Plastic Basketball Court Design Dimensions and Equipment Specifications

The court is a rectangular, hard surface free of obstructions. For major official FIBA competitions (see Section 5 of "Official Game Procedures"), the court dimensions are: 28 meters long and 15 meters wide. Measurements are taken from the inside of the lines.

Article 1: Court Dimensions

I. The court is a rectangular, solid plane free of obstructions. 

II. For major official FIBA competitions (see Section V of "Official Competition Procedures"), the court dimensions are: 28 meters long and 15 meters wide, measured from the inside of the lines. 

III. For all other competitions, the appropriate FIBA body, such as the regional committee for regional or continental competitions, or the national federation for all domestic competitions, has the right to approve existing courts that meet the following size range: length reduced by 4 meters, width reduced by 2 meters, provided that the changes are proportional. 

IV. The minimum height of the ceiling or lowest obstruction is 7 meters. 

V. The court lighting must be uniform and sufficient. The placement of lighting equipment must not obstruct the players' vision. 

VI. All newly constructed courts must conform to the requirements stipulated for major official FIBA competitions: 28 meters long and 15 meters wide.

Article 2: Lines and Their Dimensions

The lines mentioned in this article must be: 

I. Drawn in the same color; 

II. 0.05 meters (5 centimeters) wide 

III. Clearly visible. 

(I) Boundary Lines 

1. The court must be marked with lines as specified in Article 2, and the boundary lines must be at least 2 meters away from spectators, advertising boards, or any other obstacles. 

2. The boundary lines on the long sides of the court are called sidelines, and those on the short sides are called endlines. 

(II) A line parallel to the endlines, drawn from the midpoint of the sidelines, is called the center line; this line must be extended 0.15 meters (15 centimeters) beyond each sideline. 

(III) Free Throw Line, Restricted Area, and Free Throw Area 

1. The free throw line must be parallel to the endline, with its outer edge 5.80 meters from the inner edge of the endline; the line is 3.60 meters long. Its midpoint must lie on the imaginary line connecting the midpoints of the two endlines. 

2. The area on the court formed by drawing two lines from both ends of the free throw line to points 3 meters (measured from the outer edge) from the midpoint of the endline is called the restricted area. If the inside of the restricted area is colored, its color must be the same as that of the center circle. 

3. The free throw area is the restricted area plus a semicircle drawn within the restricted area, with a radius of 1.80 meters and its center at the midpoint of the free throw line. The semicircle within the restricted area must be a dashed line.

4. The areas on either side of the free throw area are for players during free throws. They are marked as follows: 

(1) The first line is 1.75 meters from the inner edge of the endline, measured along the sides of the free throw area. 

(2) The width of the first area is 0.85 meters (85 centimeters), and it connects with the beginning of the neutral area. 

(3) The width of the neutral area is 0.40 meters (40 centimeters), and it is filled in with the same color as the other lines. 

(4) The second area is adjacent to the neutral area, with a width of 0.85 meters (85 centimeters). 

(5) The third area is adjacent to the second area, with a width of 0.95 meters (85 centimeters). 

(6) All lines used to mark these areas are 0.10 meters (10 centimeters) long and perpendicular to the outer edge of the free throw area. 

(IV) Center Circle The center circle is drawn in the center of the court with a radius of 1.80 meters, measured from the outer edge of the circle. If the inside of the center circle is colored, its color must be the same as the inside of the restricted area. 

(V) 3-Point Field Goal Area A team's 3-point field goal area comprises the entire court area except for the area near the opponent's basket, restricted by the following conditions: 

1. Two parallel lines drawn from the endline, 1.25 meters from the sidelines; 

2. A semicircle (arc) with a radius of 6.25 meters (measured to the outer edge of the arc), intersecting the two parallel lines; 

3. The center of the arc is located on the point where the vertical line through the center of the opponent's basket intersects the floor. The distance of the center from the midpoint of the inner edge of the endline is 1.575 meters. Note: If the court width is less than 15 meters, the arc is still drawn with a radius of 6.25 meters.

(VI) Team Bench Area The team bench area is marked according to the following conditions: 

1. Outside the court on the same side as the scorer's table and team bench (see "Court Dimensions" diagram); 

2. Each area is defined by a line extending at least 2 meters from the endline and another line 5 meters from the center line, perpendicular to the sideline, and at least 2 meters long. 

