Basketball is a game that is played between two teams of five players, each with a spherical, inflated ball. The team that scores the most points wins the match. It is a sport that is popular in the United States and has become extremely popular in other countries since the early 20th century.
Players wear a uniform that includes a jersey, shorts, and shoes. There are two main types of basketball: men’s and women’s. Men’s basketballs measure approximately 28.5-30 inches in length. Women’s basketballs are a little shorter.
The basketball is spherical in shape and weighs between 18 and 22 ounces. Each team has a limited number of seconds during which they are allowed to shoot the ball. If they miss, the other team has the ball.
A referee will judge the ball, keep track of time, and call fouls if a player commits a violation. If a foul is committed, the player must leave the court, and the other team gets the ball.
The game started in the United States in the late 19th century. In the early days, the rules were very structured. Five players – two defensive guards, one offensive forward, and one center – were on the court at any given time. These players were supposed to move the ball to the basket, and throw the ball through the hoop.
A new set of rules was introduced in the late 1900s, and the sport became more and more popular. This is when professional basketball leagues began to emerge. One of the most popular professional leagues is the NBA.
Another key change came in 1971, when separate rules were formulated for women. This changed the game considerably. For the first time, women could play against each other. However, there are still certain differences between the genders.
The game was also known as “half-bushel” basketball because the half-bushel peach baskets used to be the goals. When the game spread to England and Japan, it was called “basketball”.
Basketball is a very popular sport, and is played in many public parks and gyms. You can even join a local team. Although there are a few pieces of equipment you’ll need, you can usually find everything you need to play at a local sports facility.
One of the most important factors in the development of the game is the size of the players. The smaller players, such as the power forward, are typically the best scorer inside the paint. They are also strong and can dribble well.
There are a few different rules that apply to both offense and defense. The offensive team is only permitted to dribble the ball once during a possession, and they can not dribble the ball if they are in the backcourt. They are also not allowed to block the ball from going in a downward direction towards the basket.
The game is played in 15-minute halves. After two quarters, the teams switch sides. Teams that have a tied score can continue the game until one team achieves a victory. An overtime period follows.