Basketball

MR DA N I EL A T TA RD

M SC SP O R T S A N D E X E R CISE SC I ENCE A N D
M E D I C IN E ( G L ASG OW)

B . E D P H Y S I C A L E D U C A T I O N ( M A L 1T A )
What is Basketball?
• Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each,
opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of
shooting a basketball through the defender's hoop, while preventing the opposing team
from shooting through their own hoop.

• Played in an indoor court (mainly) or outdoor court (Streetball)

Key
The court
 Court markings
Sidelines
• The outer edge of the court is denoted by the sidelines,
which run the length of the court. On a full-sized court they
measure 28m.
Baseline and endline
• The terms baseline and endline both refer to the ends of the
court running behind the goals. Typically they measure 15m.
• The use of the different terms depends on the direction a
team is playing. Endline is the term for the end of the court
which a team is defending, baseline is the line for the
attacking end.
Mid court
• This is the halfway mark on the court and is used to denote
the offensive playing area during a game.
• On a full-sized court, the mid court line would be 14m from
each endline.
Centre circle
• Used for the opening tip off, the centre circle has a 3.6m
diameter.
Three-point line
• The three-point lines are the arcs that mark a range boundary from each
hoop. Scoring from outside this line is worth three points. The distance of the
line will vary depending on the level of game, but is typically 6.75m from the
basket.
Free throw line
• The free throw line, marked 4.6m from the backboard, is the mark at which a
player must stand when shooting free throws.
Free throw circle
• The free throw circle is the same size as the centre circle (3.6m in diameter).
Shooters must stay inside this circle when taking a free throw. The circle is
also used for jump balls.
Free throw lane lines/key
• Lane lines run from the free throw line to the baseline, to form the 'key'. The
shape and width can vary depending on the level of the game, but FIBA
(International Basketball Federation) regulation changes in 2010 set it as a
4.9m by 5.8m rectangle.
• Some also include space markings to keep opposing players from
obstructing the free throw shooter.
The rings
• Goals

• The basketball goal

(also known as a
Backboard ring or hoop) is
typically 18 inches
(45.72cm) in
diameter and must
be positioned
3.05m from the
floor.

• Nets are typically

white and
suspended from
the ring. They
should be no
shorter than 45cm.
 • Air ball: A shot that misses the rim or backboard.

• Alley-Oop: a basketball play in which a leaping player catches

a pass above the basket and immediately dunks the ball
• Ball Handler: The player with the ball. Usually the guard at the
Common start of the play.

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

Terminology • Blocking: The use of a defender’s body position to legally

prevent an opponent’s advance. It is the opposite of charging.
• Charging: An offensive foul, which occurs when an offensive
player runs into a defender who has established position.
• Crossover dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the ball across
their body from one hand to the other.
• 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.
Blocking
Crossovers – different variations
Common Basketball Terminology
• 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.

• 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.
• Tip-off: The initial jump ball that starts the game.
Tip off
 Tip off
• The game starts with two players and one ref at the
center of the basketball court in what is called the
jump circle or center circle. These two players, one
from each team, are known as the jumpers, and they
are usually the tallest players on a team. The official
tosses the ball up in the air, at which point, the ball is
considered to be “live.” The jumpers may then jump to
tip the ball to their teammates in order to gain the
first possession.

• According to the rules of basketball, the jumpers

must wait until the ball has reached its highest point
before touching it. Jumpers are not allowed to grab or
hold the ball, as they may only tip or hit the ball to a
teammate. Jumpers may touch the ball twice during
the tipoff, and once another player has gained
possession of the ball, they may touch it again with no
dribble or shooting restrictions.
 Role of the other
players during tip off

Other Players
• The other players on the court are also bound
by certain rules during the tipoff. All players
must remain outside the jump circle and must
remain still until the ball has been touched
by one of the players. If a player moves into
the jump circle or moves at all before the ball is
tipped, it is a violation, and the ball is awarded
to the opposing team.

