Basketball is a game played by two teams, usually of five players each, on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter and 10 feet (3.048 m) high mounted to a backboard at each end.

The Court

A basketball court is a rectangular surface with baskets at each end. It has a mid-court line, which divides the court into two halves: the "frontcourt" and the "backcourt".

Scoring

Points are scored by shooting the ball through the hoop.

• 3 points are awarded for shots made from behind the three-point line.
• 2 points are awarded for shots made from within the three-point line.
• 1 point is awarded for a free throw, which is an unopposed shot from the free-throw line, awarded after certain fouls.

Dribbling

To move with the ball, a player must dribble by bouncing the ball on the floor.

• Traveling: A player cannot run with the ball without dribbling. Taking more than two steps without dribbling is a violation called traveling.
• Double Dribble: A player cannot dribble the ball with two hands at the same time, nor can they dribble, stop, and then start dribbling again. This is a violation called a double dribble.

Fouls

A foul is an illegal action that can be committed by a player from one team against a player from the opposing team.

• Personal Foul: Illegal physical contact such as hitting, pushing, slapping, or holding.
• Shooting Foul: A foul committed against a player who is in the act of shooting. If the shot is missed, the player gets two or three free throws. If the shot is made, the player gets one free throw.

Violations

A violation is an infraction of the rules, less severe than a foul.

• Shot Clock: The offensive team has a limited amount of time to shoot the ball (24 seconds in the NBA/FIBA, 30 in NCAA).
• 3-Second Rule: An offensive player cannot remain in the "key" (the painted area under the basket) for more than three consecutive seconds.
• Backcourt Violation: Once the offensive team has brought the ball across the mid-court line into their frontcourt, they cannot cross back over the mid-court line with the ball.