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How far back is the foul line in basketball
Everything You Need to Know About Basketball Court Dimensions
Of the two major American-invented sports — baseball and basketball — only one has gained worldwide popularity. We play baseball across parts of the globe, but we play basketball worldwide. You can play with as few as two people and as many as ten. Shoot hoops indoors and outdoors and on any surface hard or flat enough to bounce a ball.
Indoor courts are usually made from hardwood, though other, more easily-maintained surfaces are gaining in popularity. Outdoor courts can be either asphalt or concrete. You can put a permanent basketball court just about anywhere you would like. Don’t have the room for a full-length court? Fitting just a half court into your driveway, backyard, or commercial gym would be just as useful.
So, have a space in mind and wondering “What are the dimensions of a basketball court?” Let’s take a look at the standard sizes for every level of basketball, from high school all the way up through international competition.
NBA Basketball Court Dimensions
The National Basketball Association, better known as the NBA, boasts the largest court dimensions of any level of basketball — domestic or international. The outer dimensions are 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. The half court line is, as the name would suggest, halfway between each end line. In the middle of the half court line is a tip-off circle with a six-foot radius, which often sports the home team’s logo.
The key is 16 feet wide and 19 feet from the baseline to the foul line. A semicircle with a six-foot radius extends from the foul line. Some courts have the other side of the half-circle drawn in a dotted line inside the key to complete the circle and create a clear boundary for any jump balls.
The backboard protrudes four feet out from the baseline, and the rim of the basket hangs 10 feet off the ground. Subtracting the four feet overhang from the 19-foot length of the key, we get the familiar 15-foot distance from the foul line to the front of the backboard. It’s a misconception that the foul line is 15 feet from the center of the basket. The backboard itself measures six feet wide and 42 inches high.
Inside the key, a four-foot arc is aligned with the center of the basket to designate the restricted arc. If a defender is inside this semicircle, he cannot draw a charging foul. Along both sides of the key, lines are drawn three feet apart to create the standing positions for other players during a free throw attempt, starting with a box that is seven feet from the baseline and one foot wide.
Outside the key, the three-point line forms an imperfect arc stretching one side of the baseline to the other. The arc isn’t a perfect circle because it would run out of bounds on the sides of the court.
Instead, the three-point line runs in a straight line from the baseline out 16 feet, nine inches, at which point the line begins to curve. The straight lines are an even 22 feet from the center of the basket, and on the arc, the distance is 23 feet and nine inches.
Starting at the baseline and running 28 feet toward the center of the court, a line bounds the team bench area. The line also acts as the starting place for inbounds passes after timeouts and fouls.
WNBA Basketball Court Dimensions
The Women’s National Basketball Association or WNBA’s court dimensions are identical to the NBA court in every way except the three-point line. Instead, the distance is equal to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) at 22.15 feet from the center of the hoop. WNBA teams share arenas and playing surfaces with the NBA, which is why it’s no wonder the court dimensions are so similar.
NCAA Basketball Court Dimensions
National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA basketball courts have similar dimensions to the NBA and WNBA, which include the:
Court
Foul line
Backboard
Basket height
Tip-off circle
That said, there are a few significant differences in the dimensions of the NCAA court. For starters, the key is only 12 feet wide, rather than 16. The first box on the side of the key is only six feet from the baseline, not seven. The restricted area under the basket is also one foot smaller, at three feet in diameter rather than the NBA’s four.
However, the most recognizable difference between the NBA’s court dimensions and the NCAA’s is the distance of the three-point line. The NCAA three-point line is only 20 feet, nine inches from the center of the basket. Because of the smaller diameter, it is a continuous arc from one side of the baseline to the other, with no straight lines necessary to create space on the sidelines.
The difference in three-point line distances is the biggest adjustment for shooters to make as they begin their professional careers, and also why it’s so difficult to project how well a player will shoot in the pros.
High School Basketball Court Dimensions
High school basketball courts are a little different from their college and professional counterparts. The most noticeable difference is that the court is a full 10 feet shorter, measuring only 84 feet. However, there are some similarities. The court is still 50 feet wide. The basket is also 10 feet off the ground.
