The only essential equipment in a basketball game is the ball and the
court: a flat, rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends. Competitive
levels require the use of more equipment such as clocks, score sheets,
scoreboard(s), alternating possession arrows, and whistle-operated stop-clock
systems.
A regulation basketball court in international games is 91.9 feet
long and 49.2 feet wide. In the NBA and NCAA the court is 94 feet by 50 feet. Most
courts have wood flooring,
usually constructed from maple planks
running in the same direction as the longer court dimension. The name and logo of the home team is
usually painted on or around the center circle.
The basket is a steel rim 18 inches
diameter with an attached net affixed to a backboard that measures 6 feet by
3.5 feet and one basket is at each end of the court. The white outlined box on
the backboard is 18 inches high and 2 feet wide. At almost all levels of
competition, the top of the rim is exactly 10 feet above the court and 4 feet
inside the baseline. While variation is possible in the dimensions of the court
and backboard, it is considered important for the basket to be of the correct
height – a rim that is off by just a few inches can have an adverse effect on
shooting.
The size of the basketball is also regulated.
For men, the official ball is 29.5 inches in circumference (size 7, or a
"295 ball") and weighs 22 oz. If women are playing, the official
basketball size is 28.5 inches in circumference (size 6, or a "285
ball") with a weight of 20 oz.
Violations-
The ball may be advanced toward the basket by
being shot, passed between players, thrown, tapped, rolled or dribbled
(bouncing the ball while running).
The ball must stay within the court; the last
team to touch the ball before it travels out of bounds forfeits possession. The
ball is out of bounds if touches or crosses over a boundary line, or touches a
player who is out of bounds. This is in contrast to other sports such as football, volleyball, and tennis (but not rugby or American
football) where the ball (or player) is still considered in if any
part of it is touching a boundary line.
The ball-handler may not step with both feet
without dribbling, an infraction known as traveling, nor dribble with both hands or hold
the ball and resume dribbling, a violation called double dribbling.
Any part of the player's hand cannot be directly under the ball while
dribbling; doing so is known as carrying the ball. A team, once having
established ball control in the front half of their court, may not return the
ball to the backcourt and be the first to touch it. The ball may not be kicked,
nor be struck with the fist. A violation of these rules results in loss of
possession, or, if committed by the defense, a reset of the shot clock (with some exceptions in the NBA).
There are limits imposed on the time taken
before progressing the ball past halfway (8 seconds in FIBA and the NBA; 10
seconds in NCAA men's play and high school for both sexes, but no limit in NCAA
women's play), before attempting a shot (24 seconds in FIBA and the NBA, 30
seconds in NCAA women's and Canadian Interuniversity Sport play for both sexes, and 35 seconds in
NCAA men's play), holding the ball while closely guarded (5 seconds), and
remaining in the restricted area known as the free-throw lane, (or the "key")
(3 seconds). These rules are designed to promote more offense.
No player may touch the ball on its downward
trajectory to the basket, unless it is obvious that the ball has no chance of
entering the basket (goaltending). In addition, no player may touch the ball
while it is on or in the basket; when any part of the ball is in the spacious
cylinder above the basket (the area extended upwards from the basket); or when
the ball is outside the cylinder, if the player reaches through the basket and
touches it. This violation is known as "basket interference". If a
defensive player goaltends or commits basket interference, the basket is
awarded and the offending team gets the ball. If a teammate of the player
shooting goaltends or commits interference, the basket is cancelled and play
continues with the defensive team being given possession.
Fouls-
An attempt to unfairly disadvantage an opponent
through physical contact is illegal and is called a foul. These are most
commonly committed by defensive players; however, they can be committed by
offensive players as well. Players who are fouled either receive the ball to
pass inbounds again, or receive one or more free throws if they are fouled in the act of
shooting, depending on whether the shot was successful. One point is awarded
for making a free throw, which is attempted from a line 15 feet (4.6 m)
from the basket.
The referee may use discretion in calling fouls
(for example, by considering whether an unfair advantage was gained), sometimes
making fouls controversial calls or no-calls. The calling of fouls can vary
between games, leagues and even among referees.
A player or coach who shows poor sportsmanship,
such as by arguing with a referee or by fighting with another player, can be
charged with a more serious foul called a technical foul.
The penalty involves free throws (where, unlike a personal foul, the other team
can choose any player to shoot) and varies among leagues. Repeated incidents
can result in disqualification.
A blatant foul involving physical contact that is either excessive or
unnecessary is called an intentional foul (flagrant foul in the NBA). In FIBA,
a foul resulting in ejection is called a disqualifying foul, while in leagues
other than the NBA, such a foul is referred to as flagrant.
If a team exceeds a certain limit of team fouls
in a given period (quarter or half) – four for NBA and international games –
the opposing team is awarded one or two free throws on all subsequent
non-shooting fouls for that period, the number depending on the league. In the US
When a team shoots foul shots, the opponents may
not interfere with the shooter, nor may they try to regain possession until the
last or potentially last free throw is in the air.
