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How wide is the free throw line in basketball


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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 TypeLengthWidthFree Throw3-Point Line
NBA94′50′15′23.75′
FIBA91.9′49.2′15.09′22.15′
NCAA94′50′15′22.15′
High School84′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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The Lines and Dimensions of a Basketball Court

Updated: 06-09-2022

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A basketball court has symmetry; one half of the court is a mirror image of the other. The entire basketball court (see Figure 1) is 94 feet by 50 feet. On each half-court, painted lines show the free throw lane and circle, as well as the three-point arc, whose distance from the basket varies based on the level of hoops being played.

Figure 1: The American court.

Indoor basketball courts are almost always made of hardwood. Outdoor courts are most commonly composed of asphalt.

The borders of the court have their own commonsense names:

  • Along the length of the court, the borders are the sidelines.
  • Along the ends, the borders are the endlines, or baselines.
  • Separating both halves of the court is a midcourt line.
  • In the very center of the midcourt line is the center circle (12 feet in diameter), where the center toss takes place to begin the game.

The free throw lane and free throw line

The free throw lane is the hub of the action in each half-court. This rectangle is 12 feet wide — 16 feet at the men's pro level. Its length, as measured from the basket to the free throw line, is 15 feet at all levels. An offensive player may not stand inside the lane for more than three seconds unless he or one of his teammates is shooting the ball. After a shot is taken, the count starts over again. A defensive player may remain inside the lane for as long as he desires.

A player fouled by another player sometimes receives free throws, also known as foul shots. She takes these shots (they aren't really "throws") from the free throw line at the end of the lane — 15 feet from the basket. The shots are "free" because a defender does not guard the shooter while she's shooting. When a player shoots a free throw, her feet may not cross the free throw line until the ball hits the rim, or else the shot is nullified.

The remaining players line up alongside the free throw lane (or behind the shooter) and cannot interfere with the shot. They line up in order, on either side of the lane, of defense-offense-defense-offense. (Up to four players may stand on one side of the lane.) If a player opts not to take a spot (say, for example, the second defensive spot), then a player from the opposing team is permitted to step into that spot. The fans behind the basket usually scream, jump up and down, and wave their hands to try to distract an opposing team's shooter during free throws.

The three-point arc

The three-point arc is the other important marked feature of the court. The arc extends around the basket in a near semicircle, and its distance from the basket differs according to the level of play. Even at one level, the distance can change as rules committees grapple with the best distance for the good of the sport. The NBA has changed the three-point distance on two different occasions since first adopting the trey, as the three-point shot is called, in the 1979-1980 season. The three-point distance was moved back to its original 23' 9" for the 1997-1998 season. The college distance is 19' 9", while the international distance is 20' 6".

Any shot made from beyond this arc — even a desperation half-court shot at the buzzer — is worth three points. A three-point shooter must have both feet behind the arc as he launches this shot, but either foot is allowed to land on the other side of the arc.

The backcourt and frontcourt

Thinking of the entire court as two half-courts, divide it into frontcourt and backcourt. The frontcourt is the half of the court where the offense's basket is located. The backcourt is the other half. Thus one team's backcourt is the other team's frontcourt.

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Execution technique, placement of players, points, distance to the ring

Home / All sports / Free throw in basketball: execution technique, placement of players, points, distance to the ring

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    A basketball free throw is a shot taken by one player of the fouled team. Free throws differ from game throws by the number of points awarded. From the game, a basketball player can write down 2 or 3 points to his account, and each realized penalty brings only 1 point. A free throw is always made from a certain place on the court - the free throw line, and none of the players of the opposite team should interfere with its implementation, that is, this is a kind of penalty kick in which the player with the ball fights against the ring with a shield.

    The ability to shoot free throws is one of the most important skills a professional basketball player should have. The implementation of such a penalty can determine the outcome of the game, although it is not always easy to execute such a technical element, especially due to pressure from the stands. To throw the ball into the ring, the player must have confidence, correctly set throwing technique and good concentration. Even some of the most famous and experienced players in the NBA have trouble getting into the basket from a free kick. A good indicator is when a basketball player manages to realize 75-80% of all shots, and when the statistical indicator is below 50%, then such persons, with a high degree of probability, will rest on the bench at the end of the match.

    How many free throws are there in basketball?

    Let's start with the fact that all free throws are taken from a certain line, which is part of the basketball court markings. At a distance of 4.6 meters from the ring and 5.8 meters from the end line there is a free-throw line 3.6 meters long.

    If a player breaks the rules, free throws are awarded to his team. The number of shots fired depends on where and how the foul was committed.

    • 1 free throw - a player was fouled, who managed to throw the ball into the basket and hit it. Also, with a technical foul, 1 throw is given.
    • 2 shots - awarded when a player is fouled on a shot and missed. Also, 2 throws are assigned when a violation of the rules occurs on an athlete who did not plan to throw the ball into the basket, and the team of the offending basketball player has more than 5 fouls.
    • 3 Throws - When an athlete about to take a throw is fouled outside the 3-point zone. If the throw is not accurate, then 3 penalties are awarded.

    Note that when a basketball player who has committed 5 personal or technical fouls (6 offenses in the National Basketball Association - NBA) or 2 unsportsmanlike fouls in a match, must leave the playing court and no longer enter it, while he is allowed to remain on the bench .

    Dimensions of the basketball court in meters (FIBA and NBA standard)

    Position of players during a free throw in basketball

    During the execution of a free throw, all players on the court must take certain positions. Along the free throw lane, on the sides of the so-called rectangle from the line to the ring, there are 5 players: 3 from the defending team and 2 from the attacking team. Closer to the ring on both sides are the basketball players of the defending side, in the middle there are 2 attackers and one more defender on the right or left closer to the thrower. All other players from both teams must be outside the 3-point zone.

