Basketball has some rules that are slightly different, depending on what court size and game type you’re playing. The dimensions for a high school basketball court (for example) differ significantly from those of an NCAA-level basketball court, which also vary considerably from professional leagues like the NBA.
In the NBA (National Basketball Association), the court is wider and longer than in other leagues. It’s made different to accommodate the specific needs of athletes. This gives them more space to run and jump without becoming cramped, also makes the game more difficult and entertaining to watch.
The goal for a player on a basketball court is to make it into the other team’s basket while avoiding being blocked by members from the opposing team or making an illegal move which would result in their own disqualification from play. In order to get points, players can shoot from various spots on the floor where they have one or two chances at shooting before someone else gets a turn with that spot on the floor. In order to score, you need to get your opponent’s hoop net through either dribbling, passing, or taking your ball into their basket.
But there are many more rules in basketball, and the NBA has its own set of them. Every line on the basketball court is of great importance. Every basketball league uses its own set of rules and dimensions that fit best for the players. All of the NBA courts always have the same measurements and court markings which are regulated by strict rules. Let’s take a look at some of the basketball court dimensions both professional and amateur.
Basketball Court Dimensions
So what are the dimensions of an NBA court? The regular playing area is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. It makes the NBA basketball court the biggest of all. According to the International Basketball Federation, basketball courts should be 91,9 feet long by 49,2 feet wide. NCAA basketball court and WNBA basketball court dimensions are similar to those of NBA, but they differ in a few instances, which we will be focusing on later. It’s worth mentioning that professional leagues use mainly indoor courts.
Half Court Line and Center Circle
The half-court line is the line that divides the basketball court into two halves. The team with the ball has to get past the half-court line before they can score points. The team without the ball can’t go past this line or they’ll get thrown for an out-of-bounds violation. If you’re inbounding the ball, you have to do it from behind this line with all ten seconds left on the game clock or you will lose possession of it. The Center circle, which is used to start the game, is also painted in the middle of the court and its diameter is 12 ft.
Three-point Line
The three-point line is the curved, painted arc at the top of the court. Any successful shot attempt made outside the three-point line is worth 3 points. NBA teams can shoot from behind this arc if they’re twenty feet away from it. If you’re inside this arc and outside the three-point line, you can’t make a three-point shot.
In the NBA, the three-point line is up to 23,75 feet from the center of the basket, since the line is curved, the distance varies, depending on the position of the court. NCAA 3 point line distance is reaching 22,15 feet in the furthest place, the same as FIBA three-point line.
Perimeter
Perimeter is an area inside the 3 point line but outside the free-throw line. This area of the court isn’t usually painted in any color but it’s still a playing court area.
The Key and Free Throw Line
The key in the basketball court is a rectangular area that’s painted in a different color from the rest of the court. The name of this area is incredibly fitting because this is the part of the court, where the most exciting plays happen. The Key is 16 feet wide in NBA and FIBA, and 12 feet wide in NCAA.
At the top of the Key, there is a semi-circular arc drawn. In the middle of the free-throw circle, there is a straight line. This is the Free Throw Line, also called a foul line, from which fouled players can make free throws and score points for their team. Free throw lane lines can’t be crossed by any player while the free throw is shot and the restricted area is called the lines. Players, who aren’t shooting are standing 3 feet from the free throw lane, near two hash marks.
The free-throw lane line distance from the front of the backboard is 15 feet.
Basketball Hoop Height
The height of the basketball hoop in an NBA game is 7 feet and the top of the backboard is 10 feet above the floor on a professional level, but the distance has been shortened to 8 feet on some court sizes on an amateur level.
Equipment
An officially approved NBA ball should be the same size and between 7,5 and 8,5-pound pressure. Basketball rims are 18 inches in diameter, with the net hanging also 18 inches long. Backboards must have LED lights synchronized with a game clock.
High School Basketball Courts
High school and Junior High School court dimensions are fitted to the age of young players. There is a noticeable difference between high school and pro-level basketball courts – high school one is much smaller than professional NBA or FIBA courts, probably not to make playing basketball such a difficult process for children.
High School Courts are 84 feet long by 50 feet wide, the rim height is 10 ft, 3 point line is 19 ft 9 inches from the end line, the key width is 12 ft, free throw line is 15 ft from the front of the backboard. Junior High Courts are 74 feet long by 42 feet and the rest of the dimensions are the same. These basketball courts differ mostly in the court size and the free-throw line and 3 point line are at the same distance from the backboard.
Basketball is a fun sport to play on any level. There are also outdoor courts that don’t really apply any restrictions and are mostly used to play basketball for fun. You can try one of those, maybe you will enjoy playing basketball in your backyard with your friends. A little bit of practice can go a long way, and who knows, maybe in a few years’ time, you’ll be playing on a college basketball court! No matter what you do, now you know basic basketball court dimensions and you can tell the difference between a high school basketball court and an NBA court.
How far is the 3 point line in the NBA?
The 3-point line in the NBA is 23 feet, 9 inches from the basket, except for in the corners where it’s 22 feet away.
Is WNBA court smaller than NBA?
The Women’s National Basketball Association or WNBA uses the same sized court as the NBA, with the exception of the three-point line. The line is equal to 22.15 feet from center hoop, per International Basketball Federation (FIBA) standards.
Is an NBA basketball court bigger than a high school court?
Yes, the Professional NBA and College Basketball court is 94 feet (29 m) by 50 feet (15 m) while the High School court is 84 feet (26 m) by 50 feet (15 m).
