Basketball Court Components (2024)

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Last updated: Jan 23, 2023

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Basketball Court Components (1)

Table of Contents

  • Court Components
  • The Basket, Backboard, and Net
  • Baseline
  • Sidelines
  • Front Court and Back Court
  • The Center Circle
  • Three-Point Line
  • The Paint
  • Low Blocks
  • Hash Marks
  • Restricted Area
  • FAQ

Court Components

There are a few major components of a basketball court that every fan, coach, and player must know. During a basketball game or practice, you may hear these components called by multiple names:

  • Basket, Backboard, and Net
  • Baseline and Sidelines
  • Front Court and Back Court
  • Center Circle/Jump Circle
  • Three-point Arc/Three-point Line
  • Lane/Paint/Key/Free Throw Lane
  • Low Blocks
  • Hash Marks
  • Restricted Area

The Basket, Backboard, and Net

Basketball Court Components (2)

The most important component of a basketball court is the basket. Every basket has a net and a rim attached to a backboard. With two located on opposite ends of the court, the basket is where all scoring happens in basketball.

Baseline

Basketball Court Components (3)

The baselines, also known as the end lines, are boundary lines that run underneath the basket on each side of the court.The baseline measures 50 feet in length from sideline to sideline on most courts. If a player steps on or over the baseline while holding the ball, they will be ruled out of bounds and must turn the ball over to the opponent. The baseline is also used for inbounding the ball after play has stopped near the rim.

Sidelines

Basketball Court Components (4)

The sidelines are boundary lines that make up the long edges of the court. Sidelines measure 94 feet on a regulation basketball court. If a player steps on or over the sidelines with possession of the ball, they are out of bounds, and play is whistled dead. The sidelines are also where players stand when inbounding the ball, unless it is near the rim.

Front Court and Back Court

Basketball Court Components (5)

The midcourt line is located exactly in the middle of the court and divides it into two equal-sized pieces called the frontcourt and backcourt. The frontcourt and backcourt are relative to which team has possession of the ball.The team that has possession of the ball has the basket it is defending located in the backcourt. The frontcourt is wherever the offensive team is trying to make a basket.

The Center Circle

Basketball Court Components (6)

Also known as the jump circle, the center circle is located in the middle of the court and is split in half by the midcourt line.It is used to put the ball into play with jump balls, which happen to begin each game.

Three-Point Line

Basketball Court Components (7)

The three-point line is an arc on both the frontcourt and the backcourt of a basketball court and is a very important component. When a player shoots from behind the arc of the three-point line, they are awarded three points.They are only awarded two points if they shoot from inside the three-point line.

The Paint

Basketball Court Components (8)

Also known as the lane, the key, or the free throw lane, the paint is an area of the court surrounding the hoop.There are specific rules in basketball tied to the paint, like the 3-second rule, which penalizes any player that spends longer than three seconds in the painted area.

Low Blocks

Basketball Court Components (9)

There are two areas located on the edges of the paint called the low blocks. They are mostly used in play design by coaches to show where certain players should position themselves during a basketball game.

Hash Marks

Basketball Court Components (10)

Hash marks are a series of small lines connected to the edges of the paint. These are mainly used for non-shooting players to line up in between during free throws.They can also be used in play designs by coaches.

Restricted Area

Basketball Court Components (11)

In the NBA and NCAA, there is an area in the paint called the restricted area. It's marked by a small ark and is used to stop defensive players from standing underneath the basket to draw an easy foul. Players in the restricted area will not be able to draw a charging foul on an offensive player’s drive to the basket.

FAQ

What are the dimensions of a basketball court?

A basketball court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide.The sidelines and the baselines make up the boundary of a basketball court and are called “boundary lines.” The baselines measure 50 feet long on either side, and the sidelines are 94 feet.

What is the area of a basketball court?

Since a basketball court is a rectangle, the area of a basketball court is determined by multiplying the length of the baseline by the length of the sideline. Therefore, 94 feet (sideline) multiplied by 50 feet (baseline) equals 4,700 square feet.

What are the parts of a basketball court?

There are nine basic parts to any basketball court. These include the basket, the baseline, the sidelines, the center circle, the three-point line, the paint, low blocks, hash marks, and the restricted area. These nine parts each have their own set of rules and are divided into a front court and a back court depending on who has possession of the ball.

