The object of basketball is to shoot the big orange ball through the slightly larger circular hoop. Shooting is one of basketball’s basic skills, and one new players are typically eager to learn.

There are quite a few differences between men's and women's basketball, many of which have to do with the rules. They also include the style of play as well as its overall popularity. While both the men's and women's games depend on the players having high skill levels, the men tend to score a few more points.

Pig, like its counterpart game of Horse, is one of the most classic basketball games and can be played with two or more people. Pig requires creativity and accurate shooting and requires players to match each others’ shots.

Basketball hoops are usually attached to a metal pole or an apparatus that ensures the pole won't flip over. However, it is possible to mount a basketball backboard to a wall on the outside of your house or on the wall above your garage. Backboards are made of various materials.

If you have fewer than 10 players, half court pickup basketball can develop your fundamental skills as much as a full court game.

Face guarding occurs when a defender blocks or disrupts the vision of the offensive player, whether that player has the basketball or not. If you place your hand in front of the eyes of a player in the act of shooting rather than defending the ball, you are guilty of face guarding.

The blocked shot in basketball is one of the most effective defensive tools in the game. A player who can effectively block two or three shots in each outing becomes a credible defensive weapon and will command respect from the opponent.

Both the NBA and NCAA rules prohibit intentional kicking of the basketball. The rules classify intentional kicking of the ball as a violation resulting in a dead ball and a stoppage in play.

Every basketball game begins the same way—with the tipoff. While it may seem like a simple way to start the game, there is a whole set of rules governing not just the players tipping the ball, but everyone on the court. Making sure the tipoff goes right is essential to starting off the basketball game.

Traveling is one of the most common -- and misunderstood -- rules in all of basketball. The travel rule is intended to prevent players from gaining an advantage by moving with the ball without dribbling.

As people get older, the technicalities of sports get strict and the rules change from letting it slide to calling everything. There are basic rules that children need to learn before attempting to understand the higher level of play. Knowing these rules will help you teach your child the fundamentals of basketball.