Basketball is a popular sport that has been played by people of all ages since time immemorial. Basketball is a game where two teams, usually of five people each, against one another on a square shaped court with the objective of knocking down the other team’s hoop with a ball through the opponent’s hoop. It is one of the most popular sports in America and around the world today. The game is relatively simple and the rules are easy to follow. With the wide variety of styles of basketball that can be played, the sport has become an Olympic sport as it is now.
A typical basketball game consists of two teams each consisting of three players: Each team receives the ball from the referee who signals to the players by pointing to a spot on the court for the ball to be dropped or thrown to one of the players who is closest to the basket. The offensive team attempts to make the shot by shooting the ball into the hoop of the defending team who attempts to stop the ball from falling to them. If the shot misses the hoop then the defensive player makes one or two foul shots to try to keep the ball from going into the hoop and shooting foul. In overtime, when the game results into a foul shot and the game ends, the winner is the team with the most number of points.
Unlike Golf, Cricket or Tennis: where the player only has a certain amount of time (around 10 seconds) to swing the bat and hit the ball, basketball requires more physical and mental exercise. The offensive team is required to run and dribble the ball continuously until the other team makes a basket. It is also important for the defensive team to guard the ball and not let any players get free shots. The objective is to prevent the other team from scoring more goals than they do.
A typical game consists of 4 on four plays: where each player receives two free throws before the ball is touched by any of the players. Each player must shoot the ball over a hoop (fenced or not), with at least two feet in front of the basket. The team that scores the most points wins. Sometimes, the winner is the team with the most total points, regardless of how many points the other team has scored.
Today, there are two types of basketball: half court and full court basketball. A half-court game is played on one continuous court with only two teams. The basketball is usually set to one side of the court with the basketball goal similar to that of a soccer goal. The game is played with five players. A full court game has five players on the court with the basketball goal elevated to above the free throw line.
Basketball has been popular since: its inception and is considered as a universal game by many people. The game can be played indoors or outdoors, using a court or an artificial turf. Basketball involves many strategies, which can be taught in a formal education program.
As it was mentioned earlier, basketball can be played by two opposing teams, even when using a regulation size court.
