Basketball basics, or basic abilities, generally involve the following five: dribbling (ball handling), shooting, passing, leaping (rebounding), and defense. In addition to these fundamentals, playing time allows for creativity on the court. There are two forms of basketball, three-on-three and five-on-five. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Five-on-five is played by one team against another, with each player on the court having a chance to score. Three-on-three is similar, but only three players can be assigned to a team at any given time. The last man standing is the winner. If you're new to basketball, start with three-on-three because it's easier to learn the rules and play styles will be more similar between the two games. Basketball is the most popular sport in the United States. It is a game that anyone can play, requiring only a ball and a court. No specific skills are required to play basketball; all you need is an open mind and a desire to have fun. The game is divided up into periods called "halves". In each half, either three or four players can be active on the court at once. At the end of each period, the team with the most points wins or loses based on how the game is being played.