BASKETBALL

What is a Basketball Game?

Basketball sport usually on an indoor court in which two competing teams of five players each attempt
to score points or “baskets” by throwing an inflated ball so that it descends through one of two baskets suspended
at each end of the court above their heads. The team scoring the most such points, through field goals or foul shot,
wins the game. Because of its continuous action and frequent scoring, basketball is one of the most popular
spectator as well as participants’ sports in the world.

Reasons on Offering Basketball Game

1. Most popular game in the Philippines

2. Most well-loved (every Filipinos watch the game
- every barangay has a basketball court
3. We can play the game anytime and anywhere
4. Can be played by both gender
5. Any age from 2-92 years old
6. Needs minimal materials

By mid-1900s, it had become the world's most popular indoor sport. Today, millions of fans crowd into
gymnasiums and arenas to watch their favorite teams. Millions more watch games on televisions.

It is most important to understand the principles used in judging fouls and violations and their
application according to the spirit of the game. Thus, this work is recommended for the students studying sports in
colleges and universities.

It will contribute not only to the love but also to the knowledge and understanding of this wonderful
game. Hence, the conflicts among officials, teams, and spectators may be decreased.

2 Types of Player

1. Amateur - represents an organization even without payment.

2. Professional – a player is being paid every time he plays.

History of Basketball Game

Basketball was invented in December 1891 by a Canadian clergyman, educator, and Doctor James
Naismith. Naismith introduced the game when he was an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association
(YMCA) Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he organized a vigorous recreation suitable for
indoor winter play. The game involved elements of American Football, Association Football, and Hockey, and the
first ball used was a football. Teams had nine players, and the goals were wooden peach baskets affixed to the
walls and a janitor had to sit on a ladder to retrieve the ball from the basket when a player made a goal. By 1897-
1898, teams of five became standard. The game rapidly spread nationwide and to Canada and other parts of the
world, played of both women and men; it also became a popular informal outdoor game.

The first publicly played game of basketball was played in March 2, 1892.

A number of US colleges adopted the game between about 1892. In 1934 the first college games were
staged in New York's Madison Square Garden, and College Basketball began to attract heightened interest. By
the 1950's basketball had become a major college sport, thus paving the way for a growth of interest in
professional basketball.
The first professional league, the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898 to protect players
from exploitation and to promote a less rough game. This league only lasted five years disbanding; its demise

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spawned a number of loosely organized leagues throughout the north-eastern United States. One of the first and
greatest pro teams was the Original Celtics, organized about 1915 in New York. They played as many as 150
games a season and dominated basketball until 1936. The Harlem Globetrotters, founded in 1927, a notable
exhibition team, specializes in amusing court antics and experts ball handling.

In 1949 two subsequent professional leagues, the National Basketball League (formed in 1937) and
the Basketball Association of America (1946) merged to create the National Basketball Association (NBA). The
NBA suffered s drop in popularity during the late 1970's, but was resuscitated, principally through the growing
popularity of its most prominent players. Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles
Lakers are credited with injecting excitement into the league in the 1980's through their superior skills and decade-
long rivalry. During the late 1980's Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls rose to stardom and helped the Bulls
dominate the NBA in the 1990's. A new generation of basketball stars, including Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant,
Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Lebron James and many more NBA stars that have sustained the NBA's
growth in popularity not only in the United States but throughout the world.

THE GAME

Basketball Game

Basketball is played by two (2) teams of five (5) players each. The aim of each team is to score in the
opponents' basket and to prevent the other team from scoring

The basket that is attacked by a team is the opponents' basket and the basket which is defended by a
team is the team's own basket. The team that has scored the greater number of points at the end of playing time
shall be the winner.

The game shall consist of four (4) periods of ten (10) minutes. There shall be intervals of two (2)
minutes between the first and second period (1st half), between the 3rd and 4th period (2nd half) and before each
extra period. There shall be an interval of play of fifteen (15) minutes.

