What Are the Similarities Between Football and Basketball?
Similarities between football and basketball include: two teams advancing a ball toward a goal on a measured playing surface with boundaries, offense and defense squads, penalties, four timed quarters, multiple scoring opportunities, referees and coaches. There are also numerous other ways these two sports are alike.
Both games begin at the center of their playing field, with teams striving toward the opposite goal. Both offensive and defensive squads run specific practice plays to advance the ball toward the goal. The play stops when points are scored, penalties occur or the ball goes out of boundaries. Each game has two halves divided by a break of several minutes, four quarters separated by a short break and a two-minute warning announcing two minutes of timed play remaining. Multiple types of goal scoring are rewarded by specific point assignments.
Both games have a field goal scoring opportunity, and while they are accomplished by different means, they can equal three points in both games. Referees use whistles to start and stop play time and to call and enforce penalties and fouls. Substitution of players is permitted, and both sports have squads of players available for substitutions. Coaches for both football and basketball teams work directly with players on the sidelines of the playing area.
