BASKETBALL POSITIONS

A basketball team can have a lot of players, but only five can play in a game at any one time.
Players in a basketball game have assigned basketball positions: center, power forward, small
forward, point guard, and shooting guard.
Center
The center is the tallest player on each team, playing near the basket. On offense, the center tries
to score on close shots and rebound. But on defense, the center tries to block opponents’ shots
and rebound their misses.
Power Forward
The power forward does many of the things a center does, playing near the basket while
rebounding and defending taller players. But power forwards also take longer shots than centers.
Small Forward
The small forward plays against small and large players. They roam all over on the court. Small
forwards can score from long shots and close ones.
Point Guard
The point guard runs the offense and usually is the team’s best dribbler and passer. The point
guard defends the opponent’s point guard and tries to steal the ball.
Shooting Guard
The shooting guard is usually the team’s best shooter. The shooting guard can make shots from
long distance and also is a good dribbler.

TURN OVER

A turnover in basketball occurs when a player from one team gives up possession of the ball
to the opposing team before attempting a shot. This can happen for a number of reasons,
including:

 Losing the ball out of bounds

 Committing a violation
 Having the ball stolen
 Poor dribbling, passing, catching, positioning, court vision, or decision making
 Dribbling errors
 Passing errors
BODY CARRY
In basketball, a carry is when a dribbling player holds the ball without dribbling it. It's similar
to a double dribble because the player stops dribbling and then resumes. If the player is
moving while carrying the ball, it's similar to traveling (3+ steps).
Other definitions of a carry include:
When a player allows the ball to rest on the palm of their hand and then continues dribbling
When a player puts any part of their hand under the ball and carries it from one point to
another or pauses and then continues to dribble again
When a player allows the ball to come to rest in either hand before continuing to dribble
A carry is considered a foul in basketball.

DOUBLE DRIBBLE
A double dribble is an illegal action in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles the ball
again after stopping or catches it in one or both hands and then dribbles it again with one
hand.

Other examples of a double dribble include:

 Touching the ball before it hits the ground

 Dribbling the ball with both hands at the same time
 Dribbling the ball into themselves or getting their knee involved in it
 Dribbling the ball too high and then dribbling it
The double dribble rule is one of the first fundamentals of basketball that young players
learn. It was introduced to ensure fairness and maintain a level playing field. It prevents
players from gaining an unfair advantage by halting the dribble to see the court and then
resuming the dribble to maneuver around defenders.
The penalty for a double dribble violation is a turnover.

WALK
In basketball, a walk is a violation that occurs when a player takes more than two steps
without dribbling the ball. It's also known as "traveling" or "steps".
In the NBA, a "gather step" is allowed, which is essentially allowing three or four steps. A
gather step is an extra third step that a player can make after picking up their dribble. The
count begins with the first step taken after a player has stopped dribbling, which is often
referred to as the “zero” step. Two additional steps are allowed afterward.
An offensive player who receives the ball while they are progressing may take two steps in
coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball. However, they must release the ball to start
their dribble before their second step.

Some examples of traveling include:

 Air ball scenarios

 Euro step
 Gathering step
Walking basketball is a walking version of the running game that's suitable for all ages, sizes,
and abilities
LAYER UP
A layup is a two-point shot in basketball that's taken close to the basket. It's considered the
most basic shot in basketball.
To perform a layup, an offensive player runs towards one side of the basket, jumps, and lays
the ball off the backboard into the hoop using one hand. Players have a higher chance of
making a successful layup than they do a shot farther from the basket.

There are several different versions of the layup, including:

 Underarm layup: Also known as the finger roll, this layup involves using most of the
wrist and the fingers to "lay" the ball into the net or off the board.
 Overarm layup: Another type of layup.
 Zero-step layups: A different type of layup.
 Layups off different feet: Players can learn how to do a layup from both the left and
right side of the basket.
Some tips for making a layup include:

 When shooting a right-handed layup, jump off your left foot.

 When shooting a left-handed layup, jump off your right foot.
 Step too late and you will lose all your speed and won't jump high enough.
 Aim for the top corner or right above the middle.
 24-second shot clock
A team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot after gaining possession of the ball. The
shot clock resets when the ball touches the rim, there is a change in ball possession,
or there is a foul. If the shot clock reaches zero before the team attempts a field goal,
they lose possession of the ball.
 8-second rule
A player has 8 seconds to move the ball over the halfway line into the frontcourt.
 5-second rule
 A closely guarded player has 5 seconds to pass or advance the ball toward the hoop.
 3-second rule
A player can only be in the opposition's key area under the basket for 3 seconds.
 5-second rule on an inbound pass
A player can only hold the ball for five seconds on an inbound pass.
 10-second rule for attempting a shot
A team has 10 seconds to attempt a shot in NCAA and high school for both sexes.