• In all jump ball situations, if the ball is hit out of

bounds before possession is gained, it is a
violation and is awarded to the team who did
not hit it out of bounds. If the ball is tipped and
two opposing players gain equal and
simultaneous possession of the ball, a new
tipoff is done involving the two players who
gained possession of the ball, not the two
original jumpers.
Fake passes and shots
Basketball Game time

• The length of a basketball game depends on the

type of league being played.
• The most popular league is the NBA

• An NBA game consists of four quarters each

12 minutes in length for a total of 48 minutes.
• In between quarters (after the 1 st, 3rd and 4th),
there is a break. This is called an intermission
and lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds
• After the second quarter there is a 15-minute
halftime period.
• A basketball game cannot end in a tie. If after
the 4th quarter the game is in a tie, a 5 minute
overtime period will be played
International
Basketball

GAME TIME FOR

I N T ERNATIONAL
BAS KETBALL I S 4 1 0 -
M I NUTE Q U ARTERS
 Game officials
• 3 on-court officials

• The game officials shall be a Crew Chief,

Referee, and Umpire.
• They will be assisted by an official scorer,
two trained timers, replay center official
and courtside administrator.
• The crew chief (lead referee) - the head
official in a crew of referees. They have
overall control of the game, make final
decisions, and communicate with coaches
and players.
• Referee - Positioned opposite the lead
referee, the referee follows the play up and
down the court, focusing on the action
away from the ball and assisting the lead
referee when necessary.
 Officials
• Umpire – handles basic foul calls and communicates with the timers to make
sure that they know when to pause the game clock due to a stoppage in play.

• Replay centre official – generally not on site and has access to several screens
that show play in slow-motion to help the on-field officials take a decision on
close plays.

• Timers – There are a total of 2 timers. One timer will operate the game clock
and the other will operate the shot clock.

• The courtside administrator - will be stationed at the scorer’s table to facilitate

communication between the Replay Center Official, on-court game officials,
official scorer, and other personnel at the scorer’s table.

• If two officials give conflicting signals as to who caused the ball to go out-of-
bounds, they will conference and reconstruct the play in an attempt to make the
correct call. If no resolution is reached, a jump ball will be signalled between
the two players involved at the nearest circle. If the two players cannot be
identified, the jump ball shall be administered at the center circle between any
two opponents in the game.
Officiating can be tense
 Pre-game duties of the officials
• The officials shall, prior to the start of the game, inspect and
approve all equipment, including court, baskets, balls,
backboards, timer’s and scorer’s equipment.
• The officials shall not permit players to play with any type of
jewelrey.
• The officials must check the game balls to see that they are
properly inflated. The recommended ball pressure should be
between 7 ½ and 8 ½ pounds.
Fouls
• In basketball, a foul refers to illegal personal contact or unsportsmanlike conduct on the
court or sidelines of a game. Most player fouls involve contact that impedes an opposing
player's gameplay. When a player fouls another player on an opposing team in the act of
shooting, the referee rewards the fouled player with unguarded free throws from the foul
line. Each successfully made free throw counts for one point.

• The NBA allots players six personal fouls per game; players are automatically disqualified
from competition upon incurring their sixth foul, and a referee will eject them from the
game.
Violation vs fouls

• Every foul violates a rule, but not every rule violation counts as a foul. Illegal plays such
as traveling, shot clock violations, lane violations, three-second violations, shot clock
violations, or a double dribble result in a change of possession.
Fouls
Violations
Common basketball fouls
1. 1. Flagrant fouls: Flagrant fouls refer to a personal foul that can potentially injure the opponent. These fouls carry
heavier penalties, such as fines, immediate ejection, and even suspension. There are two types of flagrant fouls:
flagrant foul—penalty (1) and flagrant foul—penalty (2). Flagrant 1 refers to fouls involving unnecessary
contact. The penalty for this foul type is free throw for the opponent and possession of the ball. Flagrant 2
refers to any foul involving unnecessary and excessive contact. Officials perform an instant-play review to
determine if an act qualifies for the flagrant 2 penalty. If it does, the player at fault is assessed a fine and an
automatic ejection from the game, and the opposing team receives free throws and possession of the ball.
2. 2. Personal fouls: A personal foul is an infraction that violates the rules of the game. Players can incur personal
fouls by pushing, blocking, or striking another player in the act of shooting. Shooting fouls result in free throw
attempts for the fouled player. If a shooter is fouled while attempting a two-point shot, they will receive two free
throws. If a shooter is fouled during a three-point shot attempt, they will receive three free throws. If the player
makes the shot they were attempting at the time of illegal contact, the basket counts, and the shooter will
receive one free throw.
3. 3. Offensive fouls: An offensive foul is a type of personal foul that offensive players commit when their team
possesses the ball. The two most common offensive fouls are charging and illegal ball screens. Charging is
when an offensive player makes contact with a defensive player who has planted their feet in a locked position.
An illegal screen is when a non-ball-handling offensive player moves while setting a screen for their teammate
to prevent the defender from moving about the court.
 Basketball fouls
4. Loose ball fouls: When neither team has established possession of the ball, the ball is considered "loose." A loose
ball foul involves illegal physical contact when scrambling for an uncontrolled ball. The penalty for this foul type is
free throws or loss of possession.

