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.
Basketball goals are often made with adjustable basketball hoops, which can cause some confusion over setting the appropriate rim height. Customers often ask us if there is a uniform basketball goal regulation height. The answer is yes: the regulation height of the top edge of the rim of the basketball hoop is 10' from the ground. This is true for inground basketball goals, wall mount basketball goals, indoor basketball hoop systems, and outdoor basketball goal systems. No matter which type of basketball system you are talking about, the regulation rim height is the same. First Team Sports offers a complete selection of basketball backboard systems for men's and women's team sports, at all levels of play. We also manufacture commercial basketball goals for playgrounds, complete sets for recreation centers, adjustable and portable goals. Whether you need a great basketball goal for kids or a competition grade fixed height basketball goal, First Team has the basketball equipment to fit your needs and your budget. If basketball is your sport, a friendly First Team associate can help you find exactly what you want. Read our basketball buying guide to learn the difference between an in ground basketball goal and a portable basketball system, and be sure to call us with your questions.
Measuring for the correct regulation basketball goal height is straightforward: the top of the rim should be set 10' above the playing surface. The 10' rim height measurement should not be confused with the top of the backboard or the bottom of the net. First Team offers backboards in a variety of sizes, from 30" x 44" up to traditional competition size 48" x 72" tempered glass. Whatever the size of the backboard, the rim is set at the same regulation height. When you look at basketball goal pictures, you will see that the variation is in the height of the backboard above the rim. Our adjustable basketball goals feature a built in rim height indicator to make it easy to see the exact height of the rim at any given time.
Now that you know that the basketball goal rim height is 10', have you stopped to wonder why? Whether you shop for outdoor sports equipment, basketball backboard systems, and accessories at a specialty shop that carries the top brands or look at a basketball goal Walmart carries, basketball goals are a far cry from their origins. The sport was invented by James Naismith, who created the first basketball hoop by nailing a peach basket to a track. Because the basket was closed, play would have to stop after every score to retrieve the ball. Can you imagine climbing up on a ladder or table to get your ball back after every basket? Sports legend has it that the height of that first basketball goal was 10', setting the standard that is used even today. However, Mr. Naismith's original written rules did not mention the height of the basket, so it is not clear if the origins of the regulation rim height are fact or fiction. Whatever the case, 10' has long been the standard in NCAA, high school, and NBA basketball.
While the regulation height is required for competition at the high school level and above, there are certain times when it makes sense to choose a lower height. An adjustable portable goal or adjustable in ground goal is the answer when 10' is too high for your players. These are some reasons to lower the rim:
For junior level play. Although there is no standard rim height for young men and women in junior high, 8' or 9' is common. The league will set the rules for rim height for junior competition.
To allow younger or novice players to improve their shooting mechanics. Have you ever seen a young kid trying to heave a basketball high enough to reach the hoop? Lower the rim while he develops his shooting technique, then gradually increase the height up to 10' to increase the challenge.
For dunking competitions. If you and your kids like to shoot hoops on your back patio, lower the rim so you can have a dunking contest once in a while. Families with children aged 10 or under are advised to select an adjustable goal. Our basketball buying guide can help you determine which sets are best for your family.
Call First Team today for answers to all of your questions about finding the right basketball system for outdoor or indoor games. Choose a portable basketball hoop that folds down to roll under a door frame to store in the garage by your outdoor power equipment. Or select one of our superior wall mount competition level systems with backboard and post padding with custom lettering in colors to match team apparel. We also manufacture tough-as-nails playground systems with industry leading lifetime warranties. All of our sporting equipment is made with pride in the USA.
Shown below: Measuring basketball hoop height
Since 1996, First Team, Inc. has been manufacturing top quality sporting goods equipment for basketball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, and football. Based in Hutchinson, Kansas, we are dedicated to Made In the USA domestic manufacturing, quality assurance, friendly customer service, and providing the safest, most durable and dependable products available every time. We are proud to be the top choice of athletic directors, coaches, facility directors, equipment managers and homeowners across the nation. You can find First Team products at top sporting equipment stores nationwide; our ever-growing network of over 1000 authorized dealers ensures that our products are available at your favorite place to shop for gear for basketball, cleats and running shoes, swim suits, and all of your athletic equipment. Contact us to learn more about First Team basketball goals for field houses, gymnasiums, playgrounds,and homes.
Further Reading:
How to Measure Basketball Hoop Height
How to Adjust Basketball Goal Height
Basketball Court Dimensions and Planning