Basketball court
A rectangular hard-surfaced court with a raised hoop and backboard at each end where basketball is played.
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:
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Basketball court in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- BasketballBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Sports hallBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Multi-use games area (MUGA)Both are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Hard courtBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- WoodBoth are taught in the “What you’ll need” stage of the Basketball learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Basketball court to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Equipment
Playing surfaces
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.
Go deeper with Basketball court
Everywhere else on the platform that covers Basketball court — assembled from what actually references it, so nothing here is a dead end.
Learn it
Structured courses and paths on the platform that cover this directly.
How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Facility
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-12
Evergreen, first-party explanation — it makes no claim that needs an external source. How we handle sources and reviews.