Basketball - Equipment

Basketball is a simple game, it doesn’t require any equipment other than a hoop, a ball and a flat court. Even two players can play and have fun with basketball.

Basket

A hoop or basket with net around its circumference and of 18 inch diameter is firmly hung horizontally from a rectangular backboard of 3.5 feet height and 6 feet width on either sides of the court. The rim of the hoop is 10 feet above the ground. The backboard in various international competitions is transparent for better visibility.

Ball

Basketball is an orange-colored and rough-textured spherical ball with black contours usually made of leather or composite tough materials.

The ball is bounced continuously (dribbling), thrown through the air to other players (passing), and towards the basket (shooting). So a typical basketball must be very durable and easy to hold on to.

Other Equipment

There may be some more equipment for convenience.

• Some international courts have a game clock that makes a beep at the end of each period. Some also show the shot clock countdown.

• Sometimes, the back boards have bordering lights that light up and indicate that a period is about to end.