• The NFHS oversees rules for both girls' and boys' high school basketball.basketball hoop image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  The National Federation of State High Schools, or NFHS, serves all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Founded in 1920, the NFHS has headed the development of interscholastic sports and activities by establishing standards and rules for competition and helping those who oversee high school sports in activities. The NFHS publishes playing rules in 16 boys and girls sports. Basketball is no exception, as most state conferences adhere by these rules.
  
  

Basketball Court Specifications

• The NFHS basketball rule book states that the standard basketball court should be 94 feet by 50 feet, with a mid-court line dividing it into two halves. It should be noted that although this is the rule, many high school courts are only 84 feet in length. The basketball goals extend from the baseline so that there are 4 feet between the end line and the backboard. High school backboards are to be a width of 6 feet and height of 3 1/2 feet. Regulation rims must be 10 feet from the ground and 18 inches in diameter.
  
  

Scoring Rules

• Field goals in high school basketball are worth one, two or three points. One point is rewarded for a converted free throw or foul shot. An offensive player is fouled when illegal contact is made by the defensive player. Offensive players can also commit fouls, but the defensive player is rewarded with possession of the ball rather than free throws. A regulation free throw line is 15 feet from the backboard and 14 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket. Two points are awarded for any converted field goal inside of the three point line. The NFHS requires a regulation basketball court to have a three-point line on the perimeter of each end of the floor. This line begins on the baseline and forms a semi-circle around the foul lane and is 19 feet 9 inches from the basket. Any converted field goal behind this line is worth three points.
  
  

Time Rules

• NCHS basketball rules state that official games should consist of no more than four eight-minute quarters with a halftime. As of July 2010, there are seven states that have instituted a shot clock rule to quicken the pace of the game. All states abide by 10-second, five-second and three-second rules. Offensive teams have 10 seconds to advance the ball past half court to their side of the floor. Once a player has crossed half court, a five second rule rewards the defense for effectively guarding the offensive man. If, in the judgment of a referee, a defender closely guards an offensive player for five seconds without the offensive player dribbling past him, a five-second violation is called and the defense is rewarded possession of the ball. A three-second violation is called if an offensive player spends more than three seconds in the lane without the basketball. If a player is in the lane for two seconds and catches the ball, he is permitted another three seconds to shoot or get out of the lane.
  
  

Dribbling Rules

• The NFHS has established three main dribbling violations: traveling, double dribbling and carrying the basketball. Traveling occurs when a player takes more than the allotted amount of steps after picking up the dribble or if a player begins to move before dribbling. Traveling also occurs in high school basketball if a player falls with the basketball or attempts to get up from the floor once he has the basketball. The double dribble occurs when the player touches the ball with both hands at the same time while dribbling, or when the player dribbles, picks the ball up and then dribbles again. Carrying the basketball, although not called as tightly as it once was, occurs when a player dribbles the ball and brings his hand underneath of it to help gain control of the ball. Each of these violations result in the opposing team being rewarded the basketball.