Did you know:

James Naismith, a teacher at a YMCA in Springfield,

Massachusetts invented basketball in 1891
The first hoops were actually just peach baskets and the first
backboards were made of wire
The game became an official Olympic event at the Summer Games in
Berlin, Germany in 1936
The WNBA has been active for eleven years; since 1997
Number of Players:
5 players on the floor per team (usually 3 forwards and 2 guards)
There may be any number of substitutes
Court:

SG = Shooting Guard PG = Point Guard
SF = Shooting Forward PF = Power Forward
C = Centre

Length of Official Game:
High School 4x8 minute quarters =32 minutes
University 2x20 minute quarters =40 minutes
NBA 4x12 minute quarters =48 minutes
Handling the Ball:
The ball may be passed, thrown, bounced or rolled from one player to
another
She may take or tap the ball from an opponent
She may hold the ball for up to 5 seconds inbounds and out of bounds
She may jump while holding the ball as long as she releases it before
she lands
Jump Ball (starts the game):
The ball is put in play when the referee tosses the ball at centre
court to begin the game and by a throw-in by at half court to begin
the other quarters
The ball may be tapped a maximum of 2 times by one player
Neither player may catch the ball until it has touched the floor or
been played by another player
Free Throws:
Is an unguarded throw for 1 point by a player from behind the free
throw line
The two spaces next to the basket must be occupied by players from
the opposing team
The next two spaces should be occupied by teammates of the player
taking the free throw
A player is awarded 2 free throws if fouled while attempting a 2 point
shot within the key and 3 free throws if fouled while attempting a 3
point shot




Violations: are infringements for which the ball is put in play from out of
bounds by an opponent of the player committing the violation
TRAVELLING VIOLATION: taking more than 2 steps while holding
the ball; changing your pivot foot; jumping and then landing while still
in possession of the ball
DOUBLE DRIBBLE: dribbling, holding the ball, and then dribbling
again; dribbling the ball with 2 hands
BALL HANDLING: kicking the ball; palming the ball; batting the ball
10 SECOND RULE: the ball must be brought up from the back court
within 10 seconds
3 SECOND RULE: a player may not stand in their opponents key for
longer than 3 seconds
OVER AND BACK: results when a player brings the ball over half and
then returns back while in possession of the ball
FREE THROW VIOLATION: a free throw must be completed within
10 seconds; none of the players can enter the key until the ball
touches the ring or backboard; air ball
Fouls: are infringements of a rules resulting in one or more fouls being given
to the offending team.
PERSONAL: a player is disqualified after 5 personal fouls
o Blocking
o Charging
o Pushing/Overguarding

TECHNICAL: a player is disqualified after receiving 2 technical fouls;
the opposing team is awarded 2 free throws and ball possession
o Unsportsmanlike conduct
o Taking too many time outs
o Entering a game after being disqualified
o Incorrect game sheet information
INTENTIONAL: given for rough play or attempting to inure an
opponent; the opposing team is awarded 2 free throws plus ball
possession

TEAM: all personal and technical fouls count towards team fouls
o 7 team fouls = bonus free throw for opposing team
o 10 team fouls = 2 bonus free throws for opposing team