If the score is tied at the end of playing time for the fourth period, the game shall continue with as many
extra periods of five (5) minutes as is necessary to break the tie.

Status of the ball (The ball can be either live or dead)

Live when:
– during the jump ball, the ball is legally tapped by a jumper
– during a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter
– during a throw-in, the ball is at the disposal of a player for the throw-in.

Dead when:
– any field goal or free throw is made
– an official blows his whistle while the balls is live
– the game clock signal sounds for the end of the period
– twenty-four second device signal sounds while a team is in control of the ball
– the ball which is in flight on a shot for a field goal is touched by a player form either team
after:
• an official blows his whistle
• the game clock signal sounds for the end of the period
• the twenty-four second device signal sounds
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Jump ball and alternating Possession

A jump ball occurs when an official tosses the ball in the center circle between any two opponents at
the beginning of the first period.

A held ball occurs when one or more players of each opposing team have one or both hands firmly on
the ball so that neither player can gain control without undue roughness.

Note:
1. Each jumper shall stand with both feet inside the half of the center circle nearest to his
own basket with one foot close to the center line.
2. Team mates may not occupy adjacent positions around the circle if an opponent wishes to
occupy one of those positions.
3. The official shall then toss the ball upwards (vertically) between the two opponents, higher
that either of them can reach by jumping.
4. The ball must be tapped with the hand(s) of one or both of the jumpers after it reaches its
highest point.
5. Neither jumper shall leave his position until the ball has been legally tapped.
6. Neither jumper may catch the ball or tap it more than twice until it has touched one of the
non-jumpers or the floor.
7. If the ball is not tapped by at least one of the jumpers, the jump ball shall be retaken.
8. No part of a non-jumper's body may be on or over the circle line (cylinder) before the ball
has been tapped.

Jump ball situations

– a held ball is called
– the ball goes out-of-bounds and the officials are in doubt or disagree about which of the
opponents last touched the ball
– a double free-throw violations occurs during an unsuccessful last or only free throw
– a live ball lodges on the basket support (except between free throws)
– the ball becomes dead when neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the
ball
– after the cancellation of equal penalties against both teams, there are no other penalties
remaining for administration and neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to
the ball before the first foul or violation.
– All periods other than the first period to begin

Alternating Possession is a method of causing the ball to become live with a throw-in rather than a
jump ball.

In all jump ball situations teams will alternate possession of the ball for a throw-in at the place nearest
to where the jump ball situation occurs.

The team that does not gain control of the live ball on the court after the jump ball which began he first
period will start the alternating possession.

The team entitled to the next alternating possession at the end of any period shall start the next period
with a throw-in at the center line extended, opposite the scorer's table.

Alternating possession begins when the ball is at the disposal of a player for the throw-in and it ends
when the ball touches or us legally touched by a player for the throw-in; the throw-in team commits a violation; and
a live ball lodges on the basket support during a throw-in.

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 The team entitled to the alternating possession throw-in shall be indicated by the alternating
possession arrow in the direction of the opponents' basket. The direction of the arrow is reversed immediately the
alternating possession throw-in ends.
How the ball is played

During the game, the ball is played with the hand (s) only and may be passed, thrown, tapped, rolled or
dribbled in any direction, subject to the restrictions of these rules.

To run with the ball deliberately kick or block it with any part of the leg or strike it with the fist is a
violation. However, to accidentally come with or touch the ball with any part of the leg is not a violation.

Control of the ball

Team control starts when a player of that team is in control of a live ball because he is holding or
dribbling it or has a live ball st his disposal.

Team control continues when:

• a player of that team is in control of a live ball
• the ball is being passed between team-mates

Team control ends when:

• an opponents gains control
• the ball becomes dead
• the ball has left the player's hand (s) on a shot for a field goal or for a free throw.

Player in the act of shooting

Begins when the player starts the continues movement normally preceding the release of the ball and,
in the judgment of the official, he has started an attempt to score by throwing, tapping or dunking the ball towards
the opponents' basket.
Ends when the ball has left the player's hand (s) and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet returned
to the floor.

