Basketball is a sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court.

The
objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter and 1 feet
(!. m) high mounted to a bac"board at each end. #as"etball is one of the world$s most
popular and widely viewed sports.
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' team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the bas"et during regular play.
' field goal scores two points for the shooting team if a player is touching or closer to the
bas"et than the three(point line) and three points ("nown commonly as a 3 pointer or
three) if the player is behind the three(point line. The team with the most points at the end
of the game wins) but additional time (overtime) may be issued when the game ends with
a draw. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it while wal"ing or running or
throwing it to a team mate. *t is a violation to move without dribbling the ball) to carry it)
or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.
+iolations are called ,fouls,. ' personal foul is penali-ed) and a free throw is usually
awarded to an offensive player if he is fouled while shooting the ball. ' technical foul
may also be issued when certain infractions occur) most commonly for unsportsmanli"e
conduct on the part of a player or coach. ' technical foul gives the opposing team a free
throw) and the opposing team also retains possession of the ball.
's well as many techni.ues for shooting) passing) dribbling and rebounding) bas"etball
has speciali-ed player positions and offensive and defensive structures (player
positioning). Typically) the tallest and strongest members of a team will play the center or
power forward positions) while slightly shorter and more agile players will play small
forward) and the shortest players or those who possess the best ball handling s"ills and
speed play point guard or shooting guard.
Contents
1 /istory
o 1.1 0reation
o 1.1 0ollege bas"etball
o 1.! /igh school bas"etball
o 1.4 2rofessional bas"etball
o 1.3 *nternational bas"etball
o 1.6 4omen$s bas"etball
1 5ules and regulations
o 1.1 2laying regulations
o 1.1 6.uipment
o 1.! +iolations
o 1.4 7ouls
! 0ommon techni.ues and practices
o !.1 2ositions
o !.1 8trategy
o !.! 8hooting
o !.4 5ebounding
o !.3 2assing
o !.6 9ribbling
o !.: #loc"ing
4 /eight
3 +ariations and similar games
6 8ocial forms of bas"etball
: 7antasy bas"etball
8 8ee also
; 5eferences
1 7urther reading
11 6<ternal lin"s
History
=ain article> /istory of bas"etball
Creation
The first bas"etball court> 8pringfield 0ollege
*n early 9ecember 18;1) 0anadian 9r. ?ames @aismith)
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a physical education professor
and instructor at the *nternational Aoung =en$s 0hristian 'ssociation Training 8chool
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(A=0') (today) 8pringfield 0ollege) in 8pringfield) =assachusetts was trying to "eep
his gym class active on a rainy day. /e sought a vigorous indoor game to "eep his
students occupied and at proper levels of fitness during the long @ew 6ngland winters.
'fter rejecting other ideas as either too rough or poorly suited to walled(in gymnasiums)
he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach bas"et onto a 1(foot (!.3 m) elevated trac".
*n contrast with modern bas"etball nets) this peach bas"et retained its bottom) and balls
had to be retrieved manually after each ,bas"et, or point scoredB this proved inefficient)
however) so the bottom of the bas"et was removed)
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allowing the balls to be po"ed out
with a long dowel each time.
#as"etball was originally played with a soccer ball. The first balls made specifically for
bas"etball were brown) and it was only in the late 1;3s that Tony /in"le) searching for a
ball that would be more visible to players and spectators ali"e) introduced the orange ball
that is now in common use. 9ribbling was not part of the original game e<cept for the
,bounce pass, to teammates. 2assing the ball was the primary means of ball movement.
9ribbling was eventually introduced but limited by the asymmetric shape of early balls.
9ribbling only became a major part of the game around the 1;3s) as manufacturing
improved the ball shape.
The peach bas"ets were used until 1;6 when they were finally replaced by metal hoops
with bac"boards. ' further change was soon made) so the ball merely passed through.
4henever a person got the ball in the bas"et) his team would gain a point. 4hichever
team got the most points won the game.
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The bas"ets were originally nailed to the
me--anine balcony of the playing court) but this proved impractical when spectators on
the balcony began to interfere with shots. The bac"board was introduced to prevent this
interferenceB it had the additional effect of allowing rebound shots.
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@aismith$s
handwritten diaries) discovered by his granddaughter in early 16) indicate that he was
nervous about the new game he had invented) which incorporated rules from a children$s
game called ,9uc" on a 5oc",) as many had failed before it. @aismith called the new
game ,#as"et #all,.
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The first official game was played in the A=0' gymnasium in
'lbany) @ew Aor" on ?anuary 1) 18;1 with nine players. The game ended at 1CB the
shot was made from 13 feet (:.6 m)) on a court just half the si-e of a present(day
8treetball or @ational #as"etball 'ssociation (@#') court. #y 18;:C18;8 teams of five
became standard.
College basketball
8ee also> 0ollege bas"etball
The 18;; Dniversity of Eansas bas"etball team) with ?ames @aismith at the bac") right.
#as"etball$s early adherents were dispatched to A=0's throughout the Dnited 8tates)
and it .uic"ly spread through the D8' and 0anada. #y 18;3) it was well established at
several women$s high schools. 4hile the A=0' was responsible for initially developing
and spreading the game) within a decade it discouraged the new sport) as rough play and
rowdy crowds began to detract from the A=0'$s primary mission. /owever) other
amateur sports clubs) colleges) and professional clubs .uic"ly filled the void. *n the years
before 4orld 4ar *) the 'mateur 'thletic Dnion and the *ntercollegiate 'thletic
'ssociation of the Dnited 8tates (forerunner of the @0'') vied for control over the rules
for the game. The first pro league) the @ational #as"etball Feague) was formed in 18;8 to
protect players from e<ploitation and to promote a less rough game. This league only
lasted five years.
9r. ?ames @aismith was instrumental in establishing college bas"etball. /is colleague
0.G. #eamis fielded the first college bas"etball team just a year after the 8pringfield
A=0' game at the suburban 2ittsburgh Heneva 0ollege.
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@aismith himself later
coached at the Dniversity of Eansas for si< years) before handing the reins to renowned
coach 7orrest ,2hog, 'llen. @aismith$s disciple 'mos 'lon-o 8tagg brought bas"etball
to the Dniversity of 0hicago) while 'dolph 5upp) a student of @aismith$s at Eansas)
enjoyed great success as coach at the Dniversity of Eentuc"y. Gn 7ebruary ;) 18;3) the
first intercollegiate 3(on(3 game was played at /amline Dniversity between /amline and
the 8chool of 'griculture) which was affiliated with the Dniversity of =innesota.
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The
8chool of 'griculture won in a ;C! game.
*n 1;1) colleges) including the Dniversity of 0hicago) 0olumbia Dniversity) 9artmouth
0ollege) the Dniversity of =innesota) the D.8. @aval 'cademy) the Dniversity of
0olorado and Aale Dniversity began sponsoring men$s games. *n 1;3) fre.uent injuries
on the football field prompted 2resident Theodore 5oosevelt to suggest that colleges
form a governing body) resulting in the creation of the *ntercollegiate 'thletic
'ssociation of the Dnited 8tates (*''D8). *n 1;1) that body would change its name to
the @ational 0ollegiate 'thletic 'ssociation (@0''). The first 0anadian interuniversity
bas"etball game was played at the A=0' in Eingston) Gntario on 7ebruary 6) 1;4)
when =cHill Dniversity visited Iueen$s Dniversity. =cHill won ;C: in overtimeB the
score was :C: at the end of regulation play) and a ten(minute overtime period settled the
outcome. ' good turnout of spectators watched the game.
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The first men$s national championship tournament) the @ational 'ssociation of
*ntercollegiate #as"etball tournament) which still e<ists as the @ational 'ssociation of
*ntercollegiate 'thletics (@'*') tournament) was organi-ed in 1;!:. The first national
championship for @0'' teams) the @ational *nvitation Tournament (@*T) in @ew Aor")
was organi-ed in 1;!8B the @0'' national tournament would begin one year later.
0ollege bas"etball was roc"ed by gambling scandals from 1;48 to 1;31) when do-ens of
players from top teams were implicated in match fi<ing and point shaving. 2artially
spurred by an association with cheating) the @*T lost support to the @0'' tournament.
High school basketball
The e<amples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United
States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. 2lease improve
this article and discuss the issue on the tal" page. (August 2012)
' bas"etball game between the /eart =ountain and 2owell /igh 8chool girls teams)
4yoming) =arch 1;44
8ee also> Fist of D.8. high school bas"etball national player of the year awards
#efore widespread school district consolidation) most 'merican high schools were far
smaller than their present(day counterparts. 9uring the first decades of the 1th century)
bas"etball .uic"ly became the ideal interscholastic sport due to its modest e.uipment and
personnel re.uirements. *n the days before widespread television coverage of
professional and college sports) the popularity of high school bas"etball was unrivaled in
many parts of 'merica. 2erhaps the most legendary of high school teams was *ndiana$s
7ran"lin 4onder 7ive) which too" the nation by storm during the 1;1s) dominating
*ndiana bas"etball and earning national recognition.
Today virtually every high school in the Dnited 8tates fields a bas"etball team in varsity
competition.
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#as"etball$s popularity remains high) both in rural areas where they carry
the identification of the entire community) as well as at some larger schools "nown for
their bas"etball teams where many players go on to participate at higher levels of
competition after graduation. *n the 1!C4 season) 1)1):;: boys and girls
represented their schools in interscholastic bas"etball competition) according to the
@ational 7ederation of 8tate /igh 8chool 'ssociations. The states of *llinois) *ndiana and
Eentuc"y are particularly well "nown for their residents$ devotion to high school
bas"etball) commonly called /oosier /ysteria in *ndianaB the critically acclaimed film
Hoosiers shows high school bas"etball$s depth of meaning to these communities.
There is currently no national tournament to determine a national high school champion.
The most serious effort was the @ational *nterscholastic #as"etball Tournament at the
Dniversity of 0hicago from 1;1: to 1;!. The event was organi-ed by 'mos 'lon-o
8tagg and sent invitations to state champion teams. The tournament started out as a
mostly =idwest affair but grew. *n 1;1; it had 1; state champions. 7aced with opposition
from the @ational 7ederation of 8tate /igh 8chool 'ssociations and @orth 0entral
'ssociation of 0olleges and 8chools that bore a threat of the schools losing their
accreditation the last tournament was in 1;!. The organi-ations said they were
concerned that the tournament was being used to recruit professional players from the
prep ran"s.
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The tournament did not invite minority schools or privateJparochial
schools.
The @ational 0atholic *nterscholastic #as"etball Tournament ran from 1;14 to 1;41 at
Foyola Dniversity.
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The @ational 0atholic *nvitational #as"etball Tournament from
1;34 to 1;:8 played at a series of venues) including 0atholic Dniversity) Heorgetown and
Heorge =ason.
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The @ational *nterscholastic #as"etball Tournament for #lac" /igh
8chools was held from 1;1; to 1;41 at /ampton *nstitute.
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The @ational *nvitational
*nterscholastic #as"etball Tournament was held from 1;41 to 1;6: starting out at
Tus"egee *nstitute. 7ollowing a pause during 4orld 4ar ** it resumed at Tennessee 8tate
0ollege in @ashville. The basis for the champion dwindled after 1;34 when Brown v.
Board of Education began an integration of schools. The last tournaments were held at
'labama 8tate 0ollege from 1;64 to 1;6:.
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Professional basketball
'd from The Lierator maga-ine promoting an e<hibition in /arlem) =arch 1;11.
9rawing by /ugo Hellert.
Teams abounded throughout the 1;1s. There were hundreds of men$s professional
bas"etball teams in towns and cities all over the Dnited 8tates) and little organi-ation of
the professional game. 2layers jumped from team to team and teams played in armories
and smo"y dance halls. Feagues came and went. #arnstorming s.uads such as the
Griginal 0eltics and two all('frican 'merican teams) the @ew Aor" 5enaissance 7ive
(,5ens,) and the (still e<isting) /arlem Hlobetrotters played up to two hundred games a
year on their national tours.
*n 1;46) the #as"etball 'ssociation of 'merica (#'') was formed. The first game was
played in Toronto) Gntario) 0anada between the Toronto /us"ies and @ew Aor"
Enic"erboc"ers on @ovember 1) 1;46. Three seasons later) in 1;4;) the #'' merged
with the @ational #as"etball Feague to form the @ational #as"etball 'ssociation (@#').
#y the 1;3s) bas"etball had become a major college sport) thus paving the way for a
growth of interest in professional bas"etball. *n 1;3;) a bas"etball hall of fame was
founded in 8pringfield) =assachusetts) site of the first game. *ts rosters include the names
of great players) coaches) referees and people who have contributed significantly to the
development of the game. The hall of fame has people who have accomplished many
goals in their career in bas"etball. 'n upstart organi-ation) the 'merican #as"etball
'ssociation) emerged in 1;6: and briefly threatened the @#'$s dominance until the
'#'(@#' merger in 1;:6. Today the @#' is the top professional bas"etball league in
the world in terms of popularity) salaries) talent) and level of competition.