    Basketball free throw technique

    Free throw can decide the outcome of a single match, so it is important to understand that such a technical element should not be ignored, but rather needs to be constantly trained and improved. Approaching the free-throw line, concentrating and accurately putting the ball in the basket is a difficult task for many players, even top professionals. The free throw is the only opportunity in basketball where the defense can in no way interfere with throwing the ball into the rings and scoring a point. Below are the techniques for throwing in stages with important tips:

    1. Mentally focus on the execution of the next throw. Force yourself not to worry and pay attention to others, especially loud fans of the opposing team.
    2. Relax. Every basketball player should be familiar with the relaxation techniques, you need to learn a certain breathing technique that will reduce nervousness and tension.
    3. Body alignment. It is important for the thrower to align his body at the free-throw line. Statistical studies show that correct body position significantly increases a player's chances of making an accurate shot. The legs should be shoulder-width apart, and the fingers should be located at a distance of 3-5 centimeters from the line. Also, the legs should be slightly bent at the knees.
    4. Bend the pushing arm at the elbow pointing straight at the ring. The elbows tend to swing out to the sides and it is important to keep them close to the body before throwing.
    5. Eyes are best focused directly on the target. Decide right away how you want to hit: immediately into the ring or with a rebound from the shield. With practice, you will begin to feel more confident in the stance and will not need to pay much attention to the location of the elbows. This in turn improves accuracy.
    6. Execution. The legs are unbent at the knees, the elbow is straightened, then the hand comes, and the ball is pushed out with the fingertips. It is important to do all this in one smooth movement, and you need to make sure that your legs do not come off the floor.

    These are the simple rules for shooting free throws in basketball. By following them and regularly practicing this technical element, you will eventually begin to hit the ring more often, or even completely forget what a miss is.

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    execution technique when assigning how many points they give

    Danila Chezhin

    Free throws are one way to score points in basketball. This is the most important element of the game, which can have a key impact on the outcome of a single match. What are the penalties for a free throw in basketball? What is required from the players for their effective implementation and what types of penalties exist? Let's find out in this article.

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    When are free throws awarded?

    A free throw is called a shot at the ring from a static position, which is made from a certain position - the free throw line. The distance of the penalty line from the basket is 4.6 meters. A player has 10 seconds to complete a free throw. Each correct attempt is worth 1 point. As a rule, points scored on free throws make a significant contribution to the final result of the match, sometimes they make a difference.

    Multiple fouls result in free throws. The most common of these is a foul - a violation of the rules in a game situation, such as hitting the hands or pushing an opponent. Throwing fouls are always followed by free kicks. In addition, there is a team foul limit in basketball - when it is exhausted, every foul, not even a throwing one, is punished with a free kick. The limit for team fouls in the NBA is 6 violations per quarter. In European basketball - 5.

    Another common penalty offense is a technical foul – unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or coach, such as disrespect for referees, officials or opponents.

    How many free throws in basketball

    Theoretically, in one game, teams can make an infinite number of free throws. The meeting can be very rough, besides, the playing time stops for the execution of free throws, including preparation for them. Sometimes the number of free throws and the truth rolls over. For example, in 2012, Orlando center Dwight Howard scored 39 free throws against Golden State.

    2 free throws are awarded for a shooting foul or for each foul after the team caution limit has been reached. The exception is a foul on a throw due to a three-point arc. Then the basketball player, on which the rules are violated, performs 3 free throws. 1 free throw is awarded for a technical foul. Each exact attempt adds 1 point to the personal score of the team. Inaccurate - does not add anything. In that same NBA game in 2012, Howard managed to score only 21 out of 39 goals.-and.

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    Location of players during a free throw

    A free throw is taken from the line 4.6 meters from the backboard. This feature is the base of the trapezoid - part of the markings of the basketball court. The trapezoid is called the three-second zone. When a player takes a free kick, on the sides of the trapezoid, and specifically on the points indicated in the markup - the mustache, there are several players from each team. According to the rules of the game, two basketball players can represent the penalty team, and three of the opposing team. The players stand in a checkerboard pattern - the athletes of the team that does not execute the free kick are closer to the shield.

    This arrangement is designed to fight for rebounds in the event of an inaccurate throw. Once the player has released the ball, time will start and the match will officially restart. So the ball that did not hit the basket is returned to the game. It should be borne in mind that the game is resumed only after the last attempt. If a player takes three free throws after the third; if two, then after the second; if one, first. Between penalty attempts, the game time counter is inactive.

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    Free throw technique

    As already mentioned, free throws can sometimes decide the fate of a match. Therefore, basketball players pay great attention to this component in training and diligently improve their performance technique.

    Basketball rules do not provide for any technical restrictions on penalty kicks. However, the vast majority of modern players use the same method - a throw from the shoulder with one hand. The ball lying on the palm and fingers is released from the hands simultaneously with the straightening of the knee joints of the legs and the elbow joint of the throwing arm. The projectile is twisted with the index finger and, if the basketball players follow the correct trajectory, it gently falls into the ring.

    Basketball free throw technique is not limited to mechanics. For professional athletes, from this point of view, free kicks are a very simple element. Psychology plays a key role. In order to concentrate and gain confidence before a free throw, basketball players tap the ball a little on the park and control their breathing. Some even follow their own ritual every time - they spin the ball on their fingers, mumble something under us, etc.

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