Basketball dates back as far as 1891 and since then has evolved into a sport played around the world. Many countries have adopted the game such as Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and parts of Asia, but it is America where the biggest and most lucrative league in the world lives: the NBA (National Basketball Association).
Object of the Game
The object of basketball is to throw the ball (basketball) into a hoop to score points. The game is played out on a rectangular court and depending on which section of court you successfully throw a ball into the basket will depend on how many points are scored. The ball can be moved around the by dribbling or passing the ball. At the end of the game the team with the most points is declared the winner.
Players & Equipment
Each team is made up of 12 players with only 5 allowed on the court at any time. The positions are broken up into Point Guard, Defensive Guard, Center, Offensive forward and Defensive Forward. Each player will then take up a position on the court but are allowed to move around as they please.
The court is a rectangular shaped and measures 91 feet long and 50 feet wide. There is a halfway line in which a small circle is found in the centre; this is where the game starts with a tip off (the ball is thrown in the air by the referee and a player from each team tries to win possession for their team). At each end of the court are two baskets both 10 feet in height. A three point arc is the outside ring, whilst in the middle of that is the key which includes a free throw line.
All that is needed to play is a court and basketball. Teams must wear matching strips with some players choosing to wear gum shields and face masks for protection.
The game is split up into 4 twelve minute quarters. In between the 2 nd and 3rd quarter is a 15 minute half time interval.
Scoring
There are three scoring numbers for basketball players. Any basket scored from outside the three point arc will result in three points being scored. Baskets scored within the three point arc will result in two points being scored. Successful free throws will result in 1 point being scored per free throw. The number of free throws will depend on where the foul was committed.
Winning the Game
Winning a game of basketball is pretty simple; score more points than your opponents in the allotted game time. If the scores are tied at the end then an extra quarter will be played until a winner is found.
Rules of Basketball
Each team can have a maximum of 5 players on the court at any one time. Substitutions can be made as many times as they wish within the game.
The ball can only be moved by either dribbling (bouncing the ball) or passing the ball. Once a player puts two hands on the ball (not including catching the ball) they cannot then dribble or move with the ball and the ball must be passed or shot.
After the ball goes into a team’s half and they win possession back the ball must then make it back over the half way line within 10 seconds. If the ball fails to do so then a foul will be called and the ball will be turned over.
Each team has 24 seconds to at least shot at the basket. A shot constitutes either going in the basket or hitting the rim of the basket. If after the shot is taken and the ball fails to go in the basket then the shot clock is restarted for another 24 seconds.
The team trying to score a basket is called the offence whilst the team trying to prevent them from scoring is called the defence. The defence must do all they can to stop the offence from scoring by either blocking a shot or preventing a shot from being fired.
After each successful basket the ball is then turned over to the opposition.
Fouls committed throughout the game will be accumulated and then when reached a certain number will be eventually be awarded as a free throw. A free throw involves one playerfrom the offensive team (the player fouled) to take a shot unopposed from the free throw line. Depending on where the foul was committed will depend on the number free throws a player gets.
Violations in basketball include travelling (taking more than one step without bouncing the ball), double dribble (picking the ball up dribbling, stopping then dribbling again with two hands), goaltending (a defensive player interferes with the ball travelling downwards towards the basket) and back court violation (once the ball passes the half way line the offensive team cannot take the ball back over the half way line).
Basketball Basics - The Rules, Concepts, Definitions, and Player Positions
The rules of basketball, thankfully, are fairly straightforward.
However, if youre coaching younger players, these rules can be easily forgotten once they take the floor.
The three-second rule (which well discuss later in this article) is just one of many great examples.
But before you can teach the rules to your team, you must know them yourself.
So keep reading, because by the end of this article, youll be up to speed on all the basketball rules so you can teach your players and help them develop throughout the season!
The Rules
Basketball is a team sport.
Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground.
The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each end.
The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.
If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds to get the ball over the mid-court line.
If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball.
Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have possession of the ball in the area behind the midcourt line.
If it does, the defense is awarded the ball.
Basketball Court 1
The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense.
The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
Points
When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other team.
If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the three-point arc, then that basket is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point.
Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed.
Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three-point line, then he gets three shots.
Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated during a half (called team fouls).
Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1' opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.
Game Clock
Each game is divided into sections, and all levels have two halves.
In college, each half is twenty minutes long.
In high school and below, the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six) minute quarters. In the pros, quarters are twelve minutes long.
There is a gap of several minutes between halves. Gaps between quarters are relatively short.
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then overtime periods of various lengths are played until a winner emerges.
Basket Assignment and Tip-Off
Also, each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend.
This means that the other basket is their scoring basket.
At halftime, the teams switch goals.
The game begins with one player from either team at center court.
A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off.
(NOTE: Looking for a simple plan you can follow with your youth team? Or just some additional drills and plays to keep your players engaged and set them up for success? Check out our FREE 72 Winning Youth Drills and Plays eBooks to help your players develop AND have fun doing it.)
Fouls and Violations
In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways for a team to get the ball.
