basketball

1. Basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, MA by Dr. James Naismith.

2. A basketball game is played by 2 teams, with 5 players from each team, on the

court at the same time.

3. The game is started by a referee tossing the ball in the air, and one player from

each team trying to jump for it, in an attempt to tip it to one of his teammates

(jump ball).

4. Teams consist of guards, forwards, and centers.

5. A team is awarded two points or three points for each field goal (basket)

scored.

6. When a player from each team has the ball at the same time, the referee will

call for the alternate possession rule to be utilized.

7. A player is allowed a total of five personal fouls before being removed from

the game (6 in professional).

8. The ball may be dribbled down or up the court by a player, or the ball may be

passed from one player to another.

9. If a player is fouled while in the act of shooting and the basket is not made, he

is entitled to 2 or 3 free throws. One if the basket is made.

10. A team is allowed 5 seconds to put the ball in play from out of bounds.

11. A dribble is when a player bounces the ball on the floor using one hand, not

both.

12. The jump shot release is with one hand.

13. A foul is when a player hits, bumps, slaps, trips, holds, or runs into another

player.

14. Possession of the basketball is given to the other team when the referee calls

traveling or double dribble.

15. One point is scored for each free throw made.

16. Double dribble occurs when a player dribbles the ball, stops, picks up the

dribble, and then dribbles again; or dribbles with 2 hands.

17. A team is allowed 10 seconds to get the ball across the center line after taking

the ball out of bounds.

18. A rebound is when a player gets control of the ball after a missed shot.

19. No player is allowed to kick the ball at any time.

20. An assist is a pass which leads to a made basket.

21. High school games are 4 quarters of 8 minutes each. College games consist of

two 20 minute halves. NBA games are four 12 minute quarters.

22. The free throw line is 15 feet from the basket.

23. The basket is 10 feet from the floor.

24. The court is approximately 94 feet long by 50 feet wide.

25. A three second violation occurs when a player stands with both feet in the lane

for 3 seconds.

26. In college and professional basketball shot clocks are used. The college shot

clock is 35 seconds and the NBA shot clock is 24 seconds.