The tip-off circle has a six-foot radius, just like the big kid courts, and while the high school landscape isn’t as standardized as college and professional basketball, the backboard is supposed to have the same measurements as the NCAA and NBA.
Just as in college and professional basketball, the foul line is 15 feet from the backboard, and the key is 19 feet long. It’s also the same 12 feet wide as the NCAA — four feet narrower than the NBA and WNBA.
The other visible difference is the distance from the three-point line. Shorter than either the NCAA or NBA, the high school free throw line is just 19 feet, nine inches from the center of the basket. Additionally, high school basketball courts do not have any restricted area under the basket, since that rule doesn’t exist in high school basketball.
FIBA Basketball Court Dimensions
FIBA governs international basketball courts. The measurements for FIBA basketball courts differ from U.S. courts because of the difference between our Imperial measurements — feet and inches — and the more standard metric system.
FIBA courts are an even 28 meters long, which converts to almost 92 feet. The 15-meter width converts to just over 49 feet. The tip-off circle is a bit smaller as well, at 3.5 meters in diameter. This difference translates to a radius of about five feet, seven inches.
The key is almost the same size at 5.8 meters long and 4.8 meters wide. These numbers convert to within a few inches of 19 and 16 feet. The basket is 1.2 meters, or almost four feet, in from the baseline, which puts the foul line at 4.6 meters — 15 feet — away. The restricted area under the basket is 1.25 meters or just a shade more than four feet in radius.
The basket is still 10 feet off the ground, which means the biggest difference is the three-point line. At the top of the arc, the three-point line is 6.75 meters from the center of the basket or 22.15 feet. This measurement works out to about 22 feet, two inches. The FIBA three-point line, which has also been adopted by the WNBA, is over a foot and a half closer than the NBA line.
The History of Basketball Court Dimensions
Since its invention in 1891, basketball’s court dimensions have varied. Let’s look at some of its historical changes, as well as answering that nagging question — “Why are basketball hoops 10 feet high?” — below:
The Story Behind the 10-Foot High Hoop
It would appear the 10-foot basketball hoop is the result of a careful calculation that considers the human anatomy and mechanics of the game. After all, even the tallest players today have to jump to dunk a ball, and a ten-foot high rim gives a comfortable target to shoot for at a distance. But as we see so often in history, the truth is much more mundane.
When James Naismith dreamed up the game in Springfield, MA in 1891, the railing he chose to hang the baskets on was ten feet off the ground. So, while everything else about the sport has changed since that first game, the baskets are still right where Dr. Naismith hung them.
The History of the Three-Point Line
The three-point line is arguably the most recognizable aspect of a basketball court’s dimensions and part of the reason why is attributed to the history surrounding this semicircle.
The first instance of the three-point line appeared in the American Basketball League in 1961, a full 70 years after Dr. Naismith invented the game. The line was added to increase excitement, but the league folded in just one and a half seasons, so the idea never had a chance.
In 1967, the next competitor to the NBA arrived. The American Basketball Association, or ABA, instituted the three-point line from the very start, and it was a huge success. The ABA had many exciting innovations that produced a better product for the fans. But ultimately, there was not enough room for two professional basketball organizations, so the NBA and ABA merged in 1976.
The three-point line, however, was not included in the merger! The decision-makers in the NBA at the time were too stubborn to adopt such a radical change. They held out for three years before implementing the three-point line in the 1979-1980 season. The NCAA didn’t integrate it until 1986, and it didn’t arrive on high school basketball courts until 1987.
That isn’t the end of the story, however. The line was moved closer for three seasons in the ‘90s to try to boost scoring, but it was quickly moved back to its original place. Taking the idea to the extreme, the NBA has even admitted to having discussions about a four-point line. Ultimately, we’ll believe it when we see it.
The Original Cage Matches
In the early days of professional basketball, the game was played inside an actual cage. The reasons were more about practicality than about safety. The rule for who got to inbound a ball that left the court was “whoever got to it first,” so organizers took to putting up a cage so the ball could never go out of bounds in the first place.
