Since the invention of the game in 1891, the popularity of the basketball game has only increased. Today, it is among the top sports played worldwide.
Just like any sport, basketball is a team playing sports with two teams competing against each other. The objective of the game is to shoot the ball into a hoop and gain points. Players move the ball up in the opponent’s territory by bouncing the ball and passing among each other. They score two points every time they shoot the ball through the hoop. And if they shoot the ball behind the three-pointer line, they score three points.
These are the basic rules of basketball.
Despite the game being popular, people are yet to know all the rules it has to follow. So, seeing how the new kids are making mistakes, we decided to come up with this guide where we can educate them on basketball rules.
Who Invented Basketball?
The origin of the game can be traced back to Springfield, Massachusetts, in the USA. Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian-based physical instructor, introduced basketball in the international training school in Springfield.
The reason why he created this game is that he was instructed to create an indoor sport to keep the YMCA athlete in shape during the harsh weather.
Naismith came with the game that needed two peach baskets and a soccer ball with a set of 13 basic rules. The first game ever played in the history of basketball sports history was 9 Vs. 9. The 13 rules that Naismith highlights have now gone through many changes to look like what we see in the NFL league.
Basketball Rules & Sport’sSport’s Regulation
As we have already said, the game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith with only 13 basic rules. But after several changes, these rules look like the following.
So, where is the answer to your question, “what are the rules of basketball?”
Basketball Rules No. 1: Score More Than Your Opponent To Win
To win the game of basketball, the team has to score more field goals than the opposing team. A field goal here refers to any basket a player scores during the gameplay.
Depending on how the field goals are made, they can vary from one to three-pointers. For instance –
● Field goal shot from inside the arc scores two points.
● A field goal shot from outside the arc scores three points.
● You can even score one point with free throws.
Basketball Rules No. 2: Score Within A Shot Click
Every team has a limited amount of time to shoot when they are in possession. In the NBA, teams are allowed to have basketball in their possession for 24 seconds before they must shoot as per the NBA rules. A shot clock is a clock mounted above the hoop that counts the seconds before the team is forced to shoot the ball for the hoops.
If the offensive team cannot make the shot within the limited time, they must forfeit their possession of the ball and become the defensive team.
Basketball Rules No. 3: Only 5 Players Per Team
No matter what basketball league we are talking about, at the international level, every team cannot have more than 5 players on the court. If the team breaks this particular one from the major basketball rules, the possession of the ball is given to the opposing team.
Now, you must be wondering how this happens when everyone is looking at the players. Well, there have been cases in the lower league when the players could not leave the court on time after the substitution was made. This resulted in losing possession of the ball.
Basketball Rules No. 4: Dribbling While Advancing
You can’t just hold the ball and run along the court just like in Rugby. Basketball has a strict rule where players are asked to dribble while moving up the court. If the player stops dribbling, they cannot dribble again. Instead, they need to pass the ball.
If an offensive team player stops dribbling and starts dribbling again, it will be called ”double dribble.” The offensive team will have the ball and will be forced to defend as per the rules and regulations of basketball.
In addition, you can’t hold the ball and move through the court. That will be considered traveling. The referee will issue a traveling call, and the possession of the ball will go to the opposing team.
Basketball Rules No. 5: The Offense Has 5 Seconds To Inbound The Ball
After the offensive team scores a basket, the opposition gets possession of the ball. One of the players has to inbound the ball from a designated spot to start the offensive attack. This is where the player is allotted 5 seconds to pass the ball to another player. If not done in 5 seconds, the team will lose possession of the ball.
The defender cannot touch the ball or try to steal the ball when the player is trying to inbound the ball. In case such a scenario happens, the referee will call it a technical foul.
Basketball Rules No. 6: Player Handling Inbounds Must Stay In A Designated Inbound Area
When the game is on, the player with the ball must remain in the designated inbound line marked on the court.
If the player crosses the line or even touches the line while holding the ball, the ball is awarded to the opposing team as a penalty.
Additionally, if the player shoots the ball while on the line, the shot will not be counted.
Basketball Rules No. 7: Defenders Are Allowed To Steal The Ball
When the offensive team is moving up the court to score a field goal, the role of the defending team is to block the passes and stop the players from making scores. The defending team stops the players from scoring by stealing the ball, blocking from making baskets, or using different defensive tactics to stop the players from shooting or scoring.
While defending the ball, players are not allowed to touch the player’s body or push or pull them. If a player is found doing that, the referee will call it foul and allocate free throws to the offensive team.
Basketball Rules No. 8: Players From The Defending Teams Must Leave The Paint After 3 Seconds
The area right in front of the basket is called ”Paint” or ”inside the key.” Offensive players are not allowed to camp in this area, waiting for the ball to come to them. While it is not that players can’t spend time in that area. At any time, only offensive players can stay for three seconds in that area.
