BASKETBALL TERMS

BASKETBALL TERMS

You may have heard someone refer to part of the basketball court as the 'key' - many old-timers still use that term. Over the years, the court has changed and this reference makes no sense today.

The foul line (the line from where foul shots are attempted) is inside a circle and always has been. The 'foul lane' or 'lane' or 'paint' as its variously called now extends from the ends of the foul line to the base line (end of the court). In other words, the width of the foul lane is the same as the length of the foul line in American basketball today. (The international court widens this lane as it goes toward the base line.)

When I first started playing, the width of the foul lane was about half of the length of the foul line. This lane, when viewed with the circle surrounding the foul line, looked like the standard old-fashioned key hole. Key hole was shortened to 'key' and there you have it. You may have to make yourself a drawing to understand this.