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Basketball: Rules & Strategy

Learn the court and positions, scoring and timing, common violations and fouls, special situations (timeouts, bonus, substitutions), and practical strategies on offense and defense. Finish with a short quiz.

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Rules & basics

Objective • Scoring • Timing • Game flow

Objective & scoring

  • Objective: Outscore the opponent by making field goals and free throws.
  • Points: 2 points (inside arc), 3 points (beyond 3-point arc), 1 point (free throw).
  • Possession: After a made basket, opposing team inbounds from baseline; after some violations, ball is inbounded from sideline.

Timing & periods

  • Game is split into halves or quarters (length varies by league).
  • Shot clock limits time to attempt a field goal (varies by level).
  • Tied games go to overtime with shorter periods.

Court & positions

Key areas • Primary roles

Court areas

  • Baseline & sidelines (out of bounds).
  • Three-point line, free-throw line, key (paint/restricted area), midcourt line.
  • Frontcourt vs. backcourt (relative to the team with the ball).

Positions & typical roles

  • PG: Primary ball handler, initiates offense, tempo control.
  • SG: Perimeter scoring, off-ball movement, spacing.
  • SF: Versatile wing; slashing, perimeter defense, switching.
  • PF: Screens, rebounding, short-roll playmaking.
  • C: Interior defense, rim protection, post play, rebounding.

Violations & fouls

Ball control • Movement • Contact • Free throws

Common violations

  • Travel: Moving illegally without dribbling or changing the pivot foot improperly.
  • Double dribble: Dribble → hold → dribble again, or dribble with both hands.
  • Backcourt: After establishing control in frontcourt, sending the ball back to backcourt.
  • 3 seconds (offense): Offensive player remains in the key too long while team controls the ball.
  • Shot clock: Failing to release a try before the clock expires.
  • Goaltending/basket interference: Illegally touching the ball on a downward flight or within the cylinder (definitions vary by level).

Personal & team fouls

  • Illegal contact may be called a personal foul (shooting or non-shooting).
  • Team fouls accrue each period; after a set limit, the opponent may be awarded free throws (“bonus”).
  • Technical/unsportsmanlike fouls involve conduct; free throws and possession may be awarded.

Free throws (general)

  • Shooting fouls usually award 2 or 3 free throws depending on the attempt, or 1 if the goal is made (“and-one”).
  • Bonus situations award free throws for some non-shooting fouls once team foul thresholds are reached.
  • Lane violations occur if players enter the key too early during a free throw.

Special situations

Timeouts • Substitutions • Inbounds • Overtime

Timeouts & substitutions

  • Timeouts stop play; number and length vary by league.
  • Substitutions occur during dead balls (or as allowed); notify the table/officials first.

Inbounds & possession

  • After violations/fouls, teams inbound from a designated spot (sideline/baseline).
  • Many levels use alternating-possession for held balls; others use jump balls in specific cases.

Overtime & end-game notes

  • Tied games enter overtime with shorter periods.
  • Advance the ball on timeouts (if allowed by league rules). Confirm specifics for your level.

Strategy (offense & defense)

Spacing • Screening • Transition • Help principles

Offense: core ideas

  • Spacing: keep passing lanes; corners/slots occupied.
  • Pick-and-roll: angle the screen; read over/under/hedge; roll or pop.
  • Ball movement: drive-kick-swing to create advantages.
  • Transition: wide lanes, rim runner, early drag screen.

Defense: man-to-man

  • Stance: on-ball pressure without overreaching.
  • Help & recover: one pass away in gap; two passes away in help.
  • Tag the roller after screens; communicate switches.

Defense: zone (examples)

  • 2-3 zone: protect paint; contest kick-out threes.
  • 3-2/1-2-2: extend to shooters; control corners.
  • Trap/press: contain sideline, rotate behind to steal or force time violations.

Rebounding & transition D

  • Box out: find-hit-turn-rebound.
  • First three steps back on defense; stop the ball in the middle.
  • Match up early; protect the rim, then locate shooters.

Scenarios (Do / Why / How)

Four practical patterns

1) vs. full-court press

  1. Do: Use a 1-3-1 press break (inbounder, safety, middle flash, opposite sideline).
  2. Why: Middle touches collapse traps and create numbers.
  3. How: Short passes, diagonal outlets; avoid corners.

2) Late-clock offense

  1. Do: Run high pick-and-roll with shooters spaced.
  2. Why: Creates quick reads (switch, drop, hedge).
  3. How: Two-dribble attack; hit roller or kick to corners.

3) Protecting a lead

  1. Do: Value possessions; use clock-aware sets.
  2. Why: Low-risk shots and secure rebounds reduce variance.
  3. How: Two-for-one timing if available; ensure floor balance.

4) After offensive rebound

  1. Do: Kick out for a quick open three or reset with advantage.
  2. Why: Defense is scrambled; open looks appear.
  3. How: Head-up read: finish strong if immediate put-back is high %.

Common mistakes & fixes

Spacing • Shot selection • Transition D

Crowded spacing

Fix: Fill corners/slots; cut through or drift to create driving lanes.

Early tough shots

Fix: Create advantages first (screen, drive & kick); hunt paint touches.

Slow transition defense

Fix: First three steps back, stop ball middle, protect rim, then match shooters.

Mini checklists

Quick recall before practice

Offense

  • Maintain spacing; relocate after drives.
  • Set solid screens; short-roll reads ready.
  • One more pass for open looks.

Defense

  • Stance & hands active; contain first step.
  • Help early; recover with high hand.
  • Box out on the shot call.

End-game

  • Know clock, fouls to give, and timeouts.
  • Secure rebounds; value possessions.
  • Advance ball rules (if applicable).

Knowledge check

Instant feedback • Explanations • Retake anytime
1) How many points is a made field goal from beyond the three-point line?
2) Which best describes a double dribble?
3) Which statement about the offensive three-second rule is correct (general)?
4) Backcourt violation (general) occurs when…
5) In man-to-man defense, each defender primarily guards…
6) The main read on a high pick-and-roll is to…
7) A shot-clock violation is called when…
8) “Bonus” generally means…