Basketball

No of Players
Each team has a squad of 12 players to choose from. Five of those players are allowed on the court at any one time, with unlimited substitions.

Positions
1. Small Forward
2. Power Forward
3. Point Guard
4. Small Guard
5. Centre

Players can move the ball around the court by passing, tapping, throwing, rolling or dribbling.

Duration of Game
The game consists of four quarters of 10 minutes each, with a 15 minute break at half time.

There are also two minute intervals between the first and second periods, and between the third and fourth periods.

If the game is tied after the fourth period, it continues with an extra period of five minutes then as many five minute periods as are necessary to break the tie.

Officials & Starting A Game
The main officials include one referee and one umpire.

The court is divided between them and they swap places after each foul involving a free throw penalty as well as after each jump ball decision.

The officials use whistles and hand signals to make and explain their decisions.

The referee throws the ball into the air in the centre circle and two opposing players leap up and try to tap it away.

Each player is allowed two taps before the ball hits the ground, a basket, a backboard or another player.

Scoring
Points are scored for shooting the basketball through the hoop.

Two points for a goal inside the three-point semi-circle and three points for goals scored from outside.

Free throws taken from the free-throw line and awarded after a foul, are worth one point.