How do you lay out basketball court lines?

Laying out basketball court lines requires careful measurement and planning to ensure the court is regulation size. The lines must be straight and precise to designate playing areas like the key, three-point line, and out-of-bounds. With the right tools and techniques, you can create accurate basketball court lines on any hard surface.

What tools do you need to layout basketball court lines?

To layout basketball court lines properly, you will need the following tools:

• Measuring tape – To measure out the court dimensions and line lengths
• Chalk line – For snapping straight guideline lines on the court
• Marking paint – Special long-lasting line paint formulated for sport courts
• Paint brushes and rollers – For neatly applying the line paint
• Rags – For wiping up messes and errors
• String – To align perpendicular lines
• Markers – To indicate measurement points
• Spirit level – For checking vertical/horizontal alignment
• Broom – For cleaning the surface before painting

The key tools are the measuring tape, chalk line, and line marking paint. Invest in high quality materials so your basketball court lines will be straight, vibrant, and long-lasting.

What are the dimensions of a regulation basketball court?

Official basketball courts used in competitive play must follow strict dimension regulations. These are the outer court measurements:

• Length – 94 feet (28.65 meters)
• Width – 50 feet (15.24 meters)
• Total area – 4,700 square feet

Many recreational or indoor courts may be slightly smaller while still allowing regulation play. But it’s important to make the court as close to the official dimensions as possible.

How do you layout the key and free throw lines?

The key is one of the most intricate parts of a basketball court’s line design. Follow these steps to accurately layout the key:

1. Measure 17 feet from the baseline and mark the floor at the free throw line spot on each side.
2. Use the chalk line to snap a guideline between the two free throw marks.
3. From the midpoint of the free throw line, measure 4 feet on each side and mark for the top corners of the key.
4. Place markers 12 feet from the baseline on each free throw line extension (foul line).
5. Run a chalk line between each top corner of the key and foul line marker.
6. From the free throw line, measure 19 feet towards the baseline to mark the bottom corners of the key.
7. Connect the bottom corners of the key with another 19 feet chalk line.

Use straightedges along the guideline chalk lines when painting the key lines for precision. The semi-circle below the hoop is a 4 foot radius.

How far is the 3-point line from the hoop?

The three-point arc has two distances depending on the court level:

• Professional NBA court – 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the arc
• High school/college court – 19 feet 9 inches at the top of the arc

The NBA three-point line measurement is taken from the center of the hoop. College and high school three-point lines are measured from the hoop’s inner edge.

Use a chalk line anchored at the free throw line corners, then measure the correct three-point distance from each side hoop and make arcs. Connect the arcs at each sideline endpoint.

How do you layout the restricted area?

The semi-circular restricted area under the basket is 4 feet from the center of the hoop. Follow these steps:

1. Make a small mark at the exact center point below the front of the hoop.
2. Use a 4 foot length of string tied to a marker to draw the semi-circle, keeping it centered on the hoop’s middle point.
3. Trace over the string guideline with your line paint.

On NBA courts, the restricted arc extends 3 feet from the center hoop point. College and high school arcs are just 1 foot radius.

What paint should you use for basketball court lines?

Specialty acrylic latex line paint is ideal for basketball courts. Look for paint with these qualities:

• Formulated for concrete and asphalt surfaces
• Non-fading pigments resistant to UV rays
• Quick-drying for same day games
• Adheres and lasts through weather and heavy play
• Available in voltages for different striping machines

White and yellow are standard colors, but others like red and blue can designate special game court areas. Use textured paint for safer traction.

What width should basketball court lines be?

Basketball court lines must be precisely painted as follows:

Line	Width
Boundary lines	2 inches
Center court line	2 inches
Key lines	2 inches
3-point arc	2 inches
Restricted arc	2 inches
Free throw lane	12 inches

Tape off guidelines to masked edges for clean sharp lines. Use angled trim brushes for freehand touch-ups only.

What’s the best way to paint neat straight lines?

These tips will help you paint professional straight basketball court lines:

• Anchor chalk lines on edge boundaries for guides.
• Use painter’s tape masked edges for key lines and arcs.
• Apply paint with quality angled trim brushes.
• Roll paint in just one direction for uniform color.
• Work top to bottom painting lines between taped edges.
• Use boards beneath stencils on concrete for raised lines.
• Touch up freehand with small angled brush.
• Avoid excess paint overlap to prevent smearing.

Take your time following marked guidelines. Clean up spills or errors immediately before continuing.

What’s the best way to fix line painting mistakes?

Line paint mishaps happen, but they can be remedied with these quick fixes:

• Wipe up drips and spills immediately before drying.
• Use razor to score through unwanted paint lines.
• Go over bad sections with correct color paint.
• Mask off straight lines around fixed areas.
• Recut chalk edge lines to realign wayward sections.
• Remove tape outlines as soon as sections are painted.
• Avoid overworking areas to prevent more mistakes.

With extra care taken around problem spots, you can touch up errors into perfect pro-style basketball court lines.

How often should you repaint basketball court lines?

Basketball court lines take a beating and need regular repainting. Recommended repainting frequency:

• Outdoor courts – Every 1-2 years
• Indoor courts – Every 2-3 years
• NBA/College courts – Every season

More high-traffic indoor courts may need yearly retouching. Check for signs of wear like fading, scuffing, and loss of crispness to determine when repainting is needed.

Conclusion

Laying out accurate basketball court lines takes precise measurement, chalk line skills, and care in applying durable line paint. Invest in quality materials and take the time to carefully mask lines. With practice and patience, you can create perfectly regulation lines for enjoyable competitive play.