How are basketball games divided

Why Does NCAA Have Two Halves While NBA Has Four Quarters?

There is no doubt that the NBA and NCAA are two different organizations. College basketball has many quirky rules that the NBA does not follow, while the NBA enforces a few restrictions that do not fly in college.

While there are many discrepancies in each league, the most obvious is the fact that professional basketball is played in four quarters while college is played across two halves. In order to understand why that is, we must dive into the history of both sports, what their rules look like, and how they each developed.

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Humble Beginnings

At the end of the day, the NBA and NCAA use time in roughly the same way. The NBA has four 12 minute quarters (48 minutes in total) and the NCAA goes with two 20-minute halves (40 minutes in total). FIBA also uses four 10 minutes quarters to perfectly match the NCAA’s total time.

So, going back to the question at hand, why does that difference exist?

The answer lies in basketball’s original ruleset. Dr. James Naismith first created the sport we all know and love back in 1891 when challenged to come up with an indoor athletic competition. To give basketball structure, he came up with 13 basic rules for the game.

Though many of the rules are quite interesting (such as if a team fouled their opponent three times in a row the other team would get free points) the most important one for the purposes of this article is number 12. It reads, “the time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five-minute rest in between.”

That, of course, gives us the basic structure of what college uses today. There are two halves, and each of them is separated by a quick halftime. A thirty-minute game is quite short, and that helps explain the other changes the game went through overtime.

A Century of Change

It did not take long for people to realize that two fifteen-minute halves were not enough time for a proper game. The shorter periods resulted in low scores and did not provide enough exercise for the players.

As such, in 1905 the official rules changed to extend the time to two twenty minutes halves with a 10-minute break in between them. Sound familiar? That is the same format the NCAA still uses to this day.

However, the two half system did not stick for that long. In 1951 the game went through a huge change when the league decided to split it up into four 10-minute quarters. This rule was for both college basketball and the NBA.

While that change stuck in professional basketball, it did not hold in college. In fact, the four-quarter system was only around for three short years in the NCAA. In 1954 college basketball went back to playing in halves while the NBA stayed with the quarter system.
That created a break that still lasts to this day.

An Unsure Shift

The change from halves to quarters happened a long time ago. So long ago that few people know why the split occurred. Some people believe colleges favor the two halves because it is how the first rules were put in place, while others think it was to separate themselves from other leagues.

One of the leading theories is that it makes the game much more competitive. Two long halves tend to create closer games than four separate quarters. Close games not only lead to more excitement, but they can also lead to upsets. Those drive viewership for big tournaments like March Madness.

Two halves also create less stopping time, which gives the game a steady pace and keeps everything moving along. The more flow that exists, the better the games are to watch.

While none of these theories have been absolutely proven one way or another, they do help suggest why one league goes with two halves and one goes with four quarters.

Both work. It just comes down to preference.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

College basketball has many rules that separate it from the NBA. The two halves are the most distinct of such regulations. Though no one is exactly sure why they choose to stand on their own, there are many theories that could explain it.

Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that the two 20-minute chunks have become a staple of the NCAA and will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future. Though there has been some talk of switching over to quarters, nothing is quite in place just yet.

How Many Quarters Are There In A Basketball Game?

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Many people are interested in basketball, so there are many interesting questions to ask. Do you know: ‘how many quarters are there in a basketball game?’

There are 4 quarters in a basketball game. A typical NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters; however, the length may vary significantly between games. 

Let’s take a closer look at these basketball terms with Scott Fujita!

Contents

A basketball game contains four quarters, which are the distinct periods of the game. The play clock starts on how much time is left, depending on the quarter of the game. 

How long are NBA quarters? In the NBA playoffs, the game clock begins at 12 to zero. Due to overtime or other game issues, the playing time may sometimes prolong for five minutes.

People from various walks of life have played basketball games. Children, men, or women can play basketball. It has been performed at colleges, schools, universities, and on a worldwide or national stage.  

