PE I: Basketball Rules

History: Basketball was first invented in 1891 by Dr. James A. Naismith, who at the time was the physical education
director at the Y.M.C.A. in Springfield, MA. The first ball was a soccer ball, and a peach basket was used as the first
hoop.

The Game: The game is played by two teams of 5 players each, typically with 2 forwards, 2 guards, and 1 center. There
are four 6 minute quarters in a middle school game, four 8 minute quarters in a high school game, two 20 minute halves
in a college game, and four 12 minutes quarters in a professional game. 2 points are scored for a made basket (field
goal), 1 point for a made free throw, and 3 points for any made basket from behind the 19’9” three point line in high
school. Games are started with a jump ball from the center circle. The rim height is 10 feet from the floor. The free
throw line is 15 feet from the basket.

The Ball: A men’s basketball weighs 22 ounces and is 29 inches in circumference. A women’s size basketball weighs 20
ounces and is 28.5 inches in circumference. The home team must provide the game ball.

The Team: A basketball team consists of five players. A team cannot begin a game with less than five players, but if it
has no substitutions, it may finish the game with 4. A player must leave the game after committing their fifth foul in high
school and college games. In a professional game, players get 6 fouls.

Game Officials: The officials should be three qualified or certified referees, assisted by two timers and two scorekeepers.
The scorekeepers record statistics, scores, personal fouls, technical fouls, and time-outs.

Overtime Periods: High school games have a three minute overtime period in case of the game ending in a tie score.
College games have a five minute overtime period.

Time-Outs: Each team receives three 1 minute and two 30 second time-outs per game.

Rules and Violations:

1. Visiting team has choice of baskets and teams will switch baskets (direction) at half time.
2. The score of a forfeited game is 2-0.
3. When a team gets control of the ball in its backcourt, it must move the ball into their front court (over the 10
second line) within 10 seconds.
4. Taking more than two steps without dribbling the ball is a traveling violation.
5. Dribbling the ball with two hands or stopping the dribble and then restarting without touching some other
player is a double dribble violation. The hand must stay on the top half of the ball when dribbling.
6. After the start of the game, all jump balls are change of possessions alternating between teams each time.
7. Kicking the ball is a violation.
8. Holding the ball for more than 5 seconds is a violation.
9. Inability to inbound the ball within 5 seconds is a violation.
10. Stepping on or over an out-of-bounds line is a violation.
11. Standing inside the lane of key area for more than 3 seconds is a violation.
12. Violations result in turning the possession of the ball to the other team.
13. Personal fouls result in possession of the ball, 1 free-throw plus a bonus if the infracting team has received 7
personal fouls, or 2 free-throws if the infraction occurs on the shot. Teams are in the double bonus (2 foul
shots) on the 10th team foul.
Possession or Bonus Fouls: Illegal contact on the dribble, Offensive charging, and Blocking.

2 shot fouls: Illegal contact on the shooter & any intentional foul

3 shot fouls: Illegal contact on the shooter behind the 3-point line.

Basket Court Diagram