Line Markings

All line markings on the floor are 2 inches wide and can vary in color.

7) BASKETBALL - SHOES
Basketball players wear shoes with air cushioned soles that provide comfort during
fast-moving play.
8) BASKETBALL - CLOTHING
Players wear loose-fitting, lightweight vest or tank tops and shorts that provide total
freedom of body movement.
PLAYING AREA
The size of basketball court varies according to the federations and the level of
play. Under NBA rules, the court is 90 x 50 feet while according to FIBA rules, the
court measures 92 x 49 feet. The high school court measures 84 x 50 feet. A free-
throw line (the key) is marked at 15 feet from the basket and is 16 feet wide for NBA
and 12 feet wide for NCAA.
The baskets are always 10 feet above the floor except in youth competitions. The
court is also marked with a 3-point arc at both baskets which is 19.75 feet from the
center of the basket in high school competitions, 20.75 feet in NCAA, 21.65-22.15
feet in FIBA and 22-23.75 feet in NBA. The court should have a minimum of 25-27
feet height.
MATCH DURATION
The game duration usually includes four quarters of 10 minutes each according to
FIBA rules and four quarters of 12 minutes each according to NBA. College men’s
matches use two halves of 20-minutes and women’s matches use 10-minute
quarters.

SCORING
Every free throw is awarded one point, 2-points are awarded for any field goal
scored from inside the 3-point line and 3-points are awarded for every basket made
from a throw behind the 3-points arc. To score more points than the opponent
team by scoring more baskets.
Basic Skills

2. Passing - A good offensive attack requires good passing from players. This
helps find an open man, to find a good shooter or to get away from a defender.
There are several types of passes you need to learn:

• Overhead Pass
• Chest Pass
• Push Pass
• Baseball Pass
• Off-the-Dribble Pass
• Bounce Pass

3. Shooting - The object of the game is to win by scoring the most points.
Therefore, improving the team's shooting is important to win a game. There
are several ways to score in the game:

• Jump Shot
• Dunk
• Alley oop
• Free throw
• Layup
• Three-Point Shot
• Hook Shot

4. Rebounding - is essential to gain or regain possession after the shot.

Usually, the team who has the most number of rebounds after the game has
more shot attempts and chances to score.

5. Offense - is the only chance that the team has a shot at the basket and
scoring. Playing a good offense requires coordination among players and
individual skill to execute well plays.

6. Defense - To be able to get a chance to score and gain possession, the team
should play good defense and try to stop their opponent from scoring. As said,
"A good defense is a good offense."

7. Moves - There are different kinds of basketball moves that are important in
executing both a good offense and a good defense. Moves are helpful in
finding an open man, make a good shot or create an amazing play.

8. Violations - Knowing the kinds of basketball violations improves your game.

9. Assist - is given to a teammate to help him score easily. Thus is it important

to find an open man on the court

10. Foul - is often an accidental contact made by the defender to his opponent
or an aggressive move by the ball-handler towards his defender. However, a
foul is also used as a strategy to stop the clock or to keep the shooting player
from scoring easily. Learning how to use your fouls well is important in the
game.

Terminology in Basketball

 Air ball: A shot that misses the rim or backboard.

 Alive: Offensive player who has the ball and has not dribbled.

 Alternating Possession Rule: The possession arrow changes direction after each
subsequent jump ball or held ball situation, alternating which team gets
possession for the throw-in. The first possession after a held ball goes to the
team who lost the opening jump ball to begin the game.

 Assist: A pass to a teammate that results in a made basket.

B

 Backboard: The flat surface directly behind the basket. The basket is connected
to the backboard.

 Backdoor: An offensive move where a player cuts behind the defenders and
receives a pass for a field-goal attempt.

 Ball Handler: The player with the ball. Usually the guard at the start of the play.

 Bank Shot: A shot where the ball is first bounced or banked off the backboard at
such an angle that it then drops into the basket.
  Basket: Consists of the rim and the net, also known a ‘the hoop’.

 Basketball: A round ball made of rubber, leather or synthetic leather. Comes in

3 different sizes (size 5, 6 or 7).

