Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet high hoop under organized rules. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world.
Points are scored by shooting the ball through the basket above; the team with more points at the end of the game wins. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing, or dribbling it or passing it between teammates. Disruptive physical contact (called fouls) is not permitted and there are restrictions on how the ball can be handled (violations).
Through time, basketball has developed to involve common techniques of shooting, passing and dribbling, as well as players' positions, and offensive and defensive structures. Typically, the tallest members of a team will play center or one of two forward positions, while shorter players or those who possess the best ball handling skills and speed, play the guard positions. While competitive basketball is carefully regulated, numerous variations of basketball have developed for casual play. In some countries, basketball is also a popular spectator sport.
While competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport, played on a basketball court, less regulated variations have become exceedingly popular as an outdoor sport among both inner city and rural groups.
The NBA, National Basketball Association, is the professional league of the USA.
A diagram of a full basketball court. Includes all baselines, half-court, free throw lines, 3-point lines and scoring baskets.
The hoop and the backboard. The goal of the game is to score the ball through the hoop. In the NBA, any basket made within 23 feet of the hoop is worth 2 points and any basket made outside of 23 feet (the 3 point arch) is worth 3 points. In college basketball, the 3 point arch is 19 feet and 9 inches from the hoop.
NBA player from the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James going for a dunk. A dunk is when a player slams the ball through the hoop with their hand or both hands.
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For more information on the NBA, click on the NBA link above or here.
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