The Basic Rules of Basketball

In this video, you will learn the basic rules of basketball.

Basketball is played on a rectangular court which is 22 to 28 meters long and 13 to 15 meters wide.

At each end of the court, there is a 45cm wide basket fixed on a backboard placed 3,05 meters above the ground.

Two teams of five players compete over 4 quarters of 10 minutes each. A 15-minute half time takes place between the second and the third quarter.

The objective of the two teams is to put the ball through the oponent's basket to score as many points as possible.

A successful shot, called a field goal, is worth 2 points, or 3 if the player has thrown the ball from outside the "three-point line", an arc marked in a 6,75meter radius around the basket.

The team with the highest score at the end of play wins the game.

In case of a tie, the teams play 5 minutes rounds in overtime until one team wins.

To get the ball across the court, players can only move while dribbling, or pass the ball, they are only allowed to use their hands.

In offense, players can be sanctioned by violations, which leads to a "turnover" from behind the opponent's baseline. To learn more about it check out our video on "violations".

In case of illegal contact, players can be sanctioned by fouls. To learn how not to commit them, watch our video on "fouls".

Fouls are sanctioned by turnovers or free shots for the opponent. Free throws are shot from a line placed near the edge of the key, and are worth one point.

The key, also called free throw lane, is the rectangular area drawn beneath both hoops.

At each Time Out, the coach may make substitutions, there is no limit to the number of players that can be substituted.

Now you know the basic rules of basketball, it's over to you!