The @#' has featured many famous players) including Heorge =i"an) the first
dominating ,big man,B ball(handling wi-ard #ob 0ousy and defensive genius #ill
5ussell of the #oston 0elticsB 4ilt 0hamberlain) who originally played for the
barnstorming /arlem HlobetrottersB all(around stars Gscar 5obertson and ?erry 4estB
more recent big men Eareem 'bdul(?abbar) 8ha.uille G$@eal and Earl =aloneB
playma"er ?ohn 8toc"tonB crowd(pleasing forward ?ulius 6rvingB 6uropean stars 9ir"
@owit-"i and 9raKen 2etroviL and the three players who many credit with ushering the
professional game to its highest level of popularity> Farry #ird) 6arvin ,=agic, ?ohnson)
and =ichael ?ordan. *n 11) the @#' formed a developmental league) the @#9F. 's of
111) the league has 16 teams.
International basketball
The *nternational #as"etball 7ederation was formed in 1;!1 by eight founding nations>
'rgentina) 0-echoslova"ia) Hreece) *taly) Fatvia) 2ortugal) 5omania and 8wit-erland. 't
this time) the organi-ation only oversaw amateur players. *ts acronym) derived from the
7rench !"d"ration #nternationa$e de Bas%eta$$ A&ateur) was thus ,7*#',. =en$s
#as"etball was first included at the #erlin 1;!6 8ummer Glympics) although a
demonstration tournament was held in 1;4. The Dnited 8tates defeated 0anada in the
first final) played outdoors. This competition has usually been dominated by the Dnited
8tates) whose team has won all but three titles) the first loss in a controversial final game
in =unich in 1;:1 against the 8oviet Dnion. *n 1;3 the first 7*#' 4orld 0hampionship
for men was held in 'rgentina. Three years later) the first 7*#' 4orld 0hampionship for
4omen was held in 0hile. 4omen$s bas"etball was added to the Glympics in 1;:6)
which were held in =ontreal) 0anada with teams such as the 8oviet Dnion) #ra-il and
'ustralia rivaling the 'merican s.uads.
7*#' dropped the distinction between amateur and professional players in 1;8;) and in
1;;1) professional players played for the first time in the Glympic Hames. The Dnited
8tates$ dominance continued with the introduction of their 9ream Team. /owever) with
developing programs elsewhere) other national teams started to beat the Dnited 8tates. '
team made entirely of @#' players finished si<th in the 11 4orld 0hampionships in
*ndianapolis) behind Augoslavia) 'rgentina) Hermany) @ew Mealand and 8pain. *n the
14 'thens Glympics) the Dnited 8tates suffered its first Glympic loss while using
professional players) falling to 2uerto 5ico (in a 1;(point loss) and Fithuania in group
games) and being eliminated in the semifinals by 'rgentina. *t eventually won the bron-e
medal defeating Fithuania) finishing behind 'rgentina and *taly. *n 16) in the 4orld
0hampionship of ?apan) the Dnited 8tates advanced to the semifinals but were defeated
by Hreece by 11C;3. *n the bron-e medal game it beat team 'rgentina and finished !rd
behind Hreece and 8pain. 'fter the disappointments of 11 through 16) the D.8.
regrouped) reestablishing themselves as the dominant international team behind the
,5edeem Team,) which won gold at the 18 Glympics) and the so(called ,#(Team,)
which won gold at the 11 7*#' 4orld 0hampionship in Tur"ey despite featuring no
players from the 18 s.uad.
The all(tournament teams at the 11 and 16 7*#' 4orld 0hampionships) respectively
held in *ndianapolis and ?apan) demonstrate the globali-ation of the game e.ually
dramatically. Gnly one member of either team was 'merican) namely 0armelo 'nthony
in 16. The 11 team featured @owit-"i) Hinobili) Aao) 2eja 8toja"ovic of Augoslavia
(now of 8erbia)) and 2ero 0ameron of @ew Mealand. Hinobili also made the 16 teamB
the other members were 'nthony) Hasol) his 8panish teammate ?orge Harbajosa and
Theodoros 2apalou"as of Hreece. The only players on either team to never have joined
the @#' are 0ameron and 2apalou"as. The all(tournament team from the 11 edition in
Tur"ey featured four @#' playersN=+2 Eevin 9urant of Team D8' and the G"lahoma
0ity Thunder) Finas Elei-a of Fithuania and the Toronto 5aptors) Fuis 8cola of
'rgentina and the /ouston 5oc"ets) and /edo TOr"oPlu of Tur"ey and the 2hoeni< 8uns.
The only non(@#' player was 8erbia$s =iloQ TeodosiL. The strength of international
#as"etball is evident in the fact that Team D8' won none of the three world
championships held between 1;;8 and 16) with 8erbia (then "nown as Augoslavia)
winning in 1;;8 and 11 and 8pain in 16.
4orldwide) bas"etball tournaments are held for boys and girls of all age levels. The
global popularity of the sport is reflected in the nationalities represented in the @#'.
2layers from all si< inhabited continents currently play in the @#'. Top international
players began coming into the @#' in the mid(1;;s) including 0roatians 9raKen
2etroviL and Toni Eu"oR) 8erbian +lade 9ivac) Fithuanians 'rvydas 8abonis and
SarTnas =arRiulionis and Herman 9etlef 8chrempf.
*n the 2hilippines) the 2hilippine #as"etball 'ssociation$s first game was played on 'pril
;) 1;:3 at the 'raneta 0oliseum in 0ubao) Iue-on 0ity. 2hilippines. *t was founded as a
,rebellion, of several teams from the now(defunct =anila *ndustrial and 0ommercial
'thletic 'ssociation which was tightly controlled by the #as"etball 'ssociation of the
2hilippines (now defunct)) the then(7*#' recogni-ed national association. @ine teams
from the =*0'' participated in the league$s first season that opened on 'pril ;) 1;:3.
The @#F is 'ustralia$s pre(eminent men$s professional bas"etball league. The league
commenced in 1;:;) playing a winter season ('prilC8eptember) and did so until the
completion of the 1th season in 1;;8. The 1;;8J;; season) which commenced only
months later) was the first season after the shift to the current summer season format
(GctoberC'pril). This shift was an attempt to avoid competing directly against 'ustralia$s
various football codes. *t features 8 teams from around 'ustralia and one in @ew
Mealand. ' few players including Fuc Fongley) 'ndrew Ha-e) 8hane /eal) 0hris 'nstey
and 'ndrew #ogut made it big internationally) becoming poster figures for the sport in
'ustralia. The 4omen$s @ational #as"etball Feague began in 1;81.
omen!s basketball
8ee also> 4omen$s bas"etball
4omen of =onterrey *nstitute of Technology and /igher 6ducation) =e<ico 0ity playing
a game at the campus gymnasium
4omen$s bas"etball began in 18;1 at 8mith 0ollege when 8enda #erenson) a physical
education teacher) modified @aismith$s rules for women. 8hortly after she was hired at
8mith) she went to @aismith to learn more about the game.
