Basketball Rules Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A player jumps from an inbounds position to save the ball and passes it to an inbounds teammate before landing out of bounds. What is the ruling?
The save is legal because the player released the ball before touching out of bounds
The ball is out as soon as the player jumps toward the boundary
The save is legal only if the player lands with one foot inbounds
The result is automatically a held ball
2. Which description best defines a personal foul?
Any unsuccessful shot attempt
A mistake involving only court position
A request by a coach to stop play
Illegal contact with an opponent, such as holding or pushing
3. How many points is a successful free throw worth?
Two points
Its value depends on where the foul occurred
Three points
One point
4. A player gathers the ball and then takes three steps without dribbling before attempting a shot. What should normally be called?
Double-dribble violation
Traveling violation
Personal foul
Held ball
5. A stationary player catches the ball and establishes the left foot as the pivot foot. Which action is legal when passing?
Lift the left foot, put it down again, and then pass
Switch the pivot foot from left to right before passing
Lift the left foot and release the pass before that foot returns to the floor
Take one full step with each foot and then pass
6. After one team makes a normal field goal, how does the opposing team usually put the ball back into play?
With a throw-in from behind the end line
With a jump ball at center court
By dribbling immediately from beneath the basket without a throw-in
With a free throw at the opposite basket
7. A player ends a dribble by holding the ball with both hands, then starts dribbling again without another player touching it. What is the ruling?
It is a double-dribble violation
The play is legal if the player changes hands
It is a traveling violation only if the player moves
It is a defensive delay violation
8. An offensive player with the ball runs into the torso of a defender who had already established a legal guarding position outside any restricted area. What is the likely call?
A defensive technical foul
An offensive charging foul
A traveling violation on the defender
An automatic jump ball
9. A defender cleanly blocks a genuine shot attempt. The ball returns directly to the shooter, who catches it before it hits the floor. What may the shooter do?
Only call a timeout
Recover it and continue playing
Catch it only if the ball first touched the rim
Recover it only after an opponent gains full possession
10. During a throw-in, which action is legal for the inbounder?
Step onto the court while still holding the ball
Carry the ball onto the court instead of passing it
Release a pass toward a teammate on the court while remaining out of bounds
Intentionally throw the ball against the back of the backboard
11. Which event normally ends a player's dribble?
Moving around a defender while the ball is bouncing
Changing the ball from one hand to the other during the dribble
Allowing the ball to bounce above waist height
Catching or holding the ball with both hands
12. While holding the ball, a player's shoe touches the sideline. What is the correct ruling?
The player is out of bounds, and possession goes to the opposing team
A jump-ball situation is created
Play continues because the ball did not touch the line
The player may return inbounds if no defender is nearby
13. A shooter releases the ball after jumping with both feet behind the three-point line, then lands inside the line. The shot goes in. How many points is it worth?
One point, because the shooter crossed the line
Two points, because the shooter landed inside the line
Three points, because the shot was released from behind the line
No points, because landing inside cancels the shot
14. A player releases a valid shot just before the signal ending the period sounds. The ball is still in the air at the signal and then enters the basket. What is the usual ruling?
The basket never counts because the ball was airborne at the signal
The basket counts because the shot was released before the period ended
The basket counts only as one point
The basket counts only if it touched the backboard before the signal
15. What generally distinguishes a violation from a personal foul?
A violation always results in free throws
A violation can be committed only by the defense
A violation always involves unsporting conduct
A violation is usually a rule infraction without illegal contact, while a personal foul involves illegal contact
16. A pass accidentally strikes a defender's foot while the defender is standing normally and makes no kicking motion. What is the usual ruling?
The offensive team automatically receives free throws
The defender is charged with a personal foul
Play continues because an accidental touch by the foot is not normally a kicking violation
The defender is called for traveling