is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor,

with baskets at each end. In professional or organized

basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually
made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished
and completed with a 10 foot rim. Outdoor surfaces are
generally made from standard paving materials such
as concrete or asphalt.
 Basketball courts come in different sizes. In the National
Basketball Association (NBA), the court is 94 by 50 feet
(28.7 by 15.2 m).
 Under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, the
court is slightly smaller, measuring 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by
49.2 ft).
 In amateur basketball, court sizes vary widely. The baskets
are always 10 feet (3.05 m) above the floor (except possibly
in youth competition).
 Basketball courts have a three-point arc at both baskets. A
basket made from behind this arc is worth three points; a
basket made from within this line, or with a player's foot
touching the line, is worth 2 points. The free-throw line,
where one stands while taking a foul shot, is located within
the three-point arc at 15 feet from the plane of the
backboard. A foul shot is worth 1 point, but if a shot is made
from the foul line while in play it is still worth 2 points.
 CENTER CIRCLE
The only two players permitted to enter this area prior to
the tipoff are the players contesting the jump ball (usually but
not always centers). Both players jump when the referee throws
the ball in the air, each attempting to tap the ball into the hands
of a player of their own team.
 THREE-POINT LINE
The three-point line is the line that separates and the
two-point area from the three-point area; any shot converted
beyond this line counts as three points. If the shooting player
steps on the line, it is counted as two points. Any foul made in
the act of shooting beyond the three-point line would give the
player three free throws if the shot does not go in, and one if it
does.
The distance to the three-point line from the center of the
basket varies depending on the level or league, and has changed
several times. These are the current distances, with the league or
level using each distance:
19.75 ft (6.02 m): High School
22.145 ft (6.749 m): NCAA
21.65 ft (6.60 m) to 22.15 ft (6.75 m): WNBA and FIBA
22 ft (6.71 m) to 23.75 ft (7.24 m): NBA
 PERIMETER
The perimeter is defined as the areas outside the free
throw lane and inside the three-point line. Shots converted
(successfully made) from this area are called "perimeter shots"
or "medium-range shots." If a player's foot is on the three-
point line, the shot is considered a perimeter shot.
 LOW POST AREA
The low post is defined as the areas that are closest to
the basket but outside of the free throw lane. This area is
fundamental to strategy in basketball. Skilled low post players
can score many points per game without ever taking a jump
shot.
 KEY
The key, free throw lane or shaded lane refers to the
usually painted area beneath the basket; for the NBA it is 16
feet (4.9 m) wide, for the NCAA it is 12 feet (3.7 m) wide; for
both instances it extends 15 feet (4.6 m) from the backboard.
At the top of the rectangle is the free throw line, behind which
players shoot uncontested shots when they're fouled. A circle is
drawn around the free-throw line with a 6 feet (1.8 m) radius
this is used for jump ball instances, as is done at the center
circle. Two 6-inch hash lines, 3 ft from the free throw lane line
and 5 ft 8 in from the free throw line, show the lower defensive
box linked to the restricted area.
 The basket is a steel rim 18 inches (46 cm)
diameter with an attached net affixed to a
backboard that measures 6 by 3.5 feet (1.8 by 1.1
meters) and one basket is at each end of the
court.
 The white outlined box on the backboard is 18
inches (46 cm) high and 2 feet (61 cm) wide. At
almost all levels of competition, the top of the
rim is exactly 10 feet (3.05 meters) above the
court and 4 feet (1.22 meters) inside the
baseline.
 While variation is possible in the dimensions of
the court and backboard, it is considered
important for the basket to be of the correct
height – a rim that is off by just a few inches can
have an adverse effect on shooting.
 The size of the basketball is also regulated.
For men, the official ball is 29.5 inches
(75 cm) in circumference (size 7, or a "295
ball") and weighs 22 oz (623.69 grams).
 If women are playing, the official basketball
size is 28.5 inches (72 cm) in circumference
(size 6, or a "285 ball") with a weight of 20 oz
(567 grams). In 3x3, a formalized version of
the half court 3-on-3 game, a dedicated ball
with the circumference of a size 6 ball but
the weight of a size 7 ball is used in all
competitions (men's, women's, and mixed
teams).
 A shot clock is used in basketball to
quicken the pace of the game. The shot
clock times a play and provides that a
team on offense that does not promptly
try to score points loses possession of the
ball. For example, in the
National Basketball Association (NBA), it
may be called the "24-second clock"
 A basketball uniform is a type of uniform
worn by basketball players. Basketball
uniforms consist of a jersey that features
the number and last name of the player on
the back, as well as shorts and athletic
shoes.
 A whistle in basketball is a piece of
equipment used by coaches during
practice or by referees to call a dead ball
situation. When a foul or violation
happens on the court, the official will
blow his whistle to stop play.