Basketball Rules Explained

Basketball is simple to start and takes years to master. The rules below are the ones every new player and every parent in the stands should know first. Leagues change some details, so we note the main differences between youth, high school, college and the NBA.

What Are the Basic Rules of Basketball?

Two teams of five players try to score by shooting the ball through the other team’s basket. A player moves the ball by dribbling or passing, not by running with it. The team with the most points when time runs out wins. If the score is tied, the teams play overtime.

How Does Scoring Work?

• A shot made from inside the three-point line counts for 2 points.
• A shot made from behind the three-point line counts for 3 points.
• Each free throw counts for 1 point.

A player who is fouled while shooting gets free throws. If the shot still goes in, the basket counts and the player gets one extra free throw. This is called an “and-one.”

How Long Is a Basketball Game?

• NBA: four 12-minute quarters.
• College men: two 20-minute halves. College women: four 10-minute quarters.
• High school: four 8-minute quarters.
• Youth leagues: often four 6-minute or 8-minute quarters.

The clock stops for fouls, timeouts and the ball going out of bounds, so a game takes much longer than its playing time. See our guide How Long Is a Basketball Game? for real-time estimates.

What Is the Shot Clock?

The shot clock limits how long a team can hold the ball before it must shoot. The NBA uses 24 seconds and college uses 30 seconds. Many high school and youth leagues use a longer shot clock or none at all. If the shot does not hit the rim before the clock runs out, the other team gets the ball.

What Are the Most Common Violations?

A violation is a rule break without illegal contact. The other team gets the ball, but no free throws.

• Traveling: taking too many steps without dribbling.
• Double dribble: dribbling with both hands at once, or stopping your dribble and starting again.
• Carrying: letting the ball rest in your hand while you dribble.
• Three seconds: an offensive player stays in the lane (the painted area) for more than three seconds.
• Backcourt: bringing the ball back over half court after your team has moved it into the front court.
• Goaltending: blocking a shot on its way down to the basket.

What Is the Difference Between a Foul and a Violation?

A foul is illegal contact, such as pushing, holding or hitting an arm during a shot. Fouls count against the player, and a player who reaches the limit (six in the NBA, five in college and high school) must leave the game. After a team commits a set number of fouls in a period, the other team shoots free throws on each foul. Our guide Common Fouls in Basketball explains each type of foul.

Learn the Game the Right Way

Rules make more sense on the court. At You Reach I Teach Basketball Academy in Gaithersburg, MD, our coaches teach players ages 5 and up how the game works while they build real skills, in private training, group sessions and camps. Book a free trial session to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players are on a basketball team?

Five players from each team are on the court at once. A team roster usually has 10 to 15 players, and coaches can substitute players when play stops.

Can you kick the ball in basketball?

No. Kicking the ball on purpose is a violation, and the other team gets the ball.

What happens in overtime?

The teams play an extra period, 5 minutes in the NBA and college and 4 minutes in most high school games. If the score is still tied, they play another one.