Goal: When made and its value

A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains within or passes through the
basket.
The ball is considered to be within the basket when the slightest part of the ball is within and below the
level of the ring.

A goal is credited to the team attacking the basket into which the ball has entered as follows:
– a goal from a free throw counts one (1) point
– a goal from the two-point field goal area counts two (2) points
– a goal from the three-point field goal area counts three (3) points
– after the ball has touched the ring on a last or only free throw and is legally touched by an
offensive or defensive player before it enters the basket, the goal counts two (2) points

If a player accidentally scores a field goal in his own basket, the goal counts two (2) points and shall be
recorded as having been scored by the captain of the opposing team on the court.

If a player deliberately scores a field goal in his own basket, it is a violation and the goal does not
count.

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 If a player causes the entire ball to pass through the basket from below, it is a violation.

Throw-in
A throw-in occurs when the ball is passed into the court by the out-of-bounds player.

The player shall take the throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction, as designated by the official, or
where the game was stopped, except directly behind the backboard.

A player taking a throw-in shall not:

– take more than five (5) seconds to release the ball
– step into the court while having the ball in his hand (s)
– cause the ball to touch out-of-bounds, after it has been released on the throw-in
– touch the ball on the court before it has touched another player
– cause the ball to enter the basket directly
– move a distance of more than one (1) meter laterally nor move in more than one direction
from the place as designated by the official before or while releasing the ball. He is,
however, permitted to move directly backwards from the line as far as circumstances
allow.

Other player(s) shall not:

– have any part of their bodies over the boundary line before the ball has been thrown
across the boundary line.
– Be closer than one (1) meter to the player taking the thrown-in when the out-of-bounds
area, free of obstruction at the thrown-in place, is less than two (2) meters to the
boundary line.

Charged time-out

A charged time-out is an interruption of the game requested by the coach or assistant coach only.
Each charged time-out shall last one (1) minute.

Begins when:
– the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his
communication with the scorer's table
– for the non-scoring team, is a field goal is scored

Ends when:
– the ball is at the disposal of a player for the first or only free throw
– the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in

Two (2) charged time-outs may be granted to each team at any time during the first half; three (3) at
any time during the second half and one (1) at any time during each extra period.

Unused charged time-outs may not be carried over to the next half or extra period.

Substitution
A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute only.

Begins when:
– the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his
communication with the scorer's table

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 – a field goal is scored in the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2)
minutes of each extra period, for the non-scoring team.

Ends when:
– the ball is at the disposal of a player for the first or only free throw
– the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in

Game lost by forfeit

A team shall lose the game by forfeit if:
– fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled starting time, the team is not present or is unable
to field five (5) players ready to play
– its actions prevent the game from being played
– it refuses to play after being instructed to do so by the referee

The game is awarded to the opponents and the score shall be twenty to zero (20 to 0).

Game lost by default

A team shall lose a game by default if; during the game, the team has fewer than two (2) players on the
court ready to play.

If the team to which the game is awarded is ahead, the score shall stand as at the time when the game
was stopped. If the team to which the game is awarded is not ahead, the score shall be recored as two to zero (2 to
0) in its favor. The defaulting team shall receive one (1) point in the classification.

FIELD AND EQUIPMENT

Court
The playing court shall be a rectangular hard surface free from obstructions and shall have dimensions
of 28 m in length by 15 m in width, measured from the inside edge of the boundary line. The playing court shall be
marked by well defined lines, which shall be at every point at least 1.2 m from any obstruction.

Side lines are the lines of the long sides of the court. End lines are the lines of the shorter sides of the
court.

Center circle is the circle located at the center of the court which have a radius of 1.8 m.

A center line shall be drawn parallel to the end lines, from the mid points of the side lines and shall
extend 15 cm beyond each side line.

A team's Front court is the part of the court between the end line behind the opponent's basket and the
nearer edge of the center line. The other part of the court, including the center line, is the team's Back court.

