Basketball

Basketball Basics

The Objective

Basketball is played by two teams with five players from each team on the court at a time. The goal is simple: score points by putting the ball through the opposing team's basket while preventing the other team from scoring.

The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Scoring

There are three ways to score:

2 points — A field goal made from inside the three-point line.
3 points — A field goal made from beyond the three-point line.
1 point — A made free throw.

A field goal is any two- or three-point shot attempted during normal play. Free throws are not considered field goals.

Game Format

A WNBA game consists of four 10-minute quarters.

Teams have 24 seconds to attempt a shot after gaining possession of the ball. This is called the shot clock.

If the score is tied after the fourth quarter, teams play five-minute overtime periods until there is a winner.

Player Positions

Basketball teams have five players on the court at a time. Players are generally described as guards, forwards or centers, with guards and forwards often divided into more specific roles.

On SheScores rosters, WNBA positions are shown using the broader classifications G (Guard), F (Forward) and C (Center).

Point Guard (PG): Usually the main ball-handler who runs the offense and sets up teammates to score.
Shooting Guard (SG): A guard who is typically focused on shooting and scoring.
Small Forward (SF): A versatile player who contributes to scoring, rebounding and defense.
Power Forward (PF): A larger player who typically plays near the basket and helps with scoring, rebounding and defense.
Center (C): Usually the tallest player, playing closest to the basket and focusing on inside scoring, rebounding and blocking shots.

Moving the Ball

Players can move the ball by passing it to a teammate or dribbling, which means repeatedly bouncing the ball while moving.

A player cannot run or walk with the ball without dribbling. Doing so is called traveling and results in the other team receiving possession.

Once a player stops dribbling, she cannot begin dribbling again. Doing so is called a double dribble.

Fouls & Free Throws

Players can defend opponents, but certain types of illegal physical contact are called personal fouls.

A free throw is an uncontested shot worth one point, taken from the free-throw line after certain fouls. When a player is fouled while shooting, the number of free throws generally depends on the shot she was attempting:

Missed two-point shot + foul: 2 free throws.
Missed three-point shot + foul: 3 free throws.
Made two-point shot + foul: The basket counts for 2 points, plus 1 free throw — often called an "and-one."
Made three-point shot + foul: The basket counts for 3 points, plus 1 free throw, creating the possibility of a four-point play.
So the basic rule is: if the shot misses, the player gets enough free throws to potentially earn the points the shot would have been worth. If the shot goes in, the basket counts and she gets one additional free throw.
Free throws can also be awarded for certain fouls that don't happen during a shot, particularly once a team has committed enough fouls in a quarter, so not every free throw comes from being fouled while shooting.
A player who commits six personal fouls in a WNBA game is disqualified from the game.

Rebounds

When a shot misses the basket, players from both teams can try to gain possession of the ball. This is called a rebound.

An offensive rebound is collected by the team that took the shot, giving it another opportunity to score. A defensive rebound is collected by the opposing team.

Turnovers

A turnover occurs when a team loses possession of the ball to its opponent before attempting or making a successful shot.

Turnovers can happen through steals, bad passes or violations such as traveling.

Substitutions

Teams can substitute players throughout the game when play is stopped. Players who leave the game are allowed to return later.

This lets teams rotate players for rest, strategy, foul trouble or different offensive and defensive matchups.

Common Terms

Assist: A pass that directly leads to a teammate making a basket.
Block: When a defensive player legally deflects an opponent's shot attempt.
Steal: When a defensive player takes possession of the ball from the opposing team.
Fast Break: A quick attack toward the basket before the defense has time to get set.
Paint: The rectangular area near the basket, also called the lane.
Three-Point Line: The arc that separates two-point shots from three-point shots.
Shot Clock: The 24-second timer a team has to attempt a shot.
Possession: The period when one team controls the ball.