Official Basketball Rules

The popularity of basketball has exploded over the decades--growing from a game designed to keep athletes in shape for their other sports to a phenomenon with fans all over the world. Of course, there would not be a game if it weren't for the rules. When it was invented, basketball had only a total of 13 rules. As leagues have formed and grown, the rules have expanded and become more defined to help promote the sport. While different leagues and different levels of play have all modified the rules to best fit their athletes, there are some basics which remain the same.

Court and Equipment

While some allowances are made for courts at the high school level, most basketball court measures 94 feet long by 50 wide. The rims at each end of the floor are fixed 10 feet above the court and are parallel to the playing surface. The distance of the top of the three-point arc varies greatly depending on the league and level of play, yet the free throw line remains 15 feet away from the front of the rim. The ball must be approved by the appropriate league or governing body and is usually inflated within 7 1/2 and 8 1/2 lbs. of pressure.

Players and Teams

Each team may have no more than five players on the court during play at any time. Anything more will result in a technical foul against the offending side. Each team may designate a captain who is allowed to dispute rules interpretations with officials during timeouts.

Scoring

A goal is scored whenever the ball enters the basket from above and goes all the way through during live play. Any basket scored from the free throw line counts as one point. Any basket scored from the field goal area inside the three-point line counts as two points. Any basket scored from the field goal area outside the three-point line counts as three points.

Fouls

A foul is called whenever a defensive player creates contact with an offensive player that re-routes that player's path and impedes his progress to the basket. A player is disqualified after being called for a specific number of fouls in a game (the number differs based on the league and level of play). Additionally, any conduct found by the officials to be unsportsmanlike during either live play or a dead ball may be charged with a technical foul. A player or coach who is charged with two technical fouls during a game is immediately disqualified.

Violations

There are a number of violations that players can be guilty of during play. Most (like traveling, double dribble or a shot clock violation) result in loss of possession for the offensive team. If a ball is interfered with by the defense while it is on its downward flight or above the basket's ring, it is considered goaltending and the basket will be counted as two or three points for the offense--depending on where the shot was released from.

Officials

The game officials are responsible for inspecting all of the game equipment (backboards, rims and basketball) before each game and making sure that they meet the standards of the appropriate league or governing body. Officials may interpret the rules as written, but do not have the power to change them. In the event of a dispute on how to interpret a particular rule, the head official or crew chief will have the final decision.