The Court

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The Basketball court had evolved and became more complex throughout the years to make the game of basketball very fun. The small changes of court size, backboards, and walls all impact how the game is played.

Dr. Naismith invented basketball in 1890. The court was no smaller than 54 ft / 16.45 m long and 34 ft / 10.36 m wide. During this time period there was no out of bounds. Backboards was flat against the wall. Free throws was developed but were farther from the basket then they are now. In 1916 Backboards were moved out from the walls, a two foot gap between the backboards and the wall was now the standard. The main reason for this was to prevent players to run up the walls for easy lay-ups.1932 the halfcourt line was introduced .In 1936 On of the biggest and most important changes in the history of the basketball court; the three second area was introduced to prevent dominant big men to camp under the baskets. The width of the three second are was only 6 ft / 1.83 m and because of the shape that remained of a key hole it was nicknamed “the key”.1939 The Backboards moved out to the current 4 ft / 1.2 m from the baseline. The reason for this was to allow for more movement below the baskets. 1951 The width of the three second area was expanded to 12 ft / 3.66 m in the NBA. This change was made to limit dominant big men. In 1961 The three point line was introduced.