5. Team fouls: The NBA allots each team with a total of five fouls per quarter. Once a team surpasses this
allotment, they go “into the bonus,” which means the officials will award the opposing team with free
throws for every additional foul that a player commits in that quarter of play. In the NCAA, these foul shots
are known as "one and one" shots, which means that if a player makes the first free throw, they receive a second
free throw. If they miss the first free throw, either team can rebound the errant shot and claim possession. After 10
team fouls, the opposing team gets a "double bonus," which means they get to take two foul shots.

6. Technical fouls: A technical foul is a penalty for violating the game’s administrative rules. Officials commonly
assess technical fouls for fighting and verbal abuse, often assessing coaches with this penalty if they are too
abrasive when disputing a call. Technical fouls result in a free throw and a change of possession. If a player or
coach receives two technical fouls in the same game, the referee will eject them. Players with a long history of
technical fouls risk suspension from regular season and even playoff games.
Time violations
Playing Positions

Players in a basketball game have

assigned basketball positions:
• center

• power forward

• small forward

• point guard

• shooting guard.
 Point Guard
• The point guard is the strategic visionary of the team, the one in charge of
directing the game and deciding which plays to execute.
• Commands the team’s offensive line and driving the ball up the court.
• However, the point guard needs to be equally adept at defensive plays. It is
very common to see the point guard stealing the ball or forcing a turnover.
• Physically, point guards tend to be short and light (by basketball standards,
although there are exceptions) and are very quick and agile.
• Point guards also need to be team players, as one of their key
responsibilities is to get the ball to the right player at the right time. As
the strategic head of the team, they also need to communicate constantly
with their teammates.

• These key abilities define a point guard:

• Dribbling

• Stealing

• Passing

• Play selection
Shooting Guard
• Also known as the “two guard”, the shooting guard is the
team’s best outside shooter, and therefore, the top choice
for taking three-point shots.
• Beyond three-pointers, the shooting guard is a consistent
scorer, combining mid-range shots with layups, floaters,
and other scoring plays in close range.
• Therefore, they are likely to lead the league in the points
department.
• Even though their main attacking responsibility is to make
baskets, the shooting guard also needs to be a good ball
handler and strategic playmaker to be able to act as a
backup stage director to the point guard.
• Defensively, the shooting guard is required to have good
mobility, anticipate plays and make steals, and get
rebounds to recover the ball. Some shooting guards,
like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, excelled at blocking.
Small Forward
• The small forward is the most versatile player on the team.
• Small forwards combine the speed and agility of a shooting
guard with the strength and power of a power forward. They
are easily adaptable and can cover multiple positions as
needed.
• Offensively, the small forward needs to be dynamic enough to
shift from scoring three-pointers to making dunks. They are
likely smaller in size than power forwards, but they still need
to have enough strength to play in the paint.
• Because of their wide array of skills, small forwards are
usually considered the best all-around players.
• Defensively, the small forward is tasked with getting
rebounds, supporting the guards in covering dangerous
opponents, and playing efficiently in the key by blocking the
power forward.
• The perfect example of a small forward is LeBron James, and
other noteworthy small forwards are Kevin Durant and Larry
Bird.
Power Forward
• The power forward is a physically strong player who is frequently inside
the three-point line. Power forwards tend to be tall and usually intimidate
their opponents because of their size.
• In the offense, the power forward will be close to the basket, where he is
tasked with recovering rebounds, setting up screens to create open space
for shooters, and scoring dunks, layups, and short-range shots.
• An additional skill required for a power forward is a solid mid-range shot,
especially jump shots.
• When playing defense, the power forward is one of the most important
players. One of their main tasks is to protect the biggest players (usually
another power forward) and prevent them from scoring from a close
range.
• Since they are often located in the paint (key), they are responsible for
recovering the ball through rebounding and blocking. When a teammate
gets dribbled, the power forward can act as support for the dribbled
teammate.
• Power forwards play near the posts, where the game is more physical.
Since this results in power forwards being fouled often, they are reliable
free-throw shooters.
• Some renowned power forwards are Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Anthony
Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
 Center
• Traditionally, the center is the tallest and physically strongest
player on the team. The center plays under the basket and near
the low post.
• Offensively, the center’s main responsibilities are to get rebounds
and score shots from close range. In addition to this, their physical
strength assists them to create space for other players, by
blocking defenders and creating screens.
• Defensively, the center guards the area close to the rim. Centers
are responsible for recovering the ball through defensive
rebounds, blocking the opponents’ shots, and forcing them to
make mistakes in the paint.
• Despite their size, centers need to be very agile and have top-
notch footwork, especially as the game has become more
physical.
• From close range, centers need to shoot quickly and make fast
decisions, and having a good jump gives them an edge over their
opponents, especially to score dunks.
• Famous centers are Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, and Joel
Embiid.
Playing Positions summary
Terminology used during plays
Defensive tactics

