Backyard Basketball Court Dimensions
Most of us don’t have the luxury of a gym when we want to shoot around. If you’re lucky, you might have access to a local outdoor court with real court markings, but more than likely you’ll just head out to your driveway.
When I was a kid our basketball court was on a winding driveway that sloped downhill. Every shot I took was a unique experience, and I remember chasing many balls down that hill! How I envied the neighbors down the street who had their very own backyard basketball court.
Few backyards are big enough to fit an 84′ x 50′ full-size court. Sometimes, families have enough room for a half-court. But, most make due with the size of their driveway.
If you’re interested in making your own court in your driveway or backyard, check out the following topics:
Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Is The Free
The free-throw line is measured from the shooting line that intersects the key to the floor directly underneath the backboard. The free throw distance in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA is 15 feet.
Did you know that Steve Nash was the best percentage shooter of free throws in the NBA? He shot 90.43% from the line making 3,060 of 3,384 attempts.
What is the high school 3-point line distance?The 3-point line for high school is 19.9 feet from the basket.
What is the college 3-point line distance?The 3-point line for both NCAA men and women is set at 20 feet, 9 inches from the hoop.
What is the WNBA 3-point line distance?The WNBA 3-point line is 22.15 feet from the basket. From the corners, the distance is 21.65 feet.
What is the NBA 3-point line distance?The pros shoot 3-pointers from beyond the arc, 23.75 feet from the basket. From the corners, the distance is 22 feet.
Matching the size of the basketball to players hand size makes a difference. Read on.
What Are The Dimensions Of A Basketball Court
The dimensions of a basketball court can vary depending on factors such as the level of basketball that is played on it or, in some cases, the space that is available. Courts used in organized leagues typically are a standard size based on the rules of those leagues. Basketball courts in buildings such as elementary schools, community centers and churches often are smaller than a standard size, especially in older buildings. Outdoor courts used for recreational basketball vary even more in size and often are only half-courts. Most full-size courts are 70 to 94 feet long and 40 to 50 feet wide, with the length-to-width ratio usually a little less than 2-to-1.
Other important basketball court dimensions include the height of the rim, the distance to the free-throw line, the width of an area near the basket called the key, and the distance to the 3-point arc. The rim of the hoop is 18 inches in diameter and attached to a backboard. Except on courts designed for youth basketball, the rim of the basket is always 10 feet high. For youths, the rim is lower, with the exact height varying according to the ages of the players. All of the other basketball court dimensions typically vary depending on the rules of the league or organization.
American Professional Leagues
Recommended Reading: Patio Furniture Tables And Chairs
Guide To Home Outdoor Basketball Court Construction
There is nothing like being able to play your favorite sport in the comfort of your backyard. Basketball combines strategy, physical ability and determination into one fast-paced activity. Sure, you could drive you kids to a local park or gym, but theres always the chance that all the courts will be taken. Having a high-quality basketball court in your own yard gives you peace of mind of where your kids are in the convenience and safety of your own backyard!
Once youve settled on the idea to construct a basketball court, youll need to think about some considerations. Review the information below to see all that goes into building a court and how doing this can benefit your lifestyle.
What Is A Good Size For A Backyard Basketball Court
ModuTile most popular backyard basketball court size is a 30×30 ft half-court floor kit. This provides enough room to play above the 3-point line while not breaking the budget. However, the answer boils down to budget and space availability.
As for the size of a full backyard basketball court, we would recommend our 46×78 ft full court basketball floor kit. It is smaller than regulation, but it has the room for small children and adults to play comfortably.
Recommended Reading: Diy Small Backyard Basketball Court
Concrete Basketball Court Cost
Installing a concrete basketball court typically costs homeowners between $4 and $20 per square foot. Concrete lasts longer and remains more stable, but it is also harder and less comfortable for long-term use. Itâs an ideal material for areas with warmer climates, so if you live in places where there is a lot of sunshine and heat, you should consider installing a concrete court. However, if you live in an area with a colder climate, keep in mind that the concrete may crack and become brittle after freezing temperatures, so you need to install an added cover for protection.
The History Of The Three
The three-point line is arguably the most recognizable aspect of a basketball courts dimensions and part of the reason why is attributed to the history surrounding this semicircle.
The first instance of the three-point line appeared in the American Basketball League in 1961, a full 70 years after Dr. Naismith invented the game. The line was added to increase excitement, but the league folded in just one and a half seasons, so the idea never had a chance.