Those first basketball courts were about a third smaller than they are today, and the cages provided a physical boundary and an extra immovable for savvy teams. Could you imagine how much different the game of basketball would be today if those cages had stuck around?
The Alternative Key Designs
Today, basketball courts at all levels share a common design for the key — a rectangle measuring either 19 feet by 16 feet or 19 feet by 12 feet. However, this was not always the case. From the creation of FIBA in 1956 until 2010, the key was a trapezoidal design that was significantly wider at the baseline.
Another design of this feature is responsible for the name “key.” Have you ever thought about how a rectangular area under a basket got such a random name?
The reason is that the original area was much narrower, while the circle surrounding the free throw line was the same size. These two factors combined to create a shape that resembled an old-fashioned key. In 1951, the key was widened to 12 feet and later to the 16 feet we see now in the NBA and FIBA.
While the term lives on, time has erased any record of its design and original reference. And for the record, the official name for this feature is “free throw lane,” which isn’t a phrase many of us hear often.
And that’s a wrap on the history of basketball’s court dimensions.
Build Your Basketball Court With PROformance
Perhaps you don’t have 94 feet of flat asphalt or indoor floor space. Don’t worry, because residential half court setups can be just as fun. And whether you are looking to paint your court or apply a pre-made solution, sticking to the official dimensions will take your pickup games to the next level.
Take a look at our selection of goals, nets and accessories to bring your home’s court together. You’ll have a hard time dragging your kids off the court as they spend hours posting up like Boogie, slashing like LeBron and launching it from deep like Steph.
Diagram and Measurements – Backyard Sidekick
The dimensions of a basketball court play an important role in how the game is played. For example, getting the right distance to the free throw line is a big deal when you’re going to spend hours and hours practicing.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) official court size is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide, where the international court is a bit smaller. The FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules state the court size should be 91.9 feet long by 49.2 feet wide for international basketball games.
There are also different size courts for high school, parks, and some college basketball games, with different distances for line markings like the 3-point line. Keep reading for detailed dimensions and free diagrams of the different court set ups.
Even though basketball court dimensions will differ between organization or level of school, they aren’t too far off from each other either. Here’s a helpful chart to show the different basketball court dimensions quickly before we dive into more detail.
Court Type
Length
Width
Free Throw
3-Point Line
NBA
94′
50′
15′
23.75′
FIBA
91.9′
49.2′
15.09′
22.15′
NCAA
94′
50′
15′
22.15′
High School
84′
50′
15′
19. 75′
Notice how almost all of the free throw distances are 15 feet, or close to it. The 3-point line distance is pretty close across the board, but high school basketball courts are around 10 feet smaller and have a shorter 3-point line distance.
The good thing about the key and free throw line being the same across all court types, is that for home use, you can use something like this Easy Basketball Court Stencil Kit (link to Amazon) and still be practicing your free throws at the same distance the professionals do.
NBA Court Dimensions
An NBA court will be 94 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at 47 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 23.75′ or 23’9′ from the center of the hoop.
Here’s a handy diagram of an NBA basketball court with dimensions.
Here are some more details about the court line markings and dimensions of an NBA basketball court.
Court Size – 94′ by 50′
The Key – 16′ wide with backboard extending 4′ onto the court into the key. A 6′ radius half circle extends away from the basket at the top of the key.
Foul Line – 19′ from the baseline (edge of the court) and 15′ away from the backboard.
3-Point Line – The 3-point line is 22′ feet from the basket on the sides of the court and 23’9″ from the basket around the arc of the 3-point line.
Restricted Arc – A half circle with a radius of 4′ under the basket where players can not draw charging fouls.
Backboard – 72″ wide by 42″ tall with an inner square 24″ wide by 18″ tall.
Rim/Hoop – Top of rim is 10′ from the ground and 18″ in diameter.
Line Markings – All line markings are 2″ wide.
FIBA Court Dimensions
A FIBA court will be 91.9 feet in length by 49. 2 wide, with the half court line at 45.95 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the court and 15.09 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′ from the center of the hoop.
