Basketball Rules and Fundamentals

Vocabulary practice covering basketball court dimensions, rules, positions, officials, and foul types based on NBA, FIBA, and NCAA standards.

NBA Court Dimensions

A basketball court measuring $94 \text{ by } 50 \text{ feet}$ ($28.7 \text{ by } 15.2 \text{ m}$).

FIBA Court Dimensions

A court measuring $28 \text{ by } 15 \text{ meters}$ ($91.86 \text{ by } 49.21 \text{ ft}$).

Basket Height

The height of the baskets, which are always $10 \text{ feet}$ ($3.05 \text{ m}$) above the floor.

FIBA

The International Basketball Federation, which serves as the world governing body for basketball.

BABA

The Barbados Amateur Basketball Association, which is the local governing body.

Field Goal

A scoring play worth $2 \text{ points}$ or $3 \text{ points}$ if the shot is taken from beyond the 3 point line.

Free Throw

A scoring play worth $1 \text{ point}$ given for specific fouls; it is not considered a field goal.

Chest Pass

The most common pass in basketball, used for quickness and accuracy when no defender is between the passer and the target.

Bounce Pass

A pass used when a defender is between the player and their target, allowing the ball to bounce under the defender's arm.

Baseball Pass

A passing technique used for long-distance throws, potentially to teammates in the other half of the court.

Overhead Pass

A pass used when a player is closely guarded and must throw the ball over their defender.

Hook Shoot

A shot normally made within the key when the player's body is not facing the basket.

Control/Low Dribble

Dribbling where the ball is bounced knee high and shielded by the body, used when closely guarded.

Speed/High Dribble

Dribbling where the ball is bounced waist height, used to move the ball quickly up the court or for a quick drive to the basket.

Pivot Foot

The first foot that touches the ground if a player catches the ball in the air, or the foot a player chooses if catching with both feet on the ground.

Basketball Playing Positions

The five standard positions: Point guard, Shooting guard, Small forward, Power forward, and Center.

FIBA Game Duration

A game consisting of Four $10 \text{ minute}$ periods.

NBA Game Duration

A game consisting of Four $12 \text{ minute}$ periods.

NCAA Game Duration

A game consisting of Two $20 \text{ minute}$ halves.

Crew Chief

The head official in any officiating crew who has the final say in any ruling on the court.

Basket Replay Center Official

An official not located in the arena who monitors multiple angles of on-court fouls or violations to ensure correct calls.

Violations

Infringements of rule-based motion or time limits, such as traveling, double dribble, goaltending, or the $24 \text{ sec}$ shot clock.

Fouls

Violations resulting from illegal contact with an opposing player or unsportsmanlike behavior.

NBA Personal Foul Limit

The rule allowing players a maximum of $6 \text{ fouls}$ before disqualification.

FIBA and NCAA Personal Foul Limit

The rule allowing players a maximum of $5 \text{ fouls}$ before disqualification.

Technical Foul

A foul for unsportsmanlike rules violation; penalty is one free throw and retention of possession by the other team.

Flagrant 1

A foul involving unnecessary and violent contact resulting in $2 \text{ free throws}$ and possession of the ball.

Flagrant 2

A foul involving unnecessary and violent contact resulting in $2 \text{ free throws}$, possession of the ball, and the ejection of the player.

Jump Ball

The method used to start each game, start overtime, or resolve situations where two players simultaneously hold the ball.

Scorekeeper

The official responsible for tracking scores, updating the scoreboard, and confirming all scored baskets.

Timekeeper

The official responsible for starting and stopping the game clock and the shot clock during play.