A Free throw line shall be drawn parallel to each line. It shall have its further edge, 5.8 m from the inner
edge of the end line and is 3.6 m long and its mid point shall lie on the line joining the mid points of the two end
lines

Three Point Field Goal Area is marked on the court limited by the lines forming two arcs. Each
constructed with a semi circle with a radius of 6.25 m to the outer edge, taking as its center, the point on the floor
directly perpendicular to the exact center of the basket and continuing parallel to the side lines terminating at the
end lines. The distance from the inside edge of the mid-point of the end line to the center point from which the arc
is constructed is 1.575 m.

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 The restricted areas shall be spaces marked in the court which are limited by the end lines, the free
throw lines and by lines which originate at the end lines, their outer edges being 3 m from the mid points of the end
lines and terminate at the ends of the free throw lines.

The free throw lanes are the restricted areas extended in the playing court by semi circles with the
radius of 1.8 m, their centers at the mid points of the free throw lines. Similar circles shall be drawn with a broken
line within the restricted areas. Spaces along the free throw lines to be used by players during free throws. The first
space shall be situated 1.8 m from the inside edge of the end line, measured along the line at the side of the free
throw line and shall be 85 cm in width.
EQUIPMENT

Backboards
Each of the two backboards shall be made of hard wood, 3 m thick or of a suitable transparent material
and their dimensions shall be 1.8 m horizontally and 1.2 m vertically. Borders of the backboards shall be marked
with a line 5 cm wide. These lines shall be of a color contrasting with the back ground. The backboards shall be
rigidly mounted in a position at each end of the court at right angles to the floor, parallel to the end lines and with
their lower edges 2.75 m above the floor. Their centers shall lie in the perpendiculars erected at the points in the
court 1.2 m from the mid points of the end lines.

Basket
The basket used in basketball shall comprise the rings and the nets. The rings shall be constructed of
solid iron of 0.45 m inside diameter. The diameter of the metal of the rings shall be between 0.17 m and 0.20 m.
The basket should be rigidly attached to the backboards and lie in a horizontal plane 3.05 m above the floor. The
nets of the white cord shall be suspended from the rings and made in such a way so that they check the ball
momentarily as it passes through the basket. The length of the net is .40m.

Ball
The ball used for playing shall be spherical and made of a rubber covered with leather, rubber or
synthetic material. The circumference of the ball shall between 75 cm. to 78 cm and the weight shall be between
600 g to 650g.

(Please see attached pictures)

BASIC SKILLS

Passing
The distance the ball has to travel and the position in which the ball is caught often determines the
choice of pass. The following are the kinds of passing:

1. Chest Pass (Two-Handed)

Preparatory Position
• Ball is held by the fingers with the thumbs behind the ball.
• Elbows are bent and close to body.
• Knees are bent and feet in stride position.
Body Action
• Ball is brought slightly downward, then upward, and pushed away from chest; arms are
pushed forward from shoulders as elbows straighten.
• Arms follow through toward target.

2. Bounce Pass (Two Handed)

• The bounce is used with a pass so that the ball may bounce into the receiver’s hands.
This pass may utilize the overhand, underhand, or chest pass. Ball should bounce at a
point three-fourths of the distance from passer to receiver so that it is caught at waist
level.

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 • Reach out as ball is thrown.

3. One-hand Underhand/Push Pass

• This pass uses the throwing pattern described in softball unit. The left hand, however, is
put on top of ball to steady it as ball is brought forward.

4. Shoulder Pass
• This pass utilizes the overhand throwing pattern in softball. The left hand, however, is
placed on top of the ball to steady it in the back swing, but is removed as ball is brought
forward.

