- A standard basketball court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. The free-throw line measures 15 feet from the basket. The lane that connects the free-throw line to each baseline is known as the key or the "paint", which measures 15 feet long by 12 feet wide. The three-point arc in the professional leagues measures 23 feet, 9 inches from the basket, and 19 feet, 9 inches in college and high school gyms. Another important court marking is the arc located 4 feet from the center of the basket. This is commonly used to determine charging and blocking calls during the course of the game.
- A player may be awarded three different values of points in a game. A free throw is worth one point. A shot inside of the three-point arc is worth two points. A shot beyond the three-point arc is worth three points.
- The length of quarters or halves differ for different levels of play. The NBA uses four 12-minute quarters. College basketball uses two halves lasting 20 minutes each. A five-minute overtime is used if the game is tied at the end of regulation. Basketball uses shot clocks when on the offensive end. A team is given six full time outs (60-100 seconds) and two additional 20-second timeouts during the course of the game.
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A personal foul is called when a player either hits, pushes, slaps, holds, or illegally picks an opposing player. A player is allowed a maximum of six fouls in the NBA and five in college. A player fouled when shooting is awarded two free throws. However, if the player makes the initial shot, he is awarded only one additional shot. If a player is fouled beyond the three-point arc, he is awarded three free throws. Team fouls are kept during each half in any level of play. If a team commits under seven fouls in a given half, the opposing team is awarded a restart by passing the ball inbounds from the sideline. If a team commits seven to nine fouls, their opponents are awarded a one-and-one situation, meaning if they make the first free throw, they are awarded a second. However, if they miss the first free throw, the ball is live. If a team commits more than ten fouls, their opponents are automatically awarded two free throws.
A technical foul is assessed if an official feels a player or coach's conduct is out of line. The opposing team will be awarded two free throws and possession. A player can receive a maximum of two technical fouls per game before being disqualified.
A flagrant foul happens if a player makes violent contact with an opponent, including punching, hitting, or kicking. The opposing team will be awarded two free throws plus possession.
An intentional foul is called if a player makes contact with an opponent with no intention to steal the ball.
Charging occurs when an offensive player runs over a defender who has his feet planted on the ground outside of the arc located four feet from the basket. This is an offensive foul resulting in a loss of possession.
Blocking is when a defensive player does not establish foot position in time when stepping in front of a driving offensive player. -
Traveling is called when a player takes more than a step and a half once picking up their dribble or pivoting a foot.
Carrying is when a player dribbles the ball with their hand too far under the ball.
Double dribble is called when a player dribbles with both of their hands at the same time or dribbles, picks up the ball, and immediately dribbles again.
Goaltending occurs when a defensive player interferes with a shot that is on its way down to the basket. The offensive team is awarded an automatic two points.
A backcourt violation is when an offensive team crosses over the midcourt line then crosses back over the line again.
An inbound infraction is called when a team can not successfully inbound the ball within five seconds.
Referees will call a shot clock violation when an offensive team can not successfully hit the rim or score a basket within the allowed time frame (24 seconds for NBA, 35 seconds in college)
