Basketball is a sport that requires players to move the ball towards their team’s basket by dribbling or passing it. It also involves defending and scoring. It is played by two teams with five players each, and a game ends when the clock runs out or when one team has scored more points than the other.
To begin the game, a referee tosses a ball up into the air between two center court players from each team. The player that gets their hands on the ball first will tip it to a teammate. Once the ball has been tipped, it can be moved down the court by dribbling or passing it.
In addition to dribbling, players can also shoot the ball. A shot made outside of the three-point arc is worth three points, while a shot inside the arc is only worth two points.
The game of basketball consists of four quarters (NCAA plays by halves), each lasting between eight to 12 minutes. The team that has the most points at the end of the quarter wins the game. If the game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, an extra period of time will be played until a winner is found.
There are several different kinds of fouls in the game of basketball. A foul occurs when a player commits illegal physical contact with an opposing player. In order to avoid being fouled, players must use proper form and technique.
Fouls can be committed by hitting an opponent, blocking them or using their body to swat the ball away from their teammate. In addition, a foul can be committed when a teammate makes an attempt to pass the ball in front of their opponent.
If the opposing team commits a foul, they will be given free throws (one point) or possession of the basketball. The team that receives the ball at the end of the foul will then attempt to score a goal.
A goal is scored when a player gets the ball into their team’s basket and then shoots it. There are different ways that players can shoot the ball, including shooting with their back to the hoop and using their legs to give their shot an arc.
For a better chance at shooting, practice your technique and position before the game. For example, if you’re a shooting guard, position yourself in the corner of the hoop so that you can reach the basket easily.
You should then line up your shooting shoulder, elbow and middle finger on the rim of the hoop to give yourself a clear shot. The quickest way to learn how to shoot the ball is to play with friends.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to take your game to the next level. You can do this by playing with a friend, or you can hire a coach to teach you the techniques that will help you become a better basketball player.