5. Behind -the back Pass

• It is used when the player changes direction in order to get loose from his opponent. It
should be done from one side of his body to another by swinging it behind and across his
back.
Catching
Preparatory Position
• Be in line with, directly behind, or underneath the ball with feet in forward stride position before attempting
the actual catch.
• Palms face the direction from where the ball is approaching.
• For ball coming below waist level: Hands are held with fingers pointing downward (little fingers
downward).
• For ball coming above the waist level: Hands are held with fingers pointing upward (thumbs together).
Body Action
• Arms reach forward slightly to meet the ball.
• As soon as ball comes into the hands, the fingers close around it and the arms pull it in toward the body
or “give” with it.

NOTE: Moving to meet the ball shortens the distance it has to travel to cut off the opponent.

Dribbling

This is a legal way for a player to move with the ball. This is done by bouncing the ball successively.
The ball is not allowed to rest or be caught in one or both hands between bounces. Ball is pushed forward slightly
with fingertips, which is used to control bounce to keep ball below the waist.

1. Change-of-pace / Crossover Dribble

It is the most common in basketball and is used to make the defender think that the
dribbler is slowing sown or going to pick up his dribble and stop, or he is looking for a team mate to
pass to, but still keeping his dribble, he explodes by the defender at top speed.

2. Low or controlled Dribble

It is used whenever the player is closely guarded. This type of dribbling is simply entails
keeping the ball low to the floor and in player's control. The ball is dribbled on the side of the body
away from the defender. The palm of the dribbling hand is kept over the ball.

3. High or speed Dribble

It is done a player is in the open court and needs to go as fast as he can with the ball

4. Behind -the back-Dribble

It is used when the dribble changes direction in order to get loose from his opponent. The
dribbler moves the ball from one side of his body to another by swinging it behind and across his back.

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 5. Between-legs- Dribble
It is moving the ball from one hand to another between the legs when a dribbler is closely
guarded or when he wants to change his direction.

6. Reverse Dribble
It is also called the spin dribble. This can be done to change direction and to bounce the
ball from one hand to another when the dribbler is closely guarded. To use this effectively must be
executed quickly when the dribbler pushes the ball to the floor and routes around his defender.

Shooting
The basic pattern for shooting is that of throwing.

1. Two-Hand Underhand Shot

Preparatory Position
Ball is held in front of the body.
Fingers on both hands are under the ball and thumbs are pointing upward so that the rim
of basket can be seen over the ball.
Body Action
Knees bend as ball is brought down between the legs.
Knees straighten as ball is brought upward.
Ball is released when the arms are fully extended in the direction of the basket.
The follow through should be high in the direction of basket.

2. One-Hand Push Shot

Preparatory Position
Ball is balanced by the fingers of the shooting hand.
Body Action
Ball is brought up and in line with shoulder of shooting hand; elbows are bent.
As ball is released, the shooting arm extends upward and toward the basket.
The wrist flexes as fingers guide the ball.
The follow through is high and toward the basket.

3. Two-Hand Chest Shot

Preparatory Position
Ball is held as for a chest pass.
Body Action
As shot is begun, slightly lower ball and release it with an upward extension of knees and
arms and a snap of wrist and fingers.
Concentrate eyes on nearest rim of basket and make an effort to “lay” ball over this rim.
4. Lay-Up Shot
This type of shot is similar to the mechanics of the one-hand push shot, but the ball is
aimed at the backboard so that it can rebound into the basket.
Player approaches the basket from the side with a dribble or receives a pass from a
teammate as he is running.
As player jumps high in air, the ball is brought to a position off the shoulder of the shooting
board.
With the arm fully extended, the ball is pushed and guided by the fingers to a spot on the
backboard.

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PARTICIPANTS OF THE GAME

Players
Five players composed of 2 guards, 1 center, and 2 forwards.

Official
The referee and the umpire have control of the game; both have equal rights to call for violations and
fouls. They work on opposite sides of the floor and are assisted by a timer and a scorer.

VIOLATIONS
A violation is an infraction of the rules.
The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the place nearest to where the infraction
took place, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated in the rules.

