A screen in basketball — also called a pick — is a legal blocking move where an offensive player positions their body to obstruct a defender, freeing a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive. To be legal, the screener must…
The 1-3-1 defense is a zone defense with five defenders in a diamond shape: one at the top (the chaser), three across the middle (two wings + a center), and one at the baseline (the warrior). It is built to…
When you sit down to watch an NCAA matchup, the scoreboard displays a simple number: 40 minutes. But any fan who has lived through a double-overtime thriller or a high-stakes tournament game knows that the clock on the wall and…
Is a Soccer Field as Big as a Football Field? Yes, in terms of total surface area, a professional soccer field is significantly larger than an American football field. While an American football field is strictly standardized at 120 yards…
The Foundation of High School Game Timing If you’ve ever sat in a high school gymnasium waiting for the tip-off, you’ve likely looked at your watch and wondered: how long is a basketball game in high school? For many parents,…
Understanding the Game: How Many Quarters Are in Soccer? If you are a sports fan in the United States, you are likely very familiar with the structure of a typical game day. Whether you are watching a professional basketball game…
The Size Perspective & Core Dimensions If you have ever stood in the middle of a massive sports stadium, you know that the sheer scale of the playing surface can be overwhelming. To the casual observer, most fields look like…
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a hoop in mid-July or checking the scores in the dead of January, you’ve likely asked the same question: when is basketball season? While it might seem like a simple question, the answer…
How Long is a Hockey Game? A Fan’s Guide to the Clock If you look at an official rulebook, the answer to how long is a hockey game seems simple: 60 minutes. But if you’ve ever sat in the stands…
If you have ever found yourself staring at a television screen as the final two minutes of a basketball game stretch into what feels like an hour, you aren't alone. One of the most common questions for both casual viewers…
If you are a parent lacing up your child's sneakers for their first season or a fan heading to the local gym, you’ve likely asked yourself: how long is a middle school basketball game? While professional basketball games are known…
Introduction: Regulation vs. Real-Time If you look at a basketball scoreboard, you’ll see a countdown—usually 32, 40, or 48 minutes. But any fan who has ever missed a dinner reservation knows that the clock on the wall is a liar.…
Watching your child step onto the soccer field for the first time is a proud moment for any parent. Between the oversized jerseys and the excitement of the first goal, there is a lot to take in. However, one of…
As your child reaches the age of 10, their relationship with soccer changes. They are no longer just toddlers chasing a ball in a "beehive"; they are developing into intermediate athletes with growing power, tactical awareness, and a desire for…
When is Soccer Season in High School? The specific time for high school soccer varies drastically depending on where you live. For the vast majority of the United States, high school soccer is a Fall sport, with the season beginning…
Choosing the right equipment for a child starting their sports journey is a bigger deal than most people realize. If you have a little one ready to hit the pitch, the first question on your mind is likely: "What size…
The Standard Structure and Professional Regulations How Many Halves in Soccer: Breaking Down the 90-Minute Game If you are new to the world of "the beautiful game," one of the first questions you might ask is, "how many halves in…
The Matchday View (Ice Hockey vs. Field Hockey) The first thing to understand is that "hockey" means different things depending on the surface. The player counts are vastly different to accommodate the space. Ice Hockey: The "Starting Six" On an…