Basketball

A new form of the game called 3x3, also known as street basketball, is played three a side on one hoop. It is the largest urban team sport of the world. This basketball discipline is currently being promoted and structured by FIBA the sport’s world governing body.

Basketball 

Court dimensions basketball court layout dimensions

The court is a flat, hard surface free from obstructions, 28m long and 15m wide, measured from the inner edge of the boundary line.

The backcourt is the team’s own basket, inbounds part of the backboard and the part of the playing court limited by their own endline, side lines and centre line.

The front court consists of the opponents’ basket, inbounds part of the backboard and the part of the playing court limited by the end lines behind the opponents’ basket, side lines and inner edge of the centre line nearest to the opponents’ basket.

Lines

All lines are white, 5cm wide and clearly visible.

Boundary line

The playing court is limited by the boundary line, consisting of end lines and the side lines. These lines are not part of the playing court.

Any obstruction including seated team bench personnel is at least 2m from the playing court. 

The court is marked by a further boundary line in a contrasting colour and is 2m wide minimum.

The colour of the further boundary line must be the same as that of the centre circle (if painted) and the restricted areas.

Centre line, centre circle and free throw semi-circles

The centre line is marked parallel to the end lines from the midpoint of the side lines. It extends 0.15m beyond each sideline. The centre line is part of the backcourt.

The centre circle is marked in the centre of the playing court and has a radius of 1.80m measured to the outer edge of the circumference. If the inside of the centre circle is painted, it must be the same colour as the restricted areas.

The free throw semi‑­circles are marked on the playing court with a radius of 1.80m measured to the outer edge of the circumference and with their centres at the midpoint of the free throw lines.

Free throw lines, restricted areas and free throw rebound places

The 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 midpoint lies on the imaginary line joining the midpoint of the two endlines.

The restricted areas are the rectangular areas marked on the playing court limited by the endlines, the extended free throw lines and the lines which originate at the end lines. Their outer edges are 2.45m from the midpoint of the end lines and terminates at the outer edge of the extended free throw lines. These lines, excluding the end lines, are part of the restricted area. The inside of the restricted areas must be painted in one colour.

3-point field goal area Basketball free throw area dimensions

The team’s 3‑­point field goal area is the entire floor area of the playing court, except for the area near the opponents’ basket, limited by and including:

  • The 2 parallel lines extending from and perpendicular to the endline, with the outer edge 0.90m from the inner edge of the side lines.
  • An arc of radius 6.75m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the opponents’ basket to the outer edge of the arc. The distance of the point on the floor from the inner edge of the midpoint of the endline is 1.575m. The arc is joined to the parallel lines.

The 3‑­point line is not part of the 3‑­point field goal area.

Team bench areas

The team bench areas are marked outside the playing court limited by 2 lines. There must be 14 seats available in the team bench area for the team bench personnel which includes coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded players and team followers. Any other persons must be at least 2m behind the team bench.

Throw in lines

The two lines are 0.15m long and  marked outside the playing court at the sideline opposite the scorer’s table. The outer edge of the lines are 8.325m from the inner edge of the nearest endline.

No-charge semi-circle areas

The no-charge semi-circle lines shall be marked on the playing courts, limited by:

  • A semi-circle with a radius of 1.25m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket to the inner edge of the semi-circle.

The semi-circle is joined to:

  • Two parallel lines perpendicular to the end lines, the inner edge 1.25m from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket, 0.375m in length and ending 1.20m from the inner edge of the endline.

The no-charge semi-circle areas are completed by imaginary lines joining the ends of the parallel lines directly below the front edges of the backboards.  The no-charge semi-circle lines are not part of the no-charge semi-circle areas.

Spectators

All spectators must be seated at a distance of at least 5m from the outer edge of he boundary line of the playing court.

3x3 basketball

The main rules of 3x3 are as follows:

  • One basket on one half-court.
  • 2 teams of 3 players and up to one substitute per team.
  • 12 seconds shot clock.
  • 1st team to reach 21 points or best after 10 minutes wins.

Playing court

A regular 3x3 court playing surface is 15m wide x 11m long.

The court has a regular basketball playing court sized zone, including a free throw line (5.80m), a two point line (6.75m) and a “no-charge semi-circle” area underneath the one basket. 

Half a traditional basketball court may be used.

Mini-basketball

Mini‑­basketball is a game for boys and girls who are eleven years or under in the year the competition begins.

Mini‑­basketball is played by 2 teams of 5 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 has a flat, hard surface free from obstructions. The dimensions of the courts may vary to account for local facilities. The standard size is 28m long and 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.

Note: It is important that the free throw line is 4m to the backboard.

mini basketball court dimensions

References

Official Basketball Rules International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
https://www.fiba.basketball/documents#tab=efb3a7a8-15d1-494b-8070-f55bd809304c

Official Basketball Rules and Basketball Equipment International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
https://www.fiba.basketball/documents#tab=efb3a7a8-15d1-494b-8070-f55bd809304c

Mini‑­Basketball Rules. FIBA, Geneva Switzerland.
https://www.fiba.basketball/documents#tab=efb3a7a8-15d1-494b-8070-f55bd809304c

Sport association details

Western Australian Basketball Federation Inc

Rob Clement
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 185, Floreat WA 6014
Telephone 61 8 6272 0741
Email admin@basketballwa.asn.au
Website www.basketballwa.asn.au
Facebook WABasketball

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Page reviewed 14 June 2021