Notes 

I. During the game, only coaches, assistant coaches, substitute players, and a maximum of 5 team personnel with specific duties (such as team leader, doctor, masseuse, statistician, interpreter, etc.) are allowed to sit in the team bench area. Other personnel must not sit within 5 meters of the team bench. 

II. Team personnel have rights and responsibilities, and their conduct is therefore under the jurisdiction of the referees. 

III. If necessary, the head referee can reduce the number of team personnel in the team bench area.

Article 3: Equipment

I. Backboard 

1. Each backboard shall be made of a suitable transparent material; it shall be a single piece and possess the same rigidity as a hardwood backboard 0.03 meters (3 centimeters) thick. It may also be made of a hardwood board 0.03 meters (3 centimeters) thick, painted white. 

2. The backboard shall have the following dimensions: width 1.80 meters, height 1.05 meters, lower edge 2.90 meters from the floor. 

3. The appropriate body of FIBA, such as the Regional Committee for regional or continental competitions or the National Federation for all national competitions, may also authorize the dimensions of 1.80 meters wide, 1.20 meters high, and 2.75 meters from the floor. 

4. The front of the backboard shall be smooth and:  

(1) All lines shall be drawn as follows: 

a. If the backboard is transparent, in white; 

b. If opaque, in black; 

c. 0.05 meters (5 centimeters) wide 

(2) The hole for the backboard shall be outlined with lines as described in (1) above. 

(3) A rectangle shall be drawn behind the ring on each backboard as follows: 

a. Outside dimensions: width 0.59 meters (59 centimeters), height 0.45 meters (45 centimeters) 

b. The upper edge of the base of the rectangle shall be flush with the horizontal plane of the top of the ring. 

5. The backboards shall be firmly fixed as follows: 

(1) At each end of the court, perpendicular to the floor, parallel to the end lines; 

(2) Their centers shall be vertically above the floor, 1.20 meters from the mid-point of the inner edge of the end lines; 

(3) The supports shall be at least 2 meters from the outer edge of the end line; they shall be of a distinct color, easily visible to the players, and clearly distinct from the background behind the end line. 

6. The padding on the two backboards shall comply with the following requirements: 

(1) The padding at the bottom and edges of the backboard shall cover the underside and sides; the padding on the sides shall extend at least 0.35 meters (35 centimeters) from the bottom of the backboard; 

(2) The minimum thickness of the padding of the bottom of the backboard shall be 0.05 meters (5 centimeters); 

(3) The front and back of the backboard shall be covered from at least 0.02 meters (2 centimeters) above the bottom; the minimum thickness of the padding shall be 0.02 meters (2 centimeters).

7. The backboard supports shall be padded as follows: 

(1) Any backboard support behind the backboard at a height of less than 2.75 meters shall be padded on its underside up to 1.20 meters from the front face of the backboard. The minimum thickness of the padding shall be 0.05 meters (5 centimeters), and its density shall be the same as that of the backboard padding;    

(2) All movable backboards shall have complete padding on the base surface facing the court, to a minimum height of 2.15 meters. The minimum thickness of the padding shall be 0.15 meters (15 centimeters) 

　

II. BASKET The basket consists of the ring and the net. 

1. The ring shall be constructed as follows: 

(1) Of solid iron, with an inside diameter of 0.45 meters (45 centimeters), painted orange; 

(2) The diameter of the ring shall be minimum 0.017 meters (17 millimeters), maximum 0.020 meters (20 millimeters). Small rings or similar devices shall be provided at the bottom of the ring for hanging the net; 

(3) It shall be firmly attached to the backboard (see note below); its upper surface shall be horizontal, 3.05 meters above the floor, and equidistant from the two vertical edges of the backboard; Note: It is recommended that the ring be attached to the structural frame of the backboard; in this way, the forces exerted on the ring are not directly transferred to the backboard. 

(4) The nearest point of the backboard surface to the inner edge of the ring shall be 0.15 meters (15 centimeters); 

(5) Breakaway rings may be used. They shall conform to the following technical requirements: 

a. They shall have exactly the same rebound characteristics as those of non-breakaway rings. The locking mechanism shall ensure these characteristics and protect the ring and backboard. The design and construction of the ring shall ensure the safety of the players; 

b. In rings with locking mechanisms, the locking mechanism must not loosen when a static load of less than 105 kilograms is applied to the top of the ring at its most distant point; 

c. When the locking mechanism is opened, the ring shall turn down, but the angle shall not exceed 30 degrees from its original horizontal position; 

d. When the locking mechanism is opened and the load is removed, the ring shall return to its original position. 

