Basketball — Definition, History, Rules, Court, Players, & Facts

Basketball — definition and basics

Basketball is a game played between two teams of five players each on a rectangular court, usually indoors.

History

Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian physical educator, in Springfield, Massachusetts, as a new indoor sport to keep students active during winter.
The original game used a soccer ball and boxes as goals; over time, specialized hoops and baskets were adopted, along with standardized rules.
The sport rapidly spread worldwide and evolved into the professional and college systems that exist today.

Rules overview

Two teams of five players each contest the ball to score points by shooting through a hoop mounted 10 feet high.
The team with more points at the end of the game wins; in most cases, games consist of four quarters or two halves, with stoppages for fouls, violations, and timeouts.
Common violations include traveling, double dribble, and shot clock violations; fouls are categorized as personal, technical, or team fouls and impact free-throw opportunities or possession.

Court and equipment

The court is a rectangle marked with baselines, sidelines, free-throw line, three-point line, and a center circle.
Each basket (hoop) consists of a metal rim attached to a backboard, with a net to slow the ball’s passage; a standardized basketball is used—typically orange with black channels.

Players and positions

Teams usually consist of guards, forwards, and a center, each with specialized roles such as ball handling, perimeter shooting, rebounding, and interior defense.
Key skills include dribbling, passing, shooting accuracy, footwork, defense, and game awareness.

Notable facts

Basketball is widely played at amateur, collegiate, and professional levels, with major leagues and governing bodies organizing competitions globally.
The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, athleticism, and rapid decision-making, making it one of the most popular athletic activities worldwide.

Авторское резюме: Basketball is a globally popular indoor sport for two five-player teams, defined by a basket-based scoring system, structured rules, and a rich history from its 1891 origin to modern professional play.

Britannica — 2025-12-01