Basketball is a team sport that involves a ball and a basket or hoop. Players move the ball toward the hoop by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offense; the other team is called the defense. The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and grab rebounds. Games are played in four quarters of varying length depending on the level of play. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
James Naismith developed basketball in 1891 as a way to keep his physical education students active during the winter. The game was originally played using peach baskets nailed to a 10-foot elevated track. A version of the sport with an actual hoop was introduced in 1903. The game grew in popularity after the Civil War, when college, YMCA-Amateur Athletic Union, and state militia groups all formed their own rules committees. By the time of World War I, there were at least five different sets of rules in use, and players often agreed to play under a different set for each half of a game.
A few important terms to know:
A foul is a violation of the rules of the game that results in a loss of possession or a penalty. Some common fouls include reaching, grabbing, blocking, and kicking. A player can tally a certain number of fouls before they are “fouled out.” Once a player has accumulated five fouls, they must leave the game.
It is a bad idea to jump into a game of basketball without first learning the basic rules. This can lead to serious injuries. The game is very fast-paced and can be quite violent if players are not careful. Moreover, there are many rules that players must follow in order to avoid getting fouled.
In general, players are not allowed to reach over an opponent while they are dribbling or holding the ball. If they do so, they may be called for a technical foul. Other types of fouls include dribbling into the paint (the shaded rectangular area around the basket), flopping, and blocking.
A good defensive strategy is to be aware of where the other teams are positioned on the court. A good defender should also be ready to jump in front of the dribbler or block a shot. They should also be able to pass quickly through crowded areas of the court and make quick decisions. Taller players are generally at a disadvantage in this regard because they can be more easily blocked by shorter players. Nonetheless, there are some defensive positions that can be very effective for shorter players, such as playing man-to-man.