People Divide A Basketball Game Into Quarters

Therefore, basketball has several phases depending on the institution and age differences. Other basketball regulations, such as court tip-off, direction, dribbling, violation, and shooting, are consistent throughout all games. 

View more: How many fouls to foul out in NBA

High School Basketball Game May Run Up To 2 Hours

Fouls, breaks, halftimes, and other small moments may make a high school basketball game run up to 2 hours. High school basketball games consist of a 32-minute base session. 

It includes four quarters, each of which lasts 8 minutes. For high school males and females, this term is the same. 

Basketball games in college are lengthier than those in high school. The men’s or women’s college game lasts about two hours and ten minutes in total. The quarter consists of 10 minutes long, and the classic game takes 40 minutes to complete. There is also a 40-minute half-time break. Each half-time is 20 minutes long. 

Related: How many periods are in basketball

The college basketball season is the same as the university, WNBA, and NCAA seasons. All these matches span two hours till finish, similar to a double tennis racquet competition.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the originator of basketball tournaments, championships, and leagues. The NBA is in charge of all basketball regulations and rules. 

Following are the WNBA, NCA, and other basketball leagues across the world. There are four quarters in NBA games as well. Each NBA quarter length has a time limit of 12 minutes. It implies that each NBA game lasts 48 minutes.

Extra Quarters Are A Timeframe

In basketball, there are different quarters. These times appear when a basketball match ends without a winner. These extra quarters add intrigue and suspense to the game. However, there are 5 minutes of rules at this time.

If neither team wins, another additional session will begin to determine the final results, and so on until finding a winner. Each basketball game is split into two halves. The first intermission begins, and the second halftime starts after the second and third quarter.

Both sides have time during the halftime breaks to devise methods for dealing with the other squad. They also utilize this time to focus on their flaws as well as the opponent’s weaknesses.

A basketball quarter at international basketball level is approximately 10 minutes long. Before commencing a new quarter, there is a two-minute break. During a halt, international basketball players can also call timeouts. Only the coach has the authority to make such a request.

The time between basketball quarters gives the players a chance to recuperate before the next one begins. It also functions as a transition phase, signaling the start of a new game quarter. 

Halftime is a lengthier pause for relaxing, allowing the squad to organize their approach for the coming quarters. It guarantees that the mistakes they made in the previous quarter do not repeat themselves in the future. 

Moreover, breaks also give players a chance to relax or make replacements.

Basketball is a diverse sport with several options. In every season, rules and methods change in the play. Basketball allows players to vary their strategies because it gives them the chance to do so. 

Because of the game’s liberal character, these changes are generally acceptable. Before you begin playing basketball, you should be familiar with the following words. 

Blocking is when an opponent player who does not have the ball makes illegal physical contact with another player. It is a rule infringement that results in a punishment. The severity of the penalty varies depending on the blocking.

Ball Possession

During ball possession, basketball players are unacceptable to move. It prevents players from switching positions without shooting or passing. 

Dribbling is bouncing the ball on the court while going quicker and faster. Assume you keep the ball in your hands for more than 1 second while moving, then the referee calls for a foul, and the team receives a penalty. 

In a basketball game, a held ball is a form of foul. When two players from opposing teams have a firm grip on the ball, it is “held ball”. They have such powerful grips on the ball that it is nearly complicated for any of them to obtain complete custody of it.

In this case, the referee calls the held ball, and the ball is given to the starting team from the court’s center. A player cannot make and pass a scoring shot if he is stranded at the basket post protected by opposing players. 

Jump Ball Is Comparable To Football Kick-Off

A jump ball is comparable to a football kick-off. It occurs at the basketball court’s center when the referee tosses the basketball into the air, and one participant from every team attempts to roll the ball. 

It is responsible for directing the ball towards a fellow player to gain initial possession of the ball. Any basketball game begins with this stage. After the referee calls the held ball, a jump ball appears. It generates a sense of fairness in the game. 

Passing is the way of exchanging possession of the ball between teammates. When dribbling isn’t an option, or you need to go beyond an opponent’s guard, you’ll have to pass.

