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® WORLD’S #1 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Basketball fundamentals to “get you into the game” and part of the basketball experience

Court
Optimum Width Optimum Length 94' Inside Endlines Restraining Line
50' Inside Sidelines All Lines Shall be 2" Wide (12" segments)

Sideline
47'

50'
Half-Court Line
Wing Endline
3-Point Line

Center Circle
Elbow
1' 3'
6' 4' 3' 3' 3'
Free-Throw Line
or Foul Line

Baseline
15' 6'
18" Top of the Key 3-sec area
outside
12'

72"

19' 9"
radius to radius High Free-Throw Lane
outside of 6' Post
15" 3-point
63" line outside
radius
7'
2" wide, 8" deep Elbow Block
19' or Low Post

Wing

63" from outside of three-point Corner

line to inside of sidelines

Coaching Box 28' Team Bench Area X Coaching Box 28' Team Bench Area
Scorer’s Table
The court dimensions above are typical college dimensions The basket is 10’ tall from floor to rim
a) NBA, 94' x 50' b) High school, 84' x 50' c) Junior high, 74'x 42'

Positions
­P oint Guard (PG) – also called the “Ball Small Forward (SF) – also called “The types of DEFENSE
Handler” or “Floor General” Swingman” or “The Three”
n Is the quarterback on offense; acts as the n Primarily responsible for scoring points 1-2-2 Zone 2-3 Zone
n Needs to be strong enough to work inside
coach on the court and rebound; agile enough to handle the ball,
n Role is to push the basketball up-court and to shoot and pass well
start the offense n Scores on the perimeter and inside
n Demonstrates superior skill at passing and Power Forward (PF) – also called “The Four”
ball-handling n Needs to be a good rebounder able to score
n Needs to have great court vision and be able around the basket 3-2 Zone Box-and-One
n Must also be athletic enough to move around
to get the ball in the hands of scorers the paint
Shooting Guard (SG) – also called the “Two- n Scores most of his/her points within 15’ from
Guard” the basket
n Typically the best outside shooter on the team Center (C) – also called “The Big Man”
n Tries to free him/herself up for a shot by work- n Typically the tallest player on the team
n Responsible for using his/her large size to
ing off screens
score, rebound and block shots 2-1-2 Zone Man-to-Man
n Focus is primarily on scoring; needs to be n Typically plays with back against basket on
a good ball handler and passer the low block
n Plays mostly on the wing n Uses pivot moves to get shot off

QUICK FACT
The basketball rim is big enough for two size-7 basketballs to fit through
= Defensive Player = Offensive Player
the rim, side by side, at the same time
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 Playing the Game
n Basketball is played with 2 teams of 5 play-
ers on court
n Game begins with 1 player from each team
meeting in center court for a jump ball
n These players cannot gain possession of the
ball until another player touches it
n The team that doesn’t win the jump ball gains
possession on the next jump ball situation or
beginning of the next period
n Object is to score points by shooting the ball
in the basket and trying to stop the opponent
from scoring:
• 1 point for any free throw [see page 3]
made
• 2 points for any field goal [see page 3]
made within the 3-point line
• 3 points (scored when shooter is behind 3-point
arc; shooter’s feet cannot touch the line)
QUICK FACT
A traditional 3-point play is scoring a
2-point goal, getting fouled when shoot-
ing and making the free throw; this was the
only way to score a 3-point play prior to
the 3-point line being adopted by the NBA
in 1979
n The team with the most points at the end of the
game wins; if the score is tied after regulation,
the game goes into overtime
n Teams switch baskets after half-time

Game Time
FIBA NBA WNBA NCAA
Rule Federal International National Basketball Women’s Basketball National Collegiate High School Jr. High School
Basketball Association Association Association Academic Association
Duration of Game 4, 10-min. periods 4, 12-min. periods 4, 10-min. periods 2, 20-min. halves 4, 8 min. periods* 4, 8-min. periods*
Overtime 5 min. 5 min. 5 min. 5 min. 4 min.* 4 min.*
Time Between 2 min. 130 sec. 2 min. N/A 60 sec.* 60 sec.*
Periods
Length of Halftime 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 15 min. 10 min.* 10 min.*
Shot Clock 24 sec. 24 sec.* 24 sec.* 30 sec. for women & N/A N/A
35 sec. for men
Clock Stoppage Last 2 min. of sec. half Last min. of qtrs. 1, 2, 3 Last min. of any Last min. of 2 nd half Last 2 min. of Check with your
(after score) and any OT period & last 2 min. of the 4th period and any OT period game league
qtr., and any OT period

