Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a sport with a variety of scoring methods, the most common of which is the field goal. A field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the shot from the basket. The term field goal is used officially in the NBA, NCAA, WNBA, and high school basketball. The three-point field goal, or three-pointer, is a type of field goal worth three points and made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level, with the NBA's arc being 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket, and the WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA sharing an arc distance of 22 feet 1.75 inches. The highest field goal percentage for a single season was achieved by New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (74.2%) in the 2019-20 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a field goal | A basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. |
| Points for a field goal | 2 or 3 points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. |
| Uncommon point values for a field goal | 1 point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions, 4 points in the BIG3 basketball league. |
| Official terminology for a field goal | Used by the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball in their rule books, box scores, statistics, and referees' rulings. |
| Types of field goals | Jump shot, layup, slam dunk, and tip-in. |
| Field goal efficiency measurements | FGMs (Field Goals Made), FGA (Attempted Field Goals), and percentage (shooting percentage or FG%). |
| High-percentage field goals | Layups and dunks, which have the highest probability of being successful. |
| Three-point field goal definition | A field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. |
| Point value for a three-point field goal | 3 points, in contrast to 2 points for field goals made within the three-point line and 1 point for a free throw. |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line | Varies by competition level, e.g. 23 feet 9 inches in the NBA, 22 feet 1.75 inches in FIBA, WNBA, and NCAA. |
| Record holders for field goals | Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, DeAndre Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Diana Taurasi. |
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What You'll Learn
What is a field goal?
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. In other words, a field goal is scored when a player shoots from beyond the three-point line and the ball goes through the basket. This is the easiest way to score in basketball.
Field goals can be as simple as a jump shot, or they can take the form of layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. A layup is when an offensive player drives to the basket and attempts a two-point field goal from inside the paint area without making contact with the rim. A slam dunk, another type of field goal, occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball and throws it down through the basket while airborne.
Field goal percentages are an important statistic in basketball, helping to determine some of the best players. This percentage is calculated by taking the number of field goals made and dividing it by the number attempted, then multiplying by 100. For example, a player with a 40% field goal percentage has made 4 out of 10 shots.
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How are field goals scored?
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. The term "field" or "the basketball field" refers to the court, hence the name field goal. Field goals can be classified by any shot taken from the court, whether it be a layup or a three-point shot.
Field goals can take many different forms, such as layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. A layup is when an offensive player drives to the basket and attempts a two-point field goal from inside the paint area without making contact with the rim. A slam dunk occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball and throws the ball down through the basket while airborne.
Field goals are one of the most important individual statistics in organized basketball. The field goal percentage is a common way for players to measure their field goal efficiency. This is calculated by looking at the number of shots made from any distance (FGM) and the total number of attempts (FGA), which reflects success rates for every type of shot taken.
While field goals are typically worth two or three points, there are some variations in certain competitions. For example, in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions, a field goal is worth one point, while in the BIG3 basketball league, it can be worth four points.
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High-percentage field goals
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket. Field goals can be as simple as a jump shot or take the form of layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. A layup is when an offensive player attempts a two-point field goal from inside the paint area without making contact with the rim. A slam dunk, another type of field goal, occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball and throws it down through the basket while airborne.
Field goal percentage is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted, with the abbreviation FG%. A FG% of .500 (50%) or above is considered efficient, although this criterion varies depending on the position. Guards tend to have lower FG% than forwards and centers. While field goal percentage does not definitively indicate a player's skill, a low FG% may suggest a poor offensive player or one who takes many difficult shots.
Some players are particularly renowned for their high field goal percentages. DeAndre Jordan holds the record for the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%. Shaquille O'Neal, who had a high career FG% of around .580, achieved many high-percentage layups and dunks due to playing near the basket. Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most prolific scorers, held the top four spots for most field goals made in a season and has the second-highest field goal percentage for a season at 72.7%. The highest field goal percentage for a single season was achieved by New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson with 74.2% in the 2019-20 season. Diana Taurasi holds the record for the greatest number of field goals in a WNBA season, with 298 out of 660 field goals attempted in 2006.
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Field goal statistics
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. In the context of field goals, the term "field" refers to the basket or the court.
Field goals can take many forms, including jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. A layup is when an offensive player drives to the basket and attempts a two-point field goal from inside the paint area without making contact with the rim. A slam dunk, another type of field goal, occurs when a player jumps near the basket with possession of the ball and throws it down through the basket while airborne.
Some notable players with impressive field goal statistics include Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the top four spots for most field goals made in a season, and Michael Jordan, who led the NBA in field goals made ten times. In the WNBA, Diana Taurasi set a record in 2006 for the greatest number of field goals in a single season, with 298 out of 660 attempted field goals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA record for the most field goals made in a career, with 15,837.
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Three-point field goals
A three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer, three, or triple, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. This is in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point for each made free throw. The three-point line was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945 with a 21-foot line, but it was not kept as a rule. The NCAA's Southern Conference became the first collegiate conference to officially use the three-point rule in the 1980-81 season, with a 22-foot line. Over the following years, the distance required for a three-pointer varied between conferences, from as close as 17 feet 9 inches to as far as 22 feet.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) adopted the three-point rule in the 2008-09 season, with the arc set at 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) use an arc of 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the center of the basket.
Since the introduction of the three-point rule, referees have reviewed all situations in which it is unclear whether a successful field goal was scored as a two-point or three-point shot. This review occurs during the last two minutes of the fourth period or the last two minutes of any overtime period, at the next clock stoppage.
Some of the greatest three-point shooters of all time include Steve Nash, who recorded four of the eleven 50-40-90 seasons in NBA history, and Michael Jordan, who led the NBA in field goals made ten times.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the term "field goal" is used to describe a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw.
A field goal is typically worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt. In the BIG3 basketball league, a field goal is worth four points, while in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions, it is worth one point.
A three-point field goal, also known as a "triple", is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. It is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line.
There are three main statistics used to measure field goal efficiency: Field Goals Made (FGM), Attempted Field Goals (FFA), and percentage (FG%). A player with good shooting skills usually averages about 40% from the field.
Examples of field goals include jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins.
