Overview
Basketball, a game created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, traces its roots to the United States and Canada. It is now played worldwide by children and adults of all ages and abilities. There are slight alterations in equipment used, rules of the game and court configuration, depending on who is playing the game and where the game is played.
Dimensions
Basketball courts are rectangular in shape, with varying lengths and widths for different organizations and levels of play. The optimum dimensions for high school boys' and girls' basketball as stipulated by the National Federation of State High School Associations is 50 feet wide by 84 feet long. The NCAA and NBA demand a width of 50 feet, with a length of 94 feet. The international Basketball Federation (FIBA) requires court to be 15m wide by 28m long.
Surface
All courts must be made of a flat and hard surface. Most indoor courts are made of wood. Outdoor basketball courts are commonly made of asphalt. Other materials are becoming more popular, particularly synthetic flooring. Synthetic floors can be used indoor or outdoor, and are more cost-effective to install than wood flooring.
Markings
Line markings must be 2 inches in width, or 5cm as is called for by FIBA. The common marking that all courts have are: one center circle and center line, sometimes called a division line; two free throw lanes often referred to as "keys"; and two three-point field goal lines. Other common markings are the coaches' box or team bench area, and two no-charge areas under the basket.
History
The rules of the game have evolved over the years, and along with the rule changes came changes to the court. The free throw lane was added in 1895, and was one of the first adaptations made to the game. The three-point field goal line was implemented by the NBA in 1979. In 1997, the NBA expanded the no-charge area.
Variations
There are two big variations, other than in size, in basketball courts. The first and probably most visually apparent is the shape of the key, or free-throw lane. In the United States, most free-throw lanes are rectangular, while internationally the lanes are angled, creating a trapezoid shape. The second variation is the distance from the basket to the three-point field goal line. In high school, the line is 19 feet and 9 inches from the basket. The NCAA calls for a distance of 20 feet and 9 inches. The NBA line is 23 feet and 9 inches, and internationally the line is 6.25m.
