Basketball Game

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on
a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball through the defender's hoop
while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop.

Basketball Skills
Dribbling - is important to penetrate to the hoop, move the ball across the court, get away from the defense,
and find a good passing lane. Dribbling is the art of bouncing the ball up and down off the floor with one
hand, in order to advance the ball up the court. It is illegal to touch the ball with both hands simultaneously,
a.k.a double dribbling. While dribbling, a player should protect the ball to prevent the defender from stealing
it. Top point guards dribble and control the ball as if it were on a string. Good technique is critical for a ball
handler. You should dribble with your fingertips rather than your palm. Dribble with your head up so you
can see the opposition and your teammates. Keep your body low and use your off-ball hand to help keep
your defender at bay. Work on dribbling with both hands, so you'll be as comfortable going to your left or
your right. Tips for dribbling include: not looking at the ball, pounding the ball hard, and using the free arm
as a shield. There are different types of dribbles:

• change-of-pace,
• crossover dribble,
• behind the back,
• pull back dribble,
• low dribble,
• basic dribble,
• between the legs dribble

Passing - A good offensive attack requires good passing from players. A pass happens when one player
throws the ball to another player with the purpose of setting up a play or taking a shot. In basketball there
are two main types of passing. The first type happens when one player throws another player the ball and
the receiving player then scores a basket. The player who threw the ball gets credit for an assist. Great
passers can see the whole court and anticipate where a teammate will go and what a defender will do.
Mastering the basics is the place to start. Develop a two-hand chest pass, bounce pass and overhead pass
so you can deliver the ball to your teammates in the best position for them to shoot or beat their defender.
Steve Nash or Derrick Rose can dazzle you with a behind-the-back or a no-look pass. But those moves are
not just for show; they provide a teammate the best chance to score.This helps find an open man, to find a
good shooter or to get away from a defender. There are several types of passes you need to learn:

• Overhead Pass
• Chest Pass
• Push Pass
• Baseball Pass
• Off-the-Dribble Pass
• Bounce Pass
Shooting - The object of the game is to win by scoring the most points. Shooting consists of launching the
ball toward the basket in an arcing motion with the purpose of it going in and scoring points. When
shooting, keep your eyes on the target, place the ball on your fingertips (not the palm), place your feet
shoulder width apart, place your elbow under the ball, and then follow through and hold the finish. It's
difficult to score if you can't shoot the ball effectively. As Better Basketball Coaching explains, shooting is
something of an art form, and some players, such as Kevin Durant and Ray Allen, have a knack for it. But
everyone can improve their shooting through proper technique and lots of practice. Proper technique
includes squaring your body up to the target, shooting the ball with your fingertips, keeping your elbows
from flying, putting backspin and arc on the shot and following through completely after letting the ball fly.
Therefore, improving the team's shooting is important to win a game. There are several ways to score in
the game:

• Jump Shot
• Dunk
• Alley oop
• Free throw
• Layup
• Three-Point Shot
• Hook Shot

Rebounding - is essential to gain or regain possession after the shot. Usually, the team who has the most
number of rebounds after the game has more shot attempts and chances to score. An offensive rebound is
obtained when the team that just shot the ball misses and then recaptures the ball again. As a general rule
it is tougher for a player to get an offensive rebound than a defensive rebound because after a shot misses
the opposing team's players are closer to the basket and in a better position to grab the ball. Although it
helps to be tall and have jumping ability, rebounding is a matter of desire as well as ability. Charles Barkley
was relatively small for a forward, but he was an outstanding rebounder. He had the ability to determine
where an errant shot was likely to fall, the willingness to crash the boards relentlessly and the strength to
block out taller opponents. Blocking out your opponent -- also called boxing out -- is one of the keys to
good rebounding. To do it effectively, maintain your concentration and focus.

Offense - is the only chance that the team has a shot at the basket and scoring. Playing a good offense
requires coordination among players and individual skill to execute well plays.
Defense - To be able to get a chance to score and gain possession, the team should play good defense
and try to stop their opponent from scoring. As said, "A good defense is a good offense." Even the best
scorers go into shooting slumps. But you can always play good defense if you hustle and understand both
individual and team defense. When you are defending a player, keep you head lower than his. Stay close
enough to the offensive player to bother him -- but not so close he can blow by you with one step. Know
your opponent's tendencies so you can dictate the direction you want him to move. Be aware of the other
players on the court, so you can play help defense when a teammate loses his man.

 The block is another spectacular crowd favorite. It occurs when the offensive player shoots and the
defender swats the ball away, blocking its trajectory to the basket and preventing any points from
being scored.

 The steal, or taking the ball away from an opposing player to gain possession for your own team,
requires quick hands and great timing. A player can steal a pass out of midair or from the other
team while someone is dribbling.

