Basketball Backboard Dimensions
Today, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most respected sports organizations in the world.
Its various rules and regulations are respected worldwide including the different court measurements, game plays as well as backboard dimensions. In order to understand this sport much better, it is good to know the different basketball backboard dimensions.
Dimensions of the Basketball Backboard
The official backboard in the NBA measures 3.5 feet high and 6 feet wide. Usually, it is made from tempered glass or fiberglass. Somewhere at the middle part of the backboard is a rectangle, which is used primarily for making bank shots. It measures 1.5 feet high and 2 feet wide. The lines constituting the rectangle must have a width of 2 inches. Connected to the backboard is the rim, where the players must shoot the ball inside in order to score. This important part must have an 18-inch diameter. In terms of height, it must be positioned exactly 10 feet above the ground.
The dimensions of the backboard in other basketball organizations such as the Women’s National Basketball Association or WNBA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA are patterned after the NBA. The same also goes for high school games and Olympic basketball competitions.
Additional Facts and Other Helpful Information
The main reason why most backboards are transparent, especially those involving professional games, is to allow audiences and spectators to see right through them. The front surface must be perpendicular to the floor, smooth and flat. It is prohibited to angle the backboard in any way possible. The rectangle inside the board has a number of purposes, one of which is to serve as target for the players. Furthermore, it serves as an effective tool that players can use to shoot the ball and score all-important points. Based on official rules, the rectangle must be made from 2-inch wide white lines.
The so-called time light is also part of the backboards used in major competitions. This electronic device produces red light indicating the shot clock for the offensive team. It is usually synchronized with the game clock. Usually painted with an orange color, the hoop must be in parallel position with the floor. In terms of distance, the backboard is usually 15 feet away from the free-throw line.
Under the rules set by the International Basketball Federation or FIBA, the backboard must have a distance of 15.09 feet from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the distance of the board from the three-point line varies depending on the level of play. For NBA players, the distance is 22 feet to 23.75 feet. For the NCAA men’s basketball division, the official distance is 20.75 feet. For the WNBA and other international events, the official distance is 20.5 feet.
