Basketball Basics for Parents

Some parents find themselves in the bleachers at basketball games having never seen a game before. No worries! This article will help you quickly understand the basics of the game your kiddo loves. 

Players & Positions
Each team plays 5 players at a time with several reserved on the sideline to give players a rest when needed. Each player has a distinct position on offence and defense, depending on the playbook or strategy.

Point Guard. The point guard is typically the team leader, who drives the ball down the court and directs players to execute plays, then gets the ball in the hands of scoring players. They are fast, have exceptional ball handling skills, and are game smart.

Shooting Guard. The shooting guard is great at hitting long-range shots and setting picks for other players.

Center. The center is typically the tallest player on the team and executes their play close to the basket where they block shots and rebound on defense and shoot inside when on offense. Depending on the level of play, when on offense, the center, as with all other players, can only stay in the key for three seconds at a time.

Small Forward. This player works with the guards to bring the ball into scoring position. They are adept at scoring from the outside and also driving to the basket.

Power Forward. The power forward spends their time setting up to score or scoring when playing on offense or defending and rebounding the ball on defense. 
               
Court & Scoring
The size of the court is dependent on the age of the players. From 50 feet by 42 feet for little kids to 94 feet by 50 feet for high school kids. Half court is self-explanatory being the line that demarks the mid- point between one end of the court and the other. Offensive players have 8 seconds to move the ball toward the hoop from the opposite end of the court, also known as back court. 

The key is the rectangular area immediately under the hoop. The top of the key, the line on the rectangle furthest from the hoop is where players will shoot free-throws. While free throws are being shot, other players line up on either side of the key. The spots immediately under the hoop are reserved for the opposite team, then each spot on the sides of the key is occupied by the opposing team in every other spot. For example, the first spot is for team A, second for team B, and third for team A. Players can not move until the ball has been released from the player taking the free throw. Once the ball has been released, players compete for the rebound. 

The three-point line exists on most courts and is ultimately located at 22 feet, 2 inches away from the hoop in high school. It’s identifiable as the arched line that extends from the end of the court around the key and ends at the other of the key at the end of the court. Shots taken and made beyond the three-point line are awarded 3 points and are referred to as field goals. 
 
Shots sunk within the three-point line are awarded two points, while foul shots are recorded as one point each. 

Referees & Fouls
There are typically two refs for each game who are there to ensure player safety and reinforce the rules of basketball, which includes calling foul when a player breaks a rule. There are several reasons for fouls calls and consequences that follow. Fouls can be committed by offense or defensive players. Here’s a quick look at them:
 
Personal Fouls – common fouls that do not result in free throws unless the team member has committed a certain number of them within a quarter. 

If a defensive player makes contact with a player in the act of shooting, the fouled player is awarded a free throw. 
 
Offensive fouls are committed by an offensive player when they charge into a defender when they have established a position. The ball is awarded to the other team and does not result in a free throw. 

Technical Fouls are called when rules are broken without physical contact. Unsportsmanlike behavior such as arguing with officials or the audience, delay of game, excessive timeouts, players or coaches on the court during play. The opposite team is awarded free throws absent of others on the court. 
 
Team Fouls are the cumulative fouls committed by a team during a quarter. When a team exceeds a certain number of team fouls in a quarter, each addition foul is rewarded to the opposing team with a free throw. 
 
Parents’ Role on the Sideline
Be supportive of your child and their team as well as the opposing team. Our job as parents on the sidelines is to create a positive, safe environment for our kids to enjoy the sport. Arguing with refs, taunting the other team, making calls for players, and yelling at the coach is simply not acceptable and could result in the team forfeiting, depending on the league of play.