BASKETBALL HANDOUT
Equipment


The only essential equipment in a basketball game is the basketball and the
court: a flat, rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends. Competitive
levels require the use of more equipment such as clocks, score sheets,
scoreboard(s), alternating possession arrows, and whistle-operated stopclock systems.
The size of the basketball is also regulated. For men, the official ball is 29.5
inches in circumference (size 7, or a "295 ball") and weighs 22 oz. If women
are playing, the official basketball size is 28.5 inches in circumference (size 6,
or a "285 ball") with a weight of 20 oz._
SCORING



2 point field goal- a shot made from anywhere during play inside the 3 point
arc.
3 point field goal- a shot made from anywhere outside the 3 point arc.
Free throw- 1 point is awarded to an unguarded shot taken from behind the
free throw line while the clock is stopped.
SKILLS








Boxing out- a player’s position between an opposing player and the basket to
obtain a better rebounding position.
Dribbling- bouncing the ball with 1 hand using your fingertips instead of
your palm so that it rebounds back to yourself (the only legal way to move
with the ball)
Passing- moving the ball by throwing, bouncing, handing, or rolling it to
another player (Chest, Bounce, Lob)
Shooting- throwing the ball to make a basket
Pivoting- stepping once or more in any direction with the same foot while
holding the other foot at its initial point.
Rebounding- the recovering of a shot that bounces off the backboard or the
rim.
FOULS: A foul is when a player breaks a rule of basketball while making
physical contact with another player. If the player was fouled in the act of
shooting, this results in one or more free throws awarded to the opposing
team.
o Blocking- impeding the progress of an opponent by extending one or
both arms horizontally or getting in the path of a moving player.
o Charging- running into a stationary player while you are moving with
the ball.
o Hacking- the player hits the arm or hand of the person holding the
ball.
o Holding- the player holds the person with or without the ball.
VIOLATIONS: results in a change of possession with the team in bounding the
ball at the side line opposite where the infringement took place
o Traveling- moving illegally with the ball
o Carrying - A violation in which the player's hand is underneath the
ball while dribbling.
o Back Court - A violation that occurs when a team has established ball
control in the front half court, then returns the ball to
o the backcourt.
o Kicking – A violation where the player is deemed to have kicked the
ball.
o Charging – A foul where the ball-handler makes contact with a player
whom has already established position on the court.
o Hacking – A foul in which a defender makes contact with the shooter
on the arm or wrist while in the act of shooting.
o Reaching – A foul in which a defender makes contact with the ballhandler while reaching-in an attempt to steal the ball.
o Three seconds- an offensive player remains in the key (free throw
lane- the area under the basket) for more than 3 seconds
o Double dribble- a player dribbles the ball with both hands at the same
time or they stop and then start dribbling again
TERMS:













Air ball- a shot that completely misses the rim and the backboard
Assist- a pass to a teammate who then scores a field goal.
Defense- team trying to stop the other team from scoring
Dunk- to throw the ball down into the basket with the hand above the level of
the rim
Fast break- dribbling or passing the ball towards your basket before the
defense can set up
Man-to-man- a defensive strategy where everyone guards an assigned player
Offense- team trying to score
Turn over- any loss of the ball without a shot being taken
Key – The area on the court that is located under the basket and in front of
the free throw line (see court diagram)
Pivot – When a player establishes one foot as the pivot foot; that foot must
remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped dribbling is
ready to pass or shoot.
Back Board – The rectangular structure, 6' x 3 1/2', to which the basket is
attached.
Player-to-Player Defense (Man to Man) - The defensive style where each
defensive player is responsible for guarding one opponent
Zone defense- a defensive strategy where everyone guards an area instead of
a player (2-1-2, 2-3, 1-2-2)
Court Dimensions:


The basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor
with baskets at either end. In professional or organized basketball it is
usually made out of a hardwood.
A full-sized court is 94 feet by 50 ft. The baskets are always 10' above the
floor.
Positions
Although the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever, they have evolved as
part of basketball. The following are the basic 5 positions:
 Two Guards
 Two Forwards
 One Center
Shooting
The most common shot used is the jump shot.
 The jump shot is taken while in mid-air, near the top of the jump. This
provides much greater power and range, and it also allows the player to
elevate over the defender. Failure to release the ball before returning the
feet to the ground is a traveling violation.
Another common shot is called the layup.
 This shot requires the player to be in motion toward the basket, and to "lay"
the ball "up" and into the basket, typically off the backboard.
Passing



The chest pass - The ball is passed directly from the passer's chest to the
receiver's chest.
The bounce pass -Here, the passer bounces the ball crisply about two-thirds
of the way from his own chest to the receiver. The ball strikes the court and
bounces up toward the receiver.
The Overhead Pass - is used to pass the ball over a defender. The ball is
released while over the passer's head.