Parents

• Two teams each have five players on the court at one time. Learn more about the five basketball player positions.
• The basketball player equipment is quite simple. Players should wear comfortable basketball shoes, athletic socks, loose fitting shorts and a shirt or jersey.
• Each team tries to score by shooting the basketball through the hoop.
• The basketball dimension is 29 inches around. This size is modified for younger players and girls competition.
• The hoop is an 18 inch cylinder attached to the backboard and positioned 10 feet off the ground.
• The dimensions of the court vary depending on the level of competition. Typically a youth basketball court measures 74' long by 42' wide. 
• The basketball court has various markings which indicate certain game activities or restrictions. Some of the various basketball court markings are: Baseline, Center Circle, Free Throw Line, Time (Midcourt) Line and Sidelines.
• Each team tries to prevent their opponent from scoring by stealing the ball or blocking a shot.
• The ball is moved down the court by either passing it to a teammate or dribbling it.
• The game continues until a basket is scored or the ball goes out of bounds. The opposite team would then gain possession of the ball.
• The length of the game depends on the level of competition. Youth leagues typically play two twenty minute halves, often with a running clock. From the junior high level through the varsity level, four quarters are played each lasting eight minutes. Overtime for high school is typically three minute periods. College plays two twenty minute halves, five-minute overtime periods. NBA plays four 12-minute quarters, with 5 minute overtime periods.

• Play stops on all rules violations.
• The opponent gains possession of the ball after a violation.
• Some of the more common ballhandling violations are: Charging, Double Dribble, Over-and-Back, and Traveling
• Some of the more common time violations are: 3 seconds in the lane, 5 seconds in possession of the basketball, 5 seconds on an inbound play, and 10 seconds in the backcourt with the basketball.

   

• Play stops on all fouls.
• A foul is committed when a player initiates illegal contact with an opposing player.
• Fouls are committed by both offensive and defensive players, but more commonly by a defender.
• After a foul is committed and depending on which type of foul it is, one of two things will happen: a. The opposing team gains possession of the ball, or b. The fouled player shoots free throws.
• Some of the more common fouls are: Blocking, Charging, Holding, Illegal Screen, Over-the-Back, Reaching In, Shooting Fouls, and Tripping.
• Some other fouls that are sometimes committed are: Flagrant Fouls, Intentional Fouls, and Technical Fouls.

Please feel free to reach out to us directly with specific questions at youthbasketballskills@gmail.com. You can follow us on Twitter twitter.com/@youthbasketball.