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Basketball is a fast-paced, high-scoring game with millions of players and fans worldwide. The game was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, who wanted to create an indoor game to keep his students fit during the cold winter months. In basketball, points are scored by getting the ball through a hoop, often called 'the basket', and the team with the most points wins. But do you 'score a goal' in basketball?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is the goal called? | The goal is called a "basket" |
| How is the goal scored? | By throwing the ball through the basket or hoop |
| How many points are scored for a goal? | A goal scored from inside the three-point line earns two points, and a goal scored from outside the three-point line earns three points. |
| What is a field goal? | A field goal is a pass to a teammate near the basket, resulting in a one or two-point score. |
| What is a free throw? | A free throw is an attempt to score a point, usually after a foul. |
| Who are some famous basketball players? | Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, DeAndre Jordan, Steve Nash, Baron Davis, Diana Taurasi |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring a field goal
In basketball, the term "field goal" refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. Field goals are shots taken from the court during the course of the game. There are two ways to score a field goal: from inside the three-point line or from beyond the three-point line. A field goal shot made within the three-point line is worth two points, while a field goal shot made beyond the three-point line is worth three points. These shots can be made using different techniques, including layups, jump shots, and dunk shots.
Layups are running shots taken when the player gets close to the basket. Jump shots, on the other hand, are taken from a greater distance away from the basket. Dunk shots are taken when the player is directly under the basket, and instead of throwing the ball, the player slams it into the basket, resulting in a slam dunk.
Some of the most notable field goal shooters in the NBA include Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and DeAndre Jordan. Wilt Chamberlain holds the top four spots for most field goals made in a season, while Michael Jordan led the NBA in field goals made ten times. Shaquille O'Neal holds the record for most seasons with the best field goal percentage, and DeAndre Jordan has the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%.
In the WNBA, Diana Taurasi holds the record for the greatest number of field goals in a season. In 2006, she attempted 660 field goals and successfully made 298 of them, earning a place in the Guinness World Records. Baron Davis holds the NBA record for the longest successful field goal, with an 89-foot shot on February 17, 2001.
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Scoring a 2-pointer
In basketball, a 2-pointer is any field goal scored inside the three-point line. This means that a player can score two points if they make a basket inside the three-point line. This is in contrast to a 3-pointer, which is scored from beyond the three-point line.
There are several ways to score a 2-pointer, including layups, floaters, dunks, and mid-range jumpers. A jump shot is also a 2-pointer, as long as the shooter's foot does not cross the three-point line. These different techniques for scoring 2-pointers are all worth the same amount of points, so it is up to the player to choose the best method for their position on the court and the game situation.
It is worth noting that if a player is fouled while shooting and the ball goes into the basket, they are awarded an "And 1" free throw. This means they get an additional point, resulting in a total of 3 points. Similarly, if a player is fouled while attempting a 2-pointer and misses the shot, they are usually awarded 2 free throws, each worth one point. Therefore, in these scenarios, a player can still score 2 or even 3 points despite not making the initial 2-pointer.
The ability to consistently make 2-pointers is crucial in basketball. While 3-pointers may be worth more points, they are generally more challenging to make. Players who can effectively score from inside the three-point line contribute significantly to their team's success. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for example, is known for making the most two-pointers in NBA history, with an impressive total of 15,836.
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Scoring a 3-pointer
In basketball, a goal is generally referred to as a "basket". When someone scores in basketball, it is called a two-pointer or a three-pointer, depending on the distance from which the throw is made. A three-pointer is a type of field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, as opposed to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point for each made free throw. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket. In 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), the arc is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the centre of the basket.
To shoot a three-pointer, it is recommended to stand at the top of the three-point line with your shoulders squarely facing the basket to improve accuracy. While some players like Stephen Curry have a reputation for their three-point shooting abilities, anyone can improve their three-point shooting through simple adjustments to their form and basic techniques. For example, one can practice this technique at the top of the three-point line before trying it in other places on the court.
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Scoring a free throw
In basketball, a "basket" is the general term for when a player scores a goal. When someone scores a basket, it is called a two-pointer or a three-pointer, depending on the distance from which the throw was made.
A free throw is an unguarded attempt to score a point by shooting from behind the free-throw line, which is 15 feet from the basket. Free throws are awarded when a player is fouled by the opposing team, similar to penalty shots in other sports. They are also awarded in situations such as technical fouls, or when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation. The number of free throws awarded depends on the game's context, the situation, and the type of foul. For example, in the NBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the other team, while a flagrant foul results in two free throws. In NCAA men's basketball, one free throw is awarded beginning with the seventh foul of the half, and if the player makes the free throw, another is given, which is called a "one-and-one". Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded.
Each successful free throw is worth one point. The player has ten seconds to release the ball and score a point. Only the player taking the free throw is allowed to touch the ball, and the rest of the players must stay behind the three-point line. Up to four players from each team line up on either side of the free throw lane in anticipation of capturing the rebound and taking possession of the ball if the shooter misses the basket. If the shooter makes the basket at the time of the foul, they get the points for the field goal and one free throw.
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Scoring a slam dunk
In basketball, when a player scores, it is generally called making a basket. However, there is no equivalent term to soccer's "goal". In basketball, you might hear "scoopre" or "she/he scoores".
A slam dunk, also known simply as a dunk, is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air, controls the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim, and scores by pushing the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. It is a type of field goal that is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was coined by former Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn.
The slam dunk is usually the highest percentage shot and a crowd-pleaser. The maneuver is often taken from the basketball game and showcased in slam dunk contests such as the NBA Slam Dunk Contest held during the annual NBA All-Star Weekend. The first incarnation of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest was held during the half-time of the 1976 ABA All-Star Game.
The NBA Dunk Score is a live model that analyzes over 25 different attributes of a dunk, each calculated directly from the player-tracking data, to assign an objective score. The score is broken down into four distinct subscores: Jump, Power, Style, and Defensive Contest. The Jump subscore is about the athlete's verticality and explosiveness in the air. Power captures the raw force of the dunk. Style measures dunk flashiness, quantifying how much creativity the player adds to their dunk. Finally, the Defensive Contest subscore evaluates how much defensive pressure the dunker faced.
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Frequently asked questions
The goal in basketball is to score by getting the ball through the hoop, or "basket", at the opponent's end of the court.
Players can shoot for goal with a set shot, jump shot, lay-up, or slam dunk.
A goal scored from inside the three-point line earns two points. A goal scored from outside the three-point line earns three points.
A field goal is a pass to a teammate near the basket, who then shoots for a one or two-point goal.
A buzzer-beater is a shot made just before the game clock expires, ending a quarter or the game. It is worth the same number of points as any other goal.
