Rules for How to Play Basketball

Two teams compete against each other in the game of basketball. Each team can have five players on the court at any given time. The game begins with a jump ball at center court. A referee tosses the ball into the air at center court and one player from each team tries to tip the ball to one of his teammates, giving his team possession of the ball.

 

The object is to score as many baskets as possible within the given time. Players shoot the ball from different places on the court to score. Baskets are worth two points, unless they are shot from behind the large arc on the court (the three-point line), in which case the basket is worth three points. A shot from the foul line, after a player has been fouled in the act of shooting, are only worth one point.

 

The court is surrounded by a line that determines out of bounds. If a ball goes out of bounds, the game stops. If team "A" touched the ball last, team "B" will receive the ball.  Also, after a team scores, the other team takes the ball out of bounds, under the basket, and gets to throw it in. Other important lines on the court include the foul line and the three point line.

 

In order to move the ball up and down the court, players must dribble the basketball, or bounce it from their hand to the ground and back. At any point, if a player is moving with possession of the ball and does not dribble, he is called for traveling and the ball is turned over to the other team to be thrown in from the sideline. Also, if a player touches the ball with both hands while trying to dribble, he is called for double-dribbling and the team loses possession of the ball.

 

Players defend their goal by playing defense. They can stand in front of another team's player, try to take the ball away from that player and even attempt to block his shot. It is at this point in the game that fouls are typically called.

When a player is fouled, the referee blows the whistle and the game immediately stops. He describes the type of foul as well as who the foul was one and the scorekeeper makes a note. If a player is fouled by another player while shooting, he is given the opportunity to make up for it by taking two shots, unhindered from the foul line, with the game stopped.

 

At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins. In the event of a tie, the teams will continue to play into overtime. At the end of the additional time, the team with the most points wins.

 

The rules of how to play basketball keep the game on track and insure that anyone can play this sport.