Here are five primary forms of passing: 

• The chest pass is when the ball goes from a position directly in front of the player’s chest.
• The bounce pass is a passing where players forcefully bounce the ball on the court’s floor. It aids in getting the ball past a defensive opponent guard. Close to the goal-post, it is the most commonly utilized method.
• The roll pass is a passing where the player rolls the ball across the court’s floor. It aids in moving the ball across the opponent’s players from below. However, because enemies readily intercept this passing, it is rarely employed.
• The hook pass is passing, where a player tosses a basketball from the head side to a teammate. It may even be responsible for passing to a teammate from above—this aids in a diversion in the creation of opponents.
• The baseball pass is a passing when the ball goes to a teammate from a greater distance. To do a baseball pass, toss the ball using one hand in the same manner as a fastball throw. 

When you’re stuck in an opponent’s defensive line and your teammates are separated by a significant distance, this strategy comes in handy.

Pivoting

It is a method in which the player moves one or two steps in either direction and maintains the initial foot firmly on the ground simultaneously. It aids in perplexing the opposing players. 

The basketball is bounced back after a collision with the backboard in a missed basket attempt. If the ball stays within the court’s boundaries, players on both sides attempt to seize possession of it. If it is rebounded out of bounds, the referee signals a jump ball in the middle of the court.

This article provides you with information: ‘How many quarters are in a basketball game?

So, if you’re watching a broadcast game, the number of quarters they play may instantly tell you if you’re watching an NBA, high school basketball, college basketball, or international basketball game.

Thanks for reading!

Basketball: official rules of the game in brief

In basketball, 5 players enter the playing field in each team, whose task is to score more points than their opponents. Points are counted for hitting the ball into the ring with a net, located in the half of the opponent. Basketball rules in the NBA and FIBA ​​associations have some differences. Consider the main provisions of this dynamic game.

Sports field and its facilities

Playing field - a rectangular area on a hard and level surface. According to international standards, the field is 28 meters long and 15 meters wide. It is permissible to play in open space or in a hall with a ceiling height of at least 7 m. The shield on which the basket is attached must correspond to a size of 1.8 * 1.05 m. A distance of 2.9 m is maintained from its lower edge to the playing surface.m.

A metal ring covered with a hanging net without a bottom is a basket for throwing balls. It is mounted at a distance of 150 cm from the lower shield edge and 3.05 m from the level of the site surface. The diameter of a basketball is 724-780 mm, its weight is 550-650 g (in women's competitions, a smaller circumference and mass indicator are used).

Marking

According to the rules of basketball, the field is divided into five conditional zones, which are separated by a special contour:

1. Boundary sidelines and endlines are marked along the perimeter of the entire field;
2. The central zone is a circle (diameter - 1.8 m), located strictly in the middle of the site with respect to all its sides;
3. The central line runs parallel to the facial markings. It connects with one and the other side line;
4. Semi-oval markings on each side of the ring define the area for a three-point shot;
5. A free-throw line (3.6 meters in diameter) is drawn parallel to the front line.

All markings are in one color, each strip is 50 mm wide.

Rules of the game

Two teams of 5 players enter the game. The ball is played only with the hands. It is forbidden to hit him or run without hitting the ball on the court. Accidental contact with the foot is not considered a violation. The victory goes to the team that made the most effective shots during the match. In the event of a draw, an additional five minutes or several are assigned until the winner is determined.

The match starts with a kickoff in the center circle. The whole match consists of 4 quarters of 10 (12) minutes of pure time. Between 1st and 2nd and also 3rd and 4th periods, the break is 2 minutes, and the halves of the match are resumed after a 15-minute rest, the teams change sides.

Under the rules, the player with the ball cannot take more than 3 steps while moving with the ball without hitting it on the floor. Jumping with the ball is not allowed. A basketball player can dribble until he takes the ball with two or the other hand. If the ball is touched by more than one player of each team, it is re-introduced by a dropped ball.

