Basketball is a team sport where players try to get the ball through a basket (hoop) on offense and prevent the other team from scoring on their own hoop on defense. Players advance the ball by bouncing it while walking or running (dribbling) or passing it to a teammate. They score points by shooting into the hoop or by shooting from outside the round arc on the court, which is called the three point line. Players can also grab rebounds, which are missed shots that bounce off the rim or backboard.
Teams consist of five players that each play both offense and defense. Each player falls into one of five playing positions, including the point guard who manages the execution of the coach’s game plan, the shooting guard who creates high volume of offensive shots, the small forward who uses cuts to attack the basket and defends the opponent’s best perimeter players, the power forward who plays under the basket and protects it closely on defense, and the center who utilizes height and strength to score or rebound.
A few rules are in place to promote quicker, more efficient offense. These include a limited number of time-outs, which are clock stoppages requested by the coach (or in some cases, mandated for televised games). There are also restrictions on how long a player can spend without moving the ball (8 seconds in FIBA and NBA play; 10 seconds in NCAA and high school play for both men and women), before taking a shot (16 seconds in FIBA and NBA play; 24 seconds in NCAA and high school for both men and women), and staying within the restricted area around the basket known as the paint (10 seconds in FIBA and NBA play; 15 seconds in NCAA and high school for both sexes).
To improve their ability to move the ball down the court quickly, players must master several techniques, including dribbling with their feet together, jumping to shoot, and making a smooth, controlled pass with the right hand. Players are also required to face their assigned opponents and use proper body positioning to avoid personal fouls such as illegal physical contact.
To be a successful basketball player, it is essential to understand one’s own strengths and weaknesses in order to improve one’s game. This is especially true when it comes to shooting the ball. For example, an offensive player must learn to curl when a defender follows behind them, fade when the defender comes over the top of their screen, and backdoor cut for a layup when a defender overplays their position. It is also important to practice the correct form when shooting, a technique that requires great balance and body control. Without this, a player’s accuracy will suffer and their shooting percentage will drop. For this reason, it is recommended that every player find a knowledgeable instructor who can offer coaching and training in the proper fundamentals of the game.