Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, typically consisting of five players each, compete to score points by throwing a ball through the opponent’s hoop, which is elevated ten feet above the ground. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end. Players can advance the ball by dribbling (bouncing the ball while running) or passing to teammates. Points are scored in various ways: a field goal is worth two points if taken from inside the three-point line, and three points if taken from beyond it; free throws, awarded after certain fouls, are worth one point each. The game is governed by specific rules including regulations on dribbling, fouls, and violations such as traveling. The objective is to outscore the opposing team within a designated time frame, typically consisting of four quarters. Basketball emphasizes skills such as shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense, and is played at both amateur and professional levels, including in high schools, colleges, and international competitions.