Basketball rules are pretty straightforward. However, for new players, it can be all too easy to forget certain rules. As an example, the three-second rule addresses how long an offensive player can be in the lane before they must clear out. But no one expects you to learn all the rules of the game overnight. Once you have learned all the rules there’s an easy way to ensure you don’t forget them.

Basic basketball rules include learning about the point system, fouls and violations, and the position for each player on the team. For many, learning the rules of the game will take time. In the beginning, it’s important for you to focus on your shooting technique first. Many beginners will learn more about fouls and violations as they play with friends or during practices if the play on a school’s team. If possible, study up on the rules we’ve included here so that you’re more prepared the next time you hit the court.

Basketball is a fun, challenging, and exciting sport, and while it’s true that there are many rules to learn and memorize, you’ll find that over time, you’ll be able to easily recall the rules of the game, the more experience you earn by playing out on the court. Read on to get an in-depth look at the ins and outs of basketball.

Rules of the Game

For decades, basketball has been one of the most popular sports in America, right after football and baseball.

For those of you who are not familiar with basketball, it’s a team sport that involves two teams of five players trying to score on the other team by throwing a ball through a hoop which is located ten feet above the ground. This game is played on a large court, with one hoop placed on each end. The court itself is divided into a couple of sections via the mid-court line.

The players will move the ball down the court by dribbling or passing from one player to another. The team that’s not in possession of the ball is called the defense, while the team in control of the ball is called the offense.

Point System Per Shot

When one team makes a basket they will score two points, then the ball is turned over to the other team. However, not all shots are worth two points. A three-pointer is when a basket is made outside the three point arc. Additionally, free throws are worth one point. These shots are awarded to the team as a result of a foul.

When a player is fouled they will get two or three free throws. The number of free throws they get will depend on where the player was when they were fouled. If they were past the three-point line then they will get a total of three free throws. There are other types of fouls that do not result in free throws unless the team has been fouled a certain number of times.

Typical Game Length

Basketball games are divided into sections. At all levels, the game will consist of two halves. With college basketball, each half is twenty minutes in length. In high school, a quarter is just eight minutes long. In the NBA, each quarter is twelve minutes in length.

Game Violations

• Traveling and walking is a common game violation. Traveling involves taking more than one and a half steps without dribbling. Traveling is moving your pivot foot after you have stopped dribbling.
• When a player dribbles the ball with their hand too far under or to the side of the ball it’s called palming the ball.
• Double dribbling involves picking up the dribble and then dribbling again or dribbling the ball using both hands.
• If two players gain control of the ball at the same time, this is called a held ball. In order to avoid a violent tussle, the referee must stop the action and give the ball to each team on a rotating basis.
• Once the offensive team has brought the ball past the mid-court line, they are not able to go back across that line during possession. If they do end up going back then the ball will be turned over to the other team.
• A player that’s passing the ball inbounds will have just five seconds to do so. If they go over the five second time limit then the ball will be awarded to the opposing team. Another type of time restriction will involve the rule that a player cannot hold onto the ball for more than five seconds when they’re being guarded closely.

To learn more about fouls and violations, click here to read our article How to Referee A Basketball Game – The Key Points & Rules.

Substitutions

When a player is pulled from the court and another is pulled off the bench, this is called a substitution. This is used to give players who have been playing enough time to rest and recover while allowing players who have been sitting on the bench court time. The coach is allowed to make as many substitutions as they want throughout the duration of the game. They are allowed to substitute their players off and on the court during any dead ball period such as free throws, fouls, and timeouts.

Overtime

Every basketball fan loves a game with double or even triple overtime, but how does overtime work and are fouls applied to overtime as well?

At the end of a game, if the scores are tied then the game will go into overtime for a period of three to five minutes. After this amount of time, if the score is still tied, then the game will go into double overtime. This will continue until the score is no longer tied. During overtime, each team will have one timeout.

Additionally, the fouls from the second half of the game will carry over to overtime.

Positions

Centers: Commonly, the center is the tallest player, which is why they’re usually placed close to the basket. In an offensive position, the goal of the center is to get open for a pass in order to shoot a basket. They will also be responsible for blocking a defender. In a defensive position, their goal is to prevent their opponent from shooting by blocking passes and shots. They must also focus on rebounds.

Forward: The forward is usually the second tallest player. While the forward may often be placed under the hoop, they will also need to operate in corner areas and in the wings. When in an offensive position, they will need to try and stay open so a teammate can pass them the ball. They will also need to take outside shots and focus on rebounds. In a defensive position, the forward will be responsible for preventing shots and rebounds.

Guards: These players are usually the shortest and are usually the best at dribbling fast and passing. Their job is to bring the ball down the court and set up shots for offensive plays.

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Related Questions

Which Type of Basketball Hoop is a Good Choice for Beginners?

If you’re looking for a stable, durable basketball hoop for home use, one that’s perfect for both kids and adults, then I recommend the Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System With 54″ Glass Backboard. It’s built tough, affordable, and can handle players of all sizes. To learn more about portable basketball hoops, click here to read our buyer’s guide.

How Do Fouls Work in Basketball?

The fouled team will be awarded a couple of free throws on non-shooting fouls, whether or not the first shot is made, beginning with the tenth foul of a half. A team’s fouls will accrue from the second half on up.

How Often Should I Practice My Shots

This will vary from player to player, but it’s safe to say, the more you practice, the better you’ll be. Remember, while practicing jump shots and layups can always help your game, you should also focus on practicing on the areas you’re weak in, such as three-pointers or free throws. You may even hit each shot when you’re practicing alone but you tend to choke when you’re on the court with other players. If that’s the case, make it a point to practice in your spare time, when the courts are full. Don’t be afraid to challenge a stranger to a game of one on one. The key here is to stay challenged in order to become a better player. It’s what the pros do to keep up their game and it’s what you can do to push yourself to improve.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, in the game of basketball, there’s a lot to learn. However, with a little time and practice, you’ll find that over the coming weeks, practicing a fun pick-up game between friends can help you to get the hang of this exciting sport in no time.