I was crazy to me that the international court dimensions were so weirdly close to college or NBA courts, but off enough to make things difficult. The reason being is that the international courts needed to be done in metric rather than feet and inches. So they came up with nice round numbers in the metric system that translates to odd and difficult numbers to work with.
If you look at the FIBA court dimensions in meters, it makes a bit more sense. A FIBA court is 28 meters long by 15 meters wide. These courts are necessary to play on if we want to play basketball in the Olympics and other international competitions.
Here’s a quick video explaining the differences NBA players have to overcome to play internationally.
College Basketball Court Dimensions
An NCAA basketball court will be 94 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at 47 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′ from the center of the hoop.
The NCAA basketball court dimensions are very similar to the NBA with the exception of the 3-point line being slight closer. About a foot and a half distance can make a big deal if you get used to shooting on a college court and move to the NBA, but it doesn’t seem to be a big hurdle for the professional players.
High School Basketball Court Dimensions
A high school basketball court will be 84 feet in length by 50 wide, with the half court line at 42 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the court and 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 19’9″ from the center of the hoop.
The high school basketball court key and free throw line matches the NBA distances. The court is about 10 feet shorter in length, but is the same width as a college level or NBA court.
The three point line is significantly closer to the hoop on a high school basketball court, partly because the court it shorter, but also to allow the players at that skill level an opportunity to make those 3-point shots.
Basketball Hoop Height
The top of the basketball hoop is 10 feet from the ground on all regulation basketball courts including the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, and high school basketball courts. Basketball rims, sometimes referred to as the hoop or basket, are a regulation 18 inches in diameter.
It’s recommended that 8 to 10 year olds play on an 8 foot rim height, and 11 year olds play on a 9 foot rim height. This way younger players can gradually get used to the height of a basketball hoop without being discouraged from playing the game early on.
Basketball Backboard Dimensions
The regulation dimensions of a basketball backboard are 72 inches wide by 42 inches tall with an inner square to help players aim for the backboard measuring 24 inches wide by 18 inches tall. This translates to a backboard 6 feet wide by 3.5 feet tall for regulation basketball courts.
Basketball backboards sold for recreational or training basketball play are sold in a variety of sizes. The most common being 60, 54, 52, 48, and 44 inches wide. For a typical two car driveway, a 54 or 60 inch backboard is most commonly used and is fitting for a court that size.
Here are some common questions I get about this topic.
How Long Is A Basketball Court In Meters?
A regulation NBA or NCAA basketball court measures 94 feet long by 50 feet wide which is 28.7 meters long by 15.2 meters wide. The FIBA international basketball courts are a little smaller and were designed using meters as a measurement coming in at 28 meters long by 15 meters wide.
How Far Is The 3 Point Line From The Basket In High School?
On a regulation high school basketball court the 3 point line is 19 feet 9 inches from the basketball hoop. The top of the rim is 10 feet from the ground and the front of the backboard is 4 feet in from the side of the court, making the free throw line 15 feet from the hoop.
Is NBA Court Bigger Than NCAA?
The regulation NCAA basketball court is the same size as an NBA basketball court at 94 feet in length by 50 feet wide. The only noticeable difference between the two courts is the 3-point line distance. The NBA 3-point line is 23.75′ from the hoop, where the NCAA is 22.15′ from the hoop.
Helpful Links:
Easy Basketball Court Stencil Kit (link to Amazon)
Recommended Basketball Gear
14 Fun Basketball Games For All Ages
10 At Home Basketball Drills
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Basketball court markings: standards and norms
Author of the article
Khvatkov Dmitry
Consultant in the production of rubber coatings
Basketball field marking requirements are approved by the FIBA standard. The site must be flat with a hard surface, free of bends, cracks and other obstacles. The accepted dimensions of the field are 28 m long and 16 m wide. By NBA standards, the field is slightly larger: 28.7 m (94' ft) long and 15.3 m (50' ft) wide.
Areas not intended for international competitions may differ from accepted standards (for public use, in schools or universities, etc. ) and usually vary from 20 to 28 m in length and from 12 to 16 m in width.
