Hoops season is here. That means tournaments and bracket challenges
are on the way, and everything basketball is in full swing. To keep pace
with the game and understand what's happening, follow along.
THE BASICS
Invented in 1891, basketball is played by two teams on a 94-foot-by-50-foot
rectangular court with painted lines. At each end of the court is a raised hoop
with a net attached to a large backboard. Teams try to throw the game's orange
leather or rubber ball into that hoop before the time on the shot clock runs
out. Depending on the level of play, games are played in halves or quarters with
different shot clock durations:
• Men's professional basketball is played in four 12-minute quarters with a
24-second shot clock.
• Men's college basketball is played in two 20-minute halves with a 30-second
shot clock.
• Women's professional and college basketball and European basketball are
played in four 10-minute quarters with a 24-second shot clock.
Regardless of the league, the game's goal is always the same: stop the other team
from scoring points and score as many as you can.
Everything you need to know about basketball.
Nothing
But Net
Three-point line
Mid-court line
Free-throw line
Basket
