Basketball is a sport played between two teams of five players each. The object is to throw the ball in a basket more often than the other team. Points are scored in two ways: normal shots score 2 points; very long shots that go into the hoop from behind a large semi-circle on each side of the court, known as the three-point line, score 3 points. Players advance the ball by dribbling (bouncing it repeatedly with one hand only) or passing the ball to a teammate. The player may not run with the ball, and only one team can have possession at a time.
A player’s ability to dribble the ball is essential in basketball. The best dribblers can dribble the ball without looking at it. This allows them to quickly pass the ball in a direction without looking at their teammate, or at the ball.
The shooting motion in basketball requires a lot of power, and is very difficult to master. To improve, practice rolling the ball straight up into the air a few inches with your dominant hand. This will put backspin on the ball, making it harder for defenders to intercept. A good follow through is also important, as this ensures that the ball lands in the basket.
During games, teams alternate possession of the ball with each basket they score. The team with the possession arrow pointing toward its hoop gets the ball at the start of each quarter. A team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot after gaining the ball, or it will lose possession to the other team.
There are many different playing rules in basketball, some relating to equipment and court specifications, and others governing gameplay and scoring. Some are more serious than others, such as personal fouls like blocking and holding or technical fouls related to unsportsmanlike conduct.
Basketball is a fast-paced game. In order to play at a high level, a player needs to have very good speed and coordination, both in his or her own movements and in the way they react to their opponents. In particular, a good player must be able to dribble the ball while running forward and turn quickly in order to avoid being trapped by an opponent.
Another important skill in basketball is the ability to grab rebounds. To do this, a player must be able to jump and have a strong grip. Lastly, it is important to be able to block out an opponent when they are trying to shoot, or to box them out in the paint. If a defender can keep an opponent from shooting, the team will frequently get rebounds off failed attempts.
