Introduction to Basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a sport played between two teams that usually consists of five or more players. Each team has five players on the basketball court at any given time. The object is to score more points than the other team, and points are earned by shooting a ball through a basketball hoop (or basket), which is ten feet above the ground. The two teams shoot at opposite goals. To move while in possession of the ball, a player must dribble or dribble the ball.

The number of points awarded to a player for successfully shooting the ball through his team’s goal varies depending on the circumstances. The most common scenario is the two-point game, in which a player scores two points by making a basket anywhere inside the “3-point line” while the ball is in play. A semicircular line (the three-point line) marks the area beyond which, if a player makes a basket, three points are awarded for the shot. One point is awarded to a player for successfully taking a free kick or free kick.

During the game, the referees supervise the game and call fouls, which result from the illegal interference of one player with another during the game. For example, if someone pushes a player from the other team while he is throwing, he calls a crowd. In this situation, the shooter may shoot two free throws from the free throw line while he is unprotected. Some examples of the many that can be called in basketball are:

• Blocking
• charging
• Hitch
• jostling
• on the back

In addition to fouls, players can also be penalized for other violations of basketball rules, such as traveling, which occurs when a player moves more than one step with the ball without dribbling or shooting. Such violations result in a change of possession, in which the ball is given to the other team.

Defensively, there are a few ways a team can gain possession of the basketball to score. Offensive fouls (such as charging) result in the defensive team being awarded the ball. Unforced turnovers, such as when the offensive team travels or throws the ball out of bounds, also result in the defensive team receiving the ball. If the offense misses a shot and the defense recovers the rebound from the missed shot, the defensive team becomes the offense. In addition, the defense can steal (without committing a foul) the ball from the attacker.