After a team has committed a specified number of
fouls, it is said to be "in the penalty". On scoreboards, this is
usually signified with an indicator light reading "Bonus" or
"Penalty" with an illuminated directional arrow indicating that team
is to receive free throws when fouled by the opposing team. (Some scoreboards
also indicate the number of fouls committed.)
If a team misses the first shot of a two-shot
situation, the opposing team must wait for the completion of the second shot
before attempting to reclaim possession of the ball and continuing play.
If a player is fouled while attempting a shot
and the shot is unsuccessful, the player is awarded a number of free throws
equal to the value of the attempted shot. A player fouled while attempting a
regular two-point shot, then, receives two shots. A player fouled while
attempting a three-point shot, on the other hand, receives three shots.
If a player is fouled while attempting a shot
and the shot is successful, typically the player will be awarded one additional
free throw for one point. In combination with a regular shot, this is called a
"three-point play" or "four-point play" (or more
colloquially, an "and one") because of the basket made at the time of
the foul (2 or 3 points) and the additional free throw (1 point).
Strategy-
The strategies also evolve with the game. In the
1990s and early 2000s, teams played with more "isolation". Teams that
had one superstar would let one player, usually the point guard or shooting
guard, run most of the offense while the other four offensive players get out
of his/her way. Nowadays, teams tend to play with more teamwork. The
"Center" position has evolved to become more of a taller "Small
Forward" position. Since teams play more teamwork, ball movement has
evolved with the game, and more jump shots have been taken as a result.
There are two main defensive strategies: zone
defense and man-to-man
defense. In a zone defense,
each player is assigned to guard a specific area of the court. In a man-to-man defense, each defensive player
guards a specific opponent. Man-to-man defense is generally preferred at higher
levels of competition, as it is intuitively easier to understand and avoid
mismatches between players who play different positions. However, zone defenses
are sometimes used in particular situations or simply to confuse the offense
with an unexpected look.
Offensive plays are more varied, normally
involving planned passes and movement by players without the ball. A quick
movement by an offensive player without the ball to gain an advantageous
position is a cut. A legal attempt by an offensive
player to stop an opponent from guarding a teammate, by standing in the
defender's way such that the teammate cuts next to him, is a screen or pick. The two plays are combined in
the pick and roll, in which a player sets a
pick and then "rolls" away from the pick towards the basket. Screens
and cuts are very important in offensive plays; these allow the quick passes
and teamwork which can lead to a successful basket. Teams almost always have
several offensive plays planned to ensure their movement is not predictable. On
court, the point guard is usually responsible for indicating which play will
occur.
Defensive and offensive structures, and
positions, are more emphasized in higher levels in basketball; it is these that
a coach normally requests a time-out to discuss.
Shooting-
Shooting is the act of attempting to score points
by throwing the ball through the basket, methods varying with players and
situations.
Typically, a player faces the basket with both
feet facing the basket. A player will rest the ball on the fingertips of the
dominant hand (the shooting arm) slightly above the head, with the other hand
supporting the side of the ball. The ball is usually shot by jumping (though
not always) and extending the shooting arm. The shooting arm, fully extended
with the wrist fully bent is held stationary for a moment following the release
of the ball, known as a follow-through. Players often try to put a steady
backspin on the ball to absorb its impact with the rim. The ideal trajectory of
the shot is somewhat controversial, but generally a proper arc is recommended.
Players may shoot directly into the basket or may use the backboard to redirect
the ball into the basket.
The two most common shots that use the above
described setup are the set-shot and the jump-shot. The set-shot is taken from a
standing position, with neither foot leaving the floor, typically used for free
throws, and in other circumstances whilst the jump-shot is taken in mid-air,
the ball released near the top of the jump. This provides much greater power
and range, and it also allows the player to elevate over the defender. Failure
to release the ball before the feet return to the ground is considered a
traveling violation.
Another common shot is called the lay-up.
This shot requires the player to be in motion toward the basket, and to
"lay" the ball "up" and into the basket, typically off the
backboard (the backboard-free, underhand version is called a finger
roll). The most crowd-pleasing and typically highest-percentage accuracy
shot is the slam dunk,
in which the player jumps very high and throws the ball downward, through the
basket whilst touching it.
Another shot that is becoming common is the
"circus shot". The circus shot is a low-percentage shot that is
flipped, heaved, scooped, or flung toward the hoop while the shooter is
off-balance, airborne, falling down, and/or facing away from the basket. A
back-shot is a shot taken when the player is facing away form the basket, and
maybe shot with the dominant hand, or both; but there is a very low chance that
the shot will be successful.
A shot that misses both the rim and the backboard
completely is referred to as an air-ball.
A particularly bad shot, or one that only hits the backboard, is jocularly
called a brick.
