By Mira Van
Basketball is one of the popular sports in almost every country these days. Generally, a surface for a basketball court is around 21×12.8 m. It might be played on asphalt or concrete after setting basket hoops.
If the surface of a basketball court is hard as asphalt or concrete, it might result in serious injuries. Different options can be used in the construction of a basketball court floor. The options you choose must be safer for every basketball player and absorb shock after falling to the ground.
The Basics
Dimension for basketball courts differs in overall width and length. Older high school gymnasiums have a smaller overall layout and size than regulation in most areas.
Most of those gymnasiums have different backboard measurements and designs. Although high school and college courts might differ in size, the interior marking for the backboard & rim and the foul line remains the same.
Many collegiate and professional basketball games are usually done on a hardwood court. This doesn’t just have a smooth surface. It as well offers to bounce consistently.
A hardwood court is what you might regard as a prime surface for basketball courts. But not all basketball courts share similar kinds of playing surfaces. The basketball court surface normally depends on its location (outdoor or indoor), plus your budget.
Court Components
There are several main components of basketball courts, which every player, coach, and fan should know. During basketball practices or games, you might hear some of the following terms multiple times:
- Three-point Arc
- Free throw lane/key/paint/lane
- Jump circle/center circle
- Restricted area
- Low blocks
- Backboard, net, and basket
What is a Suitable Flooring for Basketball Courts?
Hardwood remains the best flooring for indoor basketball courts. For decades, natural wood flooring has been the number one choice and its standard in every college and professional college basketball game. One of the common types of hardwood flooring suitable for indoor basketball courts is maple, even though some opt for hybrid maple-oak.
When it comes to outdoor basketball courts, asphalt is a perfect option. After all, most basketball players first learn this sport on an outdoor court, either in their driveways and neighborhood streets or in community parks. For that reason, asphalt has become the preferred choice because of its strength as well as its capability to withstand unfavorable weather conditions.
Unfortunately, asphalt can wear out over time and are prone to chips, cracks, and other imperfections. They might as well result in injuries, making some individuals opt for EPDM (polymeric rubber).
An outdoor basketball court consisting of polymeric rubber is made from EPDM rubber’s granules bonded together with PU (polyurethane). This makes the surface softer compared to tarmacadam and asphalt surfaces and, at the same time, provides high bounce. So that means the performance is great.
Polymeric surfaces also have an added advantage of customizable bounce that can get altered with a shock pad. This enables basketball players to avoid injuries.
Concluding Remarks!
While an indoor basketball court is limited to wood flooring, an outdoor basketball court can be made of several types of materials in order to withstand unfavorable weather conditions. But whether you prefer building an indoor or outdoor basketball court, the material you use ensures it’s durable and can withstand external elements.
