Basketball is a game that involves two teams and two balls. Each team plays for points by shooting a ball at an elevated basket. The ball is round and inflated. A basketball is approximately 28.5 inches in diameter and weighs around 18 to 22 ounces. A small basketball is used for younger players, while a large basketball is used for adults. The two different sizes of basketballs are referred to as men’s and women’s basketball.
A basketball game has a court that measures about 91 feet long and 50 feet wide with a small circle in the middle. A tip-off begins the game, and each player attempts to gain possession of the ball. A basketball court usually has two baskets that are about 10 feet high, a three-point arc on the outside of the ring, and a free throw line.
A basketball game can be stopped if a player commits a technical foul. A technical foul is not a foul related to contact, but a violation of game etiquette. Foul language, obscene gestures, and arguing are all considered technical fouls. A player is also penalized for traveling or illegally moving his pivot foot.
The number of possessions in a basketball game depends on the number of players on each team. A team has 24 seconds to make a shot. If the shot fails, possession of the ball is passed to the opposing team. If the shot is successful, the player becomes the offensive team. However, if the player is being guarded, he or she is not allowed to possess the ball for longer than five seconds.
Basketball games are played between two teams, with each team consisting of five players on each side of the court. In a professional game, the halves are longer, and the teams switch sides after two quarters. A game is won by the team that scores more points. If the score is tied, an overtime period is played.
Basketball is an extremely fast-paced sport. Players must be fit and able to run up and down the court for long periods of time. They should also be able to jump in order to block shots and rebounds. A basketball player must be quick to react in order to perform their best. If the player has these attributes, they will be able to dominate the game.
After the World War II, basketball became more popular in the United States. TV coverage of the NCAA Championship Games in the 1970s increased interest in the sport. In addition, cable television started carrying college games and high school championships in some states. Famous college basketball players included Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. Other notable players included Lew Alcindor and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The game also made its way to foreign countries.
Basketball originated in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its inventor, James Naismith, was a physical education teacher. He wanted to create a sport that would prevent students from getting injured. His original idea involved a ball that was sunk into a peach basket. Over the years, the game has evolved with the inclusion of new rules and special equipment. In 1896, a college game was played between the University of Chicago and Iowa. A professional league was then started in 1898. Soon after, the sport became a major American sport.
