Basketball Rule

The rules of basketball can vary slightly depending on the level of play. The
winner of a basketball game is the team with the most points. You get points
by throwing the basketball through the opponent's hoop or basket.

In regular play a basket made from within the three point line is worth 2
points and a basket shot from outside the three point line is worth three
points. When shooting a free throw, each free throw is worth 1 point.

Rules for offense

The basketball team on offense is the team with the basketball.

1) The player must bounce, or dribble, the ball with one hand while
moving both feet. If, at any time, both hands touch the ball or the
player stops dribbling, the player must only move one foot.

2) The basketball player can only take one turn at dribbling. In other
words, once a player has stopped dribbling they cannot start another
dribble. A player who starts dribbling again is called for a double-
dribbling violation and looses the basketball to the other team.

3) The ball must stay in bounds. If the offensive team looses the ball out
of bounds the other team gets control of the basketball.

4) The players hand must be on top of the ball while dribbling. If they
touch the bottom of the basketball while dribbling and continue to
dribble this is called carrying the ball and the player will lose the ball to
the other team.

5) Once the offensive team crosses half court, they may not go back into
the backcourt. This is called a backcourt violation.

Defensive Rule
The team on Defense is the team without the basketball.

1) The main rule for the defensive player is not to foul. A foul is described
as gaining an unfair advantage through physical contact.
 Rules for Everyone
1) Although the foul rule is described above as a defensive rule, it applies
exactly the same to all players on the court including offensive players.

2) Basketball players cannot kick the ball or hit it with their fist.

3) No player can touch the basketball while it is traveling downward

towards the basket or if it is on the rim. This is called goaltending.
(touching the ball on the rim is legal in some games).

Basketball: Fouls
Three Types of Fouls:
1. Personal Foul
2. Technical Foul
3. Flagrant Foul

Personal Foul
Blocking – A blocking foul is called when one player uses their body to
prevent the movement of another player.

Hand Check – A hand check foul is called when a player uses their
hands to impede or slow the movement of another player.

Holding – Similar to a hand check foul, but is generally called when a

player grabs another player and holds on to prevent them from
moving.

Illegal Hand Use – This foul is called for any use of the hands on
another player that the referee thinks is illegal.

Charging – Charging is called on the player with the ball when they run
into a player that already has position.

Over the Back – This foul is called when rebounding. If one player has
position, the other player is not allowed to jump up over their back to
try and get the ball.

Technical Foul
Another type of foul in basketball is the flagrant foul. This is when a foul
could seriously injure an opponent.

Flagrant Foul
A technical foul is given for unsportsmanlike conduct or other infraction. This
can range from fighting to arguing with the official. Both coaches and players
can get technical fouls.

Basketball: Violations
Traveling (walking)– When you have stopped dribbling one of your feet will
become your pivot foot. You cannot move your pivot foot or lift it off of the
ground.

Double Dribble violation

You only get to dribble once in basketball. If you stop dribbling you have to
pass it to another player or shoot the ball. If you start dribbling again, this is
called double dribbling.

Three seconds (3 seconds in the key)– Offensive players are not allowed to
stay in the free throw lane, or key, for more than three seconds. Anytime
they leave the key or the ball hits the rim, the three second count starts over
again.

Over-and-back– Once the offensive team has gotten the ball over half court,
they cannot go back into the defender’s half court with the ball.

Carrying (palming)– Carrying, or palming, is like a double dribble. Players

may not put the palm of their hands under the ball or carry the ball in one
hand for a long time.

Kicking violation– Players are not allowed to intentionally kick the ball.

Goaltending– Goaltending is when a player interferes with a shot when it is

above the rim, but still on its downward path to the basket, interferes with
the ball while on the rim of the basket, or touches the net or rim while the
ball is being shot.

Out of bounds– The ball is considered out of bounds when it touches the
ground outside the lines of the court. The lines themselves are considered
out of bounds as well.
Basketball: Penalties for Fouls
Fouling Out– Each time a player commits a foul, they get another personal
foul added to their name. If they reach a certain total during they game they
will have “fouled out” and will not be allowed to play any more.
 It takes five fouls to foul out in college and high school, six fouls in the
NBA.

Team Fouls– The total number of team fouls add up during the game as well.
After a certain number of fouls, a team is considered “over the limit” and free
throws will be awarded for non-shooting fouls.

Technical Foul– In high school the penalty for a technical foul is two free
throws and the ball for the other team. Also, if a player or coach receives two
technicals during a game, they will be ejected.

Flagrant Foul– Two free throws and possession of the ball are awarded. In
high school and college the player committing the flagrant foul is ejected
from the game.

Basketball: The Clock and Timing

How long is a basketball game?

Basketball games are played a set amount of time. It’s different for different
leagues and levels of play:
High School – High school basketball games are made up of four 8-minute
quarters or two 16-minute halves.
College – NCAA college basketball games consists of two 20 minute halves.
This is the same for the WNBA and international games.
NBA – NBA games are made up of four 12-minute quarters.

Overtime– Overtime is 5 minutes long in most leagues. Additional overtimes

will be added until one team ends up on top.

Time outs
In order to give your team some rest, call a play, or just stop the game for a
while, teams can call a time out. There are different rules on time outs for
different leagues:
High School –There are five time outs per game including three 60-second
time outs and two 30-second time outs.

NCAA College – Each team has four 75-second and two 30-second time outs.

NBA – In the NBA each basketball team has six full time outs and one 20-
second time out per half.