In 1967, the next competitor to the NBA arrived. The American Basketball Association, or ABA, instituted the three-point line from the very start, and it was a huge success. The ABA had many exciting innovations that produced a better product for the fans. But ultimately, there was not enough room for two professional basketball organizations, so the NBA and ABA merged in 1976.
The three-point line, however, was not included in the merger! The decision-makers in the NBA at the time were too stubborn to adopt such a radical change. They held out for three years before implementing the three-point line in the 1979-1980 season. The NCAA didnt integrate it until 1986, and it didnt arrive on high school basketball courts until 1987.
Don’t Miss: How To Repair Flagstone Patio Cracks
So You Want To Add A Basketball Court To Your Backyard
So, lets talk about size first there are a few benchmarks for size to consider, first keep in mind the free-throw lane is 12 Wide and the distance from the backboard is 15 so already just to get the free-throw lane in a backyard you will need about 12×18 keeping in mind the backboard should not be on the edge of the court .
If you want some three-point lines on the court you will need to go at least 27 deep with the court away from the pole of the hoop. This will give you some nice room at the top of the three-point line to set up for the shot. Remember a three-point line is 199 from the center of the rim, not the backboard, not the pole and the center of the rim is 15 from the backboard. If you want the full range of the three-point line you will need to go a minimum of 45 wide and ideal is 50. The perfect backyard basketball court we build is a 30×50 as 50 is a regulation basketball width and the 30 gives you over 5 of room at the top of the key.
If you do not have enough room for the entire 3 point line, just keep those benchmarks in mind as you downsize the court, we build a ton of basketball courts in the size range of 27×27 to 27×35 for smaller backyards. They give you the critical areas of the three point line and are a ton of fun to play on and can accommodate an awesome 3 on 3 games!
Youth Basketball Court Dimensions
Court size
There’s no official basketball court size mandated in youth basketball rules, but when possible they usually follow the guidelines for middle school/jr high. Often, for youth leagues and camps the size of the court depends on the facilities that are available.
For the summer youth basketball camps I hosted at my church, we didn’t have any courts.
So, we turned our multipurpose facility into a makeshift gym with the help of a little court floor tape.
The basketball court dimensions had to be modified to allow for a minimum of several feet on each sideline for safety and to make throw-ins manageable.
For young kids and beginning players, I think a smaller court works really well because as the court size increases, fatigue becomes a factor in the game. For younger players, a smaller court allows the players to focus more on the game instead of wasting time and energy running up and down a huge court in transition.
Rim height
The height of the rim for youth basketball games can be as low as 8 feet for the youngest kids up to the standard height of 10 feet.
3-pt line
In many youth basketball leagues, there isn’t a 3-point line. I like this because as kids are first learning how to shoot, it’s important that they take shots close to the basket so they can focus on using good shooting form. For upper elementary age, the standard high school 3-pt line is used.
Free throw line
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Flies In The Backyard
Design Your Own Sport Court
Design your own outdoor backyard Sport Court® Basketball Court, Game Court, Tennis Court or Futsal Court with our Interactive Court Builder. You can pick your court dimensions, colors, accessories and other optional upgrades. Once finished, you’ll be able to print or email your design to your local Northern California dealer, where a Sport Court® Specialist will follow-up with you.
High School Basketball Court Diagram
At a younger level of play than college or pro, the court length is 10 feet shorter at 84 feet.
Read all about Larry Bird: Boston Celtic, Star Shooter
How long is a basketball court?
So, what are court dimensions in feet? The high school court is 84 feet long. The length of an NBA court is exactly 10 feet longer. College and professional league games, including the WNBA, are played on a 94-foot-long court.
One of the most famous college facilities is Pauley Pavilion, where the UCLA Bruins play.
Don’t Miss: Best Solar Lights For Backyard
What Is The Size Of The Rectangle Painted On A Basketball Backboard
The inner rectangle graphic on the backboard is 61 cm wide by 46 cm tall.
Below is a detailed drawing that includes FIBA, NBA & NCAA line marking dimensions, allowing you to visually compare the differences and check individual measurements as you require…
Thanks for reading, we hope it was helpful. Submit your feedback or further questions via the chatbot. Here atMSF Sportswe spend most of our time custom designing, supplying & installing multi sports courts…
Regulation Fiba Vs Nba
In Australia, the most popular choice of backyard court line marking sizing is to adhere to the International Basketball Federation rules and regulations. FIBA regulation size courts are reasonably close to the NBA regulation size, in both total court size and specific court lines. Although the most significant difference between the two is the three point line, which is 49cm further away from the hoop at the arc, than FIBA regulation.
