How to Follow NBA Court Dimension Rules

When a person sets up a court to play basketball on, it is best to follow the NBA court dimension rules whenever possible. An individual can make the court smaller, but a player can't get the same basketball workout or practice accordingly on a less-than-regulation court. In addition, playing the game on a NBA regulation court makes a person feel more like they are playing in the NBA.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 regulation NBA baskets
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure the playing surface of the court is 94 feet in length and 50 feet wide. Measure off a minimum of 6 feet at each end of the court and at least 3 feet on each side. Preferably, there should be 10 on ends and 6 feet on the sides but that is recommendation and not a requirement by the NBA court dimension rules.

    • 2

      Mark off 19 feet from each end of the court and draw a 12-foot long parallel line to represent the free throw line. Then draw two lines from the end of the 12 foot back to the end line to denote the free throw lane. Now mark off a circle with a 6-foot radius that encircles the 12-foot line.

    • 3

      Draw a line exactly 47 feet from each end line to represent the half court line. Then make a circle with a 2-foot radius 25 feet from each sideline to denote the center court jump ball spot. Now make a circle with a 6-foot radius outside the 2-foot circle.

    • 4

      Place an 18-foot line in each corner of the court exactly 5 feet 3 inches in from each sideline that starts on the baseline. Then connect both lines on the same side of the court with a 23-foot 9-inch arc. This is a 3-point line according to NBA court dimension rules.

    • 5

      Position the basket so that it overhangs onto the court by 4 feet. Then draw a half circle 4 feet with its apex in front of the basket. This half center is the no-charge zone area.