Comprehensive Basketball Rules, Court, and Skills Guide

Dr James Naismith

Inventor of basketball in 1891, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

Soccer ball

The first used ball in basketball.

Peach of basket

The first goal used in basketball.

Basketball

A team sport played by two opposing teams of five players, aiming to put the ball into the opponent's basket.

Amateur Basketball

Includes school intramurals, inter-barangay, and regional meets like CLARAA, SCUAA, and the Olympics.

Professional Basketball

Includes leagues such as the NBA, WNBA, and PBA.

End Line

Also known as the baseline; boundary lines behind each basket that determine the width of the court.

Side Line

The two long boundary lines running the length of the court that determine the playing area's outer limits.

Center Line / Center Circle

The line dividing the court into two halves, with a circle in the middle used for the opening tip-off.

Free Throw Area

The 'key' or 'lane' where players stand to take uncontested shots following a foul.

Three-Point Line / Area

The large arc surrounding the basket; shots made from beyond this line are worth three points.

Ring / Goal

The circular metal rim, 18 inches in diameter, through which the ball must pass to score.

Backboard / Basket

The flat, rigid board (usually glass or acrylic) that supports the rim and helps bank shots into the hoop.

Length of Court

28 meters.

Width of Court

15 meters.

Ring Height

10 feet.

Defensive Teams

Teams that guard the ball.

Offensive Teams

Teams that are in control of the ball.

Right/Left Forward

Versatile players who operate mainly in the corners and wings, responsible for scoring and rebounding.

Center

Usually the tallest player, positioned near the basket to block shots and score.

Right/Left Guard

Typically the primary ball-handlers and playmakers who organize the offense.

Referee

The highest official of the match, calls fouls and violations.

Scorer

Records data on the score.

Assistant Scorer

Records data on the score sheet.

Timekeeper

Takes care of the game clock.

Traveling

Moving both feet without dribbling the ball or moving the pivot foot illegally.

Double Dribble

Dribbling the ball, stopping, and then dribbling again.

3-Seconds Violation

An offensive player remaining in the opponent's restricted area for more than three consecutive seconds.

Foul

An infraction of the rules that involves physical contact.

Technical Foul

A non-contact foul that occurs inside the playing court.

Dribbling

The act of pushing the ball to the floor with the fingertips.

Passing

The act of giving the ball to a teammate.

Shooting

The act of putting the ball into the opponent's basket to score.

3-Seconds

An offensive player remaining in the opponent's restricted area (the paint) for more than three consecutive seconds.

5-Seconds

Taking too long to inbound the ball or, in some leagues, being closely guarded while holding the ball without moving.

8-Seconds

Failing to bring the ball across the half-court line from the backcourt within the allotted time

24-Seconds

Failing to attempt a shot that hits the rim before the shot clock expires.

Backcourt Violation

Returning the ball to the backcourt after it has already crossed the center line into the frontcourt

Intentional Football / Kicking

Deliberately striking the ball with any part of the leg or foot.

Lane Violation

Entering the "key" too early during a free throw attempt before the ball hits the rim.

llegal use of hand/Hacking

Using the hands to

strike or "hack" an opponent, usually while they are

shooting.

Blocking

Illegal personal contact which impedes

the progress of an opponent with or without the ball

Holding

Using the hands or arms to restrict an

opponent’s freedom of movement.

Pushing

Displacing an opponent through physical

force, often to gain a better position.

Excessive Use of Elbow

Swinging elbows

violently, which is penalized for safety reasons even

if no contact is made.

Charging / Offensive Foul

When a player with the

ball runs into a defender who has established a

stationary legal guarding position.

Intentional Foul

A foul where a player makes no

legitimate attempt to play the ball, often used

strategically to stop the clock.

Illegal Screening:

Moving while setting a "pick" or

screen to block a defender, rather than staying

stationary.

Double Foul:

A situation where two opposing

players commit personal fouls against each other at

approximately the same time.

Fiba

- Federation international Basketball

○

 SBP

- Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas

  Hacking / handcheck

- occurs when a player contacts an opponent with his hand

Blocking

- is a personal contact that impedes the progress of the opponents.

Charging /offensive

- is the personal contact, with

or without the ball, by pushing or moving into an

opponent's torso.

Holding

- is personal contact with an opponent that

interferes with his freedom of movement. This

contact (holding) can occur in any part of the body.

  Pushing

- is personal contact with any part of the

body that takes place when a player forcibly moves

or attempts to move an opponent who has or does

have control of the ball.