One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.
Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.
Hitting
Pushing
Slapping
Holding
Illegal pick/screen -- when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.
Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then he gets two free throws
if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.
Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled while shooting for a three-point goal and they miss their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one free throw. Thus, he could score four points on the play.
Inbounds. If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul was committed upon.
They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of bounds, and have 5 seconds to pass the ball
onto the court.
One & one. If the team committing the foul has seven or more fouls in the game, then the player
who was fouled is awarded one free throw. If he makes his first shot, then he is awarded another free
throw.
Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then the fouled player
receives two free throws.
Charging. An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a defensive
player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed upon.
Blocking. Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing
position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.
Flagrant foul. Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and punching.
This type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of the ball after the free throws.
Intentional foul. When a player makes physical contact with another player with no reasonable effort to
steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.
Technical foul. Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve
player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene
gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the
scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups.
VIOLATIONS
Walking/Traveling. Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is traveling.
Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.
Carrying/palming. When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side of or, sometimes, even under the ball.
Double Dribble. Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or picking up the
dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble.
Held ball. Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball at the same time.
In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops the action and awards the ball to one
team or the other on a rotating basis.
Goaltending. If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward the basket,
while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, or while it's in the cylinder
above the rim, it's goaltending and the shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.
Backcourt violation. Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line, they cannot go back
across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to the other team to pass inbounds.
Time restrictions. A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the ball. If he does not,
then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include the rule that a player cannot have the
ball for more than five seconds when being closely guarded and, in some states and levels, shot-clock restrictions
requiring a team to attempt a shot within a given time frame.
Player Positions
Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.
Offensive -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking
defenders, known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers
are expected to get some offensive rebounds and put-backs.
Defensive -- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots
and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.
Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called
upon to play under the hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.
Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.
Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.
Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing
the court, and passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.
Offensive -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also
need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.
Defensive -- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the
hoop, and for boxing out.
Where Should New Coaches Start?
Now that you understand the fundamentals, the smartest plan you can follow from here is to help players develop those skills with structured drills and practices.
Our FREE 72 Winning Youth Drills and Plays resource is designed for coaches like you, to help in:
Understanding the proper technique for the most important skills like shooting, passing and dribbling
Teaching players these skills using easy-to-follow drills
Giving players structure with simple plays designed for youth athletes
It even includes diagrams and step-by-step instructions so you can help your players develop AND have fun doing it. ..
Even if you have little or no basketball (or coaching) experience.
Click the link below, and well send you a copy right away (along with a Special "skill development" Bonus for your players).
Get My FREE Drills and Plays, plus a Special Bonus.
To your basketball success!
Jeff and Joe Haefner
P.S. Here are a few additional resources to help you master basketball fundamentals:
Shooting
Passing
Dribbling
Lay ups
Jump stops
Pivoting and footwork
Jab steps
Screening
Cutting
Defense
Rebounding
These are all critical fundamentals to master because they'll make you and your team better, no matter what age level or situation you might be in.
Some explanations of the FIBA 3x3 rules (question-answer)
"Can two people start the game?" > No! Definitely three. If there are no 3 players at the first game without a valid reason (for example, an unexpected traffic jam), the team is removed from the tournament (until the next round).
“Due to injuries and suspensions during the game, I was left alone in the team. Can I continue the game? > Yes!
"Is there three seconds?" > Yes, there is! Punishment - passing the ball to the opponent ("check").
“We attacked, they intercepted us, but did not have time to lead out of the arc, as we intercepted back. Can we attack right away?" > No. You will have to take the ball out of the arc. If you at least throw at the ring, as soon as the ball leaves your hand, a whistle will sound and the ball will be passed to the opponent.
“In the end, when the ball is scored, does time stop until the conceding team takes the ball?” > No, at this point the ball continues to be considered "live" and time does not stop.
“Who should ask for a substitution from the referee? Captain?" > Nobody. The team itself makes a replacement at the "center" line, while the players must touch each other. But only when the ball is "dead", that is, before the "check". By the way, during the game, the substitute must sit on the substitution chair.
"If we get hit, can we take a time-out or make a substitution?" > No! (Except when the referee blows the whistle to stop the game.)
“We got hit. The ball rolls over the front. Can we just let him roll so we can play through the check?” > If you are able to approach the ball at a normal pace, or it is close to you, you must continue play and may not intentionally let the ball roll into touch. If you don't pick up the ball, the referee will stop play and warn your team, but leave the ball to you (via "check"). But when repeated can be technical!
“We scored the ball. What happens if we touch it before the opponent? > The scoring team must not intentionally touch the ball! For the first such case in the game, the judge will warn the offending team, the second may be followed by a technical one.
“…And if we prevent the player of the conceded team from taking the ball in the semicircle under the hoop or prevent him from getting out of the semicircle?” > Same: warning, then technical.
“Do you have to score two goals in overtime? Or 2 points more than the opponent?” > Neither. To win in overtime, you need to score exactly 2 points. It can be one long-range hit or two 1-point hits. The difference with the opponent is not important.