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7ascinated by the new sport
and the values it could teach) she organi-ed the first womenUs collegiate bas"etball game
on =arch 11) 18;!) when her 8mith freshmen and sophomores played against one
another.
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/owever) the first women$s interinstitutional game was played in 18;1
between the Dniversity of 0alifornia and =iss /ead$s 8chool.
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#erenson$s rules were
first published in 18;;) and two years later she became the editor of '.H. 8paldingUs first
4omen$s #as"etball Huide.
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#erenson$s freshmen played the sophomore class in the
first women$s intercollegiate bas"etball game at 8mith 0ollege) =arch 11) 18;!.
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The
same year) =ount /olyo"e and 8ophie @ewcomb 0ollege (coached by 0lara Hregory
#aer) women began playing bas"etball. #y 18;3) the game had spread to colleges across
the country) including 4ellesley) +assar) and #ryn =awr. The first intercollegiate
women$s game was on 'pril 4) 18;6. 8tanford women played #er"eley) ;(on(;) ending in
a 1C1 8tanford victory.
4omen$s bas"etball development was more structured than that for men in the early
years. *n 1;3) the 6<ecutive 0ommittee on #as"et #all 5ules (@ational 4omen$s
#as"etball 0ommittee) was created by the 'merican 2hysical 6ducation 'ssociation.
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These rules called for si< to nine players per team and 11 officials. The *nternational
4omen$s 8ports 7ederation (1;14) included a women$s bas"etball competition. !:
women$s high school varsity bas"etball or state tournaments were held by 1;13. 'nd in
1;16) the 'mateur 'thletic Dnion bac"ed the first national women$s bas"etball
championship) complete with men$s rules.
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The 6dmonton Hrads) a touring 0anadian
women$s team based in 6dmonton) 'lberta) operated between 1;13 and 1;4. The Hrads
toured all over @orth 'merica) and were e<ceptionally successful. They posted a record
of 311 wins and only 1 losses over that span) as they met any team which wanted to
challenge them) funding their tours from gate receipts.
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The Hrads also shone on several
e<hibition trips to 6urope) and won four consecutive e<hibition Glympics tournaments) in
1;14) 1;18) 1;!1) and 1;!6B however) women$s bas"etball was not an official Glympic
sport until 1;:6. The Hrads$ players were unpaid) and had to remain single. The Hrads$
style focused on team play) without overly emphasi-ing s"ills of individual players. The
first women$s ''D 'll('merica team was chosen in 1;1;.
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4omen$s industrial leagues
sprang up throughout the Dnited 8tates) producing famous athletes) including #abe
9idri"son of the Holden 0yclones) and the 'll 'merican 5ed /eads Team) which
competed against men$s teams) using men$s rules. #y 1;!8) the women$s national
championship changed from a three(court game to two(court game with si< players per
team.
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#rittney Hriner accepting an award.
The @#'(bac"ed 4omen$s @ational #as"etball 'ssociation (4@#') began in 1;;:.
Though it had sha"y attendance figures) several mar.uee players (Fisa Feslie) 9iana
Taurasi) and 0andace 2ar"er among others) have helped the league$s popularity and level
of competition. Gther professional women$s bas"etball leagues in the Dnited 8tates) such
as the 'merican #as"etball Feague (1;;6(1;;8)) have folded in part because of the
popularity of the 4@#'. The 4@#' has been loo"ed at by many as a niche league.
/owever) the league has recently ta"en steps forward. *n ?une 1:) the 4@#' signed a
contract e<tension with 682@. The new television deal runs from 1; to 116. 'long
with this deal) came the first ever rights fees to be paid to a women$s professional sports
league. Gver the eight years of the contract) ,millions and millions of dollars, will be
,dispersed to the league$s teams., The 4@#' gets more viewers on national television
broadcasts (41!)) than both =ajor Feague 8occer (13!))
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and the @/F
(!1):!1).
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*n a =arch 11) 1; article) @#' commissioner 9avid 8tern said that in the
bad economy) ,the @#' is far less profitable than the 4@#'. 4e$re losing a lot of
money amongst a large number of teams. 4e$re budgeting the 4@#' to brea" even this
year.,
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"ules and regulations
6nd of a match.
=ain article> 5ules of bas"etball
=easurements and time limits discussed in this section often vary among tournaments
and organi-ationsB international and @#' rules are used in this section.
The object of the game is to outscore one$s opponents by throwing the ball through the
opponents$ bas"et from above while preventing the opponents from doing so on their
own. 'n attempt to score in this way is called a shot. ' successful shot is worth two
points) or three points if it is ta"en from beyond the three(point arc which is 6.:3 metres
(11 ft 1 in) from the bas"et in international games and 1! feet ; inches (:.14 m) in @#'
games. ' one(point shot can be earned when shooting from the foul line after a foul is
made.
Playing regulations
Hames are played in four .uarters of 1 (7*#')
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or 11 minutes (@#').
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0ollege
games use two 1(minute halves)
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while Dnited 8tates high school varsity games use 8
minute .uarters.
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13 minutes are allowed for a half(time brea" under 7*#') @#') and
@0'' rules
%1;&%!1&%!1&
and 1 minutes in Dnited 8tates high schools.
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Gvertime periods
are five minutes in length
%1;&%!!&%!4&
e<cept for high school which is four minutes in length.
%!&
Teams e<change bas"ets for the second half. The time allowed is actual playing timeB
the cloc" is stopped while the play is not active. Therefore) games generally ta"e much
longer to complete than the allotted game time) typically about two hours.
7ive players from each team may be on the court at one time.
%!3&%!6&%!:&%!8&
8ubstitutions are
unlimited but can only be done when play is stopped. Teams also have a coach) who
oversees the development and strategies of the team) and other team personnel such as
assistant coaches) managers) statisticians) doctors and trainers.
7or both men$s and women$s teams) a standard uniform consists of a pair of shorts and a
jersey with a clearly visible number) uni.ue within the team) printed on both the front and
bac". 2layers wear high(top snea"ers that provide e<tra an"le support. Typically) team
names) players$ names and) outside of @orth 'merica) sponsors are printed on the
uniforms.
' limited number of time(outs) cloc" stoppages re.uested by a coach (or sometimes
mandated in the @#') for a short meeting with the players) are allowed. They generally
last no longer than one minute (1 seconds in the @#') unless) for televised games) a
commercial brea" is needed.
The game is controlled by the officials consisting of the referee (referred to as crew chief
in the @#')) one or two umpires (referred to as referees in the @#') and the table
officials. 7or college) the @#') and many high schools) there are a total of three referees
on the court. The table officials are responsible for "eeping trac" of each teams scoring)
time"eeping) individual and team fouls) player substitutions) team possession arrow) and
the shot cloc".
