Basketball is a sport that requires great skill and endurance. It involves a spherical ball, called the basketball, which is inflated and has a circumference of around 28.5 to 30 inches (72-76 cm).
It’s a team sport that requires a lot of strategy, passing, shooting, and rebounding. It’s also a very physical game, and it requires players to build large muscles in order to play well.
To begin a game, two opposing teams play each other at the center of a court. An official throws a ball vertically into the air, and players jump and attempt to hit it to one of their teammates.
The first shot is usually the “jump shot” or a jumper. It’s a quick release, and often a player shoots it from a few feet away, which requires good timing and a high level of confidence to make it.
Players also use a variety of shots in a game, including the layup, dunk, and a variety of other moves. These include the screen, which is a move performed by an offensive player that frees a teammate to shoot, pass, and score.
A player may pass the ball in a number of ways, including chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. The player may also dribble the ball, which is a fast-paced method of moving the ball without running.
There are also certain rules regarding the timing of shots and other motions. For example, a player cannot pass the ball inbounds before it has passed halfway; there are time restrictions on the amount of time that a player can spend holding the ball while being guarded and on the length of time that a player can remain in the restricted area known as the free-throw lane.
In a basketball game, each team has five players. The tallest of these players is the center, and he usually is positioned near the basket. The next-tallest player is the power forward, and he is generally more powerful than the center. The shortest player is the small forward, and he is generally agile and more skilled with the ball.
The team that scores the most points in a game wins the game. A game is divided into four quarters of varying length, depending on the level of play. If the game ends in a tie, the game is re-started.
Equipment: The basketball is a spherical inflated ball with a diameter of around 28.5 to 30 inches (72-76 centimeters). It’s a reversible, molded, laceless ball that is about 20 ounces (510-624 grams) in weight.
Players should try to improve their shooting by establishing goals, such as making 150 jumpers from different spots, or shooting 200 free throws. This will keep them motivated and give them an edge when it’s time to start practicing again.
When shooting, players should aim for the arc on the floor, as this will make it easier to score points and avoid fouls. The arc is marked by a line on the floor, and if a player shoots the ball and makes it inside this arc, it’s two points; outside of the arc, it’s three points.