Basketball is a team sport in which the players compete to score points by shooting a ball through a basket attached to a rectangular net called a backboard. It is a fast-paced game that involves quick decision-making, and players often have to make split-second decisions. The game also teaches players to coordinate with teammates, which can help them be more successful in academic and professional settings. It also teaches them to focus and develop self-discipline, which can benefit them throughout their lives.
Basketball games are usually divided into four quarters of varying length depending on the level of play. For example, in high school and amateur leagues the game is played in halves of eight minutes, while in the NBA the quarters are twelve minutes long. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime periods of varying lengths are played until a winner emerges.
There are many different variations of the game, but all are based on the same rules established by James Naismith in 1891. The most basic rule is that every time a player touches the ball, they must pass it to another teammate before shooting again. This rule prevents teams from stalling the game by holding the ball too long.
In addition to passing, dribbling is an important skill for basketball players. It helps to train their hand-eye coordination and requires them to move their feet quickly in order to keep the ball from falling. Rebounding a missed shot is also a good way to train these skills.
The game is played on a floor called the court, which has a hoop at each end. The ball must be carried, thrown, or dribbled around the court, and players cannot go over the mid-court line (24 seconds in FIBA and NBA basketball, and 10 seconds in high school and NCAA play for both sexes). They are also forbidden from blocking a shot while it is in its downward trajectory (or “hanging”) from the rim.
A player may also score by shooting and making the ball go through the hoop attached to the backboard. It is worth two points if it goes through the net and into the basket, and three if it goes through the round arc on the back of the hoop.
Basketball teaches students to be self-motivated and set goals for themselves. It also teaches them to follow and respect the rules of the game. The physical demands of the game can also improve a student’s overall health and fitness, which is important in the classroom and at work.
Lastly, the social and emotional benefits of playing basketball are also important to consider. Students learn to work well with teammates, and they can develop a sense of community by attending basketball games and other events. Students can also gain confidence from their success in the sport, which can boost their self-esteem and lead to better relationships later in life. This can be especially helpful for students who have struggled in other subjects or with their social abilities.