The rules and positions tactics depend on

1Why this matters

A tactic is a plan for beating the opponent, and in basketball every plan is built inside a tight set of rules. A team that travels, or holds the ball too long, loses possession without even taking a shot. Before you can use the attacking and defending tactics in this unit, the rules and the five positions have to be automatic. This lesson sets them out, then gives you a warm-up that prepares your body for a fast game full of stops, turns and jumps.

2The game in brief

Two teams of five players try to throw the ball down through the opponents' basket, a metal ring 3.05 m above the floor. Under the rules of FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, a game has four quarters of 10 minutes. Substitutions are unlimited, but they happen only when play is stopped.

3Moving with the ball

• Dribbling means bouncing the ball with one hand while you move. You may not dribble with both hands at once, or stop and then start dribbling again. Both are a double dribble.
• Travelling is taking too many steps while holding the ball without dribbling.
• Carrying is putting your hand under the ball during a dribble.
• Out of bounds: the team that did not touch the ball last gets a throw-in.
• Back-court violation: once your team has taken the ball into the front half, you may not take it back into your own half.

4Time rules

These rules exist to keep the game moving and force the attack to try to score.

Breaking any of these rules is a violation: the other team gets the ball.

5Fouls

A personal foul is illegal contact, such as pushing, holding or hitting an opponent's arm. If the player fouled was not shooting, their team gets the ball back. If they were shooting and missed, they get as many free throws as the shot was worth: two, or three for a three-point attempt. If the shot went in, it counts and they get one extra free throw. Under FIBA rules a player who commits five fouls must leave the game.

Worked example

Umutoni's team wins the ball under their own basket. She dribbles slowly up the court, looking for a teammate, and is still in her own half when 9 seconds have passed.

Decision. This is an 8-second violation. The ball goes to the opponents. Tactically, she should have passed ahead: a pass covers the court much faster than a dribble.

6The five positions

The rules do not name positions, but teams use five roles, often called by number:

Players 2 and 3 are often called wings, and players 4 and 5 posts. Many modern teams are close to "positionless": everyone is expected to pass, dribble and shoot.

Figure 1. Half a court with the main markings and a typical starting shape for the five attackers. Diagram: Ganzaa.

7A basketball warm-up (8 to 10 minutes)

1. Pulse raiser: jog around the court, then jog backwards, then do side-steps along the lines.
2. Ball handling: pass the ball around your waist, then in a figure of eight between your legs, 10 times each way.
3. Dynamic stretches: walking lunges, leg swings and arm circles.
4. Rehearsal: short shots close to the basket, then lay-ups at half speed.

8Safety on the court

• Check the court for stones, sand and water before you play. A wet patch on concrete causes falls.
• Tie your laces, remove watches and jewellery, and keep fingernails short.
• Land on two feet with your knees bent after a jump. Rolled ankles are the most common basketball injury.
• Never hang on the ring. It is not built to hold your weight.
• Call "ball!" to warn others if a ball rolls onto a court where people are playing.

Practice

Decide each call yourself, then read the solution.

Solution. Travelling. He took too many steps while holding the ball. The ball goes to the other team.

Solution. Three, because the shot she was attempting was worth three points.

Solution. Double dribble. Once you stop your dribble you must pass or shoot.

Solution. Number 5, the centre. Her height helps her rebound, protect the basket and score close to it, and the role asks for little running with the ball.