Basketball Court Marking Standards
Basketball court markings are conventionally divided into 5 components:
Boundary lines. They are located along the perimeter of the site and set its size. The lines that run along the field are called side lines, and those that are behind the baskets are called front lines.
Central line. Divides the court in half parallel to the front lines.
Central zone. It is a circle and is placed in the middle of the center line, and, accordingly, in the center of the entire field.
Three-point line. It is a semi-ellipse and is located around the shields on both sides of the field. It limits the close range.
Free throw line. It is located in front of the boards parallel to the front line and is limited on the sides by paint lines.
The standard line width is 5 cm. All outlines and lines must be of the same color (usually white) and be clearly visible from anywhere on the court.
Common lines
Common lines are used to limit the playing area of the court. The side lines (along the field) according to FIBA standards should be 28 m long, and the front lines - 16 m. For public areas, deviations from the accepted standards are allowed. Typically, basketball courts in schools or gyms are made from 20 m long and 12 m wide.
Central lines
The center line is parallel to the front and divides the field exactly in half. According to the standards - it should extend beyond the side lines by 15 cm on both sides.
In the middle of the center line there is a circle with a diameter of 3.6 m, which limits the central zone of the field. In this zone, the ball is played at the beginning of the game.
Three-Point Line
Three-Point Lines are located around the backboards on both sides of the field and consist of two straight lines 2.9 long9 m and a semicircle. Straight lines run perpendicular to the front at a distance of 0. 9 m from the side lines. Despite the fact that visually the distance from the ring to the side of the three-point line seems to be less than to its central part, the distance from the backboard to any point is 6.75 m.
Penalty lines
Penalty lines limit the nearest area at the backboard. They consist of a trapezoid and a free throw zone.
Despite the name, the "trapezium" is a rectangle (until 2009year it really was a trapezoid), which is located under the shield. Its dimensions are 5.8 meters long and 4.9 meters wide. The shield is located at a distance of 1.575 m from the end line in the middle of the site. In front of the backboard, at a distance of 1.25 m, there is a semicircle that limits the area for picking up the ball.
At a distance of 4.225 meters from the backboard, the trapeze zone ends and the free throw zone begins. It is a semicircle with a diameter of 3.6 m (like the central circle).
Paint zone lines
These lines are serifs on both sides of the trapezoid (parallel to the side lines). They limit the areas for players who are fighting for the ball during a free throw.
Zones on the basketball field
The basketball court is divided into zones using markings. Each zone has its own specific rules.
Center circle
The center circle is used as a separate kick-off area at the start of the game. One representative from each team stand in a circle from their side and fight for the ball in a jump, after it is dropped by the referee. All players are exclusively on their side of the field, except for one who rebounds on the opponent's side.
Neutral zone
The peculiarity of this zone is that as soon as the player of the attacking team with the ball crosses the center line and is on the side of the opponent, he cannot pass the ball to the player of his team who is on the other side of the field (i.e. behind center line on your side).
Three-point zone
The three-point line limits the near zone of the shot. Hitting the basket from outside the basket brings the team three points. If the throw was made inside the zone, then it brings two points.
Three-second zone
This is the zone in close proximity to the ring. It is called three-second, since the player of the attacking team cannot be in it for more than three seconds. Most balls are thrown in this zone, so when attacking, it provides maximum protection.
Free throw area
In controversial situations, a free throw is provided from this area. The player of the attacking team must score the ball without stepping over the line of the trapezoid. At the same time, the players of both teams are not in the three-second zone. They take up positions along the paint lines on the sides of the trapezoid and may not step outside the lines until the free throw shooter has shot the ball.
How to mark a basketball field?
Basketball field markings, whether it is an international competition court or an open-air amateur field, are best applied using special equipment. This will ensure the long life of the coating, the lines will not clog and will promote fair play.
You can order the marking of a basketball court in Moscow and the Moscow region from Rezkom. We will measure the premises and develop a design project for the field so that it complies with generally accepted rules and is convenient for operation. For more details, you can contact our manager by phone 8-495-64-24-111.