Recommended Reading: Above The Ground Pool With Deck
Small Backyard Basketball Court Ideas
Fancy pass-ons, athletic dribbling, poster dunks and jaw-dropping leaps, basketball is exciting because anyone can start playing at any age.
According to theSports Show, basketball is the third most popular sport in the US, and unlike soccer, most enthusiasts can do without any prior experience or decent skills in their very own backyard basketball court. So even if you have a small backyard, make the best use of it by installingall-pro hoops to polish those shooting skills.
Not only do you get to work out and shoot hoops whenever you want, but adds unlimited fun and excitement with family and friends. As a fantastic addition to your property, building a backyard basketball court is not that expensive. In fact, often, its cheaper than paying monthly membership fees.
And theres great flexibility in terms of placement, installation, and customization of your sporting courts. You can get yourbackyard basketball court built in as little as $4 to $16 per square foot for a standard court.
Sounds simple, right?
Well, weve compiled some of the best backyard basketball court ideas to help you get started.
Basketball Court Tiles Price
Another option for basketball courts is to use resilient court tiles, which cost $8 to $14 per sq.ft. installed. Tiles are typically made from composite materials and snap together easily over the base. They are ideal for outdoor courts and can last for decades with minimal maintenance. Individual tiles can be easily replaced if damaged. Court tiles can be customized with a logo or another graphic, which is an added benefit over other court materials. However, they can be more slippery than other materials, so they are cheaper than hardwood floors and laminate.
Don’t Miss: Basketball Hoop For Pool Deck
Basketball Court Dimensions: Diagram And Measurements
The dimensions of a basketball court play an important role in how the game is played. For example, getting the right distance to the free throw line is a big deal when youre going to spend hours and hours practicing.
The NBA official court size is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide, where the international court is a bit smaller. The FIBA rules state the court size should be 91.9 feet long by 49.2 feet wide for international basketball games.
There are also different size courts for high school, parks, and some college basketball games, with different distances for line markings like the 3-point line. Keep reading for detailed dimensions and free diagrams of the different court set ups.
Even though basketball court dimensions will differ between organization or level of school, they arent too far off from each other either. Heres a helpful chart to show the different basketball court dimensions quickly before we dive into more detail.
| Court Type |
|---|
Pour A 100mm Concrete Slab
Prepare and pour a 100mm thick slab of concrete matching your exact MSF PRO Court Design measurements. Ensure you have someone experienced with concrete slabs on hand for this step. Plan the concreting for when the weather is dry and allow for 72 hours to let the concrete set.
It’s recommended to install the hoop anchor at the same time as pouring the slab to save on expenses. The recommended hole size for a hoop anchor system is approx 500mm x 500 mm and 1.2m deep. Please note: Always remember to closely follow the installation & safety instructions that come with your in-ground hoop.
Also Check: Is Below Deck On Hulu
The Benefit Of Playing At Home
Providing your kids a safe place to engage in sports at home will always have a positive return. There is no more worry about their safety at your local community park, both from strangers and from the typical unforgiving concrete surfaces. A Sport Court® backyard basketball court in your own backyard takes all the worries away. If your kids decide to play sports for their local basketball team or club, they will always have the advantage of being able to practice everyday right at home.
Here are 13 Training Tips for your children to focus on before and after their season, to gear them up for next year.
What Are The Dimensions Of An Outdoor Basketball Court
Typical backyard basketball courtdimensions are 60 feet by 90 feet .
Best answer for this question, what is a good size for a backyard basketball court? If you want the full range of the three-point line you will need to go a minimum of 45 wide and ideal is 50. The perfect backyard basketball court we build is a 30×50 as 50 is a regulation basketball width and the 30 gives you over 5 of room at the top of the key.
Similarly, what are the 2 sizes of basketball courts? Court Dimensions: Professional NBA and College Basketball court is 94 feet by 50 feet . International Basketball the court 28 meters by 15 meters . High school, and Junior High court 84 feet by 50 feet .
You asked, how much would it cost to lay concrete for a basketball court? You may need to pour a concrete slab on which you want to build the actual basketball net. The cost of a concrete slab costs about $7 to $8 per square foot. So, a concrete slab for a half basketball court may cost up to $18,800.
You asked, how do you build a basketball court in your backyard?
TheThecourtthethe
Also Check: Trees In Pots For Patio