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The three-point line is generally an arc at a set radius from the basket. In international Basketball, the three-point line is 6.25 meters (20 ft 6 in) from the basket. This distance is also used by most European leagues, as well as the WNBA. In the U.S., college and high school rules for both men and women specify a distance of 19 feet, 9 inches (6.02 m) from the basket. Recreational courts in the U.S., such as those at public parks, also commonly use this distance. This line lies at the same distance from the basket as the top of the key, so the 3 point line coincides with the top of the key at the center point. On May 3, 2007, the NCAA men's basketball rules committee passed a measure to extend the distance of the men's three-point line a foot back to 20 feet, 9 inches (6.32 m). The rule is subject to further approval by an NCAA oversight committee, which is considered likely by coaches and players. If the measure passes, the usage of the new 3-point line will begin with the 2008-09 season. The women's committee, however, decided to keep its line at 19 feet, 9 inches.[1] In the NBA, the three-point line is composed of 2 lines, parallel to and 3 feet (0.91 m) from the sideline, and a circular arc (centered on the basket) of roughly 120 degrees, which intersects the parallel lines.[2] The distance of the arc is 23 feet, 9 inches (7.23 m) from the basket. The distance from the line to the basket varies near the sidelines, and is exactly 22 feet (6.71 m) from the basket at its closest point which is 6 feet, 3 inches (1.91 m) from the base line, along an imaginary line parallel to the base line and through the center of the basket. The line is constructed in this fashion because if it were fixed at the arc distance, there would be very little room to stand inbounds near the baseline. The actual distance of the three-point line at any point along its straight lines can be computed trigonometrically, using the center of the basket and the 22-foot mark as the other 2 points of a right triangle. In order to attempt a three-pointer, a player's feet must be outside the three-point line. At the time of the shot or jump, the player may not be on the line or inside the line, or the basket is considered a two-point attempt; however, the player is allowed to jump from outside the line and land inside the line, as long as the ball is released in mid-air. A referee raises his arm to signal the shot attempt. If the attempt is successful, he raises his other arm and holds up three fingers in both hands to indicate the points scored. The referee must recognize it for it to count as three points. This has often been an issue of contention, as many games have been decided by a last-second three-pointer. In these extreme circumstances, referees have often conferred before deciding on how to rule the shot. Instant replay has sometimes been used, depending on league rules. If a shooter is fouled while attempting a three-pointer and subsequently misses the shot, the shooter is awarded three free-throw attempts. If a player completes a three-pointer while being fouled, the player is awarded one free-throw for a possible 4-point-play.
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FranThe NBA three point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket to the far side of the arc; at the top of the key, and 22 feet from the corners. The NCAA 3 point line is 20 feet 9 inches, and in High School basketball the distance is 19 feet 9 inches from behind the arc to the center of the goal.
The free throw line is 15 feet (from the backboard), 13 feet 9 inches to the center of the basket from behind the line.
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