2. The net shall be made of white string, tied to the ring; its construction shall be such that it will momentarily hold the ball when it goes through the basket. It shall be not less than 0.40 meters (40 centimeters) and not more than 0.45 meters (45 centimeters) long.

 

III. BALL MATERIAL, SIZE AND WEIGHT 

1. The ball shall be spherical and of an approved dark orange color; 

2. Its cover shall be made of leather, rubber, or composite material; 

3. Its circumference shall be not less than 0.749 meters (74.9 centimeters) and not more than 0.780 meters (78 centimeters); 

4. Its weight shall be not less than 567 grams and not more than 650 grams; 

5. After inflation, drop the ball from a height of 1.80 meters (measured from the bottom of the ball) onto the playing court. The rebound height must not be less than 1.20 meters nor more than 1.40 meters (measured from the top of the ball);

6. The width of the seams or grooves on the ball surface must not exceed 0.00635 meters (6.35 mm).

7. The home team must prepare at least two used balls that meet the above Specification. The referee is the sole judge of whether the ball meets the standard.

If the above balls are deemed unsuitable for the game, the referee may choose the balls provided by the visiting team or select balls from those used by the players during pre-game warm-ups.

 

IV. Special Equipment

The home team must provide the following special equipment for the use of the referees and their assistants:

1. Game clock and stopwatch

(1) Provide one game clock and one stopwatch for the timekeeper.

(2) The game clock is used for timing each period of the game and the intervals between periods, and is placed where it can be clearly seen by everyone on the court.

(3) The stopwatch is used to time time-outs.

(4) If the main game clock is mounted above the center of the court, then a synchronized secondary clock must be placed on the ground at each end of the court. Each synchronized secondary clock must indicate both the score and the remaining game time. These synchronized secondary clocks must be clearly visible to everyone involved in the game.

2. 30-second device

(1) This device is operated by the 30-second timekeeper to manage the 30-second rule;

(2) The device is automatic, countdown type, and indicates time in seconds;

(3) The device must have the following functions:

a. No display when neither team controls the ball;

b. When a ball is ruled out of bounds and the 30-second device does not need to be reset, the device can continue timing from where it stopped.

3. Signals At least two independent signaling devices must be provided, which can produce clearly different and very loud sounds, as required by the rules;

(1) One is the timekeeper's signal (automatically sounds at the end of each quarter and half-time), and the scorer's signal is the same signal (only during dead ball periods, for requests for time-outs, substitutions, etc., the scorer operates the signal to attract the referee's attention);

(2) One is the 30-second timekeeper's signal (automatically sounds at the end of the 30-second cycle).

4. Scoreboard The scoreboard must be clearly visible to everyone involved in the game (including the audience).

5. Score sheet The score sheet must be approved by the International Basketball Federation and filled out by the scorer before and during the game as stipulated in the rules.

6. Player foul count indicator These indicators, handled by the scorer, must meet the following requirements:

(1) The indicators are white, and the minimum dimensions of the numbers on the cards are: 0.20 meters (20 cm) long and 0.10 meters (10 cm) wide;

(2) For a 2 x 20-minute game, use indicators with numbers from 1 to 5, with numbers 1 to 4 in black and 5 in red;

(3) For a 4 x 12-minute game, use indicators with numbers from 1 to 6, with numbers 1 to 5 in black and 6 in red.

7. Team foul indicator Two team foul indicators must be prepared for the scorer according to the following requirements:

(1) They are red;

(2) 0.20 meters (20 cm) wide and 0.35 meters (35 cm) high, preferably triangular, and must be clearly visible to everyone involved in the game when placed on the scorer's table.

Note: Electronic or light devices may be used, but they must meet the above requirements.

8. Team foul indicator This is a suitable device that indicates the number of team fouls.

The device must stop at the number of team fouls (8 for a 2 x 20-minute game; 5 for a 4 x 12-minute game), indicating that a team has reached the penalty status.