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THE OBJECTIVE To play basketball, two teams put five players on the court. The game starts at the center of the court with a jump ball, where a referee tosses the ball in the air, and one player from each team tries to tip the ball to their surrounding teammates. Teams then dribble and pass the ball up and down the court on offense, trying to score points by shooting the ball through the basket. Or they're on defense, trying to stop the opposing team from scoring. Whichever team has the most points at the end is the winner. Points can be scored this way: • Two-point basket: The most common basket, a two-pointer can be scored from anywhere within the three-point line with a jump shot (shot away from the basket while jumping in the air), layup (shot while driving toward the basket), or dunk (shot by jumping and forcefully pushing the ball through the basket). • Three-point basket: Introduced to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1979 and incorporated into college and high school basketball in the 1980s, players get three points if they successfully shoot the ball from beyond the three-point line. • Free throw: When a player is attempting to make a basket and an opposing team member violates a rule and commits a foul, the player making the basket may be entitled to a free throw. The basket-shooting player is allowed one free throw if he or she scored a basket during the foul. If the basket-shooting player missed the basket when the foul was called, he or she can shoot two or three free throws, depending on whether they were shooting inside or outside the three-point line. The Positions There are five positions in basketball. Each position has responsibilities on offense and defense to help their team win. Here's who's who: • Point guard: Typically the leader and best passer on the team, the point guard brings the ball up the court and calls plays so their teammates know what to do and how to score. On defense, they're assigned to follow one of the other team's guards around the court, defending them and making it hard to complete plays. • Shooting guard: As their name suggests, on offense, shooting guards are the strongest shooters on the team and catch passes and score points. On defense, their role is similar to the point guard. • Small forward: Small forwards are flexible players who dribble, shoot, get to the basket, and catch and reshoot missed shots on offense. Sometimes, they can bring the ball up the court and act as a point forward. On defense, they can prevent the other team from scoring by defending smaller players away from the basket and bigger players near the basket. • Power forward: Power forwards are taller players who usually play near the basket on offense and defense. On offense, they get most of their points from shooting inside the three-point line, using their height advantage to score near the basket. On defense, they defend taller players in the same area. • Center: The center is the tallest player. On offense, they play near the basket and create room for teammates to score. On defense, they defend shots closest to the basket, like layups and dunks. The Lingo Now that you know the basics, here are some key terms that'll make understanding the sport a slam dunk: • Airball: A player shoots the ball, but it doesn't touch the basket. • Assist: A player passes the ball, and their teammate immediately scores. • Block: When players on defense swat away attempted layups, dunks, or jump shots. • Double-double/triple-double: When a player gets a pair or trio of achievements in double figures in a single game (i.e., 10 points and 10 rebounds, or 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists). • Double dribble: A violation that occurs when a player dribbles the ball, stops, and then dribbles again. • Fast break: When the team with the ball sprints toward their basket to try and score before the defense can set up. • Rebound: When players grab a missed shot out of the air. • Screen: When an offensive player stands in the way of a defensive player to open room for their teammate. • Steal: When players on defense take the ball away from the other team. • Travel: A player takes too many steps without dribbling. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 29

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