A basketball court is the rectangular playing area on which the game of basketball is played, with baskets placed at either end. Of most indoor basketball courts, the rims on the baskets are as high as 3.048 meters (10.00 ft) and are constructed from polished wood, generally maple. Concrete or asphalt is the most common paving material

used to construct outdoor surfaces.

 

Measurements 

There are numerous various sizes of basketball courts. The average NBA court measures 94 feet long and 50 feet wide (28.7 by 15.2 m). The court is somewhat smaller under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regulations, measuring 28 by 15 metres (91.9 by 49.2 ft). There is a broad range of court sizes used in amateur basketball. The average length of an earlier high school gym was 84 feet (26 metres), and in some cases, even 74 feet (23 metres). 3.05 metres (10 feet) above the ground is always the height of the baskets (except possibly in youth competition).

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Both the goalposts on a basketball court have a three-point arc. If you score a basket from outside this line, you get three points; if you score from inside this line, you get two points. Within the three-point arc, 15 feet out from the backboard, one stands at the free-throw line to take a foul shot. Even though a foul shot is only worth one point, if it is made from the foul line during a game it is still worth two points.]

The centre of the circle

The two players fighting the jump ball are the only ones allowed within this area before tipoff (usually but not always centres). When the referee tosses the ball into the air, both players leap to tap the ball into the hands of a teammate.

The three-point line

It’s important to note that after you cross the three-point line, you’ve scored three points for your team. It’s a two-point shot if the shooter crosses the line. This means that if a player is fouled while trying to shoot a three-pointer, they will be given three free throws and one if they succeed.

From the middle of the basket, a player’s distance to the three-point line varies based on the league and the level of play. The following are the current distances used by the various leagues and levels:

• 19.75 ft (6.02 m): High schools (US)
• 21.65 ft (6.60 m) to 22.15 ft (6.75 m): FIBA and NCAA
• 22 ft (6.71 m) to 22.15 ft (6.75 m): WNBA
• 22 ft (6.71 m) to 23.75 ft (7.24 m): NBA

Starting in 1979–80, the NBA rolled out the three-point line. Between 22 feet (6.7 m) in the corners and 23.75 feet (7.2 m) behind the top of the key, this distance is changeable. The NBA tried to address the decline in scoring in the 1994–95, 1995–96, and 1996–97 seasons by lowering the overall distance of the line to a uniform 22 feet (6.7 m). After the 1996–97 season, it was returned to its former location. The three-point line was introduced by FIBA and the NCAA in 1985.

The distance is 19.75 feet in most high school organisations in the United States. College basketball used to be played at this distance as well. the three-point line will be moved back one foot for men, to a distance of 20.75 feet, by the NCAA playing rules committee on May 26, 2007 For the 2008–2009 season, this regulation was implemented. At the start of the 2011–12 season, the three-point line for women (NCAA) was shifted back one foot to a distance of 20.75 feet. Division I of the NCAA men’s playing rules committee accepted FIBA’s arc in a two-phase implementation during the 2019 offseason, with additional NCAA divisions adopting the new arc in 2020–21. FIBA will host the women’s basketball world cup beginning in 2021–22.

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Most nations outside the United States, as well as FIBA and NCAA competition, utilise the international distance of 6.6 m (21.65 feet) to 6.75 m (21.65 feet) (22.15 ft). Aside from the corners, the WNBA adheres to the NBA’s norm of 22 feet for arc distance (6.71 m).

Perimeter

Outside of the free-throw line and within the three-point line, the perimeter is defined. As in past NBA games, shots converted (successfully made) from this region are referred to as “perimeter shots” or “outside shots.” The shot is deemed a perimeter shot if the player’s foot is on the three-point line.

Key

When it comes to free throws, the NBA’s 16.02-foot shaded lane is known as the “key” or “free throw line” (wider for FIBA tournaments). A rectangle 4.9 metres wide and 5.8 metres long has been the FIFA-spec key since October 2010. When it was a trapezoid at the free-throw line, it measured 3.7 metres (12 ft), while at the end of the court, it measured 6 metres (19 ft, 6.25 in). NBA and collegiate basketball have always utilised a rectangular key.

The key’s primary purpose is to keep the other team’s players from remaining too long underneath the basket (maximum three seconds).

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A semi-circular arch is painted around the area just beneath the basket to designate it as the no-charge zone. Members of the opposing team, with a few exceptions, are unable to draw charging fouls in this area. Above high school, all North American rule sets have a radius of 4 feet (1.22 m) from the middle of the basket that is designated as a no-charge zone. In the 1997–98 NBA season, the no-charge zone arc rule was first used at any level of basketball. An initial 3-foot (0.91 m) radius was created for both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball seasons in 2011–12, and it was increased to a 4-foot radius beginning in the 2015–16 season and beyond.

Additionally

The bottom defensive box is marked on NBA floors by drawing two hash marks at the end lines near the key. If the offensive player gets the ball and/or begins his drive within the restricted arc, a defensive player is permitted to earn a charging foul.

In addition, two lines are painted on each sideline, 28 feet from the end lines, to indicate the coaching box and bench area. This is the line beyond which a coach (other than those on the sidelines) cannot stand. The team bench is located just behind this location.

Outer lines of NBA half-court lines delineate the area where substitutes wait to enter the playing court before they can begin their assignments; behind these lines are different off-court officials, including the timekeeper and reserve referee.