 Blind Pass: A pass from a ball handler who does not see their receiver but is
estimating where they should be.

 Blocked Shot: The successful deflection of a shot by touching part of the ball on
its way to the basket, and preventing a field goal.

 Blocking: The use of a defender’s body position to legally prevent an

opponent’s advance. It is the opposite of charging.

 Boards: The backboard which the ring or basket is attached or slang for a
‘rebound’ – the act of a player grabbing the ball after a missed shot attempt.

 Boxing out: The defensive player turns and faces the basket following a shot
and with his or her back to the opponent, and ensures that the player being
guarded can’t ‘rebound’ the ball.

 Charging: An offensive foul, which occurs when an offensive player runs into a
defender who has established position.

 Court vision: A player’s ability to see everything on the court during play.

 Crossover dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the ball across their body from
one hand to the other.

 Cut: A quick movement by an offensive player without the ball to gain an

advantage over the defense usually directed towards the basket.
D

 Dead: Offensive player has the ball and has already used their dribble. They
must now either pass or shot the ball.
  Dead Ball: Any player with the ball that is not ‘live’. This occurs after each
successful field goal, free-throw attempt, after any official’s whistle or if the
ball leaves the court, then play is stopped.

 Defense: The act of preventing the offense from scoring. Defense is the team
without the ball.

 Down court: The direction a team on offense moves, from its backcourt to its
frontcourt and towards its own basket.

 Double Dribble: The act of dribbling the ball, stopping the dribble or motion of
the ball and beginning to dribble again. Results in a violation and turnover.

 Downtown: Referred to as a shot that was considered to distant for the normal
shooter to take or in the ‘3-point’ area.

 Dribble: The act of bouncing the ball up and down. The offensive player with
the ball uses the dribble to move the ball around the court.

 Drive: The movement of an offensive player while aggressively dribbling

towards the basket in an attempt to score.

 Dunk: A shot in which a jumping player slams the ball down into the
opponent’s basket from above.
E

 Established Position: When a defensive player has both feet firmly planted on
the floor before an offensive player’s head and shoulder gets past them. The
offensive player who runs into such a defender is charging.

 Exhibition Game: The act of playing another team and the outcome not being
counted in any league standings.
F

 Fake: A movement made with the aim of deceiving an opponent. This can be
done with either a pass or a shot fake.
  Fastbreak: The act of moving the ball quickly down court by an offensive team
in hopes of getting ahead of the defense to score.

 Feed: To pass the ball to a teammate who is in a scoring position.

 Field Goal: When the ball enters the basket from above the rim during play. It is
worth two points.

 Flagrant Foul: This is unnecessary or excessive contact against an opponent.

 Floor: The area of the court within the end lines and the sidelines.

 Floor Violation: A player’s action that violates rules but does not prevent an
opponent’s movement (traveling, double dribble, etc.). They are penalized by a
loss in possession.

 Foul: Actions by players, which break the rules but are not floor violations.
They are penalized by a change in possession or free throw opportunities.

 Fouled Out: A player having to leave the game because they have committed
five fouls.

 Foul Shot or Free Throw: An unguarded shot taken from the foul line by a
player whose opponent committed a personal or technical foul, which is worth
one point.

 Free Ball: A ball, which is in play but is not in the possession of either team,
also called a ‘loose ball’.

 Free Throw: The act of shooting the ball from the marked free throw line
(ranging 10-15 feet from the basket) while the remaining players line up down
the ‘key’. Shot is taken at the result of a foul or technical foul being called.
G

 Give and Go: An offensive play in which a player passes the ball to a teammate
and cuts towards the basket for a return pass to score.
  Goaltending: Interference with a shot by touching the ball or basket while the
ball is on, over, or within the rim. Also touching the ball on its downward flight
to the basket before it hits the rim.

 Guarding: The act of following an opponent around the court to prevent them
from getting close to the basket, taking an open short or making easy passes.
H

 Half time: The rest period between two halves of the game. Usually 5 minutes
in length.

 Hand checking: Illegal use of hands, usually on the back or hips of the offensive
player.

