Basketball is a sport made up of two teams where five players aim to score points by shooting a ball inside a basketball hoop. It is one of the most famous and well-loved sports in the world. The typical basketball hoop is about 18 inches wide and stands 10 feet high.

A field goal awards a team with two points if the shooter was closer to the hoop than the 3 point line
Three points are awarded if a player was outside the 3 point line
The winner is determined by the team who has accumulated the most points at the end of the game, although overtime can also occur if the game ends with a tie. During the game, the ball can be advanced throughout the court through bouncing, dribbling, or passing it to a teammate.

Violations occur when a player carries, double-dribbles, or walks the ball. These violations are known as fouls. Personal fouls can also occur if there is disruptive physical contact, while a free throw can be awarded to the offensive player if he is fouled during ball shooting. Technical fouls can also occur during certain infractions as well as unsportsmanlike behavior by the player or the coach.

A variety of techniques are used in professional basketball which involve the strategies of dribbling, shooting, and passing. The game also makes use of specialized positions composed of both offensive and defensive positioning. The tallest players of each team are usually assigned to play small forward, power forward, or center, while the shorter members are usually assigned to play point guards or shooting guards.

Basketball is played competitively most famously by the NBA, and these games are carefully regulated. However, casual games are also very common in inner cities and rural areas.