Equipments and measurements in basketball

1. EQUIPMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS IN BASKETBALL

2. The only essential equipment in a basketball game is the basketball and the court: a flat, rectangular surface with baskets at opposite ends. Competitive levels require the use of more equipment such as clocks, score sheets, scoreboard(s), alternating possession arrows, and whistle-operated stop-clock systems. A regulation basketball court in international games is 91.9 feet long and 49.2 feet wide. In the NBA and NCAA the court is 94 feet by 50 feet. Most courts have wood flooring, usually constructed from maple planks running in the same direction as the longer court dimension. The name and logo of the home team is usually painted on or around the center circle.

3. THE BASKET The regulation distance from the ground to the top of the rim is 10 feet for all levels of play. Regulation backboards are 6 feet wide (72 inches) by 42 inches tall. All basketball rims (hoops) are 18 inches in diameter. The inner square on the backboard is 24 inches wide by 18 inches tall.

4. THE COURT

5. COURT SIZE NBA and College – 94 feet long and 50 feet wide High School – 84 feet long and 50 feet wide Junior High – 74 feet long and 42 feet wide

6. THE FOUL LINE For all courts the “foul line” distance is 15 feet from the foul line to the front of the backboard. This measurement is commonly confused as from the center of the basket and front of the rim. All line markings on the floor are 2 inches wide and can vary in color.

7. THE 3 POINT LINE (ARC) Women’s College and High School Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 19 feet 9 inches. NBA Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 22 feet to the center of the rim on the sides with a straight line extending out 16 feet 9 inches from the baseline. Past those points the line extends out 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the rim. Men’s College Basketball Courts – the 3 point arc is 20 feet 9 inches.

8. CLOTHING Players of each team should wear the same outfits which must not clash with the opposing team. Each player should wear a numbered shirt and no two players in the same team should wear the same number. Players are numbered between 4 and 15. Loose-fitting shorts for mobility, and sleeveless vests are the standard attire. Basketball shoes should be rubber-soled and with protected ankle supports, although these are not necessary. Most important of all, make sure your clothing is comfortable. It is important to wear toweled socks; and it is not a bad idea to buy a pair of shoes a little too big to enable you to wear two pairs of socks which will reduce the risk of blistering.