Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Though its official rules are lengthy, knowing the basics should be enough to allow players to enjoy a game of basketball anytime. And learning the simple rules of basketball needn't be difficult, either.
Teams
An official basketball game is played by two sides, each with five players on the court at one time. On offense, a basketball team breaks down into five positions. The point guard plays around the perimeter (outside the key, around the three-point line) and focuses on delivering the ball to open teammates. The shooting guard supports the point guard around the perimeter and presents another scoring threat. The center is big and tall, playing around the middle and bottom of the key looking for easy inside shots. The power forward and small forward play along the bottom of the key, near the basket, likewise looking for inside shots but also presenting outside shooting threats.
Scoring
Any shot that passes completely through the hoop counts for points. A successful shot from within the three-point line adds two points to the team's score. A successful shot from outside the three-point line adds three points to the team's score. A foul shot counts as one point.
Fouls
Hitting, slapping, pushing or holding results in a foul. This turns the ball over to the other team. If the foul is committed while the fouled player is in the act of shooting, that player receives free throws. A foul committed during a two-point shot results in two free throws (unless the original shot went in, in which case the player receives one free throw). A foul committed during a three-point shot results in three free throws (unless the original shot went in, in which case the player receives one free throw). A free throw shot is taken from behind the free throw line.
Turnovers
Besides fouls, turnovers can result from double-dribbling (dribbling, holding the ball and then dribbling again), stepping out of bounds, accidentally throwing the ball out of bounds, losing the ball to a defender, or traveling (taking more than a step-and-a-half while not dribbling).
Game Breakdown
A basketball game's time breakdown depends on the league and level of play. Some leagues play games divided into two halves, between 12 and 15 minutes each. Other leagues play games split into four quarters of between 10 and 12 minutes each.
Winning
The winning team is the team that has the most points by the end of regulation time.
Teams
An official basketball game is played by two sides, each with five players on the court at one time. On offense, a basketball team breaks down into five positions. The point guard plays around the perimeter (outside the key, around the three-point line) and focuses on delivering the ball to open teammates. The shooting guard supports the point guard around the perimeter and presents another scoring threat. The center is big and tall, playing around the middle and bottom of the key looking for easy inside shots. The power forward and small forward play along the bottom of the key, near the basket, likewise looking for inside shots but also presenting outside shooting threats.
Scoring
Any shot that passes completely through the hoop counts for points. A successful shot from within the three-point line adds two points to the team's score. A successful shot from outside the three-point line adds three points to the team's score. A foul shot counts as one point.
Fouls
Hitting, slapping, pushing or holding results in a foul. This turns the ball over to the other team. If the foul is committed while the fouled player is in the act of shooting, that player receives free throws. A foul committed during a two-point shot results in two free throws (unless the original shot went in, in which case the player receives one free throw). A foul committed during a three-point shot results in three free throws (unless the original shot went in, in which case the player receives one free throw). A free throw shot is taken from behind the free throw line.
Turnovers
Besides fouls, turnovers can result from double-dribbling (dribbling, holding the ball and then dribbling again), stepping out of bounds, accidentally throwing the ball out of bounds, losing the ball to a defender, or traveling (taking more than a step-and-a-half while not dribbling).
Game Breakdown
A basketball game's time breakdown depends on the league and level of play. Some leagues play games divided into two halves, between 12 and 15 minutes each. Other leagues play games split into four quarters of between 10 and 12 minutes each.
Winning
The winning team is the team that has the most points by the end of regulation time.
