Ayrton Oneill
Basketball is a sport that has gained worldwide popularity, with leagues and tournaments organised for all ages. Scoring points is integral to the game, and there are several ways to do so. Points can be accumulated by making field goals (two or three points) or free throws (one point). In youth basketball, the same rules apply, and the team with the most points wins. The highest single-game score in youth basketball history was achieved by a 13-year-old Swedish boy named Mats Wermelin, who scored 272 points in a 272-0 victory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to score points | Making field goals or free throws |
| Field goal within the three-point line | 2 points |
| Field goal beyond the three-point line | 3 points |
| Free throw | 1 point |
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Field goals
If a player makes a shot from inside the three-point line, it is worth two points. This is the most common type of field goal, as shots from closer range have a higher probability of being made. Players with strong fundamental skills, such as proper footwork, accurate shooting technique, and a good understanding of shot selection, tend to excel at scoring these types of field goals.
On the other hand, if a player makes a shot from beyond the three-point line, it is worth three points. These shots are more challenging as they are taken from a greater distance. Players who possess skills such as accurate long-range shooting, quick release, and the ability to create space from their defenders tend to be more successful in making three-point field goals.
In both types of field goals, if a foul is committed against the shooter by the defending player, the shooting player is awarded a free throw attempt in addition to the made basket. This increases the point value of the field goal to three points for shots inside the three-point line and four points for shots beyond the three-point line. This rule encourages fair play and discourages defenders from impeding the progress of the offensive player illegally.
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Free throws
A free throw is awarded when a foul is committed against a player in the act of shooting. The official takes the ball to the free-throw line of the offended team, and the players take their positions around the key. The official then indicates the number of free throws being awarded and passes the ball to the free thrower, who must shoot within 10 seconds. For personal fouls, the fouled player must take the free throw, unless they are injured. In this case, the coach will typically decide who takes the throw.
Opponents are given the best positions to get the rebound, with only two players from the team taking the free throw allowed to take position around the key/lane, one on each side. The opposing team can have three players positioned here, with two on each side closest to the basket and one on either side closest to the free thrower. All other players must be behind the three-point line.
On a technical foul, any player on the opposing team can attempt the free throw, including substitutes. The free thrower and any player beyond the three-point arc cannot enter the free-throw lane until the ball touches the ring or backboard. If the free thrower crosses the lane before this, the shot does not count, and the free thrower gets another attempt. If the opposing team enters the lane before the ball touches the ring or backboard, the free thrower also gets another attempt.
The mechanics of a successful free throw involve body balance and position, as well as the movement of the arms and legs. A common acronym for free throw shooting is BEEF. Each player will have their own pre-shot routine, which can include anything from wiping shoes to taking a set number of dribbles. The important thing is that it helps the player feel comfortable and relaxed when taking the shot.
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Three-point line
The three-point line has played a significant role in basketball, adding excitement and providing a weapon for smaller players to score. It was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the line set at 25 feet from the basket. The three-point rule allows players to score three points by making a shot from beyond the three-point line, which is 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 distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket. This distance is measured along a straight line that is 3 feet (0.91 m) from the sidelines. At the 14 ft. mark, the line becomes an arc, gradually increasing the distance from the basket.
In international games governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the arc is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket. This distance is consistent for both men's and women's NCAA basketball and does not change as it approaches the sidelines. The NCAA's Southern Conference was the first collegiate conference to adopt the three-point rule in the 1980-81 season, with a 22-foot line.
The three-point line has evolved over time, with the ABL initially setting it at 25 feet, and then shortening it to 22 feet in 1963. The NBA introduced the 3-point line during the 1979-80 season, and it has since become a crucial aspect of many offenses. The popularity of the three-pointer has led to discussions and debates about its impact on the game. Some argue that it has made the game worse, while others believe it adds excitement and provides opportunities for different play styles.
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Fouled in the act of shooting
A shooting foul in basketball is when a defender makes illegal contact with an offensive player who is in the act of shooting. This can occur when the offensive player is near the basket or the perimeter areas of the court. The offensive player is considered to be in the act of shooting when they gather the ball, start an upward shooting motion, and continue that motion before or at the moment the ball is released.
If a player is fouled in the act of shooting, they are awarded one or more free throws. The number of free throws is determined by the value of the player's field goal attempt and whether it was successful. For example, if a player is fouled while shooting a two-point field goal, they will be awarded two free throws. If they are fouled while shooting a three-point field goal, they will be awarded three free throws.
It is important to note that a shooting foul is different from a non-shooting foul. A non-shooting foul occurs when an offensive player does not gather the ball or start an upward shooting motion before the defender's illegal contact. In this case, the referee will assess a defensive foul that is not in the act of shooting.
A clear path to the basket foul is another type of foul that can occur in basketball. This happens when a personal foul is committed on an offensive player during their team's transition scoring opportunity, and the defensive foul deprives the offensive team of that opportunity. However, a clear path to the basket foul cannot occur if the offensive player is fouled in the act of shooting.
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Four-point play
In basketball, a four-point play is a rare event that occurs when an offensive player successfully shoots a three-pointer while being fouled by a defender. This results in the player getting a chance to make a free throw, scoring four points in total if they are successful. Alternatively, a four-point play can also occur if a player makes a two-point field goal and is intentionally fouled, earning them two free throws. If both free throws are made, the player scores four points from the single possession.
The four-point play was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League and was later adopted by other leagues, including the American Basketball Association, the NBA, FIBA, the NCAA, the NHFS, and the WNBA. The NBA introduced the rule in 1979, and the first four-point play in the league's history was completed by Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls on October 21, 1979, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While four-point plays are uncommon, some players have achieved notable feats involving them. James Harden, for example, currently holds the record for the most four-point plays in NBA history, with 95 as of November 2024. Additionally, James Jones once completed two four-point plays in a span of just eleven seconds on April 29, 2009, showcasing the impact that four-point plays can have on a game.
The Harlem Globetrotters, a basketball exhibition team, have also embraced the concept of the four-point play. They introduced a four-point field goal, located 30 feet from the basket, and previously utilized a four-point circle as well. The Big3 basketball league has followed suit, implementing three distinct four-point shot areas beyond the standard three-point line. These variations add excitement and encourage players to attempt higher-difficulty shots for greater rewards.
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Frequently asked questions
Points in basketball are scored by making field goals or free throws. Field goals from within the three-point line score two points, and field goals from beyond the three-point line score three points. If a player is fouled during a field goal, they get an additional free throw, making it a three or four-point play, respectively.
A free throw scores one point.
The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
