| Ever since the invention of the game Basketball in | | | | to watch more of their favorite teams playing. The |
| 1891, it has developed to become a truly international | | | | players uniform includes a pair of jersey(with an |
| sport. It is among the few professional sports in | | | | unique number printed in the front and back) and |
| which the women has grown in tandem with the | | | | shorts. The game is controlled by officials consisting |
| men. Originally a sport of the American origin it has | | | | of the referee, one or two umpires and the table |
| grown to tremendous heights internationally. Teams | | | | officials and has a limited number of time-outs. |
| from all around the globe have emerged with some | | | | Generally the players try to maintain discipline and |
| quality outstanding players, all trying to prove their | | | | etiquette during play but sometimes players do get |
| worth and make their nation noticed and proud. | | | | involved in heated arguments with the rivals. Though |
| Basketball is played between two teams each | | | | against the rules of the games, it makes the |
| consisting of five players, each team trying to | | | | spectators go crazy with excitement and brings new |
| outscore the other by throwing the ball through the | | | | spirit into the game. The ball must stay within the |
| opponents basket from above. The basic rule is to | | | | court; the last team to touch the ball before it |
| score more points than the opponents while | | | | travels out of bounds forfeits possession. The |
| preventing the opponent to do so. A successful | | | | ball-handler cannot move both feet without dribbling, |
| throw through the opponents basket is worth two | | | | known as traveling and a players hand must remain |
| points; or three points if it is taken from beyond the | | | | on top of the ball while dribbling; failure to do so is |
| three-point arc which is 6.25 meters (20 ft 6 in) from | | | | known as carrying the ball. A violation of these rules |
| the basket in international games and 23 ft 9 in (7.24 | | | | results in loss of possession or, if committed by the |
| m) in NBA games. Each team can have up to seven | | | | defense, a reset of the shot clock. Players who are |
| substitutions but can only be made when the play is | | | | fouled either receive the ball to pass inbounds again, |
| stopped. | | | | or receive one or more free throws. |
| The game is played in four quarters of 10 | | | | The National basketball Association(NBA ) was |
| minutes(International) or 12 minutes(NBA) and fifteen | | | | formed in 1946 organizing the top professional teams |
| minutes are allowed for a half-time break and two | | | | and leading to greater popularity of the this game |
| minutes for the other breaks. The game sometimes | | | | Basketball as a global sport has come a long way and |
| progresses into overtime periods that are generally | | | | has kept on achieving greater levels for its players as |
| for five minutes. In the second half, the two teams | | | | well as for its spectators. The quality players have |
| exchange baskets/courts. The time allowed is the | | | | made a strong impact on its fans and have inspired |
| actual playing time so the clock is stopped when the | | | | quite a few millions. It is one of the coolest game and |
| play is not active which is why the games take | | | | is enjoyed by all age groups. You can check our |
| longer than the allotted period(generally 2 hours). It is | | | | some free basketball day cards from 123greetings. |
| enjoyed extremely by the spectators since they get | | | | |