Once the player steps out of the paint, they can return once again for he plays. If the referee notices any players hovering in the paint area for more than three seconds, the team will receive a three-second violation.
Basketball Rules No. 9: Each Team Is Allotted A Certain Number Of Fouls
Every team is allotted a total number of 5 fouls. Once a team surpasses the total number of fouls, they enter into the BONUS. The bonus means the officials will allow the opposing team free throws for every additional foul team commits.
In the NCAA games, these fouls are called ”one-on-one shots. It means that if the first free throw is in, they are allowed for the second free throw. However, if the first throw misses the basket, the rebound will decide who is the next possessor of the game.
Furthermore, if the team steams foul count increases to 10, they experience double fouls, which means they get to take two foul shots.
Basketball Rules No. 10: Illegal Contacts Will Result In Foul
When a defending player illegally moves by obstructing the player with illegal physical contact, the referee will call it a personal foul.
A most personal foul is related to defending players touching the offensive players in such a way that disturbs their gameplay.
That being said, if a player is fouled while making a shot, the referee allows them an unguarded free throw from the foul line.
In fact, referees can assess coaches with foul play because of their unsportsmanlike behavior on the side court.
Basketball Rules No. 11: Illegal Screen Results In An Offensive Foul
An offensive play can also result in a foul. The two most common offensive fouls are –
Charging is considered illegal when the offensive player touches the defensive player while they have planted their feet or crossed position.
A ball screen foul is down when a player creates a fake ball in hand and creates a screen for the player having the ball so that the defender can’t stop them.
Basketball Rules No. 12: Defenders Can’t Interfere With A Shot With Downward Trajectory
While the offensive team tries to shoot the ball, the defensive team can only touch the ball when it is rising. Once the ball starts to descend, it will be considered illegal for the players to stop the ball from going into the hoop.
This type of interference is called goaltending. If the defensive players try to stop a descending ball, the referee will award an automatic field goal for the offensive team.
Basketball Rules No. 13: Certain Rule Violations Can Result In Technical Foul
A technical foul is given to the team when they go against the administrative rule. The match official assesses the technical foul for creating a mess in the game. This can be related to abusing, fighting inside and outside of the court, and disturbing the gameplays.
Usually, technical fouls result in free throws or a change of ball possessions.
If a player or coach gets two fouls in the same game, the referee holds the authority to eject them from the game.
Basketball Court: Dimensions & Markings
To understand the basketball rules and regulations, you first need to understand the basketball court and its dimensions.
According to FIBA guidelines, a basketball court is a rectangular playing area with dimensions of the 28-meter length and 15-meter width. International competitions or Olympic games follow this dimension.
The border markings that run along the court are called sidelines, and the breadth of the court is called the end line or baseline. The outer edge parallel to the end line is called the free throw line.
To better understand the dimension of a basketball playing area, do follow an image while looking at teh dimension. This will help you know just how big the playing area is.
Basketball point Scoring System
● Three Point Shot: Shooting and scoring a field goal outside the arc of the three-pointer line earn the team three-pointers.
● Two Point Shot: The team earns a two-pointer when a field goal is scored from inside the area of the three-point arc.
● One Point Shot: Points can also be accumulated using free throws. These throws are worth one point.
During the free throw, the player is allowed a fixed number of attempts depending on how the referee sees fit.
Also Should Know: How Long Are Basketball Games?
When we are talking about the basketball rules, you must know “how long is a basketball game.”
In order to get the answer to this question, you first need to know how many quarters in basketball. All National Basketball Association or NBA games consist of 4 quarters, and each of them takes 12 minutes.
That means a complete basketball game length is 48 minutes.
Reasons Behind Its Rising Popularity
Basketball is a popular sport all around the world. It is popular in nearly every Asian, European, and American country. In addition, basketball’s prominence on the Olympic platform has made it the second most popular sport in the world. However, this is not the only reason behind its popularity.
● Affordable: Basketball is one of the most affordable sports to participate in. You don’t need any extra equipment – all you need is a ball or a hoop.
● Accessible: Basketball is more available to the general people than any other sport. For instance, it just takes one person to play basketball. And even then, the game is super fun and enjoyable.
● Easy To Learn And Play: Finally, basketball rules and regulations are easy to understand and play. The game’s simple rules make it easy for the players to understand the game. In fact, it is because of these simple rules players of any age can enjoy this game.
As this game is popular, it is also a popular sport for sports betting. While the NFL draws the most bets in the USA, it also draws attention from every corner of the world. If you are interested in betting on your favorite teams, participate in basketball parlays today.
The game of basketball is entertaining. In comparison to other games, this game is brief and engaging. Throughout the game, the anticipation is tremendous as every complete hoop raises the spirit of the audience.
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