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, a raised circular goal with a net. The game is played on a rectangular court, and players can advance the ball by dribbling (bouncing the ball while running) or passing it to teammates. Points are scored by making field goals, worth two or three points depending on the distance from the hoop, and free throws, worth one point, awarded after certain fouls are committed. Basketball emphasizes skills such as shooting, passing, dribbling, and teamwork, and requires physical fitness, agility, and strategy. The sport is governed by specific rules established by organizations like the NBA (National Basketball Association) and FIBA (International Basketball Federation). It is popular worldwide, both in professional leagues and in amateur play, and is played indoors or outdoors.