A defensive player may stay in the lane for as long as he wants. A player who is fouled by another player may be awarded free throws, also known as foul shots. She shoots these shots (which aren't really "throws") from the free throw line at the end of the lane, about 15 feet from the hoop. The free-throw line from the basketball hoop measures 15 feet (4.61 meters). To put the distance into context, it is roughly the length of a medium automobile. The free-throw line is 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide. In basketball, the length and width of this region are referred to as the "key."