- The more rules basketball fans know, the more their enjoyment.basketball image by aline caldwell from Fotolia.com
James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 and it became a global phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s, when Michael Jordan emerged as the world's best basketball player. Scoring is relatively simple. Baskets earn two points, or three if the player shoots behind a line (23 feet 9 inches in the NBA) from the basket. Free throws earn one point. - The clock is live (running) when a player inbounds the ball (passes the ball in from the sideline).The clock stops when the ball falls out of bounds, when there is a violation or when there is a foul. Most basketball games are either four quarters or two halves long. The clock stops at the end of each quarter or half. Coaches may also call "timeout" to stop the clock.
- Each violation stops the clock and gives the ball to the other team.
When a player has the ball, he can move one foot in any direction, but must keep his other (pivot) foot planted firmly. If the pivot foot moves, it is a traveling violation.
A player cannot dribble the ball with both hands simultaneously, or start dribbling after she stops. That's a double dribble violation.
Defensive players cannot stand in the lane (the painted area near the basket) for more than three consecutive seconds, or they incur a three-second violation.
A backcourt violation is for a team taking the ball over the half-court line and then back again. Most leagues require the ball past half-court within eight or ten seconds.
Goaltending is a defensive player blocking a shot when the ball is on its way down. The shooter gets the basket. - There are a variety of fouls that can be called, which result in either forfeit of possession to the opposing team, or free throw shots (one point uncontested shots) by the opposing team.
Illegal screens, or moving picks, are offensive players setting screens for teammates, to keep defenders away, but not remaining stationary.
Officials call charging or blocking fouls when a player makes contact with an opposing player's body. Charging is contact made by an offensive player; blocking is contact by a defensive player. You cannot make contact with a player shooting or passing; you can only make contact with the ball.
If a player intentionally holds, pushes or trips an opposing player, the penalties are more severe: two free throws plus possession of the ball after the free throws for the opponent.
Technical fouls are more behavior-based, such as a player or coach saying inappropriate things on the court to the opposing team or referee.
