Each team is assigned a “basket” or “goal,” to defend. The other basket becomes their scoring basket. After halftime, the teams switch baskets. The game begins with one player from each team at center court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a “tip-off.” [...]

Nearly all basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and then covered with a tacky surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic composite. As in most inflatable balls, there is a small opening to allow the pressure to be increased or decreased. The surface of the ball is divided by “ribs” that are recessed below the [...]

The basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with baskets at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a hardwood, often maple, and highly polished. Other indoor surfaces include suspended plastic interlocking tiles. Outdoor surfaces used include plastic interlocking tiles (suspended athletic courts), asphalt, or similar materials. Amateur players would typically [...]

Two teams of five players are on the court during play. Teams usually line up with two guards, two forwards, and one center. All players contribute on offense and defense. Coaches may substitute players as often as they want, but only when the game clock is stopped. Center - Most often plays underneath the basket. He is typically the tallest player on the team. The [...]

A basketball game is divided into four 15-minutes quarters.  After the second quarter, there is a 15-minute halftime break during which players and coaches return to their locker rooms. In college basketball, the teams play two 20-minute halves.  After the first half, there is a 15-minute break during which the players and coaches return to their locker rooms. If the score is tied at the [...]

Personal Foul - Called when illegal body contact occurs between opposing players. Common examples are holding, charging, tripping, blocking, pushing, or interference. A personal foul results in the fouled player taking free throws and/or the offending team losing possession of the ball. Charging - An offensive player moving with the ball runs into a defender who has established a “set” guarding position — both feet set [...]