Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and has been around for more than a century. It is played by millions of people across the globe, and in many countries, it is considered to be the national sport. As a result, many people are familiar with the rules and regulations of the sport, but one question remains: Is basketball 4 periods or quarters?
History of Basketball
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. He was a physical education teacher at Springfield College in Massachusetts and wanted to create a game that could be played indoors during the winter months. Naismith wrote the first official rules for the game, which included the use of two peach baskets attached to the walls as goals. Over time, the baskets were replaced with metal hoops and backboards, and the rules of the game have evolved to what we know today.
The Length of a Basketball Game
The length of a basketball game depends on the level of competition. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a game is divided into four 12-minute quarters. Each quarter is divided into two halves, with each team having two timeouts per half. The clock is stopped at certain intervals during the game, such as after a made basket or when a foul is called. The game clock is also stopped when the ball is out of bounds or when the referee calls a timeout.
In college basketball, the game is divided into two 20-minute halves. Each team has two timeouts per half, and the clock is stopped at certain intervals during the game.
High school basketball games are divided into four 8-minute quarters. Each team has two timeouts per quarter, and the clock is stopped at certain intervals during the game.
International Basketball
In international basketball, the game is divided into four 10-minute periods. Each team has three timeouts per period, and the clock is stopped at certain intervals during the game.
Conclusion
From the history of basketball to the different lengths of games around the world, it is clear that the answer to the question “Is basketball 4 periods or quarters?” is both. Depending on the level of competition, a basketball game can be divided into four periods or quarters, with each period or quarter having its own length and number of timeouts.