1. Player out-of-bounds
A player is out-of-bounds when any part of his body is in contact with the floor or any
object other than a player, on, above or outside the boundary line.
The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches:
– a player or any other person who is out-of-bounds
– the floor or any object on, above or outside the boundary line
– the backboard supports, the back of the backboards or any above the playing
court
2. Dribbling
A dribble starts when a player, having gained control of a live ball on the court, throws,
taps, rolls or dribbles it on the floor and touches it again before it touches another player.
A dribble ends when the player touches the ball with both hands simultaneously or
permits the ball to come to rest in one or both hands.
A player who is accidentally loses and then regains control of a live ball on the court is
considered to be fumbling the ball.
The following are not dribbles:
– successive shots for a field goal
– fumbling the ball at the beginning or at the end of a dribble
– attempts to gain control of the ball by tapping it from the vicinity of other players
– tapping the ball from the control of another player
– deflecting a pass and gaining control of the ball
– tossing the ball from hand to hand and allowing it to come to rest before touching
the floor, provided that no travelling violation is committed.

3. Travelling
Traveling is the illegal movement of one or both feet beyond the limits outlined in this
article, in any direction, while holding a live ball on the court.
A pivot is the legal movement in which a player who is holding a live ball on the court
steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, while the other foot, called the pivot
foot, is kept at its point of contact with the floor.
Establishing a pivot foot for a player who catches a live ball on the court:
– while standing with both feet on the floor:
• the moment one foot is lifted, the other becomes the pivot foot.
- while moving or dribbling:
• if one foot is touching the floor, that foot becomes the pivot foot
• if both feet are off the floor and the player lands on both feet
simultaneously, the moment one foot is lifted, the other becomes the

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 pivot foot.
• If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on one foot, then that
foot becomes the pivot foot. If a player jumps off that foot and comes
to a stop landing on both feet simultaneously, then neither foot is a
pivot foot.
Player falling, lying, or sitting on the floor: it is legal when a player falls on the floor while
holding the ball or, while lying or sitting on the floor, gains control of the ball; and it is a violation if the
player then slides, rolls, or attempts to stand up while holding the ball.
4. Three seconds
A player shall not remain in the opponents' restricted area for more than three (3)
consecutive seconds while his team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt and the game clock is
running.
Allowance must be made for a player who:
– makes an attempt to leave the restricted area
– is in the restricted area when he or his team-mate is in the act of shooting
and the ball is leaving or has just left the player's hand (s) on the shot for a
field goal
– dribbles in the restricted area to shoot for a field goal after having been there
for less than three (3) seconds
5. Five seconds
A player who is holding a live ball on the court is closely guarded when an opponent is in
an active guarding position at a distance of no more than one (1) meter. A closely guarded player
must pass, shoot, or dribble the ball within five (5) seconds.
A throw-in player must pass the ball on the court within five (5) seconds.
A free-throw player must shoot the ball within five (5) seconds.

6. Eight seconds
A team's backcourt consists of its team's own basket, the inbounds part of the backboard
and that part of the court limited by the end line behind the team's own basket, the sidelines and the
center line.
A team's frontcourt consists of the opponents' basket, the inbounds part of the backboard
and that part of the court limited by the end line behind the opponents' basket, the side lines and the
inside edge of the centerline nearest to the opponents' basket.
The ball goes into a team's frontcourt when:
– it touches the front court
– it touches a player or an official who has part of his body in contact with the
frontcourt
Whenever a player gains control of a live ball in his backcourt, his team must cause the
ball to go into its frontcourt within eight (8) seconds, otherwise, it will become a violation.

7. Twenty-four seconds
Whenever a player gains control of a live ball on the court, his team must attempt a shot
for a field goal within twenty-four (24) seconds.

8. Backcourt violation (Ball returned to the backcourt

The ball goes into a team's backcourt when:
– it touches the backcourt
– it touches a player or an official who has part of his body in contact with the
backcourt
A player who is in control of a live ball may not cause the ball to be illegally returned to his
backcourt.

