Basketball Rules and Regulations

What Are the Rules of Basketball?

Dr. James Naismith invented the game of

basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891.
The objective of today's game stems directly from
Naismith's original rules that are based around
shooting a ball through a metal hoop suspended
above the ground, which is called a basket.
13 Rules of Basketball - Written by James Naismith

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with

one or both hands.

2.The ball may be batted in any direction with one

or both hands, but never with the fist.

3.A player cannot run with the ball. The player

must throw it from the spot on which he catches it,
allowance to be made for a man running at good
speed.
4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body
must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping

in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this
rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall
disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was
evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the
game. No substitution shall be allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of

Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall
count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means
without the opponents in the meantime making a
foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or

batted from the grounds into the basket and stays
there, providing those defending the goal do no
touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the
edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall
count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown
into the field and played by the first person touching
it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight
into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If
he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent

10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and

shall note the fouls and notify the referee when
three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall
have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide
when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs,
and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been
made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties
that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five

minutes rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be
declared the winner.
COMMON VIOLATIONS

•24-Second Violation teams must attempt a

shot within 24 seconds

•Three in the Key - An offensive or defensive

player cannot remain in the lane (key) for more
than three seconds at a time

Double Dribble - A violation in which a

player dribbles the ball, stops, then
begins to dribble again
•Charging -A violation in which an offensive player
runs into a stationary opponent

•Travelling -A violation in which a player takes too

many steps without dribbling the basketball

•Eight-Second Violation - After a basket, the

offensive team has eight seconds to get the ball over
midcourt

•Palming -A violation in which a player moves his

hand under the ball and scoops it while dribbling
•Goaltending -When a defensive player interferes
illegally with a shot on the rim or on a downward
path to the hoop; the shot is assumed in and the
offensive team receives the basket
Here's the complete list of violations:

•8-Second Back Court

• 24-Second Shot Clock
• 5-Second Held Ball
• 3-Second Paint
•Goaltending/Basket Interference
•Kicking the Ball
•Illegal Assist
•Entering Basket from Below
•Carrying
•Double Dribbling
•Traveling
COMMON FOULS (PERSONAL)

•Blocking -When a player uses their body

position to prevent their opponent from
advancing
•Charging-- When an offensive player runs into
a defender who has an established position
•Elbowing When a player swings their elbows
in an excessive manner and makes contact with
their opponent
•lllegal Screen the player setting - the screen is still
moving when the defender makes contact with
them. This is a form of blocking which prevents
the defender from moving around the screen
•Hand Check when a defender intermittently or
continuously uses one or both hands on an
opposing player, usually the ball handler
•Holding using the hands to - interfere with or
limit an opponent's freedom of movement

•Over-the-Back jumping on and over the back of

an opposing player who is attempting to rebound
the basketball

• Reaching In - when attempting to steal the

basketball, the defender extends their arm and
hand and makes contact with the ballhandler
•Tripping when a player uses their foot or
leg to cause their opponent to fall or loose
their balance
•Flagrant Foul foul A committed in an violent and
harmful manner.

•Intentional Foul A foul committed on purpose,

usually by a defensive player, to stop the clock or
prevent a basket.
•Shooting Foul - When a defender makes contact
with an offensive player who is in the act of
shooting the basketball.

•Technical Foul Violations and - misconduct that

are detrimental game. opportunities. to the These
are penalized by free-throw
•Personal foul penalties: If a player is shooting while a
being fouled, then he gets two free throws if his shot
doesn't go in, but only one free throw if his shot does
go in.

•Three free throws are awarded if the player is fouled

while shooting for a three-point goal and they miss
their shot. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-
point shot and makes it anyway, he is awarded one
free throw. Thus, he could score four points on the
play.
•Inbounds - If fouled while not shooting, the
ball is given to the team the foul was
committed upon. They get the ball at the
nearest side or baseline, out of bounds, and
have 5 seconds to pass the ball onto the court.
•Backcourt violation - Once the offense has
brought the ball across the mid-court line,
they cannot go back across the line during
possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to
the other team to pass inbounds.
•Offensive Fouls: Offensive fouls are fouls
committed by the team in possession of
the ball.

Defensive Fouls: Defensive fouls are fouls

committed by the team that is not in
possession of the ball.
ATTITUDE BEFORE SKILL

SALAMATON !!