Basketball
Basketball, sport, usually played on an indoor court in which two competing teams of five players each attempt to score points or “baskets” by throwing an inflated ball so that it descends through one of two baskets suspended, at each end of the court, above their heads. The team scoring the most such points, through field goals or foul shots, wins the game. Because of its continuous action and frequent scoring, basketball is one of the most popular spectator as well as participant sports in the world.

Court And Teams

The measurements of American and international basketball courts differ slightly. The basketball court is a rectangular area ranging in size from about 29 m by 15 m (94 ft by 50 ft) to about 22 m by 13 m (74 ft by 42 ft). At each end of the court is a vertical backboard, measuring usually about 2 m by 1 m (6 ft by 3 ft). Each backboard is anchored to a wall, suspended from the ceiling, or otherwise mounted so that its lower edge is about 2.7 m (9 ft) above the court. (Backboards originated to keep spectators from interfering with the game.) The baskets are attached firmly to the backboards about 3 m (10 ft) above the playing surface. Each basket is about 46 cm (18 in) in diameter and consists of a horizontal hoop, or metal ring, from which a fringe of wide-meshed white netting is hung. The regulation basketball is an inflated, leather- or nylon-covered sphere that weighs from 567 to 624 g (20 to 22 oz) and has a circumference of about 76 cm (30 in).

A conventional basketball team, which is directed by a coach, is made up of two forwards, two guards, and a centre. At the beginning of play, called the tip-off, the forwards of one team are stationed in the forecourt—that is, the half of the playing area containing the basket at which their team is shooting. The two guards stand in the backcourt. The centre, usually the tallest player on the team, stands inside a circle that has a radius of about 61 cm (24 in) and is located midway along a line painted across the middle of the court.

Rules
Basketball rules change frequently with the intent of speeding its action, increasing the scoring, and offsetting the advantages given to teams with extremely tall players. Slightly different regulations govern international basketball and the college, scholastic, professional, and women's games in the United States. In 1971 rules for women's basketball were redrawn, making it more like the men's game. Games are supervised by referees, umpires, official scorekeepers, and timers. 

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