Basketball Court Measurements

Basketball, one of the widely viewed sports in the world, is a team sporting event wherein two teams, comprising five players each, take on each other. Points are scored by throwing a ball through a hoop placed at a height of 10 ft. These hoops are located on either ends of the basketball court, which is 91 ft 10.4 inches by 49 ft 2.6 inches according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) norms.

Basketball Court Size and Layout

Although the rules constituted by International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the governing body for international basketball competitions, states that the basketball court size must be 91.86 ft by 49.21 ft , the size of the court varies in different competitions and at different levels. In the National Basketball Association (NBA) games, for instance, the court is 94 ft by 50 ft, which is slightly larger than the FIBA norms. National federations under FIBA, are permitted to use smaller basketball courts for domestic competitions, but the size of the court should be a minimum of 85 ft 3.6 inches by 45 ft 11.2 inches.

Center circle is the area at the center of the court, wherein the tip off takes place (or the match begins). At the tip off only two players, one from each side, are allowed to be in the center circle. The three point line demarcates the beginning of the three point area and the baskets executed from this area earns the team three points. The area which is farthest from the basket but inside the 3 point line and outside the free throw lane, is referred to as the perimeter. The shots executed from here are called perimeter shots. The area closest to the basket but outside the free throw lane is referred to as low post. The key, also referred to as shaded area, is the painted area beneath the basket, used to prevent the players from standing below the baskets continuously for longer periods. In NBA, there is an added feature known as the restricted area arc, which is used to prevent defending players from making apparent fouls.

NBA Court

In the National Basketball Association (NBA) games, the length of the court is 94 ft (28.65 m), while the breadth is 50 ft (15.24 m). The rim or the hoop is located at the height of 10 ft (3.05 m). The diameter of the restraining circle is 4 ft (1.22 m), while the diameter of the center circle is 12 ft (3.66 m). The key, shaded area below the basket, is 16 ft (4.88 m) wide. The 3 point line is located at the distance of 23.75 ft (7.24 m) from the center of the basket, while the free throw line is located at the distance of 15 ft (4.57 m) from the backboard.

FIBA Court

According to the FIBA norms, the length of the basketball court is 91.85 ft (28 m) while the breadth is 49.21 ft (15 m). The height of the rim or hoop is the same as in NBA, i.e. 10 ft (3.5 m). In fact the height of the hoop is same irrespective of the measurements in senior level basketball. The diameter of the restraining circle is also 4 ft (1.22 m) same as in NBA, but the diameter of the center circle is 11.81 ft (3.6 m) which makes it slightly smaller than NBA regulations. The FT line of key area is at 11.81 ft (3.6 m) while its end line is 19.69 ft (6 m). The 3 point line is located at a distance of 20.5 ft (6.25 m) while the free throw line is located at a distance of 15.09 ft (6.4 m) from the backboard. In college basketball in the United States, the 3 point line is located at the distance of 19.75 ft.

More recently, FIBA has approved some historic changes in the game, a few of which are related to the basketball court dimensions. These changes, to be implemented from October 2010, include changing the shape of the key from trapezoid to a rectangle, moving the 3 point line back to a distance of 22.15 ft (6.75 m) from the existing 20.5 ft (6.25 m) and the inclusion of restricted area arc of 4 ft 1.2 in (1.25 m). These changes are bound to add to the popularity of the game at the international level, as they have a slight hint of NBA norms.