Basketball, sport, usually played on an indoor court in which two competing teams of five players each attempt to score points or “baskets” by throwing an inflated ball so that it descends through one of two baskets suspended, at each end of the court, above their heads. The team scoring the most such points, through field goals or foul shots, wins the game. Because of its continuous action and frequent scoring, basketball is one of the most popular spectator as well as participant sports in the world.

A conventional basketball team, which is directed by a coach, is made up of two forwards, two guards, and a centre. At the beginning of play, called the tip-off, the forwards of one team are stationed in the forecourt—that is, the half of the playing area containing the basket at which their team is shooting. The two guards stand in the backcourt. The centre, usually the tallest player on the team, stands inside a circle that has a radius of about 61 cm (24 in) and is located midway along a line painted across the middle of the court.