other team from scoring, and
catch the most rebounds.
 The power forward plays a similar role to the center. They
are high scorers, have a long shooting range, and regularly
guard the most imposing players on the rival team.
 The small forward is the most versatile position, requiring
strength and speed. This player often makes cuts to the basket
to get open for a shot as quickly as possible.
 The point guard has substantial ball-handling and passing
skills. They are typically the shortest player on the team and
focus on sprinting toward the basket as soon as they get the
ball.
 The shooting guard, as the name implies, is a great shooter
and can accurately score baskets from a long distance.
Therefore, this player often circulates the three-point line and
tries to get open to attempt a shot from this distance.

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How to Play Basketball

Basketball teams typically have 12 players, with five players per

The offensive team attempts to transport the ball to the scoring

How to Score and Count Points in Basketball

How the Basketball Game Clock Works

The shot clock is an important aspect of basketball gameplay. Each

Common Basketball Fouls and Rules

Here are some of the most common basketball fouls:

Charging is an offensive foul committed when one player pushes or

Blocking is a personal foul caused when a defender makes illegal

Flagrant Fouls in Basketball

A flagrant foul is described as violent contact and may include

Intentional Fouls in Basketball

An intentional foul is when a player makes physical contact with

Common Technical Fouls in Basketball

Traveling Foul in Basketball

Traveling is when a player walks without dribbling the ball.

Double Dribble Foul in Basketball

Goaltending Fouls in Basketball

Goaltending occurs when a defensive player touches a shot ball

Backcourt Violation Fouls in Basketball

A backcourt violation is declared if the offense crosses the mid-

Lane Violation Fouls in Basketball

A lane violation is called during a free throw if a player steps out

Basketball Player Positions

There are five positions on a basketball team. Here’s a look at each

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