Rebounding-
The objective of rebounding is to successfully
gain possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw, as
it rebounds from the hoop or backboard. This plays a major role in the game, as
most possessions end when a team misses a shot. There are two categories of
rebounds: offensive rebounds, in which the ball is recovered by the offensive
side and does not change possession, and defensive rebounds, in which the
defending team gains possession of the loose ball. The majority of rebounds are
defensive, as the team on defense tends to be in better position to recover
missed shots.
Passing-
A pass is a method of moving the ball between
players. Most passes are accompanied by a step forward to increase power and
are followed through with the hands to ensure accuracy.
A staple pass is the chest
pass. The ball is passed directly from the passer's chest to the
receiver's chest. A proper chest pass involves an outward snap of the thumbs to
add velocity and leaves the defence little time to react.
Another type of pass is the bounce
pass. Here, the passer bounces the ball crisply about two-thirds of the
way from his own chest to the receiver. The ball strikes the court and bounces
up toward the receiver. The bounce pass takes longer to complete than the chest
pass, but it is also harder for the opposing team to intercept (kicking the
ball deliberately is a violation). Thus, players often use the bounce pass in
crowded moments, or to pass around a defender.
The overhead pass is used to pass the ball over a
defender. The ball is released while over the passer's head.
The outlet pass occurs after a team gets a defensive
rebound. The next pass after the rebound is the outlet
pass.
The crucial aspect of any good pass is it being
difficult to intercept. Good passers can pass the ball with great accuracy and
they know exactly where each of their other teammates prefers to receive the
ball. A special way of doing this is passing the ball without looking at the
receiving teammate. This is called a no-look pass.
Another advanced style of passing is the behind-the-back
pass which, as the
description implies, involves throwing the ball behind the passer's back to a
teammate. Although some players can perform such a pass effectively, many
coaches discourage no-look or behind-the-back passes, believing them to be
difficult to control and more likely to result in turnovers or violations.
Dribbling-
Dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball
continuously with one hand, and is a requirement for a player to take steps
with the ball. To dribble, a player pushes the ball down towards the ground
with the fingertips rather than patting it; this ensures greater control.
When dribbling past an opponent, the dribbler
should dribble with the hand farthest from the opponent, making it more
difficult for the defensive player to get to the ball. It is therefore
important for a player to be able to dribble competently with both hands.
Good dribblers (or "ball handlers")
tend to bounce the ball low to the ground, reducing the distance of travel of
the ball from the floor to the hand, making it more difficult for the defender
to "steal" the ball. Good ball handlers frequently dribble behind
their backs, between their legs, and switch directions suddenly, making a less
predictable dribbling pattern that is more difficult to defend against. This is
called a crossover, which is the most effective way to move past defenders
while dribbling.
A skilled player can dribble without watching
the ball, using the dribbling motion or peripheral
vision to keep track
of the ball's location. By not having to focus on the ball, a player can look
for teammates or scoring opportunities, as well as avoid the danger of having
someone steal the ball away from him/her.
Blocking-
A block is performed when, after a shot is
attempted, a defender succeeds in altering the shot by touching the ball. In
almost all variants of play, it is illegal to touch the ball after it is in the
downward path of its arc; this is known as goaltending.
It is also illegal under NBA and Men's NCAA basketball to block a shot after it
has touched the backboard, or when any part of the ball is directly above the
rim. Under international rules it is illegal to block a shot that is in the
downward path of its arc or one that has touched the backboard until the ball
has hit the rim. After the ball hits the rim, it is again legal to touch it
even though it is no longer considered as a block performed.
To block a shot, a player has to be able to
reach a point higher than where the shot is released. Thus, height can be an
advantage in blocking. Players who are taller and playing the power forward or
center positions generally record more blocks than players who are shorter and
playing the guard positions. However, with good timing and a sufficiently high
vertical leap, even shorter players can be effective shot blockers.
Height-
At the professional level, most male players are
above 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and most women above 5 feet
7 inches (1.70 m). Guards, for whom physical coordination and
ball-handling skills are crucial, tend to be the smallest players. Almost all
forwards in the men's pro leagues are 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m)
or taller. Most centers are over 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) tall.
According to a survey given to all NBA teams, the average height of all NBA
players is just under 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m), with the average
weight being close to 222 pounds (101 kg). The tallest players ever in the
NBA were Manute Bol and Gheorghe Mureşan, who were both 7 feet
7 inches (2.31 m) tall. The tallest current NBA player is Hasheem Thabeet,
who stands at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). At 7 feet
2 inches (2.18 m),Margo Dydek was
the tallest player in the history of the WNBA.
The shortest player ever to play in the NBA is Muggsy Bogues at 5 feet 3 inches
(1.60 m). Other short players have thrived at
the pro level. Anthony
"Spud" Webb was
just 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall, but had a 42-inch (1.07 m)
vertical leap, giving him significant height when jumping. While shorter
players are often not very good at defending against shooting, their ability to
navigate quickly through crowded areas of the court and steal the ball by
reaching low are strengths.
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