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Whether you’re a budding or bonafide fan, chances are that lately, you’ve had your eye on the [basket]ball. This year’s WNBA season drew record viewership when the New York Liberty clinched their first championship in 28 seasons after beating the Minnesota Lynx. And now, NBA and NCAA college basketball are heating up.
The NBA regular season typically runs from mid-October until the playoffs kick off in mid-April, while college ball commences at the start of November until the March Madness tournament in early spring. Any game is undeniably electric, but if you’re Googling “rules of basketball” at halftime, we got you. Say hello to our guide on all things basketball.
Once you know the basics of the fast-paced game, including the rules and scoring, you’ll be primed to hang with the super fans. Here’s the 411 on the rules of basketball.
The Teams
How Many Basketball Players Are on Each Team?
Each team has between 11 to 15 players, but only five can be on the court at a time. The WNBA has a maximum roster size of 12 players, while the NBA is limited to 15 players per team during the regular season (they can have up to 20 players during the offseason).
What Are the Basketball Positions?
Each of the five players on the court has a position and can touch the ball at any point during the game. Here’s a breakdown of the specific positions, per the NBA.
- Center: The center is typically the tallest person on the team and plays near the basket. On offense, the center tries to score points and rebound the ball. On defense, the center blocks opponents’ shots and rebounds missed balls.
- Shooting Guard: The shooting guard is often the team’s best shooter. They can make shots from long or short distances and are skilled at dribbling and handling the ball.
- Point Guard: The point guard runs the offense and is typically the team’s best dribbler and passer. They also defend the opponent’s point guard and try to steal the ball.
- Small Forward: The small forward plays against small and large players, so they run all over the court. They’re typically shorter, faster, and skilled at scoring long and close shots.
- Power Forward: The power forward is similar to the center, so they play near the basket, rebound shots, and defend against taller players. However, power forwards take longer shots than centers.
The Court
How Big Is the Basketball Court?
An NBA court measures 94 by 50 feet and includes a free-throw line 15 feet from the front of the backboard, a key (or free throw lane) that is 16-feet wide and 19 feet from the baseline to the free throw line, a 3-point line that is 23.75 feet from the basket at the top of the key and 22 feet from the basket at the corners, and a half-court line that is halfway between each end line. The net is 10 feet tall, the backboard is 3.5 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and the diameter of the rim is 18 inches.
A WNBA court‘s dimensions are the exact same, except the 3-point line is slightly closer. At the top of the key, the 3-point line is set at 22 feet, while the corners are 21.75 feet from the basket. The net and rim dimensions are also the same as the NBA.
The Game
What Are the Rules of Basketball Games?
To win a basketball game, a team must score more points than the opposing team by throwing the ball through the opponent’s basket. Only five players can be on the court at a time, but teams can substitute a player from the bench when the game is stopped — or after the last attempted free throw.
Players can dribble or pass the ball, but once a player stops dribbling and picks up the ball, they can only take two steps before passing or shooting, according to the NBA rulebook. If a player “double dribbles” or “travels” with the ball, the game is stopped and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
When an NBA or WNBA team has possession of the ball, they also only have 24 seconds to shoot a basket (NCAA basketball has 30 seconds). The shot clock restarts when a shot is attempted, goes into the basket, or when the other team gains possession. If the shot clock runs out, the other team is awarded the ball.
What Are Common Basketball Penalties?
Players can also be penalized if a foul occurs. Most fouls happen while on defense, but each NBA player is only allowed six fouls per game (WNBA players are only allowed five fouls per game). If a player has more than the allotted fouls, they “foul out” and can no longer play in the game. Common fouls include:
- Reaching: If a player is dribbling, a reaching foul occurs if the defensive player attempts to knock their forearm or grab their arm.
- Blocking: A blocking foul occurs when a defensive player uses their body to prevent another player from moving.
If a player or coach portrays aggressive or dangerous behavior, a technical or flagrant foul can also be called. In any foul case, the opposing team automatically gets free throws and/or possession of the ball.
How Does Basketball Scoring Work?
Points are scored any time a player puts the ball through the basket. However, the number of points awarded is based on the type of shot and distance from the basket the shot is taken. Here’s a breakdown, per the NBA, although scoring is consistent in the WNBA and NCAA:
- 2-Point Baskets: 2-pointers are the most common type of scoring in basketball and consist of any shot that is made from inside the 3-point line. A 2-pointer can be achieved with a jump shot (a shot made while jumping), layup (a one-handed shot made near the basket), or dunk (when a player jumps and puts the ball through the basket with one or both hands).
- 3-Point Baskets: 3-pointers are awarded when a player makes a shot from beyond the 3-point line.
- Free Throws: Free throws are awarded when a player is fouled in the act of shooting, when a fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation (when a team commits at least five fouls in a single quarter), or if a technical foul such as fighting or verbal abuse occurs. The number of free throws depends on the situation, but each unopposed shot is taken from the free throw line. If a player is fouled while in the act of shooting the ball, they are awarded two free throws for a 2-point shot, or three free throws for a 3-point shot. If a player is fouled while in the act of shooting but the shot is made, this is commonly referred to as an “and on,” since the player gets the points for the basket plus one additional free throw.
How Long Are Basketball Games?
NBA games are split into four quarters of 12 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime. However, the entire length of the event is usually between two to two and a half hours due to timeouts (each team is allowed seven timeouts during regulation play), halftime, and other stoppages of the game. Unlike soccer, the game clock stops when a timeout is taken, foul is committed, or if the ball goes out of bounds.
WNBA games are split into four quarters of 10 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime. Games also last around two hours, although each team is only allowed five timeouts during regulation play.
NCAA women’s basketball games are consistent with the WNBA, but NCAA men’s basketball plays 20-minute halves.
What Rules Apply to Basketball Fans?
That’s right: basketball game attendees and fans are also subject to a code of conduct that prohibits harassment. “While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league,” reads a statement from the WNBA.
So there you have it, folks. Now that you’re equipped with the official rules, you can bask in the glow of schooling your friends on that “bad” call — and support these tremendous athletes.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in POPSUGAR, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.