Covering basketball represents a statistical challenge for media members and the official scorekeeper, who must keep track of points scored, shots taken, shots made and fouls. In some cases, a field goal attempt is also a field goal made when the shot goes through the hoop.

While most professional basketball players come from traditional college hoops powers, more than a few were largely overlooked coming out of high school, ending up proving their abilities at a smaller school. The lesson here: Even in the age of non-stop media coverage and the Web, some great players do go overlooked.

Nothing generates more excitement in a basketball game than watching the creativity and athleticism of a player flying through the air and finishing with a slam dunk. It can single-handedly change the dynamic of the game and turn a regular player into a star.

The rules of basketball make it pretty clear that you can't touch the ball while any part of you is out of bounds. The rules are different if a player steps out without the ball. Players who go out of bounds can legally rejoin the play and touch the ball once they have both feet back on the court.

The key phrase to remember when guarding a bigger player in basketball is "ball-you-man," which means you must keep yourself between your opponent and the ball, wherever it is on the court.

There are no official youth basketball rules governing youth court dimensions, but there is a consensus about size in the national youth leagues, according to My Youth Basketball Player. An elementary school basketball court measures 74 feet by 42 feet.

You might want the newest and trendiest looking basketball shoes, but fashion should never trump fit. Basketball shoes should fit differently than non-sports shoes, giving a snug fit in some places, but leaving room in others to help you move better on the court.

Chances are good, if you are a basketball player, that you want to jump high, shoot efficiently and run quickly. Strengthening your quads, glutes, upper body and core will help build the muscular endurance and strength necessary for the court.

A basketball is designed to bounce continuously and consistently throughout several games and seasons of use. The key to ensuring a good bounce is proper maintenance and consistent air pressure.

To excel in basketball you need agility and focus, but you also need a great deal of strength. Basketball works most of the muscles in the body, but when it comes to taking a shot, the arm muscles are most heavily relied upon.

A properly sized basketball rim is integral to the play of the game. When a shot makes its way through the rim, the shooting team scores points based on where the shot came from on the court. Consistent measurements are used for basketball rims across all levels of play and between genders.

Basketball backgrounds, called backboards, can be constructed of many types of material. The best construction materials for your hoop background depend upon the intended use of your backboard, and different standards exist for professional and amateur courts.