Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams try to score by sending a ball through a hoop. In standard basketball, each team has five players on the court at a time. Players move the ball by passing or dribbling, which means bouncing it repeatedly while moving. A basket from inside the three-point line is worth two points, while a successful shot from beyond that line is worth three.

A free throw, awarded after certain fouls, is worth one point. The hoop is attached to a backboard and is positioned 3.05 metres above the floor in regulation adult basketball. Players must follow rules governing movement, such as not taking too many steps without dribbling. The team without the ball tries to prevent scoring, regain possession and start its own attack.

A standard game is divided into four quarters, although the length and some rules vary between competitions. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, an additional period called overtime is played. Basketball combines short bursts of acceleration with jumping, stopping, turning and changes of direction. Players therefore need speed, balance, coordination and the ability to react quickly to changing situations.

Shooting also requires control of force and direction: the player adjusts the movement of the arms and hands to give the ball an appropriate speed and angle. During a game, teams constantly choose between different actions, such as passing, shooting, driving toward the basket or defending an opponent. Regular practice can improve coordination, agility, muscular power and cardiovascular fitness, while also developing spatial awareness and teamwork.