Basketball is a sport played by two teams, the offence and the defence. The offence tries to make a basket while the defence tries to block shots and deflect passes. A basket is worth three points, and a free throw is worth one point. The number of free throws a team receives depends on the number of fouls committed in a half.
The time limit for a basketball shot is 24 seconds. If a player fails to shoot the ball within the time limit, the ball goes back to the opposition and possession of the ball is handed to the opposite team. The player with the ball may not move more than five seconds from his or her position on the court or the halfway line. If a player in the frontcourt stays in a key area for more than three seconds without attempting a shot, it is a lane violation.
A technical foul may be committed by a coach or a player. A technical foul is not based on player contact but rather on etiquette. For example, a coach or player using foul language, making an obscene gesture, or arguing with a referee are all technical fouls. The other type of technical foul is traveling, which occurs when a player moves his or her pivot foot away from the court.
A basketball game is played with five players per team. Goals are made by passing, dribbling, and shooting. A made basket is worth two points, while a made basket from behind the three-point line is worth three. The game is played over a quarter that lasts eight to twelve minutes. This format allows for substitutions between teams and makes for a more exciting game for both teams.
The game was introduced to several countries outside the United States in the nineteenth century. Canada was the first country outside of the United States to introduce basketball, while England and France followed suit in 1894. After that, the game was introduced in China, India, and Japan. It quickly spread throughout the world. This game is a popular sport, and many high schools around the world began playing the sport.
A basketball court is a rectangular area approximately 91 feet long and fifty feet wide with a small circle in the center. There are two 10 foot baskets on the court, as well as the free throw line. There are also some differences in the dimensions of international basketball courts. The dimensions of these are determined by FIBA guidelines.
A basketball player must have a strong upper body and flexible legs and arms. It is important to stretch before a game and drink plenty of water. Basketball players should also remember to cool down after the game to avoid overexertion and injury.