• 2 main forms of defensive

strategies

• Man to man

• Zone defense
 • In man-to-man defense, each defender is assigned to guard a
specific opponent. Players are responsible for staying with their
Man to Man assigned player, denying them the ball, and contesting shots.

defense • Effective communication is crucial in man-to-man defense to

ensure that defenders are aware of screens, cuts, and switches.
Players must communicate switches and help defense to
prevent open shots and drives to the basket.

• Man-to-man defense often involves applying pressure on the

ball-handler to disrupt the offense and force turnovers.
Defenders can use their athleticism and defensive skills to
pressure the ball-handler and force difficult shots.

• Man-to-man defense allows coaches to tailor defensive matchups

based on the strengths and weaknesses of individual players.
Defenders can be matched up against opponents with similar skill
sets to neutralize their effectiveness.
 Advantages of man
to man defence
• Advantages:
1. Individual Accountability: Each defender is responsible for
guarding a specific opponent, fostering a strong sense of
individual responsibility and accountability among players.
2. Pressure on the Ball: Man-to-man defense applies constant
pressure on the ball handler, making it difficult for them to
execute plays and find open teammates.
3. Denying Open Shots: Defenders stick closely to their
assigned players, making it challenging for the offense to
find open shots. This can disrupt the flow of the opposing
team's offense and force difficult shots.
4. Flexibility: Man-to-man defense allows for easier
adjustments to different offensive strategies or player
matchups. Coaches can make quick substitutions or
defensive changes to counter the opposing team's strengths
and exploit weaknesses.
5. Communication: Playing man-to-man defense requires
constant communication among defenders to communicate
switches, screens, and help defense. This fosters teamwork
and defensive cohesion.
 Disadvantages of
man to man defence
• Disadvantages:
1. Mismatch Exploitation: Skilled offensive players can exploit matchups
where they have a significant advantage over their defenders, such as
height, speed, or skill. This can lead to mismatches that are difficult to
defend without providing additional help defense.
2. Fatigue: Man-to-man defense can be physically demanding, especially
against fast-paced offenses or highly mobile players. Defenders may expend
a lot of energy chasing their opponents, leading to fatigue and decreased
performance over the course of the game.
3. Vulnerability to Screens: Man-to-man defense can be vulnerable to screens
set by offensive players to free up shooters or ball handlers. Defenders may
struggle to navigate through screens effectively, leaving shooters open for
uncontested shots.
4. Limited Help Defense: Defenders in man-to-man defense are primarily
focused on guarding their assigned players, which can limit their ability to
provide help defense and protect the basket against drives or cuts from
other opponents.
5. Foul Trouble: Playing aggressive man-to-man defense increases the risk of
players getting into foul trouble, especially if they are guarding particularly
skilled or physical opponents. This can force coaches to make substitutions
or alter defensive strategies.
• Overall, man-to-man defense can be an effective strategy when executed
well, but it requires strong individual defenders, communication, and
teamwork to counteract its potential weaknesses.
 Zone Defence
• Zone defense is a defensive strategy employed in basketball where players are
assigned to guard specific areas of the court rather than individual opponents.
In a zone defense, defenders are responsible for protecting certain zones or
areas within a predefined zone, such as the paint, wings, or corners, depending
on the specific type of zone defense being utilized.

• Here's how zone defense typically works:

1. Zone Formation: Players position themselves in a specific zone or area of the

court, aiming to cover passing lanes and prevent easy access to the basket.

2. Zone Coverage: Defenders focus on guarding players who enter their assigned
zone. When offensive players move into different zones, defenders adjust their
positions accordingly to maintain coverage.
3. Communication: Effective communication is crucial in zone defense. Players
must constantly communicate with each other to switch assignments, cover
open areas, and rotate to help defend against potential scoring threats.

