 Points made on the key are termed as points in the paint or inside points . Historically , the area of the key where offensive players are prohibited from remaining longer than three seconds has been painted to distinguish the area from the rest of the court ; hence the phrase " points in the paint . " The area around the free throw circle 's farthest point from the basket is called the " top of the key " , and several plays revolve around this area , such as screens and pick and rolls . In American women 's collegiate basketball ( and for men until 2008 ) , the three @-@ point arc intersects at the top of the key , which could translate plays conducted in this area into three @-@ point field goal conversions . 
 Points made on the key are termed as points in the paint or inside points . Historically , the area of the key where offensive players are prohibited from remaining longer than three seconds <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> been painted to distinguish the area from the rest of the court ; hence the phrase " points in the paint . " The area around the free throw circle <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>farthest point from the basket is called the " top of the key " , and several plays revolve around this area , such as screens and pick and rolls . In American women <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>collegiate basketball ( and for men until 2008 ) , the three @-@ point arc intersects at the top of the key , which could translate plays conducted in this area into three @-@ point field goal conversions . 
Points made on the key are termed as points in da paint or inside points . Historically , tdaarea of the key where offensive players are prohibited from remaining longer than three secs done been painted to distinguish thdarea from thedast of the court ; hence the daase " points in the pdat . " The area around the frdathrow circle  farthest point from the basket is called the " tdaof the key da and several plays revolve around dis area , such as screens and pick and rolls . In American women  collegiate basketball ( and for men till 2008 ) , the three @-@ point arc intersects at the top odahe key , which could translate plays conducted in tdisarea into three @-@ point field goal conversions .