Basketball (ball)

A basketball is a spherical ball used in basketball games. Basketballs usually range in size from very small
promotional items that are only a few inches (some centimeters) in diameter to extra large balls nearly 2
feet (60 cm) in diameter used in training exercises. For example, a youth basketball could be 27 inches
(69 cm) in circumference, while a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's ball would be a
maximum of 30 inches (76 cm) and an NCAA women's ball would be a maximum of 29 inches (74 cm).
The standard for a basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is 29.5 inches (75 cm) in
circumference and for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), a maximum circumference
of 29 inches (74 cm). High school and junior leagues normally use NCAA, NBA or WNBA sized balls. [1][2]

Aside from the court and the baskets, the basketball is the only piece of equipment necessary to play the
game of basketball. During the game, the ball must be bounced continuously (dribbling), thrown through
the air to other players (passing) or thrown towards the basket (shooting). Therefore, the ball must be
very durable and easy to hold on to. The ball is also used to perform tricks (sometimes called freestyling),
the most common of which are spinning the ball on the tip of one's index finger, dribbling in complex
patterns, rolling the ball over one's shoulder, or performing aerobatic maneuvers with the ball while
executing a slam dunk, most notably in the context of a slam dunk contest.

Characteristics[edit]
Nearly all basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and
then covered with a surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic composite. As
in most inflatable balls, there is a small opening that allows the pressure to be increased or decreased.

The surface of the ball is nearly always divided by "ribs" that are recessed below the surface of the ball in
a variety of configurations and are generally a contrasting color. An orangish surface with black ribs and a
possible logo is the traditional color scheme of basketballs but they are sold in various colors. Most
famous of these variations, a red/white/blue basketball, was used for the American Basketball
Association, the Harlem Globetrotters, and as the "money ball" in the NBA All-Star Weekend's Three
Point Contest.

Balls are generally designated for indoor (generally made of leather or absorbent composites), or all-
surface use (generally made of rubber or durable composites, also known as indoor/outdoor balls).
Indoor balls tend to be more expensive than all-surface balls due to the cost of materials. In addition,
brand new all-leather indoor balls must be "broken in" first to achieve optimal grip before use in
competition. The abrasiveness of asphalt and the dirt and moisture present in an outdoor setting will
usually ruin an indoor ball within a very short period of time, which is why an indoor/outdoor ball is
recommended for recreational players. Outdoor balls are usually called outdoor rubber basketballs &
they are commonly made from rubber to cope with rougher conditions, and they need to be filled with
more air to retain a suitable level of air pressure in colder weather. [3]

Sizes
Characteristics[edit]
Nearly all basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and
then covered with a surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic composite. As
in most inflatable balls, there is a small opening that allows the pressure to be increased or decreased.

The surface of the ball is nearly always divided by "ribs" that are recessed below the surface of the ball in
a variety of configurations and are generally a contrasting color. An orangish surface with black ribs and a
possible logo is the traditional color scheme of basketballs but they are sold in various colors. Most
famous of these variations, a red/white/blue basketball, was used for the American Basketball
Association, the Harlem Globetrotters, and as the "money ball" in the NBA All-Star Weekend's Three
Point Contest.
Balls are generally designated for indoor (generally made of leather or absorbent composites), or all-
surface use (generally made of rubber or durable composites, also known as indoor/outdoor balls).
Indoor balls tend to be more expensive than all-surface balls due to the cost of materials. In addition,
brand new all-leather indoor balls must be "broken in" first to achieve optimal grip before use in
competition. The abrasiveness of asphalt and the dirt and moisture present in an outdoor setting will
usually ruin an indoor ball within a very short period of time, which is why an indoor/outdoor ball is
recommended for recreational players. Outdoor balls are usually called outdoor rubber basketballs &
they are commonly made from rubber to cope with rougher conditions, and they need to be filled with
more air to retain a suitable level of air pressure in colder weather. [3]

Sizes
Notes on
Size Type Circumference Weight
basketball
Men and boys
ages 15 and up.
29.5 in (75 cm) 22 oz (620 g)
This is the official
7 Men [749–780 mm [567–650 g
size for men's high
29.5–30.7 in][5] 20–23 oz][5]
school, college,
and professional.
Boys ages 12-14.
Women and girls
ages 12 and up.
28.5 in (72 cm) 20 oz (570 g)
This is the official
6 Women [724–737 mm [510–567 g
size for women’s
28.5–29.0 in][5] 18–20 oz][5]
high school,
college, and
professional.
Boys and girls
Youth (North 27.5 in (70 cm) 17 oz (480 g) ages 9-11 years
5 America)[4] [690–710 mm [470–500 g old. This is the
Mini (FIBA)[5] 27.2–28.0 in][5] 17–18 oz][5] standard youth
basketball.
Youth (North Boys and girls
4 25.5 in (65 cm) 14 oz (400 g)
America)[4] ages 5-8 years old.
Boys and girls
Mini (North ages 4-8 years old.
3 22.0 in (56 cm) 10 oz (280 g)
America)[4] Also known as
“mini” basketball.

