Basketball terms are, in general, easy to understand, but sometimes a word like “KEY” confuses many of us while scratching our heads trying to figure out what the term means and what it’s related to the game. What is the key in basketball? What are the roles and types of keys? Today’s post will make it all clear.
The history of the key in basketball
The first key laid out in basketball is much narrower and actually looks like the key hence the name. It measures six feet wide and looks like a key when you look at it due to the free-throw circle or jumping ball area with it. It was later extended to 12 feet in 1951/52 due to the dominance of centers.
This change was deemed necessary because centers, such as George Mikan of the Minneapolis Lakers (now known as the Los Angeles Lakers), found it very easy to shoot from the baseline of the key. Then the NBA in 1964/65 extended it 16 feet to prevent centers from dominating again. FIBA basketball had a trapezoidal key for a long time until they changed it to a rectangle in 2010.
What is the key in basketball?
What is the key in basketball? The key in basketball is the rectangle, where the free throwers line up to shoot the ball behind the key’s wide margin. Recoverers line up outside the length of the key, where it extends to the baseline. This area is often painted a different color than the rest of the yard, so it can also be called “painted“. There are two keys on a court and they are under each of the following panels. Its boundary begins at the end line and extends to the top of the free-throw round, with the boundary on either side being the line of the free-throw lane.
The size of the key
The basketball court has undergone a lot of changes throughout the history of the sport. There have been some dimensional changes to the height and radius of the key. There is still no standard for key size and it varies from tournament to tournament (NBA, NCAA and FiBA). In the NBA, the key is 16 feet wide and 19 feet from the end line to the free-throw line. For the NCAA, the key is 12 feet wide and also 19 feet from the end line to the free throw line. NCAA course measurements are the same as High School measurements.
What is Three in the Key in basketball?
‘Three in the Key’ is a 3-second violation against a player for spending more than 3 seconds in the key. This rule is in place to prevent players from parking under the basket and gaining a scoring advantage. According to the NBA rule book, the Three Seconds Rule of Attack specifically is as follows:
- An attacking player must not stay more than three seconds in that portion of the midfield free-throw lane and extend 4′ (imaginary) out of the field and the further edge of the free-throw line while the ball is in control of his team.
- The player can stay in this area for less than three seconds in the act of shooting at the end of the third second. Under these conditions, the 3-second count is stopped while his continuous movement is toward the basket. If that continuous motion is gone, then continue counting the previous 3 seconds. The same is true if, imminently, the attacking player will exit the area.
- The 3-second countdown will not begin until the ball is in control in the attacking team’s corridor. No infraction may occur if the ball is hit by an opponent using a club. PENALTY: Lost the ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the touchline on the open free-throw line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the Offense and Defense need to know about the Basketball Key?
Offensive and defensive players need to know that they can foul for 3 seconds if they are in the paint during that time. A 3-second violation for the attacking team means they lose possession of the ball. Meanwhile, a three-second violation in the defense caused the attacking team to go to the throw-in to take the shot. To avoid fouling the 3-second rule in this area, you need to leave that free-throw lane after two consecutive seconds to avoid a penalty. It is best to play an attacking style of play, usually with the point guard passing to the center when they immediately hit the post to get the ball and shoot for the basket.
How would you describe the Key to an aspiring basketball player?
If you have to describe the key to a new player in basketball, explain to him that it is important to have a rectangular area on the court that extends to the baseline and sometimes has a different color than the rest of the gym hardwood flooring. A general rule is to ask the player to count to 3 then exit the key and re-enter as they wish. When they do this, they will get used to how long they have to stay in there and it will be instinctive and they will get out accordingly.
Conclusion
To sum up, you must have understood what is the key in basketball, its history and its size. As a basketball fan, you should now know better when commentators are talking about ‘top of the keys’ strategies or ‘three of the keys’ offenses. Is this article interesting to you? Let us know!
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