The Rules of Basketball

What are the rules for Basketball?

Basketball is one of the most played sports in the world, and with its adaptability to be played both indoors and outdoors more and more schools are bringing it into their curriculum. A fast action-packed sport, it’s a fully inclusive game that can be played across ages and abilities. It helps work on players’ balance, hand-eye coordination and fitness, but what are the basic rules for Basketball?

Well, here are the basic rules for basketball to help you out:

Game Structure

• Teams: Each team can have five players on the court at one time.
• Game Duration: Typically, Basketball is played in four quarters. Men’s matches tend to be 12 minutes each quarter with women’s matches 10 minutes.
• Overtime: If the score is tied at the end of regulation, overtime periods are played. These are five minutes in time.

Scoring

• Field Goals:
• 2 points for all shots made inside the three-point line.
• 3 points if a shot is made from beyond the three-point line.
• Free Throws: Awarded after certain fouls, and these are worth 1 point each.

Basic Rules

• Dribbling: Players must dribble (bouncing the ball) while moving. If they stop dribbling, they cannot start again unless they pass or shoot the ball.
• Traveling: This is when a player takes more than two steps without dribbling. If a player is caught Traveling, then it is a turnover.
• Out of Bounds: The ball is out of play if it touches the ground outside the boundary lines.
• Shot Clock: Teams have a limited time of 24 seconds to attempt a shot. Failing to shoot in this time results in a turnover of possession.

Fouls

• Personal Fouls: Physical contact that violates rules can lead to personal fouls.
• Team Fouls: After a certain number of team fouls, usually 4 per quarter, the opponents are awarded two free throws.
• Technical Fouls: Non-contact violations, such as unsportsmanlike conduct, can result in two free throws for the other team.

Game Start

• The game begins with a jump ball at centre of the court. The referee tosses the ball up between two players and winning team start with possession.

Violations

• Goaltending: This is when a player blocks a shot on its way down from the hoop, or after it has a chance to go in.
• Three-Second Violation: This is when a player stays in the free-throw lane for more than three seconds while their team has the ball and the game clock is running.
• Backcourt Violation: This is when the offensive team crosses midway area of the court and they cannot return back to their half with the ball.

Substitutions

• Teams can make substitutions during stoppages in play, but not during active play. Each team can make as many substitutions as they want during a match.

These rules form the foundation of the game. There are many more intricacies and situational rules that can apply throughout the match, but these rules can help build the basis of Basketball in your school.

Here is a layout of the pitch from one of our key partners Harrod Sport that details all key sections of the Basketball court.

For more information on what Basketball equipment for your school, team or leisure centre please don’t hesitate to contact us on enquiries@daviessport.co.uk or 0345 120 4515.