Basketball

While basketball is not considered the American past time, like baseball, it is one of the most popular sports that exist. Millions of people play basketball for a hobby, as the sport is especially popular for taller people. Learning how to play basketball can happen naturally as time passes, but others throw themselves into the sport in an effort to become good at it.

• The game of basketball is a team sport. Learning how to play basketball will usually take place on a court with two netted rings attached to poles on either end of the court. There are five players per basketball team on the court at all times. They try to score points by getting a the basketball through one of the hoops. Learning how to play basketball can be difficult, yet fun. Whether in school or on their own, there are many people who have the desire to learn how to play basketball. Knowing basic basketball rules and game play is important. The first thing that happens in any basketball game is the referee throwing the basketball in the air. This signifies the start of the basketball game.

• Two basketball players, known as centers, from the opposing teams try to take the basketball. The learning about how to play basketball must start with an understanding the different activities in the game. After one player has control of the ball, their team is ready to play offense as they try to score a basket. The team that strives to guard their territory as the other team closes in is called the opposing team plays defense. The offensive basketball side try to surge ahead while the defensive side tries to keep them away from their basket. They certainly try to keep them from scoring a basket. The next step of how to play basketball is when teammates pass the basketball back and forth to each other as the opposition attempts to “steal” or take the basketball away from them.

• Each basketball team player is given a different position. These basketball positions are point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center. Centers are usually very tall where forwards are stronger, point guards are faster and shooting guards have a knack for shooting the basketball. The ball must be continually dribbled or bounced on the floor, as the basketball players try to move it toward the extreme ends of the court to score. One can not walk with the basketball; that is called traveling. One has to dribble or shoot the ball. Each player has up to 35 seconds to pass the basketball to another player on their team as they run up the court. The players are not allowed to kick the basketball under any circumstances.

As with any sport, knowing how to play basketball comes with the knowledge that the winner is the one with the most points at the end of the game. Points are caused by scoring baskets. Different shots are worth different point. A standard shot is worth two points, any shot made from at or behind center court is worth three points and rebound shots are worth one point.