Basketball is a team sport that involves dribbling, passing and shooting. A player who scores a field goal wins the game. There are several rules that are standardized to basketball. For example, a three-point shot wins three points and a two-point shot earns two points. Players must follow the rules of the game to avoid any fouls.
Basketball originated in the United States in the early twentieth century. Its game rules were developed by colleges and the YMCA. During this time, the game was played on court courts that were small and often had minimal equipment. This made basketball a popular interscholastic sport long before professional sports became widespread. Famous high school basketball teams of the 1920s included the famous Franklin Wonder Five.
The basketball court is rectangular in shape, with a hoop on either end. The mid-court line divides the court into two sections. Each team has a certain amount of time to get the ball over the mid-court line. After this time, the offensive team has no possession of the ball. In some situations, a team with insufficient players can play 5-on-5 with a half-court court.
The most popular shot in basketball is the slam dunk. This is a high-speed, jump-shot that requires the player to jump high and hit the basket. There are a variety of different types of dunks. Some players attempt to put steady backspin on the ball while others use different strategies.
In basketball, players have to pass the ball to one another to move up the court. They also have to bounce the ball as they run and walk. When a player makes a basket, they score two points. A made three-point shot from behind the three-point line, however, scores three points. Typically, each quarter of basketball games lasts eight to 12 minutes.
The basketball court is rectangular in shape and is usually 28 meters long and fifteen meters wide. International competitions generally follow FIBA guidelines, and the basketball court has endlines and sidelines to delineate the playing space. The free-throw circle is 3.6 meters in diameter. The center plays a critical role in the game and is required to guard the basket.
Smaller players have also played a vital role in the development of the game. Bob Cousy, who played for the Boston Celtics and Holy Cross College, was one of the early innovators of the between-the-leg dribble and behind-the-back pass. He also helped develop the game’s offensive style.
A player who makes illegal contact with another player or interferes with the gameplay is considered to have committed a personal foul. A personal foul is an attempt to unfairly disadvantage an opponent. It is usually committed by a player on defense, but can be committed by either team. A player who commits a personal foul will be penalized by the referee. A successful free-throw attempt is worth one point.