The main violations of the rules in basketball: what actions of the player are prohibited
Basketball has a large number of rules compared to other sports. Unlike football, where all decisions are made by the referee, in the American game there are strict rules that cannot be deviated from. However, teams sometimes overstep the bounds of what is permitted. For such cases, there is a term in basketball, meaning a violation of the rules - a foul.
There are many types of fouls in the game, as well as other situations that are punished with an out or free throws. Few people know, but only 10 seconds are allotted for the free kick. If during this time there is no throw, then he will be counted as a violation. The athlete will get off with a verbal warning and an out. In what cases is disqualification possible?
Violations of the rules and penalties
Interestingly, in the early and mid-20th century, basketball looked completely different. It was a rough and slow game in which the athletes often pushed and played for time. The fact is that before 1954 there was no regulation on seconds. The players of one of the teams achieved an advantage of several points, and then began to fold in their own zone. Then in the NBA the opinion was born that basketball was dying, it would never ascend to the Olympus of popular sports.
But in 1954, Danny Bayason suggested adding new rules. Now it was possible to spend no more than 8 seconds on one's half of the field, and a maximum of 24 seconds on someone else's. The game has changed a lot. Now on the field, instead of big and massive guys, the coaches began to release dexterous and fast players who could quickly run from one end of the field to the other. Referees have become stricter about any collisions, and free throws have become an integral part of any match.
In order to play better, each player should at least be aware of possible referee penalties and the most famous rules. Here is a short list of violations and their respective penalties:
Out. The ball went out of the zone due to the fault of one of the teams. It is introduced from behind the sideline by the opponents of the offending players.
Jogging. A player who dribbles and makes more footwork than is allowed by the rules (maximum two steps allowed). The referee stops the game and says that the athlete who made the run is out. The ball goes to the other team.
Incorrect ball control. It is forbidden to pick up the ball and walk with it without hitting the floor. You can't jump and get both feet off the ground without making a pass or a throw. It is also forbidden to dribble with both hands - this is called double dribbling. All these violations are punishable by throw-in and passing the ball to the other team.
Violation of the 3 second offensive rule. Cannot be under someone else's ring for longer than 3 seconds. If the violation happened before the goal was scored, then the goal is canceled, and the ball goes to the opponents.
Violation of the 3 second defensive rule. The player has been in his zone under the ring for more than 3 seconds. Penalized by strikeout and transfer of ownership.
Violation of the 5 second rule. A player must take a throw-in from out-of-bounds within 5 seconds. Otherwise, ownership passes to another team. There is also a second version of this rule. If a closely guarded player (the opponent is within a radius of less than 1 meter) does not pass or throw within 5 seconds while standing still, then the referee declares a violation of the rules. The penalty is the same as above.
Violation of the 8 second rule. A team does not clear the ball from its own half of the field within 8 seconds. This is punishable by an out. Opponents start to throw in the ball from the middle line of the field.
Violation of the 10 second rule. A player must attempt a free throw within 10 seconds. If this does not happen, then all free kicks are canceled and the ball goes to the other team.
Violation of the 24 (14) second rule. Attackers can spend no longer than 24 seconds in the opponent's half of the field. If at the same time a goal was not scored, and the referee did not stop the game, then a penalty is announced to them - passing the ball to the defending team. But if there was an out, a foul, another situation that paused the game, then the attackers are given at least 14 seconds to complete the attack. In case of violation of this time limit, the same penalty is imposed.
Violation of the 30 second rule. If a team does not shoot for the ring within half a minute, they pass the ball to the opponents. This rule is rarely violated, since all other time intervals are much less than it. Much more often, players are out of bounds because of 24 or 3 seconds.
Violation of the midline. If the team brought the ball into the opponent's half of the field, then it cannot be returned to the defensive zone. This will be punished with a strikeout and a throw-in from the level of the middle line.
It's worth saying that some of these rules are broken very rarely, although they are valid throughout the game. In the realities of modern basketball it is very difficult to break the rule of 30 or 10 seconds. In basketball, referees are very strict about stretching time. If the team thinks to win in this way, then the players may be subject to disciplinary penalties.