“…And if overtime starts at 20:20 (when playing up to 21)?” > In this case, we no longer play up to 21 points, but up to two points scored in overtime. That is, at 20:20 - we play until 22.
" A substitute is penalized by a technical officer for his behavior on the bench. To whom and where is the technical one recorded? » > Technical fouls are not considered personal fouls, they are not written against the player's name on the score sheet, and, accordingly, the player is not sent off for any number of technical fouls. But a technical one is one of the team fouls and is noted in the protocol in the “Team fouls” column (recall: 7th team foul - 2 free throws, 10th team foul - 2 free throws + possession).
“There is nothing in the rules about a disqualifying foul. That is, the player is limitless, but they only give him technical ones one after another, but they cannot remove him? > There is a reference to the big basketball rules in the 3x3 rules. By analogy with them, there is a disqualifying foul in 3x3 basketball. He is penalized with 2 free kicks + possession. (Plus, the organizers of a particular tournament may be punished in the form of a player missing at least the next game.)
“If we commit the 10th team foul and the opponent scores a long shot with a foul, is it really 2+2+possession?” > Yes, it counts as 2 points + 2 free throws being shot + possession remains. Try not to bring up to 10 fouls, play more carefully.
“Where should the defensive team stand when checking? Inside the arc? > The rules do not restrict this. But the defender must give the attacker a normal space, about a meter.
“What if the defender throws the ball at my feet when I ‘check’, either too hard or uncomfortable?” > When checking, the defender must give a normal basketball pass to the attacker. If the referee decides that the defender deliberately gives an uncomfortable pass, a warning will follow for the entire team. Next time maybe technical.
Check. I'm on the defensive. The attacker gives me the ball, but I do not return it to him, but pass it to another attacker. So it is possible?" > The check is made strictly at the top of the arc. You must pass the ball to the one who is standing "on the forehead" to the shield. Usually only one attacker stands this way.
“Is it true that when ranking teams, the goals scored are important, and not their difference with the goals conceded?” > Yes, only scored ones count. So look for happiness in the attack :))
"A no-show scores fewer points in the standings than a loss in a game?" > No, in 3v3 basketball only wins and losses count in the table. However, more than 2 no-shows/disqualifications will result in you being awarded 0 rating points in the 3x3planet.com system for the tournament. And this can already have a negative impact on the ranking of your team in different spins.
“The opponents refused to continue the game and the referee offered us some choice. What is it?" > For example, your team has scored 7 points in this game so far. You can choose to record the score 7:0 or W:0 in your favor. It is reasonable to choose W:0 if your team scored below their average point norm in this game - then the game will not be considered as spinning several teams with the same number of wins, and your average performance will not decrease.
“Our opponents were given a technical foul and this is their 10th team foul in the game. Are we hitting 1+possession or 2+possession?" For a technical foul - always 1 free kick + possession, even if it is the 10th team foul.
SEE ALSO: RULES INTERPRETATIONS AND 3v3 GAME RULES
Anton Ponkrashov: "We can play at the level of CSKA" - Basketball
Lokomotiv-Kuban defender Anton Ponkrashov believes that Krasnodar are capable of defeating CSKA in the VTB United League playoff quarterfinals, for which they must remain true to their style.
“Beating CSKA in a series of up to three victories is very difficult, everyone understands this. But our trademark basketball - fast and spectacular - is the weapon that can defeat CSKA. If you watched our matches in the Euroleague, then you remember that everything was decided there in the last minutes. If Teodosic had not hit two three-pointers in the end in Moscow, I'm not sure that CSKA would have won. After all, then we lost 20 points, and it is believed that it is impossible to win back such a difference against CSKA, but we actually did it in one quarter. We can play at this level. The main thing is not to start playing CSKA basketball, but to stay true to your style - fast attack and tenacious defense, ”the Lokomotiv-Kuban official website reports the words of the basketball player.
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Baskets scored within the three point arc will result in two points being scored. Successful free throws will result in 1 point being scored per free throw. The number of free throws will depend on where the foul was committed.
If the ball fails to do so then a foul will be called and the ball will be turned over.
Depending on where the foul was committed will depend on the number free throws a player gets.
The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense. 
If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.
This is called a tip-off. 
When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.
If he makes his first shot, then he is awarded another free
throw.
Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve
player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene
gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the
scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups. 
In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops the action and awards the ball to one
team or the other on a rotating basis.
..
If there are no 3 players at the first game without a valid reason (for example, an unexpected traffic jam), the team is removed from the tournament (until the next round). 
What happens if we touch it before the opponent? 
To whom and where is the technical one recorded? » 
Try not to bring up to 10 fouls, play more carefully. 
So look for happiness in the attack :)) 
Are we hitting 1+possession or 2+possession?" 
We can play at this level. The main thing is not to start playing CSKA basketball, but to stay true to your style - fast attack and tenacious defense, ”the Lokomotiv-Kuban official website reports the words of the basketball player. 
