Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, typically consisting of five players each, compete to score points by shooting a ball through the opposing team’s hoop. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end, elevated ten feet above the ground. Players advance the ball by dribbling or passing; movement without dribbling results in a violation known as traveling.

The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposing team within a set time limit, usually divided into four quarters. Points are awarded based on the distance from which the shot is taken: a field goal made from inside the three-point line scores two points, while a shot made from beyond the three-point line scores three points. Free throws, awarded after certain fouls, are worth one point each.

Basketball emphasizes skills such as shooting, dribbling, and teamwork and is played in various formats, including recreational, competitive, and professional levels. The sport has a significant cultural impact and is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA). It originated in the late 19th century and has grown to become one of the most popular sports worldwide, both for players and spectators.