Basketball

Match structure and duration

A basketball match is split into four quarters. In professional leagues like the NBA, each quarter lasts 12 minutes, while international play under FIBA rules uses 10-minute periods. The clock stops whenever the ball goes out of bounds, a foul is called, or a free throw is attempted. Between quarters, there are short breaks; halftime is longer, typically around 15 minutes, allowing players to rest and coaches to adjust tactics. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the game goes into overtime — usually five minutes long. This can repeat until one team outscores the other.

Scoring and offences

Points are scored by shooting the ball through the opponent’s hoop. A field goal inside the three-point line is worth two points, while shots beyond that arc earn three. Free throws, awarded after certain fouls, count as one point each. Offences include personal fouls — illegal physical contact — which accumulate against players. After a player commits five or six fouls, depending on the league, they must leave the game. Team fouls also matter: once a team reaches a threshold in a quarter, the opposing team begins receiving free throws for every subsequent foul.

Players and substitutions

Each team fields five players on the court at any given time, though rosters often include 12 or 15 players in professional settings. Substitutions are frequent and can occur during stoppages in play. Coaches rotate players to manage fatigue and exploit matchups. There is no limit to how many times a player can be substituted, making it a dynamic element of strategy.

Tournament formats

Competitions vary widely. Domestic leagues such as the NBA run regular seasons where teams play dozens of games, followed by playoffs. International tournaments like the Olympics or FIBA World Cup use group stages before knockout rounds. Some leagues adopt hybrid models, blending round-robin play with elimination phases.