Shoes tend to follow basic trends and guidelines in different sports -- baseball players often use grass-friendly cleats, for example. In basketball, the tradition is to stick to high-top shoes with treads meant to grip the court.

The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James A. Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891 to give his physical education students something to do in the winter months while indoors. Since that time, basketball has grown dramatically and is arguably the second-most popular sport in the world behind soccer.

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and many people will do anything they can to play. For some that includes making their own basketball goal or rim out of whatever they can find.

Basketball rules and regulations are designed to control the play, officiating, equipment and overall procedures of a basketball game. While different leagues and organizations can enforce different rules, one of the most common rules is the “over and back” rule, or backcourt violation.

A basketball backboard consists of several components, including the focal point -- the basket. Backboards used for competitive play always have a white rectangle positioned behind and above the ring. The rectangle is an important feature of the backboard that players rely on during a game.

Women's basketball has come close to breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming a mainstream sport.

While basketball is played by people of all ages, there are some rule differences for young players. Players age 11 and older generally play on a regulation-sized court. Rules for younger players often allow them to play on court with a shorter basket and a free throw line that is closer than regulation distance.

Everything in basketball revolves around time. The whole point of the game is to see who can score more points within a certain interval. Understanding the clock rules is essential no matter what level of basketball you're playing, coaching or watching.

Basketball is a popular recreational and competitive sport. In an official basketball game, ten players are on the court at once, five on each team. But if you want to play with just a handful of people, it is easier to cut the court in half and only play on one end.

A basket scored can count as one, two or three points, depending on your shooting location. A free throw remains the only way to score outside of game play, as it occurs after a whistle. Basketball rules determine when you will have an uncontested free throw worth one point.

Becoming a professional basketball player takes more than talent and desire. According to youth sports author and University of Washington Psychology Professor Frank L. Smoll, roughly one of every 500 high school players will become a pro.

Preparing for a basketball game requires proper hydration. Basketball players burn a high amount of calories due to the game's intense and fast-paced nature. Players that are not properly hydrated run the risk of becoming fatigued early in a game, or developing headaches and cramping up.