#$uipment
=ain articles> #as"etball (ball)) #as"etball court and #ac"board (bas"etball)
Traditional eight(panel bas"etball
The only essential e.uipment in a bas"etball game is the ball and the court> a flat)
rectangular surface with bas"ets at opposite ends. 0ompetitive levels re.uire the use of
more e.uipment such as cloc"s) score sheets) scoreboard(s)) alternating possession
arrows) and whistle(operated stop(cloc" systems.
'n outdoor bas"etball net.
' regulation bas"etball court in international games is ;1.; feet long and 4;.1 feet wide.
*n the @#' and @0'' the court is ;4 feet by 3 feet. =ost courts have wood flooring)
usually constructed from maple plan"s running in the same direction as the longer court
dimension.
%!;&
The name and logo of the home team is usually painted on or around the
center circle.
The bas"et is a steel rim 18 inches diameter with an attached net affi<ed to a bac"board
that measures 6 feet by !.3 feet and one bas"et is at each end of the court. The white
outlined bo< on the bac"board is 18 inches high and 1 feet wide. 't almost all levels of
competition) the top of the rim is e<actly 1 feet above the court and 4 feet inside the
baseline. 4hile variation is possible in the dimensions of the court and bac"board) it is
considered important for the bas"et to be of the correct height C a rim that is off by just a
few inches can have an adverse effect on shooting.
The si-e of the bas"etball is also regulated. 7or men) the official ball is 1;.3 inches in
circumference (si-e :) or a ,1;3 ball,) and weighs 11 o-. *f women are playing) the
official bas"etball si-e is 18.3 inches in circumference (si-e 6) or a ,183 ball,) with a
weight of 1 o-.
%iolations
The ball may be advanced toward the bas"et by being shot) passed between players)
thrown) tapped) rolled or dribbled (bouncing the ball while running).
The ball must stay within the courtB the last team to touch the ball before it travels out of
bounds forfeits possession. The ball is out of bounds if it touches or crosses over a
boundary line) or touches a player who is out of bounds. This is in contrast to other sports
such as football) volleyball) and tennis (but not rugby or 'merican football) where the
ball (or player) is still considered in if any part of it is touching a boundary line.
The ball(handler may not step with both feet without dribbling) an infraction "nown as
traveling) nor dribble with both hands or hold the ball and resume dribbling) a violation
called double dribbling. 'ny part of the player$s hand cannot be directly under the ball
while dribblingB doing so is "nown as carrying the ball. ' team) once having established
ball control in the front half of their court) may not return the ball to the bac"court and be
the first to touch it. The ball may not be "ic"ed) nor be struc" with the fist. ' violation of
these rules results in loss of possession) or) if committed by the defense) a reset of the
shot cloc" (with some e<ceptions in the @#').
There are limits imposed on the time ta"en before progressing the ball past halfway (8
seconds in 7*#' and the @#'B 1 seconds in @0'' men$s play and high school for both
se<es) but no limit in @0'' women$s play)) before attempting a shot (14 seconds in
7*#' and the @#') ! seconds in @0'' women$s and 0anadian *nteruniversity 8port
play for both se<es) and !3 seconds in @0'' men$s play)) holding the ball while closely
guarded (3 seconds)) and remaining in the restricted area "nown as the free(throw lane)
(or the ,"ey,) (! seconds). These rules are designed to promote more offense.
@o player may touch the ball on its downward trajectory to the bas"et) unless it is
obvious that the ball has no chance of entering the bas"et (goaltending). *n addition) no
player may touch the ball while it is on or in the bas"etB when any part of the ball is in the
spacious cylinder above the bas"et (the area e<tended upwards from the bas"et)B or when
the ball is outside the cylinder) if the player reaches through the bas"et and touches it.
This violation is "nown as ,bas"et interference,. *f a defensive player goaltends or
commits bas"et interference) the bas"et is awarded and the offending team gets the ball.
*f a teammate of the player shooting goaltends or commits interference) the bas"et is
cancelled and play continues with the defensive team being given possession.
&ouls
The referee signals that a foul has been committed.
=ain articles> 2ersonal foul (bas"etball) and Technical foul
'n attempt to unfairly disadvantage an opponent through physical contact is illegal and is
called a foul. These are most commonly committed by defensive playersB however) they
can be committed by offensive players as well. 2layers who are fouled either receive the
ball to pass inbounds again) or receive one or more free throws if they are fouled in the
act of shooting) depending on whether the shot was successful. Gne point is awarded for
ma"ing a free throw) which is attempted from a line 13 feet (4.6 m) from the bas"et.
The referee may use discretion in calling fouls (for e<ample) by considering whether an
unfair advantage was gained)) sometimes ma"ing fouls controversial calls or no(calls.
The calling of fouls can vary between games) leagues and even among referees.
' player or coach who shows poor sportsmanship) such as by arguing with a referee or by
fighting with another player) can be charged with a more serious foul called a technical
foul. The penalty involves free throws (where) unli"e a personal foul) the other team can
choose any player to shoot) and varies among leagues. 5epeated incidents can result in
dis.ualification. ' blatant foul involving physical contact that is either e<cessive or
unnecessary is called an intentional foul (flagrant foul in the @#'). *n 7*#') a foul
resulting in ejection is called a dis.ualifying foul) while in leagues other than the @#')
such a foul is referred to as flagrant.
*f a team e<ceeds a certain limit of team fouls in a given period (.uarter or half) C four
for @#' and international games C the opposing team is awarded one or two free throws
on all subse.uent non(shooting fouls for that period) the number depending on the league.
*n the D8 college and high school games) if a team reaches : fouls in a half) the opposing
team is awarded one free throw) along with a second shot if the first is made. This is
called shooting ,one(and(one,. *f a team e<ceeds 1 fouls in the half) the opposing team
is awarded two free throws on all subse.uent fouls for the half.
4hen a team shoots foul shots) the opponents may not interfere with the shooter) nor may
they try to regain possession until the last or potentially last free throw is in the air.
'fter a team has committed a specified number of fouls) it is said to be ,in the penalty,.
Gn scoreboards) this is usually signified with an indicator light reading ,#onus, or
,2enalty, with an illuminated directional arrow indicating that team is to receive free
throws when fouled by the opposing team. (8ome scoreboards also indicate the number
of fouls committed.)
*f a team misses the first shot of a two(shot situation) the opposing team must wait for the
completion of the second shot before attempting to reclaim possession of the ball and
continuing play.
*f a player is fouled while attempting a shot and the shot is unsuccessful) the player is
awarded a number of free throws e.ual to the value of the attempted shot. ' player fouled
while attempting a regular two(point shot) then) receives two shots. ' player fouled while
attempting a three(point shot) on the other hand) receives three shots.
