Basketball

Basketball is a sport which takes up most skills. This sport is most popular in the USA, and the most popular league in the world is called NBA. It is a no contact sport and consists of two teams, each with 5 players on the court.  On the rectangular court, each end of the courts contain two raised rings (18 inches wide) mounted on the backboard which is 10 feet high. The objective for the team is to dribble the basketball down the court and throw it into the ring to score, (with or without the help of the backboard.)

Basic Rules of the game –

.A player is not allowed to run 2 steps or over without the ball bouncing. (if you do not abide by the rule, it is called a travel)

. A player only bounce the ball with one hand at a time (if you do not abide, it is called a double dribble)

.A player cannot hold dribble the ball, stop, and then start dribbling again. (If not abided, it is also called a double dribble)

.The players hand must always remain on top half of the ball. (If not abided, it will be called a carry)

. A player cannot  block, push, trip or hold the person with possession of the ball, you can only guard, defend, or even knock the ball out of their hand. (if not abided, it is called a defensive foul.)

. If you have possession of the ball, you are not allowed to charge into the defender. (if not abided, it is called an offensive foul)

. During the match, you are only allowed to take 2 steps inside the key before you lay it up.

Scoring –

A player scores when he manages to throw the ball into the basket, with the ball passing through the basket from above the hoop. Scoring a basket increases the team’s score by 3, 2 or one point. If the player successfully shoots from outside of the 3 points line, the basket is worth 3 points, otherwise it is worth 2 points.
It is also possible to score one point when shooting from the free throw line, after a foul for instance.

Positioning –

Point guard: usually the fastest player on the team, organizes the team's offence by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time.

Shooting guard: creates a high volume of shots on offence, mainly long-ranged; and guards the opponent's best perimeter player on defence.

Small forward: often primarily responsible for scoring points via cuts to the basket and dribble penetration; on defence seeks rebounds and steals, but sometimes plays more actively.

Power forward: plays offensively often with their back to the basket; on defence, plays under the basket (in a zone defence) or against the opposing power forward (in man-to-man defence).

Centre: uses height and size to score (on offense), to protect the basket closely (on defence), or to rebound.

Time –

An Average NBA game lasts for 4 quarters, which contain 12 minutes in each. Throughout the NBA match, there are 48 minutes of game time, not including the foul shouts where the clock is paused. During the whole period of an NBA match, it lasts for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Game Play –

All games start with a jump ball, and all fouls are taken from the nearest sideline, or if fouled inside the key, the player is rewarded either 1 or 2 shots depending on the situation.