Basketball court facts for kids
In basketball, the basketball court is the special playing area where games happen. It's a rectangular floor with a basket at each end. Most indoor courts are made of shiny wood, usually maple. The baskets are always 10 feet (3.048 m) high. Outdoor courts are often made from standard paving materials like concrete or asphalt. Sometimes, for big international games, you might even see cool glass basketball courts!
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Understanding the Basketball Court
Basketball courts come in different sizes, but they all have important lines and areas. Knowing these helps you understand the game better.
Court Size and Key Areas
The size of a basketball court can vary. For professional games in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the court is 94 feet (28.7 m) long and 50 feet (15.2 m) wide. In international games, following International Basketball Federation rules, the court is a bit smaller. It measures 28 metres (91.9 ft) long and 15 metres (49.2 ft) wide. Even in high schools, courts can be different sizes. Remember, the baskets are always 10 feet (3.05 m) above the floor for players aged 12-14 and older.
The Three-Point Line Explained
Every basketball court has a special curved line called the three-point line around each basket. If a player shoots the ball from behind this line and scores, it's worth three points! If they shoot from inside the line, or if their foot is touching the line when they shoot, it's worth two points. The distance of this line from the basket changes depending on the league:
- For most high schools in the USA, it's about 19.75 feet (6.02 m).
- For FIBA and NCAA (college) games, it's between 21.65 feet (6.60 m) and 22.15 feet (6.75 m).
- For the WNBA, it's between 22 feet (6.7 m) and 22.15 feet (6.75 m).
- For the NBA, it ranges from 22 feet (6.7 m) in the corners to 23.75 feet (7.24 m) at the top of the arc.
The NBA first used the three-point line in the 1979–80 season. FIBA and the NCAA added it in 1986. Over the years, some leagues have adjusted the distance of this line to make games more exciting.
The Free-Throw Line and Key
Inside the three-point arc, there's another important line called the free-throw line. This line is 15 feet (4.57 m) from the backboard. When a player is fouled, they get to shoot from here. Each successful free throw is worth one point. If a player shoots from the free-throw line during regular play, it's still worth two points.
The area under the basket, often painted, is called the key or free-throw lane. For the NBA, this area is about 16 feet (4.9 m) wide. FIBA changed its key to a rectangle in 2010 to be more like the NBA's. The main rule for the key is that offensive players cannot stay inside it for more than three seconds at a time. This rule helps keep the game moving and fair.
There's also a small semi-circle arc directly under the basket called the "no charge zone arc." In this area, with some exceptions, defensive players usually cannot draw a "charging foul" against an offensive player. This arc is typically 4 feet (1.2 m) from the center of the basket in most professional and college leagues.
Important Court Sections
The Center Circle
At the very middle of the court is the center circle. At the start of the game, only two players are allowed in this area. They jump to try and tap the ball to their teammates when the referee throws it up. This is called the "tip-off" or "jump ball."
The Perimeter and Low Post
The perimeter is the area outside the free-throw lane but inside the three-point line. Shots made from here are called "perimeter shots" or "outside shots." If a player's foot is on the three-point line when they shoot, it counts as a perimeter (two-point) shot.
The low post area is very close to the basket, just outside the free-throw lane. This area is super important for team strategy. Players who are good at playing in the low post can score many points without needing to shoot from far away.
The Baseline
The baseline (also called the endline) is the boundary line at each end of the court. It's usually 50 feet (15 m) long. After a team scores a basket, the other team brings the ball back into play from their baseline.
Other Court Markings
On NBA courts, you might see small lines near the key called "lower defensive box" marks. There are also lines on the sidelines, 28 feet (8.5 m) from each endline, which show where coaches can stand. This is called the coaching box. Behind this area is where the team bench is located.
On the half-court line, outside the playing area, there are lines where substitute players wait before they can enter the game.
Images for kids
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NBA court diagram
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FIBA court diagram
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Comparison of basketball courts
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Different shapes of the key area
See also
- NBA records