When the ball or an athlete with it goes over the boundary markings, an out is counted. After detection of violations and the occurrence of controversial moments, the throw-in is carried out from behind the touchline. With an accurate hit in the basket, the ball is injected from behind the front line.

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In case of a successful throw of the ball into the basket from an average or close distance, the team is awarded two points, from a long distance - 3 points. Each accurate free throw is worth 1 point.

Fines and punishments

One of the most important rules in basketball is the foul rule. Any intentional touching of the enemy is classified as a personal violation. In this case, the ball is put into play by the opponent. After 5 fouls in a quarter, any foul is punishable by a pair of free throws.

All basketball fouls are recorded by the referees. Synchronous violation of the rules by two players of the same team gives the right to two free throws to the opposing team. If a foul is called simultaneously for players from both teams, a dropped ball is played. After 5 personal or technical remarks, the athlete must leave the playing area with the right to substitute. Gross intentional violations may be punishable by disqualification of the player.

If a player is fouled in the throw phase, he is entitled to one free throw if the ball hit the basket and two if it did not. A technical violation applies to athletes who behave rudely and unsportsmanlike. Either opponent takes two free throws.

Time frame

• Not later than 24 seconds after the start of possession, the attacking team must shoot or the ball goes to the opponent;
• An attacking player cannot be in the penalty area of ​​the defending team for more than three seconds;
• When the ball is put into play from their own half, the team has 8 seconds to reach the opponent's side, after which the ball cannot be returned to their own half.

Each team in any half of the game can take 3 time-outs and one in overtime. These short breaks are used by team coaches to correct the game and give instructions.

Command and referee staff

Each team includes 5 field (main) and up to 7 substitute basketball players who can enter the game only after the match has been stopped. The team that has the ball has the right to make a substitution after each stoppage of the match.

The head of the basketball game is the main (senior) referee. He obeys and helps the referee of the match. The secretary records the course of the game, monitors the score of the match and the number of violations. His assistant controls the scoreboard and assists the secretary. The operator monitors the timing of possession. The timekeeper controls the regular and extra time of the match.

Equipment

Uniform for basketball consists of a T-shirt, shorts, which are made of special materials that provide moisture and heat transfer. A significant role for a basketball player is played by the selection of basketball shoes. Sneakers should not slip and cause other discomfort.

The referee and the assistant referee must wear the same uniform (grey shirt, black trousers, shoes, socks). The same clothes must be worn by the rest of the judges.

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Key Points for Teaching School Students

12/19/2018 All sports 2 comments 214,152 Views

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The rules of basketball are quite simple, but for schoolchildren and beginners they may seem confusing and incomprehensible. The rules of 3, 5, 8, 24 seconds, double dribbling, fouls and much more make basketball a difficult sport, although in fact it is not, the main thing is to present the material correctly to students, because to play at school level, it will be enough to explain to them the most important thing. It is also worth noting that training will be effective with the use of practical exercises.

For better assimilation of the rules by schoolchildren, first tell about them in various variations, using the word method, visualization (for example, showing video fragments) and, of course, practical exercises. Interest students, and for this, it is best to briefly talk about the history of this sport.

A brief history of the creation and development of basketball

Basketball as a sport was invented by James Naismith, a college teacher in Massachusetts. It happened in 1891 year. Naismith hung two fruit baskets from two railings and took a soccer ball, explaining to the students that they need to throw it into the basket, whose team hit the most times, they won.

This game appealed to many, and quickly spread to colleges in the United States of America. Basketball was gaining popularity around the world at an incredible pace, professional leagues were created, international tournaments were held, and in 1936 the game was included in the number of Olympic sports.

Today the most popular, famous and profitable basketball league in the world is the NBA (USA). The most famous players of this sport are Mile Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Andrei Kirilenko, Dwayne Wade, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson.

More information - The history of basketball: how the game originated and developed

Basic rules of the game of basketball

The goal of the game of basketball is to throw the ball into the ring, whose team will score more points, is declared the winner. The game takes place on a rectangular court, and depending on where the ball was thrown into the basket from, the number of points scored (2 or 3) will depend.

