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 or basket. The game is played on a rectangular court, with a hoop elevated ten feet above the ground at each end.

The objective is to accumulate more points than the opposing team by scoring field goals (worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the hoop) and free throws (worth one point each). Players can move the ball on the court by dribbling (bouncing the ball while running) or passing it to teammates.

The sport involves various skills, including shooting, passing, dribbling, and strategic defense. Basketball is governed by a set of rules that outline how the game is played, including fouls, violations, and game structure, such as quarters or halves and time limits.

Originating in the late 19th century, basketball has become a widely popular sport globally, played at both amateur and professional levels, with notable leagues such as the NBA (National Basketball Association) in the United States. It emphasizes teamwork, athleticism, and skill.