 High percentage shot: A shot that is likely to go in the basket, typically taken
near the hoop.

 High post: A player who is stationed in or near the free throw semicircle on
offense.

 Hoop: The basketball rim and backboard players shoot the ball towards in
attempt to score points. Also referred to as the ‘basket’.
I

 In the Paint: Being in the large rectangle area under each basket or the foul lane
area, which is painted a different color. AKA ‘the key’.

 Inbounds: The area within the end lines and sidelines of the court.

 Incidental Contact: Minor contact usually overlooked by officials which does

not give the opposing team an unfair advantage or affect the outcome of the
game.

 Inside Shooting: Shots taken by a player near or under the basket.

J

 Jump shot: Field-goal attempt by a player with both feet off the floor, enabling
the player to shoot over the defender.
K
L

 Lay-up or Lay in: A shot taken after driving to the basket by leaping up under
the basket and using one hand to shoot the ball off the backboard.

 Loose Ball: A ball that is alive but not in the possession of either team.

 Lower Percentage shot: A shot that is less likely to go in the basket, usually
taken further away from the hoop.
M

 Match-ups: Any pairing of players on opposing teams who guard each other.
N
O

 Outlet Pass: The first pass made after a defensive rebound to a teammate to start
a fastbreak.

 Outside Shooting: Shots taken from the perimeter, further away from the hoop.
P

 Pass: When a player throws the ball to a teammate to advance the ball during a
possession.

 Personal Foul: Contact between players, which may result in excessive physical
contact or provide one team with an unfair advantage. Players may not push,
hold, trip, hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an opponent. These are also
counted as team fouls.

 Pivot: A center, also the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball
handler who has stopped dribbling is ready to pass or shoot.

 Possession: To be holding or in control of the ball.

 Post Position: The position of a player standing in the low post or high post in
the ‘key’ area near the hoop.
Q
R
  Rebound: A term used to describe the actual retrieving of the ball as it rebounds
from the backboard or the ring after a missed shot.

 Receiver: The player who receives a pass from the ball handler.

 Referee: The person(s) assigned to the game to maintain the flow and integrity
of the game.
S

 Sag: When a defender moves away from their opponent toward the basket they
are defending.

 Scrimmage: Practice play between squads of one team.

 Shooter: A player who takes a shot at the basket in attempts to score.

 Shooter’s roll: This is the ability to get even an inaccurate shot to bounce lightly
off the rim and into the basket.

 Shooting Range: The distance from which a player is likely to make their shots.

 Squaring up: When a player’s shoulders are facing the basket as they release the
ball for a shot. This is considered good shooting position.

 Steal: To take the ball away from an opponent.

 Strong Side/Weak Side: Whichever side of the key that the ball is on when on
offense is called the strong side. The other side is the weak side. If the ball
changes sides, the weak side is now the strong side.

 Substitute: A player who comes into the game to replace a player on the court.

 Switch: Two defensive players change checks during live play.

T

 Technical Foul: A special violation called at the discretion of the referee

towards players, coaches or the team. Infractions include an intentional or
 flagrant contact foul, unsportsmanlike conduct or other actions detrimental to
the spirit of the game.

 Throw-in: The method by which a team with possession inbounds the ball.

 Time-out: A period of sixty seconds during which the play is stopped and teams
discuss strategy and a moment to allow players to rest.

 Tip-off: The initial jump ball that starts the game.

 Trailer: An offensive player that follows behind the ball-handler.

V

 Violation: An infringement of the rules, which does not involve contact. The
opposing team is awarded the ball for a throw-in from out of bounds.

Simple Rules in Basketball

Rules for the offense

The basketball team on offense is the team with the basketball. When a player has the
basketball there are certain rules they must follow:

1) The player must bounce, or dribble, the ball with one hand while moving both feet. If,
at any time, both hands touch the ball or the player stops dribbling, the player must only
move one foot. The foot that is stationary is called the pivot foot.

2) The basketball player can only take one turn at dribbling. In other words, once a
player has stopped dribbling they cannot start another dribble. A player who starts
dribbling again is called for a double-dribbling violation and looses the basketball to the
other team. A player can only start another dribble after another player from either team
touches or gains control of the basketball. This is usually after a shot or pass.