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 9. Goal tending and interference
A shot for a field goal or a free throw:
– begins when the ball leaves the hand (s) of a player in the act of shooting.
– Ends when the ball:
• enters the basket directly from above and remains within or passes
through the basketball
• no longer has the possibility of entering the basket
• touches the ring
• touches the floor
• becomes dead

Goal tending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ball while it is
completely above the level of the ring and:
– it is on its downward flight to the basket
– after has hit the backboard

Goal tending occurs during a shot for a free throw when a player touches the ball while it is
in flight to the basket and before it touches the ring

Interference occurs during a shot for a field goal when:

– a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with
the ring
– a player reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball
– a defensive player touches the ball or the basket while the ball is within the
basket and it prevents the ball from passing through the basket
– a defensive player causes the backboard or the ring to vibrate in such a way
that, in the judgment of the official, the ball has been prevented from entering
the basket
– an offensive player causes the backboard or the ring to vibrate in such a way
that, in thee judgment of the official, the ball has been caused to enter the
basket

If the violation is committed by an offensive player, no points can be awarded. The ball
shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the free-throw line extended, unless otherwise
stated in the rules.

If the violation is committed by a defensive player, the offensive team is awarded:

– one (1) point when the ball was released for a free throw
– two (2) points when the ball was released from the two-point field goal area
– three (3) points when the ball was released from the three-point field goal
area

FOULS
A foul is an infraction of the rules concerning illegal personal contact with an opponent and/or
unsportsmanlike behavior.

Cylinder principle

The cylinder principle is defined as the space within an imaginary cylinder occupied by a player on the
floor. It includes the space above the player and is limited to:

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 – the front by the palms of the hands,
– the rear by the buttocks, and
– the sides by the outside edge of the arms and legs.

The hands and arms may be extended in front of the torso no further than the position of the feet, with
the arms bent at the elbows so that the forearms and hands are raised. The distance between his feet will vary
according to his height.
Consider the following:
– principle of verticality
– legal guarding position
Personal foul

A personal foul is a player's contact foul with an opponent, whether the ball is live or dead.

A player shall not hold, block, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending
his hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, leg, knee or foot, nor by bending his body into an 'abnormal' position (outside
his cylinder), nor shall he indulge in any rough or violent play.

Charging is illegal personal contact, with or without the ball, by pushing or moving into an opponent's
torso.

Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent with or without the ball.

Illegal use of hand(s) or/and arm(s) occurs when the defensive player is in a guarding position and his
hand(s) or arm(s) is placed upon and remains in contact with an opponent with or without the ball, to impede his
progress.

Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with his freedom of movement. This
contact (holding) can occur with any part of the body.

Pushing is illegal personal contact with any part of the body in which a player forcibly moves or
attempts to move an opponent with or without control of the ball.

Penalty:

If the foul is committed on a player who is not in the act of shooting:

– the game shall be resumed with a throw-in by the non-offending team at the place
nearest to the infraction.
– if the offending team is in a team foul situation, two(2) free throws may be awarded

If the foul committed on a player in the act of shooting, that player shall be awarded a number of free
throw(s) as follows:
– shot is successful, goal counts + one(1) free throw is awarded;
– shot is unsuccessful from the two-point field goal area, two(2) free throw is
awarded;
– shot is unsuccessful from the three-point field goal area, three(3) free throw is
awarded;

Double foul
A double foul shall be charged in which two opponents commit fouls against each other at
approximately the same time.

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 Penalty:
A personal foul shall be charged against each offender. No free throws shall be awarded.

Unsportsmanlike foul
An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact foul which, in the judgment of the official, is not a legitimate
attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.

Penalty:
Free throw(s) shall be awarded to he player who was fouled, followed by:
– a throw-in at the center line extended, opposite the scorer's table
– a jump ball at the center circle to begin the first period
The number of free throws shall be as follows:
– if the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting: two(2) free
throws will be awarded
– if the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made,
shall count and, in addition, one(1) free throw will be awarded
– if the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting who fails to score:
two(2) or three(3) free throws will be awarded.

