Basketball, colloquially referred to as hoops, is a team sport in
which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one
another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of
shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter)
through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter
mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the
court) while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their
own hoop. A field goal is worth two points, unless made from behind
the three-point line, when it is worth three. After a foul, timed play
stops and the player fouled or designated to shoot a technical foul is
given one or more one-point free throws. The team with the most points
at the end of the game wins, but if regulation play expires with the
score tied, an additional period of play (overtime) is
mandated.Players advance the ball by bouncing it while walking or
running (dribbling) or by passing it to a teammate, both of which
require considerable skill. On offense, players may use a variety of
shotsâ€"the lay-up, the jump shot, or a dunk; on defense, they may
steal the ball from a dribbler, intercept passes, or block shots;
either offense or defense may collect a rebound, that is, a missed
shot that bounces from rim or backboard. It is a violation to lift or
drag one's pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to
hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.The five players
on each side fall into five playing positions. The tallest player is
usually the center, the second-tallest and strongest is the power
forward, a slightly shorter but more agile player is the small
forward, and the shortest players or the best ball handlers are the
shooting guard and the point guard, who implements the coach's game
plan by managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays
(player positioning). Informally, players may play three-on-three,
two-on-two, and one-on-one.
which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one
another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of
shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter)
through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter
mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the
court) while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their
own hoop. A field goal is worth two points, unless made from behind
the three-point line, when it is worth three. After a foul, timed play
stops and the player fouled or designated to shoot a technical foul is
given one or more one-point free throws. The team with the most points
at the end of the game wins, but if regulation play expires with the
score tied, an additional period of play (overtime) is
mandated.Players advance the ball by bouncing it while walking or
running (dribbling) or by passing it to a teammate, both of which
require considerable skill. On offense, players may use a variety of
shotsâ€"the lay-up, the jump shot, or a dunk; on defense, they may
steal the ball from a dribbler, intercept passes, or block shots;
either offense or defense may collect a rebound, that is, a missed
shot that bounces from rim or backboard. It is a violation to lift or
drag one's pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to
hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.The five players
on each side fall into five playing positions. The tallest player is
usually the center, the second-tallest and strongest is the power
forward, a slightly shorter but more agile player is the small
forward, and the shortest players or the best ball handlers are the
shooting guard and the point guard, who implements the coach's game
plan by managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays
(player positioning). Informally, players may play three-on-three,
two-on-two, and one-on-one.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.