From the very beginning of the game, Basketball has a few basic rules that the players obey and follow. The `Father of Basketball`, Dr. James Naismith did direct a set of thirteen such rules of Basketball. These rules are as follows:

1. The players can throw the ball in any direction he wishes with using one or both of his hands.
2. The players may direct the ball anywhere with one or both of his hands. He can never use his fist to do this.
3. A player cannot run keeping the ball in his hand. He must throw it from the very spot on which he catches it. He should throw it to such a man who is running at a good speed.
4. The player must hold the ball in or between his hands. He can never use his arms or body in order to hold it.
5. It is strictly prohibited for the players that they should not shoulder, hold, push, strike or trip an opponent in any way. The first violation of this rule by any player will be counted as a foul. If he violates it for the second time, he will be disqualified till the next goal is made and if there was evident that his intention was to injure the opponent player, he will be suspended for the rest of the game. No substitution will be allowed in this case.
6. If any player strikes at the ball with his fist or violates the Rules 3 and 4 and also Rule 5, he will be considered guilty for committing a foul.
7. If any of the two sides make three consecutive fouls, a goal will be counted in the account of its opponent. The term `Consecutive` means that the opponent has not made a foul in the meantime.
8. When the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket without touching those players who are defending the goal and the ball stays there in the basket, a goal will be counted. If the ball rests on the edge of the basket and the opponent player moves the basket, it shall be counted as a goal.
9. If the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field. It will be played by the first person who touches it. If there is any dispute, the umpire will throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed for five seconds only. If he holds the ball for longer period, it will go to the opponent. The umpire shall call a foul if any side continues to delay the game.
10. The umpire will be in charge of the judgment of the men and he will note the fouls and inform the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He will be enjoying the power to disqualify any player according to Rule 5.
11. The referee will be the judge of the ball and will decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and will also keep the time. He will decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals as well with all other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The duration of the game will be divided in two different halves. Each half will be of 15-minutes. There will be a five minutes` rest between the halves as well.
13. Any of the sides that make the most goals in the duration of the game will be declared the winners.
These were the very basic rules devised by Dr. James Naismith. However, there are some other rules that have been implemented in the game of Basketball in the modern times. Some of these rules are given below:

The team that is offending cannot permit the basketball to go behind the midcourt line and they also cannot touch it before the opposing team touches it. If they do so, they will be guilty for the backcourt violation and the ball will be awarded to the opposing team.

It is mandatory for every player to bounce the ball around the court while moving. This is called dribbling. A player can move ahead only two steps after he stops dribbling. If he moves further, he will commit a double-dribble violation and his opposing team will gain the ball possession.

If a player commits more than five fouls in a match, he will be ruled as `fouled out` and will be removed from the game. If his team does not have any substitute player to take his place then his entire team will have to withdraw and sacrifice the match.

The rules that have been discussed so far are the most common rules of Basketball. Anyway, there may be some other rules as well. The National Basketball Academy (NBA) from America has some sort of differences with these rules.