Time-Outs 2 time-outs in first 6 regular time-outs 2 regular time-outs 4, 75-sec. time-outs 4 full time-outs Check with your
half, 3 in second half per game, 3 time-outs per half, 1 per over- and 2, 30-sec. time- per half league
& 1 per OT per OT and 1, 20-sec. time; 1, 20-sec time- outs per half
time-out per half out in each half & OT
n The game clock stops on any foul or violation, and also when the ball goes out-of-bounds, during a time-out and/or after a score [see table above]
*Please check with your league

Rules of Basketball
PERSONAL FOULS
Violations that occur when officials feel a player
has made illegal contact with another player; no
player may commit more than 5 personal fouls per
game; in the NBA and WNBA, players foul out on
the 6th foul
n Charging: Offensive player moves into a
defender who has established a defensive
position
n Moving Screen or Pick: When the offensive
player setting the screen (pick) moves to block
the defender
n Over the Back: When an offensive player, boxed
out [see page 4] by a defender, makes excessive
contact to try to gain possession of the ball
n Hacking: A defensive player makes contact
with the shooter’s arms while the offensive
player is in the shooting position
n Blocking: When a defensive player does not
establish position, causing contact with the
offensive player
n Pushing: When a player pushes the opponent
trying to gain possession of the ball
TECHNICAL FOULS
n These fouls are given for extremely unsports-
manlike conduct, such as yelling at a referee
n Players are allowed 2 technical fouls before
they are ejected from the game; if a player has
4 personal fouls and commits a technical foul,
he/she is out of the game because the technical
foul also counts as a personal foul
n If a team has used up all their time-outs and a
player or coach calls a time-out, a technical foul
is assessed
n In the pros, technical fouls do not count toward a
player’s personal fouls; in all other leagues, they do
FOUL FACTS
n Players are allowed to commit 5 personal fouls
in a game; on the 5th foul a player “fouls out,”
meaning he/she is out for the rest of the game
n In the NBA and WNBA, players foul out on the
6th foul
n High school and college teams can only commit 6
fouls per half; on the 7th foul, a team is “over the
limit” and the player fouled goes to the free-throw
line for a one-and-one [see page 4]; on the 10th
and other fouls committed in that half, the player
fouled receives 2 shots

