Ole Miss Chemical Sciences Summer Programs
Basketball Rules & Regulations
Written by Leigh Anna Hunt, 2015
House Rules
Picking Teams:. Shots are made from the free throw line for choosing teams. Either
the first two players who make it are captains or the first 10 players who make it
(5+5) are chosen to play.
Scoring:. Regular baskets are worth 1 point and three point shots are worth 2
points. Games are over when one team scores at least 15 points, or 11 points if
others are waiting to play. When games are close, however, the winning team must
win by two or more points.
Games:. For 4, 6, or 8 people only half the court is used and after each point the
scoring team gets the ball again. For 10 or 12 people the full court is used and
possession of the ball alternates after each point.
Checking the Ball:. For 4, 6, or 8 people only half the court is used the ball is
thrown in from the the point line. For full court games the ball can either be thrown
in from the end line after a point, or checked at the three point line after a violation.
When throwing in the ball, the player cannot dribble or move but must pass first.
Court Lines & Markings
1.) Sidelines. Establish the size of the playing area, crossing over these lines results
in the ball being awarded to the opposite team.
2.) Baseline/Endline. These lines also establish the size of the playing area and
carry the same consequence as the sidelines when they are crossed.
3.) Midline. This line divides the course in half. Once the offense crosses the midline
it becomes a boundary line reducing the offense’s playing area to half of the court.
4.) Three Point Line. Shots made from behind this line count for two points.
5.) Free Throw Line. Free throws are shot from this line, which is located 15 feet
from the basket. Shots are made here for choosing teams. Either the first two
players who make it are captains or the first 10 players who make it (5+5) are
chosen to play.
6.) Free Throw Circles. The free throw shooter must remain inside of this circle
during a free throw attempt.
7.) Lane Lines. Don’t worry about these this isn’t the NBA.
Ball Handling Violations
Walking/Travelling. Taking more than “a step and a half” without dribbling the
ball OR moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling the ball.
Carrying/palming. Dribbling the ball with the hand too far on the side of or under
the ball.
Double Dribble. When a player dribbles the ball with both hands at the same time
or picks up the ball and then dribbles the ball again.
Jump ball. When two or more players of the opposing team gain full possession of
the ball at the same time. The ball is awarded to a different team on a rotating
basis. Whichever team does not get the ball first has the possession for the first held
ball.
Types of Fouls
Personal fouls: A type of illegal physical contact. When a foul occurs, the team
being fouled gets the ball re-checked.
 Hitting
 Pushing
 Slapping
 Holding
 Illegal screen: When a moving offensive player sticks out a limb and makes
physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the
defender.
Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a being fouled, then that team
gets the ball re-checked.
Charging. When an offensive player pushes or runs over a defensive player.
Blocking. When a defender does not establish his or her position in time to prevent
an opponent's drive to the basket.
Flagrant foul. When violent contact is made with an opponent. This includes hitting,
kicking, and punching.
Intentional foul. When physical contact is made with another player with no
reasonable effort to steal the ball.
Technical foul. Involves the manners of the game i.e. foul language, obscenity,
obscene gestures, etc.
Player Positions and Roles
1.) Point Guard. This position is responsible for bringing the ball down the court for
the offense. This player is usually the shortest and the best ball handler. The point
guard should remain near the top of the key during offensive play.
2.) Shooting Guard (Wing). This position is responsible for passing the ball and
more importantly, shooting the ball. This player is usually the team’s best shooter.
3.) Small Forward (Wing). This position is responsible for scoring from both the
inside and the perimeter. This player is usually agile and aggressive.
4.) Power Forward (Post). This player is responsible for scoring from the inside
and rebounding as often as possible. This position is maintained by a player with
both size and strength.
5.) Center Forward (Post). This player is usually the tallest on the team. In this
position, the player uses size and pivot moves to make short shots from the inside.
References
"HoopTactics Basketball Basics." HoopTactics Basketball Basics. Hooptactics, 2013.
Web. 29 June 2015. <http://hooptactics.com/Basketball_Basics>.
Phelps, Richard. "Understanding Player Positions in Basketball." For Dummies. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2015. Web. 29 June 2015. <http://www.dummies.com/howto/content/understanding-player-positions-in-basketball.html>.