
Basketball is a fast-paced sport with a lot of rules and nuances. One of the most important aspects of the game is scoring, and there are various ways to do this. One common method is through free throws, which are awarded when a player is fouled by an opponent. These free throws, or foul shots, can be worth one, two, or three points, depending on the situation and the league. This article will explore the intricacies of scoring from fouls in basketball, including the different types of fouls, the number of free throws awarded, and the strategies employed by teams to maximise their scoring opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How are shots scored if a player is fouled while shooting? | If a player is fouled in the act of shooting and the ball goes in the basket, the player is allowed an "And 1" free throw. If the shot is missed, the player is awarded 2 or 3 free throws depending on where the shot was attempted. Each successful free throw is worth one point. |
| How many points can be scored per possession? | Players can score 1, 2, 3 (or even 4 points) during a possession. |
| How many points are scored for a basket made inside/outside the 3-point line? | Players score 2 points for any basket made inside the 3-point line and 3 points for any basket made outside the 3-point line. |
| How many points are scored for a free throw? | Each successful free throw is worth one point. |
| When are free throws awarded? | Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team. They are also awarded in other situations, including technical fouls, and when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation. |
| How many free throws are awarded? | Depending on the situation, a player may be awarded between one and three free throws. |
| Who takes the free throw if the offended player is injured or ejected? | If the offended player is injured or ejected from the game and cannot attempt the awarded free throw(s), the opposing coach shall select a replacement player from the opponent's bench. |
| Where do players stand during a free throw attempt? | During a free throw attempt for a common foul, each of the spaces nearest the end line must be occupied by an opponent of the free throw shooter. Teammates of the free throw shooter must occupy the next adjacent spaces. |
| What happens if a free throw is not followed by another free throw? | After a successful free throw which is not followed by another free throw, the ball shall be put into play by a throw-in, as after any successful field goal. |
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What You'll Learn
- Free throws are awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team
- A player may be awarded between one and three free throws
- Each successful free throw is worth one point
- A player may be awarded two free throws if they are fouled while attempting a two-point shot
- A player may be awarded three free throws if they are fouled while attempting a three-point shot

Free throws are awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team
In basketball, free throws are generally awarded when a player is fouled by an opposing team member while shooting. This is comparable to penalty shots in other team sports. Free throws are also awarded in other situations, such as technical fouls, and when the fouling team enters the bonus/penalty situation. The number of free throws awarded depends on the situation, with players getting one to three free throws. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
In the NBA, a technical foul results in a single free-throw attempt for the opposing team. In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are categorized into "Class A" and "Class B". Class A technicals, which include violent or serious unsportsmanlike conduct, result in two free throws, while Class B technicals, which include less egregious violations like hanging on the rim or delaying the game, result in one free throw.
In NCAA men's basketball, the number of free throws awarded depends on the number of fouls committed during a half. Beginning with the seventh foul of the half, a player is awarded one free throw, and if they make it, they get another attempt. This is called shooting a "one-and-one". From the tenth foul of the half onwards, two free throws are awarded. Overtime is treated as an extension of the second half when it comes to accumulated team fouls. It is important to note that free throws are not given for offensive fouls, even if the team fouled is in the bonus.
In the context of shooting fouls, if a player is fouled while attempting a two-point shot, they will receive two free throws. If they are fouled while behind the line, they will receive three free throws. If a player is fouled and still makes their attempted two- or three-point shot, they will receive an extra free throw, known as an "and-one".
Additionally, in FIBA, if a defensive team commits more than seven fouls, the offensive team receives a bonus each time they are fouled. This is referred to as a "1 and 1" situation. If the first free throw is successful, the player gets another chance to shoot. However, if they miss the first attempt, the ball becomes live, and both teams can try to rebound it.
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A player may be awarded between one and three free throws
In basketball, free throws are generally awarded after a player is fouled by an opponent. The number of free throws a player is awarded varies depending on the league, the type of foul, and the situation. For example, in the NBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the non-offending team, whereas in NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into "Class A" and "Class B", with Class A resulting in two free throws and Class B resulting in one.
In NCAA men's basketball, the number of free throws awarded also depends on the number of fouls committed by a team in a half. Beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded; if the player makes this free throw, they are given another attempt. Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded.