4. Ball Movement: Zone defense often requires quick movement of the ball by the
offense to shift defenders out of position and create open scoring
opportunities. However, patient ball movement and finding gaps in the defense
can also lead to quality scoring chances.
 Different zone formations

• 2-3 Zone: Two defenders guard the perimeter, while three

defenders cover the paint area. This zone is effective at
protecting the inside but may be vulnerable to outside
shooting.
• 3-2 Zone: Similar to the 2-3 zone, but with three defenders on
the perimeter and two in the paint. This zone can be effective
against outside shooting but may allow more penetration into
the paint.
• 1-3-1 Zone: This zone features one defender at the top of the
key, three along the baseline, and one in the middle. It can be
effective at disrupting passing lanes and forcing turnovers but
may leave the middle vulnerable.
Different zone formations
Pros and Cons of zone

Advantages of Zone Defense:

• Protects the paint (key) and limits easy scoring opportunities near the basket.

• Forces opponents to shoot from outside, where they may be less effective.

• Can neutralize individual star players by collapsing defenders around them.

• Encourages team defense and communication among players.

Disadvantages of Zone Defense:
• Vulnerable to proficient outside shooters who can exploit gaps in the defense.
• Requires disciplined rotations and effective communication among players.

• May struggle to contain dribble penetration and create rebounding challenges.

• Can be less effective against teams with strong ball movement and passing skills.

• Overall, zone defense can be an effective strategy when executed properly, but it requires teamwork,
communication, and understanding of defensive rotations to be successful.
Full court press
• In basketball, a full-court press is a tactical
playing style where defenders put intense
pressure on the opposing team’s offense
throughout the entire length of the court.

• Most basketball defenses involve defensive players

congregating closer to the basket, abandoning the
middle of the floor to the offensive team. While
these half-court defenses are more sustainable
throughout a game, they allow the offensive team's
ball handler to set up an offensive formation and
run a pre-set play.

• The intense pressure of a full-court press prevents

the offensive team from fully coordinating their
strategy, increasing the game’s tempo, and
forcing turnovers.
Full court press

• The purpose of the full-court press is to overwhelm offensive players, preventing them from running
offensive formations. It is possible to beat a full-court press, but doing so requires intense power
dribbling, a long pass, or a fast break that blows past multiple defenders.

• Most teams use the full-court press sparingly because it can be physically draining for the players
to intensely guard all areas of the court. Teams will typically run a half-court defense for most of the
game, saving the full-court press for the final minutes of close games to stifle offensive scoring.

• Can come in the form of man-to-man full court press or zone full court press
 Pros and Cons of Full court press
Advantages:
1. Forces Turnovers: The primary objective of the full-court press is to create
turnovers by pressuring ball handlers and forcing them into mistakes such as
turnovers, traveling violations, or bad passes. This can lead to easy scoring
opportunities for the pressing team.
2. Disrupts Offensive Flow: Full-court press disrupts the rhythm and flow of the
opposing team's offense by applying constant pressure on ball handlers and denying
them space and time to make decisions. This can lead to rushed shots and poor
decision-making.
3. Quick Transition Offense: Successful full-court presses often result in steals or
turnovers, leading to quick transition opportunities for the pressing team. Players
can capitalize on these turnovers to score easy fast-break points before the
opposing defense can set up.
4. Momentum Swing: A successful full-court press can energize the pressing team and
demoralize the opponent, leading to shifts in momentum. This can galvanize the
pressing team and create momentum swings in their favor.
5. Timeout Management: By forcing the opposing team to use timeouts to break the
press or regroup, the pressing team can disrupt the opposing coach's strategy and
potentially exhaust their timeouts, limiting their ability to make adjustments later in
the game.
Disadvantages:
1. Exposes Weaknesses: Full-court press requires all defenders to commit to
aggressive defense, which can expose mismatches or weaknesses in the pressing
team's defense. Skilled ball handlers or quick players may exploit these weaknesses
to advance the ball and create scoring opportunities.
2. Foul Trouble: Aggressive full-court press can lead to foul trouble for the pressing
team, especially if defenders reach or gamble for steals. Excessive fouls can result in
free-throw attempts for the opposing team and disrupt the pressing team's
defensive rhythm.
3. Fatigue: Implementing a full-court press can be physically demanding for players, as
they must exert energy to apply pressure on the ball handler for extended periods.
Fatigue may become a factor, especially in longer games or against teams with deep
benches.
4. Vulnerability to Press Breaks: Skilled teams with effective press breaks and ball
handlers may successfully navigate through the full-court press, leading to easy
scoring opportunities or mismatches in transition. Teams that can break the press
consistently can negate its effectiveness.
5. Risk vs. Reward: Implementing a full-court press involves calculated risk-taking, as
aggressive defense may lead to turnovers and easy baskets but can also result in
defensive breakdowns and open scoring opportunities for the opposing team.
Full Court press