Basketball court
n basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor, with baskets at
each end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out
of a wood, often maple, and highly polished and completed with a 10 foot rim. Outdoor surfaces are
generally made from standard paving materials such as concrete or asphalt.

Dimensions[edit]
Basketball courts come in different sizes. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the court is 94 by
50 feet (28.7 by 15.2 m). Under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules,[1] the court is slightly
smaller, measuring 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by 49.2 ft). In amateur basketball, court sizes vary widely. The
baskets are always 10 feet (3.05 m) above the floor (except possibly in youth competition). 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. The free-
throw line, where one stands while taking a foul shot, is located within the three-point arc at 15 feet from
the plane of the backboard. A foul shot is worth 1 point, but if a shot is made from the foul line while in
play it is still worth 2 points.[2]

Diagrams[edit]

•
• Composite diagram of a basketball court with FIBA (top half only), NBA (both halves), and NCAA (men’s &
women’s – bottom half only) markings

•
• The backboard and basket

Table[edit]
FIBA
WNBA NCAA men[3][a] NCAA women[4]
Area
Imperi Imperi Imperi Imperi
Metric Metric Metric Metric Metric
al al al al
28.65 91.86
Court length 28 m Same as NBA
m ft
15.24 49.21
Court width 15 m Same as NBA
m ft
Rim height 3.05 m Same as NBA
No Charge Zone
1.22 m 4.10 ft 1.25 m Same as NBA
arc
Center circle 11.81
3.66 m 3.6 m Same as NBA
diameter ft
22.15
7.24 m 6.75 m Main arc same
3-point line ft
6.70 m 6.60 m as FIBA 20.75 6.32
distance from 21.65 Same as FIBA[d]
in in Corners same as ft[e] m[e]
the basket ft in
corner[ corner[ NBA
b] corner[ c]
c]

Key (shaded
lane or 16.08 Same as NCAA
4.88 m 4.9 m Same as NBA 12 ft 3.66 m
restricted area) ft men
width
Free-throw line
15.09
distance from 4.57 m 4.6 m Same as NBA
ft
point on the
 floor directly
below the
backboard
1. ^ NCAA Division I men's play used these dimensions in the 2019–20 season, with Divisions II and III adopting
them for the 2020–21 season.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b The NBA three-point line is 3 ft (0.91 m) from the sideline in a zone starting at the baseline and
ending when it crosses the 23.75 ft (7.24 m) arc. The 22 ft (6.70 m) distance exists only at the points on the three-
point line that are directly to the left and right of the basket center.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b The FIBA three-point line is 2.95 ft (0.90 m) from the sideline in a zone starting at the baseline
and ending when it crosses the 22.1 ft (6.75 m) arc. The 21.65 ft (6.60 m) distance exists only at the points on the
three-point line that are directly to the left and right of the basket center.
4. ^ The NCAA men's three-point line is the same distance from the center of the basket as the FIBA line, but is 3.33
ft (1.02 m) from the sideline in the corners because the NCAA court is wider.
5. ^ Jump up to:a b The NCAA women's arc is continuous throughout the 180° arc delimited by a imaginary line
passing through the center of the basket and parallel to the baseline. From that imaginary line to the baseline,
the arc is a uniform 4.25 ft (1.30 m) from the sideline.

Sections[edit]

Most important terms related to the basketball court

Center circle[edit]
The only two players permitted to enter this area prior to the tipoff are the players contesting the jump
ball (usually but not always centers). Both players jump when the referee throws the ball in the air, each
attempting to tap the ball into the hands of a player of their own team.

Three-point line[edit]
The three-point line is the line that separates the two-point area from the three-point area; any shot
converted beyond this line counts as three points. If the shooting player steps on the line, it is counted as
two points. Any foul made in the act of shooting beyond the three-point line would give the player three
free throws if the shot does not go in, and one if it does.