In addition, if a player is fouled and still makes their attempted shot, the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts. This is known as a three-point or four-point play, depending on the value of the made basket. If a shooter is fouled while attempting a two-point shot, they will typically receive two free throws, and if they are fouled while attempting a three-point shot, they will receive three free throws.
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Each successful free throw is worth one point
In basketball, free throws are attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, with no opposition. Each successful free throw is worth one point. Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team, but they can also be awarded in other situations, including technical fouls.
In the NBA, most players make 70-80% of their free-throw attempts. However, some players are notoriously bad free-throw shooters, such as Wilt Chamberlain, Ben Wallace, and Shaquille O'Neal. This can lead to a strategy where a team intentionally fouls this player, hoping that they will miss one or both shots and the defending team will regain possession of the ball. This strategy is known as "Hack-a-Shaq" when used on Shaquille O'Neal.
The number of free throws awarded can vary depending on the situation. In NCAA men's basketball, for example, beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded. If the player makes this first free throw, they are given another one. This is called shooting a "one-and-one". Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded. In the NBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the other team. Under NCAA rules, technical fouls are divided into "Class A" and "Class B", with Class A resulting in two free throws and Class B resulting in one.
If a player is fouled and still makes their attempted shot, the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts. This is known as a three-point or four-point play, depending on the value of the made basket. It is also called an "And-One", a "three-point play", or a "four-point play".
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A player may be awarded two free throws if they are fouled while attempting a two-point shot
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line. Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team, but they can also be awarded in other situations, including technical fouls. The number of free throws awarded depends on the situation, and a player may receive between one and three free throws. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
In the context of a player being fouled while attempting a two-point shot, they may be awarded two free throws if the foul occurs during the act of shooting. This is known as a two-shot foul. If the player makes the attempted shot despite the foul, the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts. This scenario is referred to as a three-point play.
It is important to note that the rules regarding free throws can vary slightly between different basketball organizations and leagues, such as the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, and NCAA. For example, in NCAA men's basketball, the number of free throws awarded depends on the total number of fouls committed by a team in a half. Starting with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded, and if the player makes it, they get to shoot another one. This is called a "one-and-one." From the tenth foul of the half onwards, two free throws are awarded.
Additionally, in the NBA and FIBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the opposing team. In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are categorized into Class A and Class B, with Class A resulting in two free throws and Class B resulting in one.
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A player may be awarded three free throws if they are fouled while attempting a three-point shot
In basketball, free throws are attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, with no opposition. They are usually awarded when a player is fouled while shooting, or when the fouling team has reached a certain number of fouls. The number of free throws awarded depends on the situation, with players getting between one and three free throws. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
In the NBA and FIBA, a technical foul results in a single free-throw attempt for the opposing team. In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into Class A and Class B, with Class A resulting in two free throws and Class B resulting in one. In all cases, the opposing team can choose any player on the court to take the free throws and is then awarded possession of the ball.
In NCAA men's basketball, the seventh foul of the half results in one free throw, with another awarded if the player makes the first one. This is called a "one-and-one". From the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded. Overtime is considered an extension of the second half when it comes to accumulated team fouls.
In FIBA's 3x3 version of the game, there are no free throws awarded for the first six team fouls. The exception to this is for shooting fouls, technical fouls, and unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls.
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Frequently asked questions
If a player is fouled in the act of shooting and the ball goes in the basket, the player is allowed an “And 1” free throw. If the player makes the attempted shot despite the foul, the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts. This is known as a three-point or four-point play, depending on the value of the made basket.
In the case of a shooting foul, the fouled player will receive two or three free throws, depending on where the shot was attempted. If the player is fouled while attempting a two-point shot, they will receive two free throws, and if they are fouled while behind the line, they will receive three free throws.
A technical foul is a foul that doesn't have to be a result of illegal contact against a player. In the NBA and FIBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the other team.
A double foul occurs when fouls are committed by players from opposing teams at the same time. In the case of a double foul, no free-throw attempts are awarded, and the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call shall retain possession.




























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