Basketball is one of the most popular team sports on the planet. And just like any other sport, there are rules governing matches.
In this complete and up-to-date guide, we’ll introduce you to the main basketball rules, such as the scoring system, length of games, foul limits, court dimensions and penalties.
This way, you’ll understand the complexity of the details involved in orange ball matches, not just in the NBA, but in tournaments all over the world.
Check it out 👇
What is the goal of basketball?
The aim of basketball is to accumulate more points than the opposing team over the course of the match. Points are scored by successfully shooting with your hands and hitting the opponent’s basket.
To achieve this goal, the teams take turns in attack and defence. While one team tries to score, the other concentrates its efforts on preventing this from happening, using markers, blocks and other devices.
On the offensive side, the dynamic movement of the players, the exchange of passes and effective communication are essential for creating shooting opportunities and overcoming the opposition’s defence.
How long does a basketball match last?
In competitions organised by FIBA (International Basketball Federation), such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup, the match is made up of four periods of ten minutes each, totalling 40.
In NBA (North American Basketball League) games, the match consists of four periods of 12 minutes each, totalling 48.
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, five-minute overtime periods are played until a winner is determined. This rule applies to both the NBA and FIBA.
Basketball court
The basketball court is a rectangular space where games are played, usually made of wooden flooring.
In the middle of the court is a line that divides the floor into two identical sides. This is where the ball is released at the start of the quarter.
A line surrounds the basket area, forming an arc. Shots taken from outside this line are worth more points. Shots from inside are worth less.
Inside the three, there’s also the free throw line, where shots are taken from opponents’ offences, and the box, a rectangle used to finish plays close to the basket.
Basketball court dimensions
- 28m long by 15m wide
- 45cm diameter rim
- Rim height 3.05m
- Distance from the three-point line to the basket is 6.75m
- Distance from the three-point line to the free throw is 5.80m
- Basket circle has a radius of 1.25m
Basketball scoring system
When a player shoots the ball from inside the three-point line, two points are scored for the team. If the shot is made from behind (without stepping on the line), the team receives three points.
Free throws, which are awarded when an opposing player commits an offence, are taken at the top of the court and are worth one point.
In addition, there is a concept called “one more“, which occurs when a player receives a foul and still hits a shot. In this case, the basket counts and the player can still shoot a bonus free throw.
Main basketball rules
- Teams | Each team can have up to five players on the court at the same time. Substitutions are allowed during interruptions in play;
- Technical time-out | Each team is entitled to five requests for technical time-outs per game, two in the first half and three in the second half (in the NBA there are 6 requests);
- Shooting time | When a team has possession, it has 24 seconds to shoot. If they don’t, the ball goes to the opposing team. Remember that this time is reset when the ball hits the hoop;
- Cross court | When the ball is reset on the end line, the team has up to 8 seconds to cross the middle of the court and enter the opposing team’s area;
- No turning back | When a team passes the middle of the court, it cannot turn back and step into the defence, unless the ball touches an opposing player;
- It is forbidden to walk with the ball | You may not take more than two steps with the ball in your hands without bouncing it. It is also forbidden to hit the ball on the ground with both hands at the same time, i.e. only with one;
- The paint rule | During an attack, no athlete may remain inside the paint area for more than three seconds.
How do fouls work in basketball?
Simple fouls, such as blocking a player’s movement or illegally slapping an athlete’s hand, are awarded from the sideline. Fouls committed in the act of shooting, on the other hand, become free throws.
If the player tried to shoot from inside the three, he will take two free throws. If they shot from behind, they will take three free throws. That’s if you take into account that he didn’t hit the basket before the foul.
There are also technical fouls, which can be called if a player disrespects an offside rule, such as swearing at a referee. Depending on the severity, a specific number of free throws can be charged.
In addition, each player can only commit four individual fouls during a match. If they exceed this amount, they can no longer return to the game (in the NBA the limit is five individual fouls).
What’s more, each team can only commit four collective fouls in a single quarter. After the fifth, the opponent takes a free throw (in the NBA the limit is five collective fouls).
But it’s worth remembering that if a player breaks a very serious rule, such as assaulting a fan, the athlete in question can be ejected from the match immediately, regardless of the number of individual fouls accumulated.
Now you know the rules of basketball and are ready to watch matches, both in the NBA and international tournaments 🏀
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