The game of basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, enjoyed by players of all ages. Whether you're looking to get into shape, compete in a league, or just have some fun with friends, basketball is a great option. But before you hit the court, it's important to understand the basic rules and concepts of the game. This beginner's guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to play basketball.
Basketball is played between two teams of five players each, with each team trying to score points by shooting a ball through a basket. The game is played on a rectangular court, and there are two main ways to score points:
In order to shoot the ball, players must first bounce it off the ground (known as dribbling) and then release it while holding onto the ball with only one hand. Players can move the ball up and down the court by dribbling or passing it to their teammates; once they reach the front court, they must shoot or pass before crossing into the backcourt again.
The team that scores the most points in a given period of time (usually four 12-minute quarters; some leagues uses 2 halves) wins the game. There are also several other ways to score points in basketball, such as free throws (awarded when a player is fouled while shooting), offensive rebound put-backs (when a player grabs his own missed shot and scores), tip-ins (when a player tips in missed shots by his teammates), and 3-pointers, shots beyond the 3-point arch.
Now that you know the basics of how to play basketball, it's time to hit the court! Remember, practice makes perfect—so don't be discouraged if you don't make every shot at first. Just keep playing and have fun! Maybe you won't be dunking like Zion, but soon you'll be nailing threes like Steph Curry!
Check out our other basketball articles:
