Understanding the game – Basketball Basics

Basketball Basics

In this section, you will discover and learn the answer to the two main questions what is basketball and how to play basketball. Everything you need to know about Basketball and basketball basics can be found in this section below.

  • Basketball is a team sport. Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground, this responds the question how to play basketball.
  • The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.
  • If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds to get the ball over the mid-court line. If it doesn’t, then the defense gets the ball.

  • The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling.
  • The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense. The Defense Team will try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.


The Court

1. The sidelines are the two boundaries lines running the length of the court.

2. The Baseline/Endline runs from sideline to sideline behind the backboard at the ends of the court. Baseline is used for the offensive end of the court. Endline is used for the back court or defensive end of the court.

3. The mid court line divides the court in half. Offensively, once the ball crosses the Mid Court Line, it becomes a boundary line reducing the offensive playing area to just half of the court. Also, on most levels, the offensive team only has 8 to 10 seconds to advance the ball across the mid court line.


5. Free Throw Line. This line is used as a boundary line when shooting free throws. It is also used in defining the three second area.

6. Free Throw Circle. They come into play on free throws and jump balls. During a free throw attempt, the shooter must remain inside the free throw circle. On jump balls, non-jumpers must remain outside the circle until the ball is tapped by one of the jumpers.

7. Lane lines are boundaries running from the free throw line to the baseline.

8. Center Circle. It is used to start the game and other jump ball situations. On jump balls, non-jumpers must remain outside the circle until the ball is tapped by one of the jumpers.


The Scoring

  • Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated during a half. Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a ‘1-and-1’ opportunity. If he makes his first free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.


The Time

  • College games use two 20-minute halves, while high school varsity games use 8 minute quarters.
  • 15 minutes are allowed for a half-time break under FIBA, NBA, and NCAA rules and 10 minutes in high school.
  • Overtime periods are five minutes in length except for high school which is four minutes in length. Teams exchange baskets for the second half. The time allowed is actual playing time; the clock is stopped while the play is not active. Therefore, games generally take much longer to complete than the allotted game time, typically about two hours.

In every sport, there is a main objective. The most important factor of the Basketball basics is to win a game by scoring more goals opposed to the other team.




Fouls and Violations

Integral to knowing the sport Basketball is knowing the rules of basketball in each basketball game.


  • Hitting
  • Pushing
  • Slapping
  • Holding
  • Illegal pick/screen — when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.

Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then he gets two free throws if his shot doesn’t go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in.


To completely answer the inquiry what is basketball, below you can find a detailed explanation of each terms and terminologies used in Basketball games.


Blocking. Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing position in time to prevent an opponent’s drive to the basket.



Technical foul
. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve player contact or the ball but is instead about the ‘manners’ of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can technical details regarding filling in the scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups.



Walking/Traveling. Taking more than ‘a step and a half’ without dribbling the ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you’ve stopped dribbling is traveling.



Goaltending. If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it’s on the way down toward the basket, while it’s on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, or while it’s in the cylinder above the rim, it’s goaltending and the shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it’s a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.




Player Positions

Important to answering the question how to play basketball is knowing the various player positions in every basketball game. Player positioning is vital to strategizing the play in basketball.


  • Defensive. On defense, the center’s main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they’re taller.


  • Offensive. Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.
  • Defensive. Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.


  • Offensive. Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard’s main responsibilities. They also need to be able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.


Popular Leagues:

In addition to all the information, the most popular basketball association is National Basketball Association (NBA). Another association that can be deemed popular as well is International Basketball Federation (FIBA)