In basketball, the main objective is to score points by shooting the ball through the opposing team’s hoop or basket from above while following a set of rules. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line.

Basketball games are generally structured in four quarters, each lasting about 10 to 12 minutes. The team with the most points at the end is declared the winner. Points are scored in various ways: a field goal is worth two points, a field goal from beyond the three-point line is worth three points, and free throws are awarded after certain fouls and are worth one point each.

The game begins with a tip-off where the referee throws the ball up between two players at the center of the court. After the tip-off, the game proceeds with players attempting to score points while adhering to the following basic rules: dribbling the ball while moving, passing it among teammates to navigate the opponent’s defense, and attempting shots to score. Players must avoid traveling (taking more than a step and a half without dribbling) and double dribbling (starting to dribble again after ceasing dribbling previously).

Each team has five players on the court, and substitutions can be made during stops in play. Personal fouls committed by players include actions like hitting, pushing, or defending illegally, and can result in free throw opportunities or possession changes. The combination of strategy, skill, and teamwork makes basketball a compelling sport at any level of play.