What is the top of the key and what does it do for basketball players
The Top of the key is a basketball term that refers to the area in front of the hoop, just above where players shoot from. This area is also referred to as “the bucket.” The top of the key is a key area in basketball because it leads from the in-bounds spot to the basket. It also leads from one side of the court to the other, so it is an important passing lane for many types of passes. The reason it is a key area is because there are many important factors that happen in this area. For example, the pass must be accurate and have the exact amount of velocity (speed) needed to get to where the player wants to go. The ball should also be accurately bounced on the way or somehow knocked off course before it arrives at its destination.
The first players who used this area of play were likely forward men who would shoot free throws as they went up for lay-ups. There were not many ways of keeping control of the ball. They did not get to travel with their hands, so there was no way to keep the ball from bouncing away from them as they tried to lay it in. The forward man would go to his left and then bounce the ball off the floor and into his hand for a lay-up shot. This is where this area of play started and how it became known as the top of the key.