CLICK HERE to download our FREE Referee & Umpire Signals guide for illustrations of the
arm motions referees use to signal these fouls and violations
This is not a complete listing of the rules of basketball—please refer to your league rules
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Rules of Basketball (continued)
NONFOUL VIOLATIONS
n Kicking the Ball: A defensive player cannot kick
the ball, and if a violation occurs, the offensive
team gets the ball inbounds; in college, the shot
clock is reset but in the NBA it is not
• A defensive player cannot kick the ball as
a way of deflecting a pass; if this violation
is committed, offense gets the ball out-of-
bounds; in NCAA basketball, if the ball is
kicked with 15 sec. or less on the shot clock,
the shot clock is reset to 15 sec.; if the kick
happened with more than 15 sec., the shot
clock is reset to 30 or 35 sec.; in the NBA &
WNBA, it is 14 sec.
n Goaltending: Can be called on both offense and
defense
• Offensive Goaltending: An offensive player
cannot touch the ball when it is on the rib
or over the cylinder (the back of the rim that
connects to the backboard); if this happens, the
defense gains possession
• Defensive Goaltending: A defensive player
cannot touch the rim or net when the ball is
being shot and/or when the ball is coming
Skills, Terms & Techniques­­­
­Air Ball
n When an offensive player shoots the ball toward
the basket but the ball does not touch the rim or
backboard
Alley-Oop
n A play in which an offensive player
passes the ball toward the basket, and a
team member jumps and catches the ball
in midair and shoots or dunks the ball
Alternating-Possession Rule
n The possession arrow changes direction after
each subsequent jump ball situation, alternating
which team gains possession for the throw-in
QUICK FACT
When a team has “num-
bers,” it means there
are more offensive
players than defenders
on a fast break, making
it easier to score
Assist
n A pass from player to player that leads directly
to a field goal
Backboard
n The rectangular structure the rim is attached to;
it measures 6’ x 31/2’
Backcourt
n The area from the midcourt line to the end
line farthest from the offense’s basket
Ball Fake
n An offensive move used to get the defender
up in the air by simulating an attempt to
shoot the ball
Bank Shot
n When the ball hits the backboard and drops
into basket
down after it was shot; if this happens, the n Out-of-Bounds: When any part of the ball
offense receives 2 or 3 points, depending on touches the out-of-bounds line or lands outside
where the ball was shot the out-of-bounds lines
n Palming or Carrying: The ball handler cannot n 5-Second Violation: No offensive player can
bring his/her palm under the ball when it reaches dribble or hold the ball for 5 sec. if they are
its apex off the dribble closely guarded by a defender
n Traveling: Anytime a player has possession of n 10-Second Violation: When a player with pos-
the ball and is not dribbling, he/she must keep a session of the ball does not cross half court; in
foot (known as pivot foot) planted on the floor; pros, players have 8 sec. to bring the ball over
once pivot foot is established, the player cannot the half-court line
switch pivot foot if the player already picked up n Backcourt Violation (also called Over and
the dribble [for more on pivot foot, see page 4] Back): Once an offensive player has the ball
n Double Dribble: A ball handler cannot dribble,
and both feet across the half-court line, he/she
pick up the dribble, then dribble again cannot pass or dribble the ball back across
n 3 Seconds: An offensive player cannot stay in
the half-court line; if ball is deflected by defen-
the key without the ball for three sec.; if this viola-
sive player, offense may
tion is committed, the defense gets the ball out-of-
retrieve it in the backcourt
bounds
n Lane Violation: A player cannot enter the lane
prior to the foul shooter releasing the ball; if QUICK FACT
defense enters early, the foul shooter shoots
An offensive team may
again if shot was missed; if offense enters early,
the defense gets the ball out-of-bounds and the throw the ball in the
shot does not count if scored backcourt on an in-
bounds pass
Baseball Pass Dead Ball
n One-handed, over-the-head pass that is used n When a referee whistles for play to stop
to make long passes and to get the ball to a Defense
teammate quickly n The team without the ball; tries to stop the offense
Baseline from scoring; also called “D”
n Lines at each end of the court, separating in- Double Dribble
bounds from out-of-bounds n Violation occurring when an offensive player
Basket stops dribbling and then begins dribbling again,
n Consists of the net and rim that are attached to and/or when an offensive player uses both hands
the backboard; also called the “hole” to dribble
Blocked Shot Double Team
n When a defensive player deflects a shot by n When 2 defensive players guard against a single
touching part of the ball on its way to the basket offensive player
Bonus Dribble
n When a team is awarded free throws after a n Repeatedly bouncing the ball toward the floor
non-shooting foul and when the opposing team with one hand
is over the foul limit Dunk
Boxing Out n When a player jumps and slams the ball down
n When a player puts his/her body between into the basket
the opponent and the basket in order to get Fast Break
rebounds and prevent the opponent’s scoring n When a defensive player rebounds the ball,
then passes it toward midcourt to another player
Breakaway
n When a defender steals the ball and races ahead of the opponent
toward his/her basket with the defenders fol- Field Goal
lowing behind n Shot made from inside or outside the 3-point arc
Brick Flagrant Foul
n Term used for a hard, errant shot that hits off n A personal foul that is unnecessary or leads to
the backboard or rim excessive contact with an opponent; penalty is
Bucket opponents’ gaining 2 free throws and possession
n Term used for “basket” of the ball
Crossover Dribble Floor
n When a player with the ball dribbles the ball n The area of the court within the end lines and
across the body from one hand to the other sidelines