Types of fouls
A foul is a foul that occurs because of a collision between two players. It is often said that basketball is a non-contact game. This expression is very close to the truth. It is no coincidence that the game has the concept of a “cylinder”. This is an intuitive rule to keep players firmly in place and don't stretch their arms and legs too far. They can only block throws and passes from opponents, but they are not allowed to make close physical contact.
Basketball is a fairly popular game, so a lot of different fouls happen in it. Someone pushes an opponent, someone accidentally hits him on the arm, someone argues with the referee or insults the technical staff. Therefore, there are several types of fouls:
Personal. This foul is due to personal contact. If the opponent made a throw at the same time, then you need to look at the result. The ball hit the ring - the victim takes one free kick. The ball did not hit the ring - the victim performs as many throws as he could earn if there was a goal. If the foul was committed while the opponent was not shooting, then there are also two options. The team scored 5 violations in the quarter - the victim takes two free throws. The team did not score 5 violations in the quarter - a throw-in is taken.
On the attack. This foul is called by the referee when an offensive player grabs the elbow or arm of a defending player, pushes him away, puts forward a hand that does not control the ball. Penalized by strikeout and transfer of ownership.
Reciprocal. Violation occurred on both sides at about the same time. Penalty referee will not set.
Non-sporting. The player did not try to play within the rules. His actions can be interpreted as a provocation or a direct attack. Free throws are given to the injured team. If a player has received two unsportsmanlike fouls in a game, he is sent off.
Disqualifying foul. Awarded for gross unsportsmanlike conduct. Such fouls are often in the sports news, and the player who committed them will often be remembered.
It’s a misconception that the foul line is 15 feet from the center of the basket. The backboard itself measures six feet wide and 42 inches high.
For starters, the key is only 12 feet wide, rather than 16. The first box on the side of the key is only six feet from the baseline, not seven. The restricted area under the basket is also one foot smaller, at three feet in diameter rather than the NBA’s four.
The most noticeable difference is that the court is a full 10 feet shorter, measuring only 84 feet. However, there are some similarities. The court is still 50 feet wide. The basket is also 10 feet off the ground.
At the top of the arc, the three-point line is 6.75 meters from the center of the basket or 22.15 feet. This measurement works out to about 22 feet, two inches. The FIBA three-point line, which has also been adopted by the WNBA, is over a foot and a half closer than the NBA line.
So, while everything else about the sport has changed since that first game, the baskets are still right where Dr. Naismith hung them.
In 1951, the key was widened to 12 feet and later to the 16 feet we see now in the NBA and FIBA.
Here’s a helpful chart to show the different basketball court dimensions quickly before we dive into more detail.
75′
2 wide, with the half court line at 45.95 feet, directly in the center of the court. The free throw line is 19 feet from the edge of the court and 15.09 feet from the front of the backboard. The 3 point shooting line is 22.15′ from the center of the hoop.
Basketball rims, sometimes referred to as the hoop or basket, are a regulation 18 inches in diameter.
) and usually vary from 20 to 28 m in length and from 12 to 16 m in width. 
9 m from the side lines. Despite the fact that visually the distance from the ring to the side of the three-point line seems to be less than to its central part, the distance from the backboard to any point is 6.75 m. 
They limit the areas for players who are fighting for the ball during a free throw. 
If the throw was made inside the zone, then it brings two points. 
If during this time there is no throw, then he will be counted as a violation. The athlete will get off with a verbal warning and an out. In what cases is disqualification possible? 
Referees have become stricter about any collisions, and free throws have become an integral part of any match. 
All these violations are punishable by throw-in and passing the ball to the other team. 
If a team does not shoot for the ring within half a minute, they pass the ball to the opponents. This rule is rarely violated, since all other time intervals are much less than it. Much more often, players are out of bounds because of 24 or 3 seconds. 
It is often said that basketball is a non-contact game. This expression is very close to the truth. It is no coincidence that the game has the concept of a “cylinder”. This is an intuitive rule to keep players firmly in place and don't stretch their arms and legs too far. They can only block throws and passes from opponents, but they are not allowed to make close physical contact. 
The team scored 5 violations in the quarter - the victim takes two free throws. The team did not score 5 violations in the quarter - a throw-in is taken. 
