Developed in 1891 by Dr James Naismith, basketball is an indoor sport played on a rectangular floor with a hoop at each end. The goal is to get the ball through the hoop, called the “basket”. It can be achieved by passing, shooting or dribbling the ball.
Basketball rules have evolved over time. In the early days, a goal was simply a peach basket. Today, the game is played on a rectangular court, with two main sections: a mid-court line and the basket.
The game is played by two teams, with each team having a goal. The team with the ball is called the offense, while the team without the ball is called the defense. The game is played over four quarters of twelve minutes each. The teams switch sides after the first two quarters. Each team has a shot clock that is mounted above the hoop on each side of the court. The team that fails to meet the shot clock forfeits possession of the ball.
The game is played by five players, with the shortest player being the shooting guard. The tallest player is the center. The center’s duties include blocking the opposing team’s shooters and picking rebounds. The center can also score in a variety of ways. For example, a power forward is often the top scorer from inside the paint. A shooting guard is typically a mid-range shooter.
A basketball player can dribble the ball, pass it to a teammate, or intercept a pass. He or she can also collect rebounded shots. Some players even try to steal the ball from a dribbler.
There are also rules that relate to the shot. For example, a slam dunk is a shot that comes off the rim and bounces back into the basket. A lay up is a shot made from just above the rim. The three-second rule is a rule that requires players to spend three seconds in the paint each time.
Other rules include the shot clock. The shot clock is a countdown clock mounted above the hoop on each side. The team that misses the shot clock forfeits possession of the ball. The team that makes the shot within the time limit is awarded a free inbound pass to the opposing team.
The other notable basketball rule is the flagrant foul. A flagrant foul is a foul resulting from violent contact or physical contact made without a reasonable intent to steal the ball. If a player makes an illegal physical contact, he or she receives one free throw.
Other basketball rules include a shot clock, a scoring rule, and a free throw rule. These rules are designed to limit the number of shots a team can make during a given possession. The free throw is awarded according to the number of fouls committed during a half.
Other basketball rules include the no-look pass, a pass requiring two hands to be thrown. Another rule is that a defender cannot block a ball that is in a downward trajectory towards the basket.