*f a player is fouled while attempting a shot and the shot is successful) typically the
player will be awarded one additional free throw for one point. *n combination with a
regular shot) this is called a ,three(point play, or ,four(point play, (or more collo.uially)
an ,and one,) because of the bas"et made at the time of the foul (1 or ! points) and the
additional free throw (1 point).
Common techni$ues and practices
Positions
=ain article> #as"etball position
#as"etball positions in the offensive -one
'lthough the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever) they have evolved as part of
bas"etball. 9uring the first five decades of bas"etball$s evolution) one guard) two
forwards) and two centers or two guards) two forwards) and one center were used. 8ince
the 1;8s) more specific positions have evolved) namely>
2oint guard (often called the ,',) > usually the fastest player on the team) organi-es the
team$s offense by controlling the ball and ma"ing sure that it gets to the right player at the
right time.
8hooting guard (the ,(,) > creates a high volume of shots on offense) mainly long(rangedB
and guards the opponent$s best perimeter player on defense.
8mall forward (the ,),) > often primarily responsible for scoring points via cuts to the
bas"et and dribble penetrationB on defense see"s rebounds and steals) but sometimes
plays more actively.
2ower forward (the ,*,)> plays offensively often with their bac" to the bas"etB on defense)
plays under the bas"et (in a -one defense) or against the opposing power forward (in
man(to(man defense).
0enter (the ,+,)> uses height and si-e to score (on offense)) to protect the bas"et closely
(on defense)) or to rebound.
The above descriptions are fle<ible. Gn some occasions) teams will choose to use a three
guard offense) replacing one of the forwards or center with a third guard.
Strategy
=ain article> #as"etball playboo"
There are two main defensive strategies> 'one defense and &an(to(&an defense. *n a -one
defense) each player is assigned to guard a specific area of the court. *n a man(to(man
defense) each defensive player guards a specific opponent. =an(to(man defense is
generally preferred at higher levels of competition) as it is intuitively easier to understand
and avoid mismatches between players who play different positions. /owever) -one
defenses are sometimes used in particular situations or simply to confuse the offense with
an une<pected loo".
Gffensive plays are more varied) normally involving planned passes and movement by
players without the ball. ' .uic" movement by an offensive player without the ball to
gain an advantageous position is "nown as a cut. ' legal attempt by an offensive player to
stop an opponent from guarding a teammate) by standing in the defender$s way such that
the teammate cuts ne<t to him) is a screen or pic%. The two plays are combined in the
pic% and ro$$) in which a player sets a pic" and then ,rolls, away from the pic" towards
the bas"et. 8creens and cuts are very important in offensive playsB these allow the .uic"
passes and teamwor" which can lead to a successful bas"et. Teams almost always have
several offensive plays planned to ensure their movement is not predictable. Gn court) the
point guard is usually responsible for indicating which play will occur.
9efensive and offensive structures) and positions) are more emphasi-ed in higher levels
in bas"etballB it is these that a coach normally re.uests a time(out to discuss.
Shooting
2layer releases a short jump shot) while her defender is either "noc"ed down) or trying to
,ta"e a charge.,
8hooting is the act of attempting to score points by throwing the ball through the bas"et)
methods varying with players and situations.
Typically) a player faces the bas"et with both feet facing the bas"et. ' player will rest the
ball on the fingertips of the dominant hand (the shooting arm) slightly above the head)
with the other hand supporting the side of the ball. The ball is usually shot by jumping
(though not always) and e<tending the shooting arm. The shooting arm) fully e<tended
with the wrist fully bent) is held stationary for a moment following the release of the ball)
"nown as a fo$$ow(through. 2layers often try to put a steady bac"spin on the ball to
absorb its impact with the rim. The ideal trajectory of the shot is somewhat controversial)
but generally a proper arc is recommended. 2layers may shoot directly into the bas"et or
may use the bac"board to redirect the ball into the bas"et.
#as"etball falling through hoop
The two most common shots that use the above described setup are the set(shot and the
)u&p(shot. The set(shot is ta"en from a standing position) with neither foot leaving the
floor) typically used for free throws) and in other circumstances whilst the jump(shot is
ta"en in mid(air) the ball released near the top of the jump. This provides much greater
power and range) and it also allows the player to elevate over the defender. 7ailure to
release the ball before the feet return to the floor is considered a traveling violation.
'nother common shot is called the $a*(up. This shot re.uires the player to be in motion
toward the bas"et) and to ,lay, the ball ,up, and into the bas"et) typically off the
bac"board (the bac"board(free) underhand version is called a finger ro$$). The most
crowd(pleasing and typically highest(percentage accuracy shot is the s$a& dun%) in which
the player jumps very high and throws the ball downward) through the bas"et whilst
touching it.
'nother shot that is becoming common
%citation needed&
is the ,circus shot,. The circus shot is a
low(percentage shot that is flipped) heaved) scooped) or flung toward the hoop while the
shooter is off(balance) airborne) falling down) andJor facing away from the bas"et. '
bac"(shot is a shot ta"en when the player is facing away from the bas"et) and may be shot
with the dominant hand) or bothB but there is a very low chance that the shot will be
successful.
' shot that misses both the rim and the bac"board completely is referred to as an air(a$$.
' particularly bad shot) or one that only hits the bac"board) is jocularly called a bric".
"ebounding
=ain article> 5ebound (bas"etball)
The objective of rebounding is to successfully gain possession of the bas"etball after a
missed field goal or free throw) as it rebounds from the hoop or bac"board. This plays a
major role in the game) as most possessions end when a team misses a shot. There are
two categories of rebounds> offensive rebounds) in which the ball is recovered by the
offensive side and does not change possession) and defensive rebounds) in which the
defending team gains possession of the loose ball. The majority of rebounds are
defensive) as the team on defense tends to be in better position to recover missed shots.
Passing
8ee also> 'ssist (bas"etball)
' pass is a method of moving the ball between players. =ost passes are accompanied by
a step forward to increase power and are followed through with the hands to ensure
accuracy.
' staple pass is the chest pass. The ball is passed directly from the passer$s chest to the
receiver$s chest. ' proper chest pass involves an outward snap of the thumbs to add
velocity and leaves the defence little time to react.
'nother type of pass is the ounce pass. /ere) the passer bounces the ball crisply about
two(thirds of the way from his own chest to the receiver. The ball stri"es the court and
bounces up toward the receiver. The bounce pass ta"es longer to complete than the chest
pass) but it is also harder for the opposing team to intercept ("ic"ing the ball deliberately
is a violation). Thus) players often use the bounce pass in crowded moments) or to pass
around a defender.
The overhead pass is used to pass the ball over a defender. The ball is released while over
the passer$s head.
The out$et pass occurs after a team gets a defensive rebound. The ne<t pass after the
rebound is the out$et pass.