 A defensive rebound is obtained when one team misses a shot and the opposing team grabs the
ball. An important skill needed to collect defensive rebounds is known as boxing out, a technique by
which players use their bodies to shield the opposing team from grabbing the ball.

Moves - There are different kinds of basketball moves that are important in executing both a good offense
and a good defense. Moves are helpful in finding an open man, make a good shot or create an amazing
play.

Assist - is given to a teammate to help him score easily. Thus is it important to find an open man on the
court
Basketball Fouls and Violations ( Rules of the game)
One of the important parts of coaching basketball to anyone is understanding the fouls and violations
which occur during practices and games. The fouls explained below will teach you to be an honest
and responsible player.
24-Second Violation
All NBA teams have to make a shot within 24 seconds. If not, then the violation results in change of
ball possession.
8-Second Violation
After the basket is made by a team, the offensive team gets only 8 seconds to bring the ball over the
mid court line.
Blocking
Once the game or practice is on, a player tries to position his or her body in a way to prevent the
opponent from getting ahead. Blocking is mostly done by the defense team players.
Charging
This is an offense team's foul. One of the offensive team's player runs into a defending team's players
who has already established his or her position.
Defensive Foul
When a player practices an unnecessary or illegal contact with either the ball or away from the ball, a
defensive foul is said to have been committed.
Defensive Foul
The offense player who dribbles the ball, stops, and then begins to dribble it again is said to have
committed the double dribble violation.
Elbowing
Elbowing can be done by any of the teams. This is when a player swings his or her elbows in a
forceful, excessive manner. The elbowing player makes contact with the opponent at this point.
Five-Second Violation
A five-second throw-in violation generally occurs during a throw-in when the ball is not passed by the
player who is supposed to inbound the ball before 5 seconds have gone by after he or she got the
ball. Usually the penalty for a five-second violation is losing of the ball from that team.
Flagrant Foul
This is a serious contact foul where a player tries to unnecessarily and intentionally make contact
during the game. Usually the penalty for flagrant foul is that the other team gets 2 free throws and the
possession of the basketball out-of-bounds. And the player who committed the flagrant foul is
automatically disqualified from the game.
Floor Violation
This is an action of a player who violates the rules but doesn't commit any foul or hinder the
opponent. Usually the penalty for floor violation is a change of ball possession.
Foul Trouble
During the track of a game, one or more players who have collected way too many fouls are said to
be in "foul trouble". All the players who have collected 5 fouls in high school and college game, or 6
fouls in NBA game will be disqualified or eliminated from that game. Which is why all teams must be
careful not to accumulate more than 6 fouls in each half.
Goaltending
This violation is generally committed by the defense team's player. The player illegally interferes with
a shot on the rim or on a downward path to the hoop. Usually the penalty for this violation results in
the shot by the offense team being assumed in and they receive a basket.
Hand Check
This is a personal foul done by the defense team player. When he or she occasionally or continuously
uses his or her hand(s) on the opponent player who has the ball.
Holding
Whether you are in a defense or offense team, using your hands to interfere your opponent's freedom
of movement commits a holding fouls.
Illegal Screen
A player who is setting the screen still moves when the defense team's player makes contact with him
or her. Illegal screen is a type of blocking where the defender is prevented from moving around the
screen.
Intentional Foul
This foul is committed by the defense team's player on purpose to stop the clock. Usually in a college
basketball game, the team which was fouled gets the advantage of 2 free throws and also the
possession of the ball.
Lane Violation
At the time of a free throw, if a player enters the lane too soon, lane violation is said to have been
committed. Usually the penalty for lane violation results in a turnover or the other team receives
another free throw.
Offensive Foul
This is a personal foul committed by the offense team's player. The player, who has the ball in his or
her hands, charges into the defense team's player who is standing in a stationary, defensive position.
Over-the-Back
A player who jumps on and goes over the back of his or her opponent who is trying to attempt a
rebound with the ball.
Palming
A player who takes his or her hand under the ball and scoops it while dribbling is said to have
committed the palming violation.
Reaching In
When a player tries to steal the ball from the offense team's player, the player extends his or her arm
and hand out, making contact with the player who has the ball.
Shooting Foul
This foul is committed when a player is fouled while in the act of shooting the ball. If the player misses
the shot, he or she receives 2 or 3 free throw, depending on which shot he or she was originally
taking.
Technical Foul
Any violations and misconduct which detriments the game is called a technical foul. Usually the
penalty for a technical foul is a free throw to the opponent team.
Three in the Key
Any defense or offense player cannot remain in the lane for more than 3 seconds at a time. If the
violation is committed, it results in change of ball possession.
Traveling
The offense team's player who has the ball and takes too many steps, anywhere on the court, without
dribbling the ball is said to have committed this violation.
Tripping
When a player uses his or her foot or leg to make the opponent to lose or fall during the game is said
to have committed the tripping foul.
Unsportsmanlike Foul
Any player or team that plays unfairly, unethically, and/or dishonorably is said to have committed the
unsportsmanlike foul. Such fouls are usually given a penalty of a free throw to the opponent team.
Foul - is often an accidental contact made by the defender to his opponent or an aggressive move by
the ball-handler towards his defender. However, a foul is also used as a strategy to stop the clock or
to keep the shooting player from scoring easily. Learning how to use your fouls well is important in the
game. While playing basketball, any player who breaks the rules of the game, making illegal personal
contact with the other team, and has unsportsmanlike behavior. There are four main types of fouls:

