Facility
Basketball court
A rectangular hard-surfaced court with a raised hoop and backboard at each end where basketball is played.
Facility
Overview
A basketball court is a rectangular playing surface with a backboard and hoop mounted above the baseline at each end. Court markings include the centre circle, the three-point arc, the free-throw line and the key — the painted lane beneath each basket.
Indoor courts are typically hardwood, while outdoor courts use asphalt or acrylic surfaces that stand up to the weather.
Good to know
- The hoop is fixed at a standard height on a backboard above the baseline at each end.
- Shots made from beyond the three-point arc score three points; those inside score two.
- The free-throw line marks where uncontested free throws are taken after certain fouls.
- The key, or lane, is the painted area running from the baseline to the free-throw line.
Where it’s used
Sports that use basketball court:
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Playing surfaces
- Hard courtA rigid acrylic, concrete or asphalt court that gives a true, consistent, medium-paced bounce — the standard multi-use outdoor surface.
- WoodAn indoor sprung timber or parquet floor — grippy, consistent and lightly cushioned; the classic surface for indoor court sports.
- SnowCompacted or natural snow on slopes and trails — a low-friction surface built for gliding, where skis, boards and runners slide fast over frozen ground.
- Synthetic trackAn all-weather rubberised athletics running surface — firm, springy and high-grip — giving sprinters and distance runners fast, consistent, predictable footing.
- IceA prepared, frozen sheet kept hard and smooth; its extremely low friction lets skaters, pucks and stones glide with very little resistance.
Techniques
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
- Chest PassA two-handed pass thrown directly from chest height in a straight line to a teammate, the most basic pass in basketball and netball.
- Free ThrowAn unguarded basketball shot taken from the free-throw line, relying on a calm, repeatable routine rather than power.
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
Adaptive sports
Beginner guides
- Your first basketball sessionA first basketball session is a friendly, fast-moving introduction to handling the ball, moving your feet and sharing simple play with others — no experience or prior skill needed.
- Your First Padel SessionA warm, honest look at what your very first padel session actually involves — the doubles court, the walls, and the easygoing rallying that makes it so welcoming to newcomers.
- Your First Badminton SessionA warm, honest look at what your first time on a badminton court actually feels like — how a beginner session runs, what surprises newcomers about the shuttlecock, and how to enjoy it without worrying about keeping score.
- What to Bring to Your First SessionMost first sessions need far less than people expect — water, clothes you can move in, footwear that suits the surface and a few personal bits usually cover it, with any sport-specific kit noted on each sport's first-session page.
Scoring systems
- Basketball scoringBasketball is scored by shooting the ball through the hoop, with baskets worth one, two or three points depending on where the shot is taken.
- Football (soccer) scoringFootball is scored by goals, with each goal worth one point and the team scoring the most goals winning the match.
- Badminton scoringBadminton uses rally scoring to 21 points per game, with matches decided over the best of three games.
- How swimming races are timed and placedSwimming races are decided by elapsed time and finishing order, with electronic touchpads recording when each swimmer completes the distance.
- Tennis scoringTennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.