The distance to the three-point line from the center of the basket varies depending on the level or
league, and has changed several times. These are the current distances, with the league or level using
each distance:

• 19.75 ft (6.02 m): High schools (US)

• 20.75 ft (6.32 m): NCAA women
• 21.65 ft (6.60 m) to 22.15 ft (6.75 m): FIBA and NCAA men
• 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

The NBA adopted the three-point line at the start of the 1979–80 season. This is of variable distance,
ranging from 22 feet (6.7 m) in the corners to 23.75 feet (7.24 m) behind the top of the key. During the
1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons, the NBA attempted to address decreased scoring by shortening
the overall distance of the line to a uniform 22 feet (6.7 m) around the basket. It was moved back to its
original distance after the 1996–97 season. FIBA and the NCAA both adopted the three-point line in 1985.

In most high school associations in the United States, the distance is 19.75 feet. This was formerly the
distance for college basketball as well. On May 26, 2007, the NCAA playing rules committee agreed to
move the three-point line back one foot to 20.75 feet for the men. This rule went into effect for the
2008–2009 season. The three-point line for women (NCAA) moved back one foot to 20.75 feet at the
start of the 2011–12 season. During the 2019 offseason, the NCAA men's playing rules committee
adopted the FIBA arc in a two-phase implementation, with Division I adopting the new arc in 2019–20
and other NCAA divisions doing so in 2020–21. The NCAA women's arc has not yet changed.

The international distance, used in most countries outside the United States, as well as in FIBA and NCAA
men's competition, is currently 6.6 m (21.65 ft) to 6.75 m (22.15 ft). The WNBA uses FIBA's arc except in
the corner area, where the minimum distance is the NBA standard of 22 ft (6.71 m).

Perimeter[edit]
The perimeter is defined as the areas outside the free throw lane and inside the three-point line. Shots
converted (successfully made) from this area are called "perimeter shots" or "outside shots" as called
during older NBA games. If a player's foot is on the three-point line, the shot is considered a perimeter
shot.

Low post area[edit]

The low post is defined as the areas that are closest to the basket but outside of the free throw lane.[5]
This area is fundamental to strategy in basketball. Skilled low post players can score many points per
game without ever taking a jump shot.
Key[edit]

Kawhi Leonard at the free throw line during Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

The key, free throw lane or shaded lane refers to the usually painted area beneath the basket; for the
NBA, it is 16.02 feet (wider for FIBA tournaments). Since October 2010, the key has been a rectangle 4.9
m wide and 5.8 m long. Previously, it was a trapezoid 3.7 meters (12 ft) wide at the free-throw line and 6
meters (19 feet and 6.25 inches) at the end line.

The key is primarily used to prevent players from staying beneath the basket of the opponents' team for
long periods (maximum three seconds).

The no charge zone arc is a semi-circular arc drawn around the area directly underneath the basket. With
some exceptions, members of the defending team cannot draw charging fouls in this area. The no charge
zone arc in all North American rule sets above high school level (NCAA men's and women's, NBA, and
WNBA) has a radius 4 feet (1.22 m) from below the center of the basket. The no charge zone arc rule first
appeared at any level of basketball in the NBA in the 1997-98 season.[6] The NCAA restricted area arc was
originally established for the 2011–12 men's and women's seasons at a 3-foot (0.91 m) radius from below
the center of the basket, and was extended to match the 4-foot radius for the 2015–16 season and
beyond.

Other lines[edit]
On NBA floors, two hash marks are drawn at the end lines near the key to mark the area known as the
lower defensive box. A defensive player is allowed to draw a charging foul within the restricted arc if the
offensive player receives the ball and/or starts his drive within this area. [7]

Also, two lines are drawn on each of the sidelines, 28 feet from each of the endlines, which designates
the extent of the coaching box and bench. This line marks the farthest extent a coach (aside from the
sidelines) can stand. Directly behind this area is the team bench.

On the half-court line of NBA floors two lines extend outside the playing court, designating the place
where substitutes wait before they can enter the playing court; directly behind this area are the various
off-court officials such as the timekeeper and reserve referee.

FIBA changes[edit]
On April 26, 2008, FIBA announced several major rules changes involving the court markings. These
changes took effect for major international competitions on October 1, 2010, after that year's World
Championships for men and women, and became mandatory for other competitions on October 1, 2012
(although national federations could adopt the new markings before 2012). The changes were as
follows.[8]
• The shape of the key changed from a trapezoid to a rectangle as it is in the NBA, with NBA
dimensions.
• The three-point line moved back to 6.75 meters (22 ft 1.7 in) from 6.25 meters (20 ft 6.1 in),
compared to 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) for the NBA at the top of the arc.
• The FIBA adopted the NBA's restricted area arc with a marginally wider radius of 1.25 meters (4
ft 1.2 in).