Disqualifying foul
A disqualifying foul is any flagrantly unsportsmanlike behavior by a player, substitute, coach, assistant
coach or team follower.
A player shall also be disqualified when he is charged with two(2) unsportsmanlike fouls.
A coach shall be also disqualified when:
– he is charged with two(2) technical fouls as a result of his personal unsportsmanlike
behavior;
– he is charged with three(3) technical fouls accumulated as a result of unsportsmanlike
behavior from the team bench (assistant coach, substitute or team follower) or a
combination of three(3) technical fouls, one of which has been charged against the coach.

Penalty:
He shall be disqualified and shall go to, and remain in, his team's dressing room for the
duration of the game, if he so chooses, he shall leave the building.
– if the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting or if it is a
technical foul: two(2) free throws will be awarded
– if the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made,
shall count and, in addition, one(1) free throw will be awarded
– if the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting who fails to score:
two(2) or three(3) free throws will be awarded.

Technical foul

A technical foul is a player non-contact foul of a behavioral nature including, but not limited to:
– disregarding warnings by officials
– disrespectfully touching the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or the team
bench personnel
– disrespectfully communicating with the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or
the opponents
– using language or gestures likely to offend or incite the spectators
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 – baiting an opponent or obstructing his vision by waving his hands near his eyes
– delaying the game by deliberately touching the ball after it passes through the basket.
– delaying the game by preventing a throw-in from being taken promptly
– falling down to fake a foul

Penalty:
If a technical foul is committed:
– by a player, a technical foul shall be charged against him as a player foul and
shall count as one of the team fouls.
– by a coach, assistant coach, substitute or team follower, a technical foul shall
be charged against the coach and shall not count as one of the team fouls
Two(2) free throws shall by awarded to the opponent, followed by:
– a throw-in at the center line extended, opposite the scorer's table
– a jump ball at the center circle to start the first period.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Five fouls by a player

A player who has committed five (5) fouls, personal and/or technical, shall be informed thereof by the
referee and must leave the game immediately. He must be substituted within thirty (30) seconds.

Team fouls: Penalty

A team is in a team foul penalty situation when it has committed four (4) team fouls in a period.
When a team is in a team foul penalty situation, all subsequent player personal fouls committed on a
player who is not in the act of shooting shall be penalized by two(2) free throws, instead of a throw-in.

Free throws

A free throw is an opportunity given to a player to score one (1) point, uncontested, from a position
behind the free-throw line and inside the semicircle.

The free-throw shooter shall:

– take a position behind the free-throw line and inside the semicircle
– use any method to shoot a free throw in such a way that the ball enters the basket from
above or the ball touches the ring
– release the ball within five(5) seconds of the time when it is placed at his disposal by the
official
– not touch the free-throw line or enter the restricted area until the ball has entered the
basket or has touched the ring
– not fake a free throw

The players in the free-throw rebound places shall be entitled to occupy alternating positions in these
spaces, which are considered to be one(1) meter in depth

These players shall not:

– occupy rebound places to which they are not entitled
– enter the restricted area, the neutral zone or leave the rebound place until the ball has left
the hands(s) of the free-throw shooter
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 – the opponents of the free-throw shooter shall not distract him by their actions

Penalty:
If a violation is committed by a free-throw shooter:
– point, if made, shall not count
– any other player's violation committed by the free-throw shooter shall be
disregarded.

If a free throw is successful and the violation(s) is committed by any player(s) other than
the free-throw shooter:
– point (s), if made, shall count
– violation(s) shall be disregarded

If a free throw is not successful and the violation is committed by:

– a team-mate of the free-throw shooter on the last or only free throw, the ball shall
be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the free-throw line extended unless
that team is entitled to further possession.
– an opponent of the free-throw shooter, a substitute free throw shall be awarded to
the free-throw shooter
– both teams, on the last or only free throw, the game shall be resumed with a jump
ball situation

OFFICIALS' SIGNALS (Please see attached pictures)

Prepared by:

Physical Education Dept. STEH SMU

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