Rules For Novice Basketball Players

Every game has its rules and it is those rules that govern the way a game is played. Basketball is no different and it does have some of the easiest rules to remember. But just like every other game, the rules are easily broken. Which is why for novice basketball players, it's not a surprise why their coaches and co-players keep teaching the rules over and over again.

Basketball is a quick and very exciting sport. It helps to boost one's health and fitness. And it is one of the most popular sports in the world, with more and more countries turning their heads to action coming from organizations like the NBA and WNBA. So before you try your hand at the sport, it's always good to look at the basic rules so you know what you are getting into.

• A basketball game itself is one that that lasts roughly for 40 minutes. It's split into four quarters, each quarter with 10 minutes of game play.

• Each team plays one way for two quarters. Then after the first half, the teams switch sides and play the other way for the remaining half of the game.

• There is no set number of points that has to be reached unlike a game of, say, tennis, ping pong or volleyball. The game just continues within the set time limit and the players try to make as many baskets as they can.

• The game is started at the center of the court. The referee throws the ball in the air and then the players can then play ball. In the past, this center-court ball toss used to happen every time a basket was scored but it was later eliminated to speed up the game.

• Between the two halves of the game is a 15 minute period called the half-time. In larger, more extravagant games, this is usually the time when spectators cheer for their respective teams as cheerleaders dance representing each of those teams. In between the quarters there is also an interval of two minutes.

• During game play, two time-outs may be called by the coach at anytime during the first half of the game while during the second half three time outs are permitted. This is a time when they can start subbing in players so that the ones on the court can take a rest.

• When a referee blows his whistle, the time stops. Also, the time remains stopped if there are any free throws and it will start again once the ball touches someone on the court.

• A player is given the chance to make shots that count as 2 points and 3 points depending on the distance from the basket. 1-shot points are possible during free-throw times.

• A basketball player can be punished or penalized for a foul against another player. Usually, the player who is fouled is awarded a free-throw or two.

• The height of the ring should be 10 feet or 3 meters from the ground.

• The object of the game is to outscore the opponent by putting the ball in the basket thereby earning team points.