What Is Out-of-Bounds in Basketball?
Whether you're on the hardwood or watching from the stands, understanding out-of-bounds rules in basketball is key to following the flow of the game. Learn when the ball or a player is out, how possession is decided, and what causes a turnover.
Basketball Timeout Rules Explained: How Many, How Long, and When to Use Them
Timeouts are crucial moments in any basketball game. This guide breaks down how many timeouts teams are allowed, how long they last, and how they’re used to manage momentum and strategy.
Basketball Substitution Rules: When and How Players Can Enter the Game
Substitutions in basketball follow strict timing and procedural rules. Learn when players are allowed to enter or exit the game, how substitutions are made during dead ball situations, and what counts as a legal or illegal substitution.
How the Defensive 3-Second Rule Works and Why It Matters
The defensive 3-second rule keeps NBA defenders from clogging the paint without guarding an opponent. Discover how to defend smart, stay active, and avoid giving up free points.
What Is a Lane Violation in Basketball and Who Can Commit It?
Even during free throws, timing and positioning matter. Learn the rules and consequences of lane violations — and how to avoid giving away points with one simple mistake.
Illegal Screen Violation in Basketball: What It Is, Common Mistakes, and How to Avoid It
Setting screens is essential to basketball offense — but if you move, lean, or crowd the defender, it could cost you possession. Here’s how to avoid an illegal screen violation and set smarter picks.
Kicking the Ball Violation in Basketball: What It Is and How to Avoid It
Many fans shout “kick!” when the ball hits a player’s leg — but not all contact is illegal. In this guide, we break down the real rules behind the kicking violation in basketball and how players can stay within legal limits.
Basket Interference in Basketball: What It Is and How to Avoid This Violation
Confused about basket interference? You're not alone. This article breaks down the rule, explains the difference from goaltending, and shows exactly when touching the rim or ball becomes a violation — and how it can cost your team points.
Goaltending Violation in Basketball: What It Is and How to Recognize It
What counts as goaltending in basketball? If you touch a shot on its way down or too close to the rim, it could cost your team points. Learn the rule, see common mistakes, and get tips on how to block shots without triggering a violation.
Basketball Dribbling Mistakes: The Double Dribble Explained
Double dribbles can ruin momentum and kill possessions — especially in close games. From hesitating mid-drive to using two hands on the ball, these fundamental errors are avoidable with smart habits and targeted drills. Here’s how to eliminate them and sharpen your team’s ball-handling discipline.
The Free Throw Penalty in Basketball: Understanding Team Fouls and Bonus Rules
Too many fouls? Get ready for free throws. In basketball, once a team crosses a foul limit in a period, the opposing side gets bonus free throws—even if no one was shooting. This guide breaks down how the bonus rule works, what "one-and-one" means, and how smart teams use foul management to stay in control.
Technical Fouls in Basketball: Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Game Control
Every team needs intensity—but discipline wins championships. This breakdown of the technical foul rule gives coaches the tools to train emotional control, model leadership, and keep their team out of trouble.
Unnecessary Contact in Basketball: When It Becomes a Flagrant Foul
Basketball thrives on intensity, but when force turns into recklessness, it’s no longer just physical play — it’s a flagrant foul. This guide breaks down the rules, penalties, and how to avoid getting ejected for going too far.
Understanding the Number of Players in Basketball: How Many Are on the Court?
Whether you’re new to the game or just curious, understanding how many players are on a basketball team during a game is one of the first and most important rules. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Game Duration in Basketball: How Long Does a Game Last?
From the NBA to youth leagues, the duration of a basketball game varies depending on the level of play. This guide breaks down how long each type of game lasts and what players and fans can expect, including overtime and stoppage time.
Jump Ball to Start the Game and During Play: What It Is and How It Works
The jump ball isn't just a dramatic start to a basketball game—it's also used mid-game to resolve tie-ups and uncertain plays. Whether you're watching the tip-off or a scramble for possession, understanding how the jump ball works gives players and fans a deeper appreciation of the game's fairness, momentum shifts, and strategic opportunities.
Shot Clock in Basketball: Rule, Strategy, and Buzzer Beaters Explained
The shot clock adds urgency, strategy, and high-stakes drama to every basketball possession. From structured plays to buzzer-beater thrills, it ensures teams stay on the move and fans stay on the edge of their seats. Understanding how it works is key to playing smart and appreciating the pace of the game.
Scoring in Basketball: How Points Are Made and What Counts
From layups and long-range threes to clutch free throws, basketball scoring comes down to three core ways to earn points. Learn how 2-point shots, 3-pointers, and free throws work—plus how to spot a legal basket and recognize scoring opportunities in every game.
What Is the 5-Second Back to the Basket Violation in Basketball?
If you’ve ever watched a basketball game and suddenly heard the whistle blow during what seemed like a routine post-up move, you might have witnessed the 5-second back to the basket violation.
Over-the-Back Foul in Basketball: What It Means and How to Avoid It
You don’t need to foul to dominate the glass. Learn how to rebound with intensity and integrity by mastering what triggers an over-the-back call — and how to outwork your opponent without going through them.