The crucial aspect of any good pass is it being difficult to intercept. Hood passers can
pass the ball with great accuracy and they "now e<actly where each of their other
teammates prefers to receive the ball. ' special way of doing this is passing the ball
without loo"ing at the receiving teammate. This is called a no($oo% pass.
'nother advanced style of passing is the ehind(the(ac% pass which) as the description
implies) involves throwing the ball behind the passer$s bac" to a teammate. 'lthough
some players can perform such a pass effectively) many coaches discourage no(loo" or
behind(the(bac" passes) believing them to be difficult to control and more li"ely to result
in turnovers or violations.
,ribbling
2lay media
thumbnail
' D.8. @aval 'cademy (,@avy,) player) left) posts up a D.8. =ilitary 'cademy (,'rmy,)
defender.
=ain article> 9ribble
9ribbling is the act of bouncing the ball continuously with one hand) and is a re.uirement
for a player to ta"e steps with the ball. To dribble) a player pushes the ball down towards
the ground with the fingertips rather than patting itB this ensures greater control.
4hen dribbling past an opponent) the dribbler should dribble with the hand farthest from
the opponent) ma"ing it more difficult for the defensive player to get to the ball. *t is
therefore important for a player to be able to dribble competently with both hands.
Hood dribblers (or ,ball handlers,) tend to bounce the ball low to the ground) reducing
the distance of travel of the ball from the floor to the hand) ma"ing it more difficult for
the defender to ,steal, the ball. Hood ball handlers fre.uently dribble behind their bac"s)
between their legs) and switch directions suddenly) ma"ing a less predictable dribbling
pattern that is more difficult to defend against. This is called a crossover) which is the
most effective way to move past defenders while dribbling.
' s"illed player can dribble without watching the ball) using the dribbling motion or
peripheral vision to "eep trac" of the ball$s location. #y not having to focus on the ball) a
player can loo" for teammates or scoring opportunities) as well as avoid the danger of
having someone steal the ball away from himJher.
Blocking
=ain article> #loc" (bas"etball)
' bloc" is performed when) after a shot is attempted) a defender succeeds in altering the
shot by touching the ball. *n almost all variants of play) it is illegal to touch the ball after
it is in the downward path of its arcB this is "nown as goa$tending. *t is also illegal under
@#' and =en$s @0'' bas"etball to bloc" a shot after it has touched the bac"board) or
when any part of the ball is directly above the rim. Dnder international rules it is illegal to
bloc" a shot that is in the downward path of its arc or one that has touched the bac"board
until the ball has hit the rim. 'fter the ball hits the rim) it is again legal to touch it even
though it is no longer considered as a bloc" performed.
To bloc" a shot) a player has to be able to reach a point higher than where the shot is
released. Thus) height can be an advantage in bloc"ing. 2layers who are taller and playing
the power forward or center positions generally record more bloc"s than players who are
shorter and playing the guard positions. /owever) with good timing and a sufficiently
high vertical leap) even shorter players can be effective shot bloc"ers.
Height
't the professional level) most male players are above 6 feet ! inches (1.;1 m) and most
women above 3 feet : inches (1.: m). Huards) for whom physical coordination and ball(
handling s"ills are crucial) tend to be the smallest players. 'lmost all forwards in the
men$s pro leagues are 6 feet 6 inches (1.;8 m) or taller. =ost centers are over 6 feet
1 inches (1.8 m) tall. 'ccording to a survey given to all @#' teams) the average height
of all @#' players is just under 6 feet : inches (1.1 m)) with the average weight being
close to 111 pounds (11 "g). The tallest players ever in the @#' were =anute #ol and
Hheorghe =ureVan) who were both : feet : inches (1.!1 m) tall. The tallest current @#'
player is /asheem Thabeet) who stands at : feet ! inches (1.11 m). 't : feet 1 inches
(1.18 m)) =argo 9yde" was the tallest player in the history of the 4@#'.
The shortest player ever to play in the @#' is =uggsy #ogues at 3 feet ! inches
(1.6 m).
%4&
Gther short players have thrived at the pro level. 'nthony ,8pud, 4ebb was
just 3 feet : inches (1.: m) tall) but had a 41(inch (1.: m) vertical leap) giving him
significant height when jumping. 4hile shorter players are often not very good at
defending against shooting) their ability to navigate .uic"ly through crowded areas of the
court and steal the ball by reaching low are strengths.
%ariations and similar games
=ain article> +ariations of bas"etball
8choolgirls shooting hoops among the /imalayas in 9haramsala) *ndia.
' bas"etball training course at the 2han WXnh 2hYng /igh 8chool) /anoi) +ietnam.
%ariations of basketball are activities based on the game of bas"etball) using common
bas"etball s"ills and e.uipment (primarily the ball and bas"et). 8ome variations are only
superficial rules changes) while others are distinct games with varying degrees of
bas"etball influences. Gther variations include children$s games) contests or activities
meant to help players reinforce s"ills.
There are principal bas"etball sports with variations on bas"etball including 4heelchair
bas"etball) 4ater bas"etball) #each bas"etball) 8lamball) 8treetball and Dnicycle
bas"etball. 'n earlier version of bas"etball was 8i<(on(si< bas"etball played until the end
of the 1;3s. /orseball is a game played on horsebac" where a ball is handled and points
are scored by shooting it through a high net (appro<imately 1.3mZ1.3m). The sport is li"e
a combination of polo) rugby) and bas"etball. There is even a form played on don"eys
"nown as 9on"ey bas"etball) but that version has come under attac" from animal rights
groups.
=60+GFF6A#'FF H5GD@9
/alf(court
2erhaps the single most common variation of bas"etball is the half-court game)
played in informal settings without referees or strict rules. Gnly one bas"et is
used) and the ball must be ,cleared, C passed or dribbled outside the three(point
line each time possession of the ball changes from one team to the other. /alf(
court games re.uire less cardiovascular stamina) since players need not run bac"
and forth a full court. /alf(court raises the number of players that can use a court
or) conversely) can be played if there is an insufficient number to form full 3(on(3
teams.
/alf(court bas"etball is usually played 1(on(1) 1(on(1 or !(on(!. The latter
variation is gradually gaining official recognition as ).)) originally "nown as
7*#' !!. *t was first tested at the 1: 'sian *ndoor Hames in =acau and the
first official tournaments were held at the 1; 'sian Aouth Hames and the 11
Aouth Glympics) both in 8ingapore. The first 7*#' !<! Aouth 4orld
0hampionships
%41&
were held in 5imini) *taly in 111) with the first 7*#' !<!
4orld 0hampionships for senior teams following a year later in 'thens. The sport
is highly tipped to become an Glympic sport as early as 116.
