Basketball is a popular sport and is played by men, women, and children worldwide. There are four quarters in a FIBA sanctioned game, and the teams switch sides after two quarters. The team that scores more points during the game wins, while a tied game goes to overtime. Dribbling and passing the ball are two common offensive strategies that keep the ball moving around the court. To dribble, a player must continuously bounce the ball against the floor to gain control of it.
The basketball passing technique consists of five basic types of passes. The center is the tallest player, followed by the power forward and small forward. The point guard and shooting guard are the shortest. A center is the player closest to the basket, and is typically the tallest member of the team. A point guard carries the ball and implements the game plan of the coach. This technique is especially useful during crowded situations, as it allows the player to easily move around a defender.
Players must be aware of their own foul penalties, as they can result in removal from the game. A player who has been fouled more than five times must leave the game. The offended team may substitute another player for him or her. The same rule applies to a team when it commits more than five fouls in a period. The offending team will receive two free throws, which they must make or defend. Further, players must obey the rules of the game to avoid getting into trouble with the officials.
There are also positions in the basketball team that are similar to those in volleyball. A shooting guard usually makes a high volume of shots and also guards the best perimeter player on the other team. A small forward often dribbles to the basket and defends defenders on the court. A power forward is usually the center, and he can defend the opposite team’s power forward and score. The center also serves as a defensive specialist, stealing passes, contesting shots, boxing out and defending.
The rims of the basketball are made of high-tensile carbon steel, while the hoop is made of a 5/8″ diameter solid steel rod that measures 18″ inside. Another piece of the game is called the back plate, which attaches to the front face of the backboard. Most back plates are 3/16″ thick steel, but some brands, like First Team, use 1/4″ thick steel. The thicker the back plate, the more likely it is to withstand the dunks.
The history of basketball dates back to 1891. Its invention was the result of the efforts of a Canadian physical instructor named James Naismith at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Initially, a team of five was playing against each other, with the goal of shooting the ball through a peach basket. Eventually, the game spread to colleges, and basketball leagues and professional competitions were born. The sport was made Olympic in 1936 and is now considered one of the top sports in the world.