Basketball is a team sport in which five players on each side play against one another. It is primarily an indoor game, although it is played outdoors as well, particularly by young people on city streets. The object of the game is to score points by throwing (shooting) a ball through a basket hanging from a high net. A player scores two points if the shot is made in an area close to the basket, or three points if it is made from a distance beyond the free-throw line. When a player is fouled while attempting a shot, they are awarded one free-throw point in addition to the regular basket score.
A team can obtain the ball by stealing it from an opposing player, or by passing it to a teammate. In some competitions, the ball may be tipped to a teammate by an official. These actions are known as a “tip-off”.
When a player carries the ball while advancing toward the basket, it is called a traveling violation, and the opposing team is awarded the ball. In addition, a player is not permitted to take more than two steps before shooting or passing the ball, and they must remain in the restricted area at the sides of the court (called the key) for no more than three seconds.
During the course of the game, teams alternate possessions by taking turns touching the ball while advancing it across the center line. A team can also request a time-out, which halts active play for a brief period. Time-outs are used by coaches to discuss specific facets of the game with their players. They are also given during injury or illness to a player.
Basketball involves a lot of jumping, so players must warm up before playing. This includes stretching exercises and running in place to improve their agility. The game also puts a lot of stress on the joints and muscles, so players should always wear protective pads and practice proper technique.
Each side consists of five players who fall into different playing positions. The tallest player is the center, the second-tallest and strongest player is the power forward, the shortest and best ball handlers are the small and shooting guards, and the point guard organizes the team’s offense. In addition to organizing the offensive and defensive strategies, point guards must also manage the execution of these strategies on the court.
The rules of basketball vary between competitions, states, and levels of play. However, all governing bodies include several basic requirements:
The game is played on a rectangular court up to 94 feet/29.7 meters long and 50 feet/15 metres wide, with a net suspended 10 feet/3.0 metres above the ground. There is a basket at each end of the court. In most games, the ball must travel completely around the rim in order to score. The game is played for a specified amount of time, and the team with the most points at the end is declared the winner.