3) The ball must stay in bounds. If the offensive team looses the ball out of bounds the
other team gets control of the basketball.

4) The players hand must be on top of the ball while dribbling. If they touch the bottom
of the basketball while dribbling and continue to dribble this is called carrying the ball
and the player will lose the ball to the other team.

5) Once the offensive team crosses half court, they may not go back into the backcourt.
This is called a backcourt violation. If the defensive team knocks the ball into the
backcourt, then the offensive team can recover the ball legally.
Defensive Rules

The team on defense is the team without the basketball.

1) The main rule for the defensive player is not to foul. A foul is described as gaining an
unfair advantage through physical contact. There is some interpretation that has to be
made by the referee, but, in general, the defensive player may not touch the offensive
player in a way that causes the offensive player to lose the ball or miss a shot.

Rules for everyone

1) Although the foul rule is described above as a defensive rule, it applies exactly the
same to all players on the court including offensive players.

2) Basketball players cannot kick the ball or hit it with their fist.

3) No player can touch the basketball while it is traveling downward towards the basket
or if it is on the rim. This is called goaltending. (touching the ball on the rim is legal in
some games).

Every player on the court is subject to the same rules regardless of the position they
play. The positions in basketball are just for team basketball strategy and there are no
positions in the rules.

Hand Signal

Pushing – To signal a pushing foul, the official will have both hands extended
straight in front of him, with his palms facing outward.
Intentional Foul – When a player commits an intentional foul, the official will
put both arms above his head and cross them.

Technical Foul – To signal a technical foul has occurred the referee will place
both his hands in front of him and put them in the formation of a letter “T”.

Double Foul – If two players have committed a foul at the same time, the
referee will put both hands, in fists, extended out towards the sides.
Illegal Hand Use – An illegal hand use foul is signaled by the official putting
both of his hands in front of him, at waist level, and grabbing one of his wrists
with the other hand.

Basketball Violation Hand Signals

A violation is a rule which is broken, but it does not result in a player picking
up a personal foul. The other team is awarded possession of the ball.
Traveling – When a player has committed a traveling violation, the official will
signal it by placing both of his hands in front of him and moving them in a
circle.

Carrying or Palming – In order to signal a palming or carrying violation, the

referee will have one hand at the side, flipped over from palm up to palm down.
Double Dribble – The official will signal a double dribble violation has been
committed by putting both of his hands in front of him, with palms down, and
alternating them up and down, as if dribbling a basketball.

Three Seconds – The official will indicate that a player has committed a three
second violation by having three fingers raised, and the hand makes a swiping
motion back and forth at the side.

Five Seconds – In order to signal a five second violation the official will have
five fingers raised with arm extended upward.
Ten Seconds – The ten second violation is shown when the official has ten
fingers raised with both arms extended upwards.

Kicking the Ball – When a player kicks the ball, the referee will have one foot
raised in front.

Hand signal Indicators

These indicators allow officials to communicate information to the scorer’s
table during the game.
Two Point Basket Scored – When a two point basket is scored, the official will
extend one arm parallel to the floor and point with two fingers.
Three Point Basket Scored – The official will extend both arms directly
upwards with fingers pointed to signify that a player has scored a Three Point
Basket.

Counting – The referee indicates he is counting for a timed violation by moving

his hand back and forth from the middle of the chest to straight in front
continuously. Each movement represents one second.
Basket Counts – To indicate a basket counts, when a foul has also occurred, the
referee will drop his hand from shoulder height directly down.

Basket Does Not Count – To “wave off” a basket, or indicate it does not count
because a foul has occurred, the referee will start with both hands at the
shoulders, elbows out, and extend hands out directly towards the side.

Bonus Free Throws – When a player at the free throw line is to be awarded a
bonus free throw, the official will extend both of his arms out to his sides
completely straight and then move one up and down.
Lane Violation – If a player is shooting a free throw and a lane violation
occurs, the referee will signal it by raising one of his arms out to his side and
holding it there until the free throw is completed.