%41&
There are also other bas"etball sports) such as>
(' (also "nown as /merican) cutthroat and roughhouse)
%4!&
*(
/round the world
Bounce
&iring S$uad
&ives
H-0-"-S-#
Hotshot
1nockout
0ne-shot con$uer
Steal 2he Bacon
2ip-it
2ips
32he 0ne3
Basketball ar.
0ne-on-0ne) a variation in which two players will use only a small section of the
court (often no more than a half of a court) and compete to play the ball into a
single hoop. 8uch games tend to emphasi-e individual dribbling and ball stealing
s"ills over shooting and team play.
4heelchair bas"etball
4heelchair bas"etball) created by disabled 4orld 4ar ** veterans)
%44&
is played on
specially designed wheelchairs for the physically impaired. The world governing
body of wheelchair bas"etball is the *nternational 4heelchair #as"etball
7ederation
%43&
(*4#7).
4ater bas"etball
4ater bas"etball) played in a swimming pool) merges bas"etball and water polo
rules.
#each bas"etball
' modified version of bas"etball) played on beaches) was invented by 2hilip
#ryant.
%46&
#each bas"etball is played in a circular court with no bac"board on the
goal) no out(of(bounds rule with the ball movement to be done via passes or 1[
steps) as dribbling is ne<t to impossible on a soft surface.
%4:&
#each bas"etball has grown to a very popular) widespread competitive sport. 13 'nnual
4orld 0hampionships have been organi-ed.
9un" /oops
9un" /oops (a"a 9un" #all) is a variation of the game of bas"etball) played on
bas"etball hoops with lowered (under bas"etball regulation 1 feet) rims. *t
originated when the popularity of the slam dun" grew and was developed to
create better chances for dun"s with lowered rims and using altered goaltending
rules.
8lamball
8lamball is full(contact bas"etball) with trampolines. 2oints are scored by playing
the ball through the net) as in bas"etball) though the point(scoring rules are
modified. The main differences from the parent sport is the courtB below the
padded bas"etball rim and bac"board are four trampolines set into the floor which
serve to propel players to great heights for slam dun"s. The rules also permit
some physical contact between the members of the four(player teams.
8treetball
8treetball is a less formal variant of bas"etball) played on playgrounds and in
gymnasiums across the world. Gften only one half of the court is used) but
otherwise the rules of the game are very similar to those of bas"etball. The
number of participants in a game) or a run) may range from one defender and one
person on offense ("nown as one on one) to two full teams of five each. 8treetball
is a very popular game worldwide) and some cities in the Dnited 8tates have
organi-ed streetball programs) such as midnight bas"etball. =any cities also host
their own wee"end(long streetball tournaments.
Dnicycle #as"etball
Dnicycle bas"etball is played using a regulation bas"etball on a regular bas"etball
court with the same rules) for e<ample) one must dribble the ball whilst riding.
There are a number of rules that are particular to unicycle bas"etball as well) for
e<ample) a player must have at least one foot on a pedal when in(bounding the
ball. Dnicycle bas"etball is usually played using 14, or smaller unicycles) and
using plastic pedals) both to preserve the court and the players$ shins. *n @orth
'merica) popular unicycle bas"etball games are organi-ed.
%48&
8pin(offs from bas"etball that are now separate sports include>
1orfball (9utch> Eorfbal) %orf meaning $bas"et$) started in the @etherlands and is
now played worldwide as a mi<ed gender team ball game) similar to mi<ed
netball and bas"etball
4etball (formerly "nown as 4omen bas"etball but now played by both males and
females)) a limited(contact team sport in which two teams of seven try to score
points against one another by placing a ball through a high hoop.
Social forms of basketball
Typical privately owned bas"etball hoop
#as"etball has been adopted by various social groups) which have established their own
environments and sometimes their own rules. 8uch sociali-ed forms of bas"etball include
the following.
"ecreational basketball5 where fun) entertainment and camaraderie rule rather
than winning a gameB
Basketball Schools and /cademies5 where students are trained in developing
bas"etball fundamentals) undergo fitness and endurance e<ercises and learn
various bas"etball s"ills. #as"etball students learn proper ways of passing) ball
handling) dribbling) shooting from various distances) rebounding) offensive
moves) defense) layups) screens) bas"etball rules and bas"etball ethics. 'lso
popular are the basketball camps organi-ed for various occasions) often to get
prepared for bas"etball events) and basketball clinics for improving s"ills.
College and University basketball played in educational institutions of higher
learning.
o This includes @ational 0ollegiate 'thletic 'ssociation (@0'')
intercollegiate bas"etball.
,isabled basketball played by various disabled groups) such as
o Bankshot basketball)
%4;&
o ,eaf basketball)
o heelchair basketball) a sport based on bas"etball but designed for
disabled people in wheelchairs and considered one of the major disabled
sports practiced.
#thnic and "eligion-based basketball> 6<amples of ethnic bas"etball include
*ndo(2a" or 5ussian or 'rmenian leagues in the Dnited 8tates or 0anada) for
e<ample) or 7ilipino e<patriate bas"etball leagues in the Hulf or the Dnited 8tates.
5eligion(based bas"etball includes) most notably) church(related 0hristian
bas"etball leagues) ?ewish) =uslim and /indu bas"etball leagues) and so on. or
denominational leagues li"e 0optic) 8yriacJ'ssyrian bas"etball leagues in the
Dnited 8tates or 0anada.
6ay basketball played in gay) lesbian) bise<ual and transgender communities in
gay bas"etball leagues. The sport of bas"etball is a major part of events during the
Hay Hames) 4orld Gutgames and 6uroHames.
7idnight basketball) a bas"etball initiative to curb inner(city crime in the Dnited
8tates and elsewhere by "eeping urban youth off the streets and engaging them
with sports alternatives to drugs and crime.
7ini basketball played by underage children.
7a.i Basketball played by more elderly individuals.
Prison basketball) practiced in prisons and penitentiary institutions. 'ctive
religious bas"etball missionary groups also play bas"etball with prisoners. 8ome
prisons have developed their own prison bas"etball leagues. 't times) non(
prisoners may play in such leagues) provided all home and away games are played
within prison courts. 7ilm director ?ason =oriarty has released a documentary
relating to the sport) entitled +rison Ba$$.
"e8ball) short for reservation ball) is the avid @ative 'merican following of
bas"etball) particularly a style of play particular to @ative 'merican teams of
some areas.
School or High school basketball) the sport of bas"etball being one of the most
fre.uently e<ercised and popular sports in all school systems.
Show basketball as performed by entertainment bas"etball show teams) the
prime e<ample being the /arlem Hlobetrotters. There are even speciali-ed
entertainment teams) including
o Celebrity basketball teams made of celebrities (actors) singers) and so
on.) playing in their own leagues or in public) often for entertainment and
charity eventsB
o 7idget basketball teams made up of athletes of short stature offering
shows using bas"etballB
o Slamball offered as entertainment events.