Cut Free Throw
n When a player quickly moves from one spot on the n Unguarded shot taken behind the foul line; shot
floor to another, trying to shake off the defender caused by a personal or technical foul; worth 1 point
Cylinder Free Throw Line Extended
n An imaginary area directly above the rim where n Imaginary line running from the foul line to the
goaltending or basket interference occurs sideline
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Skills, Terms & Techniques (continued)
Frontcourt Outlet Pass Shot Clock
n Area between the midcourt line and the offensive n The first pass after a defensive rebound used to n A clock, separate from the game clock, that limits
team’s basket, where that team is trying to score initialize a fast break the amount of time the offense has to shoot the ball;
Full-Court Press Paint if a team shoots the ball, but it doesn’t hit the rim, the
n Defensive tactic in which a team guards oppo- n Area inside the lane lines, from the baseline to shot clock does not reset
nents closely along the full length of the court the free-throw line; an offensive player may not Sideline
Game Clock stay in this area for more than 3 sec., or else a n Boundary lines that run the length of the court
n Shows how much time is left in the quarter or violation is called Skip Pass
the half Pass n A pass from one side of the court to the other,
Give & Go n When a player going over the top of the defense
n When an offensive player passes the ball to throws the ball to Strongside
n The side of the court where the ball is located
another teammate, then quickly cuts toward the another player
basket to receive the ball and make a lay-up Personal Foul Technical Foul or “T”
n Foul that is seen as detrimental to the game;
Held Ball n Violation caused
n When the defender and the offensive player both when a player makes penalty is the opponent’s single free throw (in
have 2 hands on the ball, resulting in an alternat- contact with another the pros); in other leagues, 2 free throws and
possession
ing possession arrow or jump ball player, causing an
3-Pointer
High Post unfair advantage
n Shot made outside the 3-point line and worth
n Area along the free-throw line and both elbows Pick
3 points
In-Bounds n A screen for the ball handler
Timeline
n The area within the end lines and sidelines of the Pick & Roll n Another name used for half-court, offensive
court; also the act of throwing the ball into the n When an offensive player sets a screen on a
teams have 10 sec. to move the ball over half-
playing area defender guarding the ball handler to free up the court; 8 sec. in the pros
Jab Step ball handler, then the screener rolls toward the Time-Out
n An offensive move in which a player takes a quick basket or open area looking for the ball n When play is stopped temporarily by an official
step toward the defender, with the pivot foot on Pivot Foot or requested by a team
the ground; this move is used to get the defender n A player who is holding the ball and not dribbling Tip-Off
on his/her heels, opening the ballhandler for a must keep 1 foot on the ground; the player cannot n The initial jump ball that starts a game; the ref-
jump shot, pass or dribble switch pivot feet eree th­­­­­­­rows the ball in the air and a player
Jump Ball Possession from each team tries to tap the ball to a team-
n When a game official tosses up the ball between n To be holding or in control of the ball mate [also see jump ball]
2 opponents at midcourt to put the ball in play Possession Arrow Travel
[also see tip-off] n Except at the professional level, the arrow deter- n Violation that occurs when the ball handler
Jump Shot mines which team will inbound the ball to begin a takes too many steps without dribbling, mov-
n When a player jumps and period or in a jump ball situation ing pivot foot, or jumping in the air and land-
releases the ball toward Post-Up ing without passing or shooting the ball; also
the basket n An offensive move in which the player positions called a walk
Lay-Up himself in the low post, keeping the defender Triple Threat Position
n A close shot from or near on his/her back between the opponent and the n When an offensive player catches the ball
the paint basket and squares up to the basket, able to see the
Low Post Rebound basket and any open player; it allows the ball
n Area near the block on either side of the lane or n When a player grabs the ball coming off the rim handler to either shoot, pass or dribble
paint to about halfway up the lane toward the or backboard after a shot attempt; happens on Turnover
free-throw line both offense and defense n When the offense loses possession of the ball
Man-to-Man Defense Reverse the Ball to the defense, by either passing the ball out-
n Each player is responsible for guarding 1 oppo- n When the offense passes the ball from one side of of-bounds or committing a violation
nent forecourt to the other in a series of quick passes or Weakside
n The side of the court that is away from the ball
­­­­­­Match-Ups a skip pass
n P­­­­­­­­­airing of players on opposing teams who guard Rock Zone Defense
n Players are assigned an area of the floor to
each other n Another name for the ball
Run guard, rather than a player [also see man-to-
No-Look Pass
n When an offensive player intentionally does not n When a team scores several field goals in
man defense]
make eye contact with the player he wants to a short period of time while the other team
throw to scores few or none
Off the Dribble Screen QUICK FACT
n Shot taken while dribbling to the basket n Offensive player who stands between a teammate Dr. Naismith invented
One-and-One and defender, giving his/her teammate a chance to basketball at a YMCA in
n In high school and college, a player shooting and free up to receive a pass or to take a shot
making a free throw gets a second free throw; if Shooter’s Roll Springfield, MA in 1891;
player misses first shot there is no second shot n When an inaccurate shot bounces lightly off the the original baskets were
rim and into the basket actually peach baskets

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