 Personal
 Technical
 Flagrant
 Team foul

Personal fouls: Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.

 Hitting
 Pushing
 Slapping
 Holding
 Illegal pick/screen -- when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a
limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the
defender.

Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a 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 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.

 One & one. If the team committing the foul has seven or more fouls in the game, then the
player who was fouled is awarded one free throw. If he makes his first shot, then he is
awarded another free throw.

 Ten or more fouls. If the team committing the foul has ten or more fouls, then the fouled player
receives two free throws.

Charging. An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a defensive
player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed upon.

Blocking. Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not establishing position in
time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.

Flagrant foul. Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and punching. This
type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of the ball after the free
throws.
Intentional foul. When a player makes physical contact with another player with no reasonable
effort to steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.

Technical foul. Technical foul. A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve
player contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language,
obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can
technical details regarding filling in the scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-ups.

Violations - Knowing the kinds of basketball violations improves your game.

Walking/Traveling. Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the ball is traveling.
Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.

Carrying/palming. When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the side of or,
sometimes, even under the ball.

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.

Goaltending. If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way down toward the
basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched the backboard, or while it's
in the cylinder above the rim, 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 five seconds to pass the ball. If he does
not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include the rule that a
player cannot have the ball for more than five seconds when being closely guarded and, in some
states and levels, shot-clock restrictions requiring a team to attempt a shot within a given time
frame.
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the
free throw line, a line situated at the end of the restricted area. Free throws are generally awarded after a
foul on the shooter by the opposing team. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
Basketball positions

The five basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are the point guard (PG),
the shooting guard (SG), the small forward (SF), the power forward(PF), and the center (C).

Some teams use non-standard or hybrid positions, such as the point forward, a hybrid small forward/point
guard; the swingman, a hybrid small forward/shooting guard; the big, a hybrid power forward/center; and
the stretch four, a power forward with the shooting range of typical shooting guards.

The point guard (PG) ,[1] also known as the one, is typically the team's best ball handler and passer.
Therefore, they often lead their team in assists and steals. They are often quick and are able to hit shots either
outside the three-point line or "in the paint", largely depending on the player's skill level. Point guards are
looked upon as the "floor general" or the "coach on the floor". They should study the game and game film to be
able to recognize the weaknesses of the defense, and the strengths of their own offense.

The shooting guard (SG) is also known as the two or the off guard. Along with the small forward, a shooting
guard is often referred to as a wing because of its use in common positioning tactics. As the name suggests,
most shooting guards are good shooters from three-point range. Besides being able to shoot the ball, shooting
guards tend to have good ball handling skills and the ability to drive the ball to the basket, often creating their
own shots off the dribble. A versatile shooting guard will have good passing skills, allowing them to assume
point guard responsibilities known as combo guards.

The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is considered to be the most versatile of the main five
basketball positions. Versatility is key for small forwards because of the nature of their role, which resembles
that of a shooting guard more often than that of a power forward. This is why the small forward and shooting
guard positions are often interchangeable and referred to as wings. Small forwards have a variety of assets,
such as quickness and strength inside. One common thread among all kinds of small forwards is an ability to
"get to the line" and draw fouls by aggressively attempting (post-up) plays, lay-ups, or slam dunks.
The power forward (PF), also known as the four, often plays a role similar to that of the center, down in the
"post" or "low blocks". The power forward is often the team's most versatile scorer, being able to score close to
the basket while also being able to shoot mid-range jump shots from 12 to 18 feet from the basket. Some
power forwards, known as stretch fours, have since extended their shooting range to three-pointers. On
defense, they are required to have the strength to guard bigger players close to the basket and to have the
athleticism to guard quick players away from the basket.

The center (C), also known as the five or the pivot, usually plays near the baseline, close to the basket (the
"low post"). They are usually the tallest players on the floor. The center usually scores "down low, in the paint"
(near the basket, in the key), but some can be good perimeter shooters. They are typically skilled at gathering
rebounds, contesting shots and setting screens on plays. The center position has been traditionally considered
one of the most important positions, if not the most important.