Basketball
A large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
Overview
A basketball is a large, round, inflated ball with a textured, dimpled surface that helps players grip it for dribbling, passing and shooting. The pebbled surface and firm inflation give it a consistent, lively bounce off the court.
The ball is designed to be handled with the hands and to rebound predictably off the floor and backboard, which is central to how the game flows.
Good to know
- The pebbled surface improves grip for handling.
- Firm inflation gives a consistent bounce.
- Indoor and outdoor versions use different cover materials.
Where it’s used
Sports that use basketball:
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Basketball in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- Basketball courtBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Sports hallBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Multi-use games area (MUGA)Both are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Hard courtBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- WoodBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Basketball to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Facilities
- Basketball courtA rectangular hard-surfaced court with a raised hoop and backboard at each end where basketball is played.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Multi-use games area (MUGA)A fenced outdoor hard-surface area marked for several sports, common in schools, parks and community facilities.
- Ice rinkA sheet of prepared ice, usually rink-boarded with rounded corners, used for skating and ice sports.
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.
Playing surfaces
- Hard courtA rigid acrylic, concrete or asphalt court that gives a true, consistent, medium-paced bounce — the standard multi-use outdoor surface.
- WoodAn indoor sprung timber or parquet floor — grippy, consistent and lightly cushioned; the classic surface for indoor court sports.
- ClayA soft, granular racquet-sport surface of crushed brick, stone or shale that slows the ball, gives a high bounce and lets players slide into shots.
- SandLoose beach sand: a soft, shifting, energy-sapping surface with no true bounce that rewards balance and footwork, used for beach sports and conditioning.
- TrailNatural off-road terrain of dirt, rock, roots, grass and mud that varies constantly and rewards surefootedness in trail running, mountain biking and hiking.
Techniques
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
- Chest PassA two-handed pass thrown directly from chest height in a straight line to a teammate, the most basic pass in basketball and netball.
- Free ThrowAn unguarded basketball shot taken from the free-throw line, relying on a calm, repeatable routine rather than power.
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
Beginner guides
- Your first basketball sessionA first basketball session is a friendly, fast-moving introduction to handling the ball, moving your feet and sharing simple play with others — no experience or prior skill needed.
- Beginner Clothing and Equipment BasicsA calm, practical guide to what to wear and bring for a first session — comfort and freedom of movement first, borrow or hire before you buy, and footwear that matches the surface.
- What to Bring to Your First SessionMost first sessions need far less than people expect — water, clothes you can move in, footwear that suits the surface and a few personal bits usually cover it, with any sport-specific kit noted on each sport's first-session page.
Rules
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Equipment
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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