Basketball Notes

BASIC BASKETBALL RULES

1.      Basketball Court 

 

2.       Dimensions

·         The playing court is a rectangle measuring 28 x 15 meters long and wide respectively.

·         The three point line is located at a distance of 6, 75 meters from the basket

·         The free throw line: is located at a distance of 4, 60 meters from the basket

·         The No- charge semicircle/arc is important because a defending player cannot force a charging foul within this area.

3.       Duration of the game: 

4 periods of 10’ each with an interval of 15’ at the end of the second period. Players change sides at the end of the second period.

 

4.     Number of players

A team is made up of 5 players playing on the court and up to 7 players sitting on the bench that can be used for substitutions during the whole period of the game

5.       Positions of the players

Point guard: The point guard is the team leader and play caller on the basketball court. A point guard needs good ball handling skills, passing skills as well as strong leadership and decision making skills. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays. On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and for boxing out.

Shooting guard: The shooting guard in basketball has the main responsibility of making long outside shots including the three-point shot. The shooting guard should also be a good passer and able to help the point guard with the ball handling. Shooting guards are often the top scorers on a team.
Small forward: Along with the shooting guard, the small forward is often the most versatile player on the basketball team. They should be able to help with ball handling, make an outside shot, and get rebounds. The small forward is often a great defensive player as well. The combination of height and quickness can allow them to defend a number of positions and take on the best scorer on the opposing team. On many teams today the small forward and the shooting guard are almost the same position and are called "wing" players.
Power forward: The power forward on a basketball team is usually responsible for rebounding and some scoring in the paint. A power forward should be big and strong and able to clear out some space under the basket. Many great power forwards in the game today do not score a lot of points, but lead their team in rebounds. Power forwards are often good shot blockers as well.
Center: The center is usually the biggest or tallest member of the basketball team. The center can be a big scorer, but also needs to be a strong rebounder and shot blocker.

 

6.       Scoring
A player scores when he manages to throw the ball into the basket, with the ball passing through the basket from above the hoop. Scoring a basket increases the team’s score by 3,2 or one point. If the player successfully shoots from outside of the 3 points line, the basket is worth 3 points; otherwise it is worth 2 points. It is also possible to score one point when shooting from the free throw line, after a personal, technical or unsportsmanlike foul. 7. Violations A violation occurs when the player breaks one of the rules of Basketball. A violation results in the awarding of the ball to the opponents. Walking/Traveling: Taking more than '2 steps' without dribbling the ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is also traveling. . Carrying/palming:. The hand must always remain on the top of the ball when dribbling. A Carrying violation is committed when after dribbling you place your hand under  the ball and then you bring your hand from under the ball to the top of the ball and resume dribbling. Double Dribble: Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time or picking up the dribble and then dribbling again is a double dribble. Held ball: Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of the ball at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis. The first held ball is awarded to the team that lost the first jump ball. Goaltending: If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward the basket, or while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, it's goaltending and the shot counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in. Backcourt violation: Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line, they cannot go back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to the other team to pass inbounds. Time restrictions: ·         A player passing the ball inbounds has 5 seconds to pass the ball. If he does not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. ·         A player cannot have the ball for more than 5 seconds without bouncing it when he is  being closely pressed by the opposing defender. If the player in possession of the ball is not pressed, he can have the ball for as long as the remaining time on the shot clock. ·         A team that gains possession of the ball in their own half has 8” to cross the midline of the court. ·         The team in possession of the ball has 24” to shoot to the basket; this time is indicated on the shot clock. After  shooting and if the ball has touched the ring of the opponent´s basket, the clock should be reset to: A)      24” if the defending team gains control of the ball (new possession) B)      14” if the same team that shot to the basket and was in control of the ball regains the control of the ball. ·         After missing the second free throw and just if the ball touches the ring and the team in possession of the ball the ball win the rebound battle,  the shot clock should be rest to 14”. ·         Whenever the game is stopped by an official for a foul or violation committed by the team that is not in possession of the ball the shot clock should also be reset  to: A)      24” if the foul or the violation was committed in the backcourt. B)      14” if the foul or violation was committed in the front court. ·         TIME-OUTS: A)      2 time-outs per team during the first half (1st and 2nd period) B)      3 time-outs per team during the second half with a maximum of 2 time-outs in the last 2’ of the second half. C)      1 time-out per team during each extra period that last for 5’. ·         An attacker can only be” in the paint area” for no longer than 3 consecutive seconds, if does his team will lose the possession of the ball. 8. FOULS Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact. For example: hitting, pushing, slapping or holding the opponent. Illegal pick/screen -- when one offensive player is moving.to the basket with the ball and another offensive player  sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender. The key is to gain the position first and remain still. Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while being fouled, then he gets two free throws if his shot doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does go in. ·         Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled while shooting for a three-point goal and they miss their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one free throw.  Thus, he could score up to four points on the play. ·         Inbounds: If fouled while not shooting, the ball is given to the team the foul was committed upon. They get the ball at the nearest side or baseline, out of bounds, and have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court. ·         2 Free Throws: If the team committing the foul has five or more fouls in any of the four periods of the game, then the player who was fouled is awarded two free throws, although he is not shooting while being fouled. If  the same player  commits five personal fouls during the whole game he is fouled out. ·         Technical foul; A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve player contact or actions related to the ball but it is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language, obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul; A player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when he is charged with 2 technical fouls. The penalty for this type of foul is 1 free throw plus the possession of the ball; The ball should be put into play with a standing position of one foot in either half of the court but standing off the court. The technical foul committed by a player will count as personal team foul. If a coach commits 2 technical foul will also be disqualified. ·         Unsportsmanlike foul: When a player makes physical contact with another player with no intention of stealing the ball. It could also be considered an unsportsmanlike foul when an attacking player has a clear opportunity to score and he is deliberately fouled by a defender. The penalty for this type of foul is 2 free throws plus the possession of the ball if the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting and the ball should be put into play with a standing position of one foot in either half of the court but standing off the court. ·         If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall count and, in addition 1 free throw and the possession of the ball. ·         If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is not made 2 or 3 free throws and the possession of the ball. ·