Jordan

The dunk was made famous in the '70s by Julius "Dr. J" Erving when he played in the ABA. Erving brought the dunk to the NBA in 1976 after the leagues merged. On Dec. 21, 1984, West Virginia University's Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk.

Basketball is played between two teams of five players. Players move the ball by passing or dribbling while running.

The standard court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide with a backboard at the center of each end of the court.

A basket, a circular metal hoop with a net attached and a rim that is 18 inches in diameter, is 10 feet from the floor and attached to each backboard.

The object of the game is to score the most points. Two points are awarded for each field goal, or basket, shot from the field. Three points are awarded for field goals made beyond a specified distance from the basket. One point is scored for each free throw.

Free throws are taken from a line 15 feet from the backboard. The court has lines from the foul line to the court's base line. Players cannot enter the lane between the lines until the shooter has released the foul shot. During regular play, offensive players may remain in the lane for only three consecutive seconds.

Time limits for games vary - 20-minute halves in college, 12-minute quarters in the NBA. The team with possession of the ball must shoot within a certain time period: 24 secconds in professional games; 45 seconds in college. A player must leave the game after accumulating five fouls (high school, college) or six fouls (professional). If regulation ends in a tie, overtime periods of five minutes each are played until one team wins.

A regulation men's basketball is 9.5 inches in diameter and weighs 20-22 ounces.

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.

3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.

4. The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.

7. If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed 5 seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, a foul shall be called.

10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.