1-
History & Object of the Game
2- The Essentials (Offense
& Defense, Scoring, etc.)
3- Fouls
4- Court Diagram
& Positions
5- Glossary
of Basketball Terms
The Essentials
Game Length
Games are divided into quarters
or halves, with a total game time
ranging from 32 to 48 minutes, depending
on the level. Time is managed by a
game clock. Additionally, a shot clock,
ranging from 24 to 35 seconds, counts
down the time the offense has to shoot
the ball during each possession. An
overtime period is played if a game
is tied at the end of regulation time.
Additional overtime periods are played,
as needed, to determine a winner.
Start of the game
The game begins at center court
with a tip-off,
in which one player from each team,
usually the tallest, attempts to tap
the ball to a teammate. The team that
takes possession of the ball is on
offense.
Offense and Defense
Offense:
Basketball is played at a quick
tempo between two goals at opposite
ends of the court. Teams design and
select plays created out of 10 general
formations, and strategies are determined
by coaches preference and the
players skills. The offense
seeks to score points by shooting
the ball through the basket before
the shot clock expires. Shots taken
near the basket generally have the
highest success rate; therefore, players
look to drive
towards the basket and make a
lay-up,
or pass the ball to an open player
to take a jump-shot.
Players cannot advance the ball without
dribbling
or passing it to a teammate. Players
who move while holding the ball are
called for traveling,
which results in a turnover.
Defense:
Defenses usually employ one of two
basic strategies: man-to-man defense
or zone defense. In a man-to-man defense,
each defender guards one member of
the offense who usually plays the
same position. In a zone defense,
defenders guard specific areas of
the court instead of covering a single
opponent. In both strategies, the
defense attempts to regain possession
of the ball in three main ways. The
defense can steal
the ball, disrupt the offense
so that no shot is taken and the shot
clock expires, or force a difficult
shot and rebound
the basketball after a missed
shot. In addition, the defense takes
possession when the opposition loses
the ball out of bounds, and when an
offensive player commits a foul or
violation.
Scoring
Points are accumulated in three
ways:
Free-Throw: (one point) An
unguarded shot from the free throw
line awarded after certain fouls.
Field Goal: (two points)
A shot that passes over and through
the basket from within the three-point
line. This is the most common type
of scoring.
Three-Pointer: (three points)
A shot from beyond the three-point
line that passes over and through
the basket.
Equipment
Equipment is minimal in basketball,
and includes a uniform that consists
of a shirt and shorts of the team
color, supportive shoes, and a leather
or nylon ball. Youth balls and womens
balls are slightly smaller than the
standard mens ball.
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