Department of Sport and Recreation | Basketball

09/06/2010 17:00

Dimensions for Basketball

Basketball is played by two teams of five players each. The aim of each team is to score in the opponents basket and to prevent the other team from scoring.

Court dimensions
The playing court is a flat, hard surface free from obstructions with dimensions of 28m long by 15m wide, measured from the inside edge of the boundary line. The Australian Basketball Federation (ABF) has the authority to approve, for their competitions, existing playing courts with minimum dimensions of 26m long by 14m wide. The height of the ceiling or the lowest obstruction above the playing floor is at least 7m.

Lines
All lines are drawn in the same colour (preferably white), 5cm in width and clearly visible.

Boundary line
The playing area is limited by the boundary line, usually called baselines (on the short sides) and the sidelines (on the long sides). These lines are not part of the playing court. The minimum space around the court for run-off is 2m. Any obstruction, including seated team bench personnel, must be at least 2m from the playing court. All spectators must be seated at a distance of at least 5m from the outside edge of the boundary lines of the playing court. From 1 October 2010, for high level competitions (Olympic and World Championships), there will be two small lines marked outside the court, on the opposite side of the scorers table and the team bench areas. The outer edge is 8.325m from the inside edge of the endlines and level to the top of the three-point line. For medium level competitions (National Championships), this rule change comes into effect as at 1 October 2012.

Centre line, centre circle and semi-circles

The centre line is marked parallel to the endlines from the mid-points of the sidelines. It extends 15cm beyond each sideline. The centre circle is marked in the centre of the playing court and has a radius of 1.8m measured to the outer edge of the circumference. The semi-circles are marked on the playing court with a radium of 1.8m measured to the outer edge of the circumference and with the centre at the mid-points of the free-throw line. From 1 October 2010, for high level competitions (Olympic and World Championships), there will be no-charge semi-circles marked on the playing court under the baskets. The distance of the inner edge of the semi-circles is 1.25m from the centre of the basket (on the floor). For medium level competitions (National Championships), this rule change comes into effect as of 1 October 2012.

Basketball court layout

(markings in green are changes from 2010 onwards)

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Three point field goal area and line

The three point field goal area is the entire floor area of the playing court, except for inside the three point line near the opponents basket. The three point line is generally an arc at a set radius from the basket. The three point line is 6.25m from the basket. The three point line is straight and parallel to the sideline in order to allow room between the three point line and the sideline. From 1 October 2010, for high level competitions (Olympic and World Championships), the distance of the three point line is 6.75m. For medium level competitions (National Championships), this rule change comes into effect as at 1 October 2012.

Free throws and restricted areas

A free-throw line is drawn parallel to each endline. Its furthest edge is 5.8m from the inner edge of the endline and is 3.6m long. Its mid-point lies on the imaginary line joining the midpoints of the two endlines. The restricted areas are marked on the playing court, limited by the endlines, the free-throw lines and the lines that originate the endlines, their outer edges 3m from the mid-points of the endlines and terminating the outer edge of the free-throw lines. These lines, excluding the endlines, are part of the restricted area. The inside of the restricted areas can be painted but must be the same colour as the centre circle. From 1 October 2010, for high level competitions (Olympic and World Championships), the restricted areas shall be the four rectangle areas marked on the playing courts. The restricted (three-second area) will be a rectangle (not a trapezoid). For medium level competitions (National Championships), this rule change comes into effect as of 1 October 2012. Rebound places along the restricted areas, reserved for players during free throws, are marked in the above diagram.

Backstop unit
There are two backstop units, one placed at each end of the playing court and each consisting of the following parts:

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1 x backboard 1 x basket ring with a ring mounting plate 1 x basket net 1 x basket support structure padding. The following safety issues need to be taken into account when constructing a backstop unit break-away rims installed on glass backboards the bottom of the backboard is padded walls and poles beneath backboards are padded, at least (100mm)

Rings
The rings are made of a solid steel and have an inside diameter of 450mm to 459mm. They are made of metal 16mm20mm in diameter and painted orange. The rings are fixed to the backboard support structures in such a way that any force applied to the ring cannot be transferred to the backboard itself. There is to be no direct contact between the ring mounting plate and the backboard itself. The net is attached to each ring in 12 places. The fittings for the attachment must not have any sharp edges or gaps smaller than 8mm to prevent fingers from entering. The top edge of each ring is positioned horizontally, 3.05m above the floor, equidistant from the two vertical edges of the backboard. The point on the inside circumference of the ring nearest the backboard is 151mm from the face of the backboard.

Lighting outdoor
Generally a side lighting system is used for outdoor basketball courts, whether single or multi-court complexes. Side lighting gives a better control of spill light outside the playing area and is more economical for one or two courts. Corner lighting is not recommended because of unavoidable glare to players when shooting for goal. Poles on the perimeter immediately behind the goal must also be avoided. Area lighting allows fewer (but higher) poles and is more economical for an area with many courts. Where only a limited number of courts are in use at one time, it may be preferable to light the courts singly or in pairs to allow for selective switching of the lighting for those courts in use. The height of the poles for a single court is 8m12m and 12m15m for a double court. The minimum lighting criteria for recreation or training and competition with few spectators is 100 lux. The minimum criteria for competition with a large spectator gallery is 200 lux.

Mini-basketball
Mini-basketball is a game of basketball for boys and girls. Essentially, it is a modification of the adult game that has been adapted to the needs of children. The philosophy is quite simple do not make children play a game that is not suitable for their physical and mental development, but change the adult game to suit them. The aim of mini-basketball is to provide opportunities for children of all abilities to enjoy rich and quality experiences, which they will transfer to basketball with enthusiasm.

Court dimensions
The playing court is a flat, hard surface free from obstructions. The dimensions of the courts may be varied to account for local facilities. The standard size is 28m long by 15m wide. It can be scaled down in size, providing the variations are in the same proportions from 26m x 14m to 12m x 7m.

Lines
The free-throw line is 4m from the backboard. There is no three point field goal line or area. The boundary lines of the long sides of the court shall be called the sidelines, and those of the short sides the endlines. All lines on the court must be 5cm in width.

Rings and nets

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The basketball rings and nets are 3.05m above the floor for boys and girls 1011 years of age and 2.60m for children under 10. It is possible to have lower baskets for very young children.

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References A list of references used for the sports dimensions guide.