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Pages Related to Basketball Court Components

  • Basketball Bonus
  • Basketball Court Lines
  • Basketball Clocks And Time
  • Basketball Dribbling
  • Basketball Basket Interference
  • Basketball Double Bonus

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Basketball Court Components (2024)

FAQs

How many parts does a basketball court have? ›

The court areas of a typical basketball court include: Three second area, blocks, elbows, wings, free throw line extended, top of circle, wings, corners, short corners, restricted area, and front and back court.

What is the middle of a basketball court called? ›

3) Center Court Line/ Mid Court Line. The mid court line divides the court in half. Offensively, once the ball crosses the Mid Court Line, it becomes a boundary line reducing the offensive playing area to just half of the court.

What materials are needed to build a basketball court? ›

There are many materials that can be used for an outdoor basketball court, but the three most popular options are concrete, asphalt and synthetic turf. Concrete is the most durable option, but it can be slippery when wet and is hard on the joints.

What are the dimensions and equipment of a basketball court? ›

Court dimensions

The court is a flat, hard surface free from obstructions, 28m long and 15m wide, measured from the inner edge of the boundary line. The backcourt is the team's own basket, inbounds part of the backboard and the part of the playing court limited by their own endline, side lines and centre line.

What is the D in basketball called? ›

3-and-D. Any player, typically not a star, who specializes mainly in three-point shooting ("3") and defense ("D"). The term is most often used in the NBA, where this specific skill set has been increasingly valued in the 21st century.

How many sections are there in basketball? ›

Each game is divided into sections. All levels have two halves. In college, each half is twenty minutes long. In high school and below, the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six) minute quarters.

What is the screen above the basketball court called? ›

A jumbotron, sometimes referred to as jumbovision, is a video display using large-screen television technology (video wall). The original technology was developed in the early 1980s by Mitsubishi Electric and Sony, which coined JumboTron as a brand name in 1985.

What is a three-pointer in basketball called? ›

three-pointer: A shot from behind the three-point line, i.e. from “behind the arc” or “from downtown.” Three-pointers are also called threes, treys, and triples.

What is the line under the basket called? ›

The Key/Free Throw Lane

Also called “the paint” or “the lane”, the key is the rectangle that encompasses the area below each basket/hoop. The key runs from the endline to the foul line at each end of the court.

What is the best floor for a basketball court? ›

What is the best flooring for a basketball court? Rubber flooring can sustain dry, damp, and wet weather conditions. Most importantly, it offers a high safety quotient, reducing the impact of severe falls during matches. That's why rubber surfacing is the best flooring material for a basketball court.

What is the cheapest way to make a basketball court? ›

One of the cheapest options on our list, asphalt is a popular choice for many outdoor courts. The main advantage of using asphalt is the low initial cost.

How thick should a concrete slab be for a basketball court? ›

You should expect to build an outdoor basketball court on a slab that's no less than 4 inches thick. Rebar reinforcements are recommended to prevent the concrete from cracking, thus providing years of maintenance-free enjoyment.

What is the best color for a basketball court? ›

Blue: This is the traditional color for basketball courts and is often used in professional and college games. It provides good contrast for the players and the ball. Green: This color is also popular for basketball courts and is often used in high schools and recreational facilities.

How to mark basketball court lines? ›

Adjust accordingly to your line taping machine • Line widths are typically 2” • Using narrow tape, like 1” wide, is recommend when taping circles/arcs • On a full court, ensure that both courts are lined up from end to end. Run a string line from post to post to line each side up on center, if needed.

How many panels does a basketball have? ›

The disparity is technically minor: A FIBA ball has 12 panels, while a regulation NBA ball has eight. The two are the same overall size with a 29.5-inch circumference.

What is a full court in basketball? ›

The typical court dimensions for a standard sized full court used in NBA professional basketball and college play is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. However, a lot of the time when someone is purchasing a basketball goal for their home, they often are looking at a half court dimensions.

How many steps are in a basketball court? ›

In the NBA and FIBA, when a player has taken more than two steps without the ball being dribbled, a traveling violation is called. The NCAA and NFHS do not allow two steps. A travel can also be called via carrying or an unestablished pivot foot.

How many baskets are in a basketball court? ›

Basketball courts have a three-point arc at both baskets. A basket made from behind this arc is worth three points; a basket made from within this line, or with a player's foot touching the line, is worth 2 points.

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