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Last updated: Jan 24, 2023
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The paint is an important part of a basketball court. Near the basket, there are special rules for how long players can stay in the paint. Keep reading to learn all the rules of the paint in basketball and how they affect gameplay.
Table of Contents
- The Paint
- How Big Is the Paint in Basketball?
- Rules of the Paint in Basketball
- NBA Basketball Paint Violations
- NCAA Basketball Paint Violations
- FIBA Basketball Paint Violations
- Gameplay
- FAQ
The Paint
The paint in basketball is a rectangular area on the court extending from the foul line to the baseline with perpendicular lane lines enclosing the shape.It is also known as the foul lane or the key.
The paint gets its name from the shading (paint) done on courts to denote its shape.Attached to the paint are the blocks where players line up for free throws. The low blocks are a common spot for players to post up.
Different leagues have slightly different shapes and markings for the paint. The NBA and FIBA have a restricted area within the paint, but the NCAA does not.This arc denotes where a player is unable to draw a charge from. There is also a dotted semicircle within the paint for leagues (like the NBA) that do not use alternating possessions.
How Big Is the Paint in Basketball?
The size of the paint varies among basketball leagues. In the NBA and the WNBA, the paint is 16 feet wide and 19 feet long, with the foul line painted 15 feet from the backboard.In NCAA play, the paint is the same length, with the foul line in the same position, but it is narrower, at 12 feet wide.
Rules of the Paint in Basketball
In basketball, certain rules apply to the paint, and they vary depending on who is committing the foul and in which league the game is being played. Some leagues will have paint violations only for the offense while others have specific instances for defensive players as well. Violating such rules can lead to a technical foul or turnover, depending on which team possesses the ball.
NBA Basketball Paint Violations
Unless actively guarding a player, defensive players are forbidden from standing inside the paint for more than three seconds.This deters having a player in a zone scheme who just stands underneath the basket. This violation results in a technical foul.Offensive players are also not allowed to stay in the paint for more than three seconds, and this infractionresults in a turnover. Both instances of this rule are commonly known as the three-second rule.
NCAA Basketball Paint Violations
In NCAA basketball, there is no defensive three-second violation.This allows teams to use a zone scheme on defense, which typically features a defender roaming the middle of the paint. However, there are still offensive three-second violations in NCAA basketball, with the same rules as the NBA.
FIBA Basketball Paint Violations
Similar to NCAA basketball, FIBA basketball does not penalize defensive players for standing in the paint for more than three seconds.Consistent with most other leagues worldwide, FIBA rules state that an offensive player may not stand in the paint for more than three seconds.
Gameplay
Since players are more likely to make shots closer to the basket, a common statistic noted is points in the paint(PITP).The NBA also records an advanced statistic called paint touches, which averages a player’s number of possessions in the paint per game.Teams that can outscore their opponent inside the paint typically have a better chance of winning the basketball game.
FAQ
What is the paint in basketball?
The paint itself is the painted rectangular area directly surrounding the basket.It has four hash marks extending from it for players to line up on during free throws. The paint’s width varies depending on the league; in the NBA, the lane is 16 feet, and in college, it is 12 feet.
What is the purpose of the paint in basketball?
The paint allows referees to more easily officiate the game by making a colored area where they can clearly enforce certain rules.The paint is also a reference for players to position themselves both on offense and defense. Plays are drawn up where players need to be in certain spots on the court, and the paint is an easy reference point.
What are the rules of being in the paint?
In the NBA, defensive and offensive players are only allowed to stay inside the paint for a maximum of three seconds before exiting the paint.However, players may exit and then immediately re-enter the paint as often as they want.An exception to this rule is that defensive players can stay as long as they want if they are within arm's length of an offensive player. In NCAA and high school basketball, only offensive players are prohibited from standing in the paint for more than three seconds.
In basketball, what does it mean to “go hard in the paint”?
The phrase “going hard in the paint” is used to define a situation where a player is advancing aggressively towards the basket in an attempt to score, by necessity passing through the paint.In basketball, being “in the paint” refers to when a player positions themselves in the area of the court known as the paint, which is the shaded rectangular area surrounding the basket. The paint is formally known as the lane, key, and free throw lane.
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