How many players are there in basketball? Rules and basics explained for beginners

Introduction

Whether you are sitting in the audience on the podium or standing outside the court as the coach, the match will become interesting only with this knowledge. The same goes for basketball. Fans can have a wonderful experience by understanding the substitutions and tactics. Coaches capitalise on the knowledge to modify the lineups and rotations. For players, knowing the positions and limits builds awareness and helps in team coordination. That being said, we have curated a detailed guide on how many players are required in basketball, the positions, substitutions, and basic rules. 

Basics of basketball

Let’s first talk about the basics of basketball. It is a high-paced, fast-scoring game, involving two teams. Each will have five members on the court. However, the entire lineup can have 12 to 15 players, as substitutions are often added. Coming to the court, it’s divided into two halves with a centre line. On either side of this line, you will find a three-point arc, a key, and a hoop. Professional games run for 4 quarters, each lasting for 12 minutes. 

People often wonder how many players are required in basketball and what their on-court responsibilities are. Well, only five players from each team can be on the court at a time. These are:

1. Point Guard (PG): Playmakers responsible for setting up the offensive plays.
2. Small Forward (SF): A player skilled in both offence and defence and known for versatility.
3. Shooting Guard (SG): Known to be the team’s best shooter.
4. Power Forward (PF): Strong inside rebounder and scorer.
5. Centre ©: The tallest player in the team is meant to dominate the paint and anchor the defence.

Number of players in a basketball team

Determining how many players in basketball will be necessary for your upcoming match might not be as easy as it seems. Usually, the rosters and designed in a way that everyone can have flexibility. To top it off, coaches ensure strategic substitution lineups and enough coverage for injuries or fouls. 

Ideally, leagues or levels can have different rules concerning the number of players in a basketball team. However, the standard range remains the same when it comes to active and total players. 

1. NBA (National Basketball Association): Every team can carry 15 players in total, out of which 13 will be active and two will be inactive on the day of the match. To top it off, they can also have two two-way players. These players can split time between the G-League and the NBA. 
2. WNBA: Teams usually roster 11 to 12 active players only due to salary cap limitations. 
3. FIBA (International): Here, teams are allowed to have 12 players in the lineup, all of whom will be eligible to play the game.
4. College basketball (NCAA): Teams can have 13 to 15 players. However, in the latter case, only 13 will be scholarship athletes. 
5. High school: Rosters usually have 10 to 15 players, based on the coach’s preferences and the school’s size. 

How many players are on the basketball court?

In every standard game, five players from each team will play the match on the court, making the total count 10. This specific 5-on-5 format is considered to be the universal standard and followed across leagues and levels. To top it off, it also ensures there’s a perfect balance between the defence and offence while ensuring enough space on the court for strategic moves.

Here’s why the 5-on-5 format has been standardised.

1. Each of the five positions described earlier can have a defined function on the court.
2. With only 10 players in total, there won’t be any overcrowding, which further encourages agile player movements.

Apart from this, a special 3X3 format has also gained hype. Here, 3 players will represent one team with one substitute. Both FIBA and Olympics often follow this arrangement in the lineup rule. 

Basketball substitution rules you should know about

Substitution holds immense importance in a fast-paced game like the basketball. It helps teams maintain their energy levels, adapt to the changing on-court dynamics, and avoid getting a foul card. Here are some major substation rules everyone should know, from players to fans. 

1. Substitutions will be allowed only when there’s a stoppage in the gameplay, like a foul, a timeout, or a dead ball.
2. Every substitute needs to check in at the scorer’s table and wait for the referee’s signal to move to the court.
3. There is no limit on the number of times players can be substituted throughout the game.
4. NBA has laid out strict timing restrictions on allowing subs to make free throws. However, there are no such boundaries in college and FIBA games.
5. Bench players need to be seated outside the court unless they need to warm up actively or enter the game. 

Interesting facts about the game

When it comes to sports, knowledge about the rules, on-court forms, and other details is the key to understanding tactics and moves. Now that we have discussed the fundamentals, let’s learn some interesting facts about basketball.

1. In 1981, the first basketball match was played using peach baskets and a soccer ball.
2. In 2020, the WNBA held its season in a single site, known as the Bubble, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
3. An NBA roster once had only 7 active players due to suspensions and injuries. 
4. Walk-on players without scholarships are sometimes added to college basketball teams. 
5. The shortest NBA player was Muggsy Bogues, who stood at a height of 5’3” only.
6. In FIBA’s 3X3 format, a 12-second shot clock is used, which is half the time of that of the standard games. 

FAQs

How many players are on the court for each team during a basketball game?

During a basketball game, only five players from each team will be allowed to play on the court. The rest need to sit outside the court. 

What is the total number of players allowed on an NBA team roster?

According to the NBA team rosters, teams can have up to 15 players. 13 will be active and 2 will be inactive players.

How many players can be on a high school basketball team?

High school teams playing basketball can have 10 to 15 players, depending on the coach’s preferences and the school size.

What happens if a basketball team has too many players on the court?

Having more than 5 players on the court will lead to a technical foul. The opposition team will then get a free throw and possession of the ball.

Can a team play with fewer than five players on the court?

Yes, in the 3X3 format, only 3 players from each team are required to continue with the basketball match.