Founded in 1894, basketball is played in many parts of the world. It started in the United States, but quickly spread to Canada and England. Eventually, the game became popular in Australia, China, Japan, and India. It was also introduced in France in 1893. The game is a team sport played by two teams of five players each, with each team’s goal to shoot a ball through a hoop at the other end. The teams switch goals at halftime, and the team with the most points wins the game.
The game is played on a rectangular court. There are two elevated baskets at each end. Each player is assigned a position. These positions are: Center, Offensive forward, and Defensive guard. The offensive team is responsible for gaining the ball. The defensive team defends the opponent’s possession by deflecting passes and contesting shots. There are other ways to score, including free throws and made baskets.
The game is played in eight-minute quarters, separated by several minutes. During the game, a team is credited with one point for a made basket. The opponent is credited with a free inbound pass if the offensive team fails to get the ball over the mid-court line. If the ball is inbounds, the player must pass it to a teammate within five seconds.
There are two types of shooting: lay up and jump shot. A lay up is a shot made from the backboard, while a jump shot is a shot made from mid-air. A slam dunk is a shot made from above the basket. There are also different rules about shooting, including how much time is allotted to each shot, and how the paint is laid from the endline to the free throw line.
The rules are determined by the governing body of the sport. The Basketball Association of America was established in 1946, and it later became the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA is the world’s premier professional basketball league. The league attracts the best players and offers attractive salaries. In 1966, the NCAA championship was won by Texas Western University. Other notable winners include Bob Cousy, who played for Holy Cross College, and John Wooden, who led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA titles.
The game is governed by the National Basketball Committee. The rules were first set up by colleges in 1905, and the Joint Rules Committee was established in 1915. The YMCA later formed a joint rules committee for the AAU and colleges, and the National Basketball Committee was renamed in 1936.
The game is played with a ball that weighs anywhere from 18 to 22 ounces. In the early years of the game, a soccer ball was used. It was moved by bouncing with one hand while walking or running. Today, there are several varieties of balls, including plastic, rubber, and leather. Some manufacturers also make balls for other sports.
The game is played on a rectangle-shaped court, divided by a mid-court line. There are six positions on the court. The positions are: Center, Offensive forward, Defensive guard, and Center. The first player to play with a between-the-legs dribble was Ernie DiGregorio.
