Basketball is a fast, exciting, and entertaining sport played between two teams, each consisting of five players. A team wins games by scoring more points than the opposing team. Players score by shooting a large inflated ball into a raised goal, called a basket, at one end of a basketball court. A player can advance the ball toward the basket only by dribbling (bouncing the ball) or by passing to a teammate. Each team also tries to prevent the other team from scoring.

Basketball requires teamwork, quick reactions, and endurance. Tall players have an advantage because they can reach closer to the basket or above other players to shoot and rebound. But smaller players also make contributions to their teams as shooters and ball handlers.

How to play basketball
Playing the game. A game starts with the center jump. Four players from each team stand outside the middle circle. The fifth player, usually the center, stands inside the center circle. The official tosses the ball into the air above the two players, who jump up and try to tap it to a teammate. The game clock starts as soon as a player touches the ball.

The players. The five players on a team play both offense and defense. When their team has the ball, they are on offense; when their opponents have the ball, they are on defense. Because possession of the ball can change rapidly, all players must be alert so that they can quickly switch between offense and defense quickly.

Normally, a team consists of two guards, two forwards, and a center. However, players can move anywhere on the court at any time, no matter what their position. A team can also vary the positions at any time, for example, playing three guards and two forwards. This section describes the role of each position on offense.There are 2 types of defense man to man and zone.

Free throws count 1 point each and are taken as a penalty after certain fouls. Most of the time the player gets to shoot 2 foul shots. A player attempts a free throw from behind the free throw line and inside the free throw circle. Players have 10 seconds to shoot after the official hands them the ball.

Once it gains possession of the ball, the offensive team advances the ball into the front court. The team can dribble the ball or pass it. If the offensive team scores, the opposing team immediately takes the ball out-of-bounds from behind the base line and tries to move the ball to the basket at the other end of the court. It becomes the offensive team and the team that just scored becomes the defensive team. Action continues in this manner until the clock is stopped. If a player misses a shot, both teams try to gain possession of the ball by catching the rebound. All missed field goal attempts and most missed free throw attempts result in rebounds. Rebounding is a vital part of the game. Most teams miss at least half their shots. Therefore, a strong rebounding team can control the ball more and has more scoring opportunities.