Each team consists of 12 basketball players, and only 5 can be on the field at the same time (the number of substitutions is not limited). In basketball, players are divided into the following roles:

• Point guard
• Shooting guard
• Center
• Light Forward
• Power or heavy forward

During the game, basketball players of all positions can move around the court at their discretion.

Basketball court has the shape of a rectangle measuring 28 by 15 meters. The middle line divides the court into two halves, in the center of which there is a small circle, the game starts from this place (the referee throws the ball into the air, and one player from each team tries to take possession of it). The height of the ring is 3.05 meters. Near each of the rings there is an arc (semicircle) with a radius of 6.75 m (according to the FIBA ​​standard), which is a projection of the center of the basket. At a distance of 5. 80 m from the inside edge of the end line is the free-throw line, which has a length of 3.60 m.

The game is divided into 4 equal periods of 10 minutes each (in the NBA, a half is 12 minutes long). There is a 15 minute break between the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Basketball score:

• 3 points: if the ball hits the hoop from outside the arc;
• 2 points: if the ball is thrown within the arc;
• 1 point: 1 point is awarded for each successful free throw.

The winning side in basketball is determined very simply: whoever scores more points is the winner. In case of fixing a draw, an additional period of 5 minutes is added.

Basketball rules of 3, 5, 8 and 24 seconds

In yard basketball, and even at the school level, rules related to seconds are often ignored. There is nothing complicated here, what each of them means, we will analyze right now.

• 3-Second Rule: An attacking player must not be in the opponent's penalty area for more than three seconds without the ball. If the attacking player controls the ball in the three-second zone for more than 3 seconds, then this is not a violation.
• 5-Second Rule: This is the amount of time given to a basketball player to put the ball into play, take a free throw or free throw. The countdown starts from the moment when the player took the ball in his hands.
• 8 Second Rule: Once the attacking side has possession of the ball in their own half of the field, they have 8 seconds to advance the ball into the opponent's half of the field. If the team has not crossed the middle line within the set time, according to the rules, the ball is given to the opponent.
• 24 second rule: the team has 24 seconds to attack, and if during this time the ball has not touched the edge of the opponent's basket or has not entered it, then the defending side takes possession of the ball. This rule was first applied in 1954. It was introduced to prevent attacking teams from wasting time with endless possession of the ball

Overview of the basic rules of the game of basketball: consolidation of the material

And now, to consolidate the material, let's consider the rules of the game of basketball briefly point by point (the most basic is highlighted):

• At the same time, 5 players can be on the field from each side (the total number of players in a team is 12, the number of substitutions is not limited).
• The game consists of four periods, the duration of each is 10 minutes (between the second and third half there is a break for rest of 15 minutes).
• Basketball is only allowed to be played with hands. The ball can be dribbled exclusively by dribbling, there should not be any runs (a run is a basketball player taking more than two steps without dribbling). If a player dribbles and then stops, he is not allowed to take any more steps.
• Each team has 24 seconds to attack. During this period of time allotted by the rules, the attacking side must hit the ring with the ball, or at least the ball must touch the edge of the basket.
• Players are prohibited from being without the ball in the three-second zone for more than 3 seconds.
• Fouls in basketball are: running, double dribbling, stopping and then resuming dribbling, returning the ball to your own half of the field from the opponent's half.
• For each hit of the ball in the ring, points are awarded: 2 points - within the arc, 3 points - outside the arc, 1 point - free throw.
• The game counts the number of fouls (there are personal and team). Once a side has scored 5 team fouls in one quarter, the referee will award two free throws for each subsequent foul.
• If a player has scored 5 personal fouls in a match, he is sent off and replaced by a substitute.

Summing up

The rules of basketball were reviewed in brief, the main points of the game were highlighted, which will be enough for teaching schoolchildren and beginner basketball players. Little information was provided about fouls and violations, as well as the positions of the players, but if all this is included, then you will no longer have a summary of the rules, but a detailed version.

See also: TOP 10 tallest basketball players in the world.

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