Basketball
Basketball, is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a 10 foot (3.048 m) high hoop. It was invented in Canada in 1891.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) is the most important professional basketball league in the world and includes 29 teams from the USA and Canada; the FIBA (Federation of International Basketball) of which NBA is a member, is an international association that governs international basketball.
Players score points by shooting the ball through the basket from above. The team with more points at the end of the game wins; but if the game ends with a draw, additional time (overtime) may be issued.
Players can advance the ball on the court by dribbling, that is moving forward while bouncing the ball, or by throwing, that is passing it to other teammates. Disruptive physical contact (foul) is penalized, and free throws are awarded to an offensive player if he is fouled while shooting the ball.
Generally, the tallest players play centre or forward positions, while shorter and faster players play the guard positions.
Games are played in four quarters of 10 (FIBA) or 12 minutes (NBA). Fifteen minutes are allowed for a half-time break, and two minutes are allowed for the other breaks. Overtime periods are five minutes long. Teams exchange baskets for the second half. The time allowed is actual playing time and the clock is stopped while the play is not active. Therefore, games generally take much longer to complete than the allotted game time, typically about two hours.
Basketball, is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a 10 foot (3.048 m) high hoop. It was invented in Canada in 1891.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) is the most important professional basketball league in the world and includes 29 teams from the USA and Canada; the FIBA (Federation of International Basketball) of which NBA is a member, is an international association that governs international basketball.
Players score points by shooting the ball through the basket from above. The team with more points at the end of the game wins; but if the game ends with a draw, additional time (overtime) may be issued.
Players can advance the ball on the court by dribbling, that is moving forward while bouncing the ball, or by throwing, that is passing it to other teammates. Disruptive physical contact (foul) is penalized, and free throws are awarded to an offensive player if he is fouled while shooting the ball.
Generally, the tallest players play centre or forward positions, while shorter and faster players play the guard positions.
Games are played in four quarters of 10 (FIBA) or 12 minutes (NBA). Fifteen minutes are allowed for a half-time break, and two minutes are allowed for the other breaks. Overtime periods are five minutes long. Teams exchange baskets for the second half. The time allowed is actual playing time and the clock is stopped while the play is not active. Therefore, games generally take much longer to complete than the allotted game time, typically about two hours.