The Fundamentals of Basketball Rules

‍

When everything runs smoothly, basketball is a fast, free-flowing game, with players going end-to-end and making great shots. It is a lot of fun to watch. Of course, this is not always the case. Someone will chop the arm, perhaps move the wrong way and make bodily contact. Maybe the player with the ball takes too many steps on the layup, or a defensive player interferes with the shot while the ball is on its downward trajectory.

‍

There are rules in basketball. Some are easy to understand, such as a hands foul on the shooter. Others can be harder to determine- did the defensive player have position before contact was made? Did they make an actual attempt to get the ball?

‍

Having a referee who understands the rules of basketball is ideal when playing in a competition. Having an understanding of the basic rules of basketball yourself can make playing a lot more enjoyable and less stressful.

‍

This article is going to go through the basic rules of basketball for you. Perhaps you’ll be interested and might become a referee yourself.

‍

The Structure of the Game

‍

The goal of basketball is, through the legal use of the ball, to throw the basketball through the top of the basketball ring and score the most points in regulation time.

‍

In the NBA, a quarter lasts for 12 minutes, giving you a 48-minute game. FIBA rules have four 10-minute quarters for a 40-minute game. In your local league, you may have 18 or 20-minute halves. 

‍

Each team may have five eligible players on the court at one time. Any more than this, while the game is live, will result in a technical foul. In a FIBA or NBA game, four players is the minimum required number. Any less,  and the team must forfeit.

‍

The Basketball Court

‍

Basketball is played on a court that measures, by FIBA standards, 28 meters long by 15 meters wide. NBA courts are slightly bigger, and you generally find the courts smaller at a local level.

‍

The rings are 10ft high, or 3.05 m from the ground, with a free throw line always 4.6m from the front of the ring. The three-point arc, in FIBA rules, is 6.75 metres from the ring, but in the NBA, it’s 7.24m from the ring.

‍

Key Rules of Basketball

‍

There are a lot of rules that govern basketball. They all make sense once you start to understand them, but unless you’re going to be a referee, get to know the basics, go out there and enjoy yourself, and try not to argue with the officials.

‍

Offensive Play Rules

‍

The offensive team, which is in control of the ball, can move the ball by dribbling (bouncing) the ball or by passing it. You cannot pick up the ball and walk without bouncing, as this is called travelling. You cannot put your hand beneath the ball and support it, and then dribble again, as this is carrying. And you cannot stop dribbling, and then dribble again, as this is called double-dribble. If you stop dribbling, you must pass or shoot the ball.

‍

Shooting the ball is an action where your intent is to try and score a basket with the ball. You can shoot under-arm, however shooting is most commonly done above your head.

‍

You can pass the ball at any stage of your movement, as long as you don’t travel (take too many steps without bouncing the ball) before you pass.

‍

Once you have crossed the halfway line of the court into your offensive half, you cannot pass backwards over that line.

‍

Defensive Play Rules

‍

As a defensive player, you are allowed to place your body between the offensive player and the ring. However, you must ‘establish defensive position’ if you wish to obtain a charging foul if there is contact. 

‍

The defensive position requires two feet on the ground, and your body facing front on to the defensive player. Once established, you may move laterally or backwards and maintain defensive position, but you cannot move forward and impede upon an offensive player.

‍

Basketball is also a non-contact sport. If you reach in with your hands and make contact with the player, and not the ball, this is considered a foul.

‍

If a shot is put up and there is a rebounding contest, the defensive players may ‘box out’ the offensive rebounding players, by placing their body between the player and the ring. You cannot engage your arms during this move, as it could result in a holding foul.

‍

Fouls and Violations in Basketball

‍

Fouls and violations are different aspects of the game, but both may result in turning possession of the ball to the opposing team.

‍

Common Fouls and Their Consequences

‍

The most common foul is a hands foul, where a player reaches in for the ball and makes hand contact with the opposing player’s arm. If done during the act of shooting, the offensive player will take free throws from the free-throw line.

‍

Another common foul is a blocking foul, where the defensive player moves their body into the path of the offensive player in an illegal manner, blocking their path.

‍

The other side of that coin is the charging foul, an offensive foul where the defensive player had legally placed their body into the path of the offensive player. If the player with the ball cannot get around the defence, and instead makes contact and goes through them, it is a charge.

‍

Technical and Flagrant Fouls

‍

A flagrant foul, or unsportsmanlike foul, must involve contact between players that is above and beyond the usual nature of the game. Intentionally making contact to stop a fast break or to cause harm, throwing an elbow or deliberately trying to make contact with another player, would be considered a flagrant foul. Two free throws are granted, and possession is given to the fouled team.

‍

A technical foul does not require physical contact and is more about players disputing a referee’s call, and using foul language towards officials or other players, not in the spirit of the game. 

‍

Technical fouls can also be called on the coaching staff who mouth off at the officials. Free throws and possession result from a technical foul.

‍

Common Violations

‍

Common violations include travelling, where someone takes too many steps without bouncing the ball; out of court, where the ball ends up over the boundary lines of the basketball court; and three-second violation. This is where an offensive player has spent longer than 3 seconds inside the key, gaining an advantage over the defence.

‍

The Scoring System in Basketball

‍

You score points in basketball by shooting the ball downwards through the hoop. You do not score points if the ball goes up through the hoop. This is, in fact, a violation.

‍

Field Goals and Three-Pointers

Shots scored within the three-point arc are worth two points. Any shot made beyond the three-point line is worth three points. You do not get bonus points for a half-court or full-court shot.

‍

Free Throws

‍

Free throws are granted if an offensive player is fouled during the act of shooting, if there was a flagrant foul committed or if a tech foul was called. Each shot made from the free-throw line is worth 1 point.

‍

Special Situations and Exceptions

‍

Overtime Rules in Basketball

‍

If scores are tied at the end of regulation time, overtime is used to determine a winner.

‍

Overtime is 5 minutes of play. Team fouls remain, and one extra timeout is given per team. If scores are still tied at the end of overtime, then a second period of overtime will be played.

‍

The game continues until there is an actual winner. 

‍

Unique Rules in Different Leagues

‍

The rules between FIBA and NBA are mostly the same, with a few subtle differences. These include:

‍

FIBA time-outs are 2 in the first half and 3 in the second. NBA 6 times outs for the game, 2 per OT period and one short timeout per half.

‍

In FIBA, a player is fouled out after five fouls. In the NBA, it's six fouls or two technical fouls.

‍

Zone defence is fine in the FIBA rules. In the NBA, it is okay, but a defensive player may not stay in the key for longer than 3 seconds.

‍

What is Goaltending in Basketball?

‍

Goaltending is the act of interfering with the shot as the ball is on its downward trajectory. It also involves interfering with the backboard or grabbing the ring during a player’s act of shooting.

‍

Embracing the Rules for Better Gameplay

‍

Knowing the rules of basketball helps you understand the game better. It can help you understand what the referees are calling and why they are calling it. Understanding the rules can lead to less conflict and fewer tech fouls arguing with the referee.

‍

It can also lead to a better love for the game. Playing the game and refereeing the game help you appreciate the wonderful game of basketball more.

‍