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Basketball is a sport with a lot of rules and regulations, and one of the most important is the free throw, or foul shot. This is an attempt to score a point by shooting from behind the free-throw line, which is situated at the end of the restricted area. The distance of the free-throw line from the basket is not fixed and can vary according to the level of play. For example, in the NBA, the three-point distance is 23' 9, while in college basketball, it is 19' 9. The rules around free throws can be complex, and they are often awarded after a foul or technical violation, with the number of free throws depending on the situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance of the foul shot line from the basket | 23' 9" in the NBA, 19' 9" in college basketball, and 20' 6" internationally |
| Number of free throws awarded for a foul | 1-3 |
| Free throw shooter's position | Both feet fully behind the free-throw line, with either a split or square stance |
| Free throw shooting form | Similar to a typical basketball jump shot |
| Free throw ritual | Varying rituals, including bouncing the ball off the floor, touching shoes, or wrapping the ball around the waist |
| Free throw rules | Must be handled by an official, with specific penalties for violations |
| Foul types | Personal, technical, flagrant, punching, unsportsmanlike, offensive, defensive |
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What You'll Learn
Free throw shooting stance
The free throw is an important part of basketball, and successful free throw shooting starts with the lower body and a balanced base. The free throw line is 15 feet (4.6 m) from the basket, and players must position their body with both feet behind this line.
There are three commonly used stances when shooting free throws: the square stance, the staggered stance, and the angled stance. For the square stance, players position both feet parallel to each other, pointed straight towards the basket. The staggered stance is similar, but one foot is placed a little further back than the other. For right-handed shooters, this means the right foot is forward, with the left foot to the side and slightly behind. The left-handed version is simply the opposite. The angled stance involves standing with the feet parallel or slightly staggered, and then angling them to some degree left or right of the basket. This stance may help align the hip, elbow, and shoulder to the target.
The placement of the feet depends on what makes the shot feel comfortable. A square stance may make it easier to shoot straight, while a staggered or angled stance may help with alignment. Once the feet are set, the player bends their legs to generate power, extends the ball over their head, and shoots.
It is important to have a consistent routine when shooting free throws, as this helps to make the shot the same every time. This routine can involve dribbling the ball, spinning the ball, breathing patterns, or more unusual rituals. It is also important to focus on making the shot and blocking out any distractions.
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Rules for free throw attempts
In basketball, free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, which is situated at the end of the restricted area. Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team, similar to penalty shots in other team sports. Free throws are also awarded in other situations, including technical fouls, and when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation. In this situation, after a team commits a requisite number of fouls, each subsequent foul results in free throws regardless of the type of foul committed.
There are four types of fouls that generate free throws: personal, technical, team, and flagrant. Personal fouls involve blocking or striking a player while shooting, while team fouls occur when a basketball team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game. For example, in the NBA, players get six personal fouls, while women's basketball allows seven per regulation half of a game. NCAA college basketball and most high-school leagues only allow five per game. Once a team surpasses this allotment, they go "into the bonus," which means the opposing team gets a free throw for every additional foul per player in a game quarter.
When a free throw is awarded, an official shall put the ball in play by delivering it to the free-throw shooter, who must be above the free-throw line and within the upper half of the free-throw area. The shooter must then attempt the free throw within 10 seconds, in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring. If the free throw is successful, it is worth one point. If the offended player is disqualified and unable to attempt the awarded free throw, their coach shall designate an eligible substitute from the bench.
During a free throw, opponents are given the best positions to get the rebound. 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. The rebounding players must remain in position until the ball leaves the shooter's hands, or the referee will award the shooter an additional shot attempt. The free thrower or any player beyond the three-point arc may not enter the free-throw lane until the ball touches the ring or backboard. However, all players who are lined up in marked lane spaces may enter the key/lane once the free thrower releases the ball.
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Foul types
The free-throw or foul shot line in basketball is situated at the end of the restricted area. To shoot a free throw, a player must position their body with both feet fully behind the free-throw line.
Now, for the different types of fouls:
Personal Fouls
Personal fouls involve illegal contact between players. This includes various contact fouls such as pushing, holding, blocking, tripping, or any other contact that inhibits the opponent's freedom of movement or progress. Most personal fouls are called against a defensive player. A personal foul committed by a player whose team is in possession of the ball is called an offensive foul. When neither team is in clear possession of the ball, a foul is called a loose-ball foul.
Common Fouls
Common fouls can be offensive or defensive but are most often called on the defense. A common foul happens when a defender physically blocks their opponent's path without first getting into a set, legal guarding position. To be in a legal guarding position, the defender must face their opponent straight-on, with their feet set firmly on the ground, and must not lean into the offensive player.
Technical Fouls
A technical foul is a foul unrelated to physical contact during gameplay. It can be called on a player, another player, a coach, or against the team in general. This class of foul applies to unsportsmanlike conduct outside the scope of the game, such as taunting, profanity, using offensive racial slurs, or conduct toward an official. A technical foul can also be called for a delay of the game, coaches' box violations, defensive 3-seconds, or having too many or too few players when the ball becomes alive.
Flagrant Fouls
A flagrant foul is violent, unnecessary, and excessive player contact that the official believes is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the rules. Flagrant fouls are considered unsportsmanlike conduct and can lead to ejection from the game.
Unsportsmanlike Fouls
An unsportsmanlike foul is a term used in international and NCAA women's play for a foul that is deemed extremely aggressive and does not show an attempt to play the ball. In the NBA and NCAA men's basketball, this is called a flagrant foul.
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Free throw rituals
Free throws are a crucial part of basketball, and players often develop unique and sometimes peculiar rituals to help them get into the right headspace for shooting. These rituals can range from the odd to the sentimental and can involve specific movements, breathing techniques, or interactions with the ball.
One notable example is Nick Van Exel, who stands extra feet behind the line, giving him extra space to prepare for his shot. Another player, Jeff Hornacek, had a sweet ritual of rubbing his face once for each of his children. Some players have pre-shot rituals, such as Russell Westbrook, who takes a moment to close his eyes, centre himself, and take a meditative breath before shooting. Others, like Anthony Mason, have mid-follow-through rituals, such as dribbling a few times and holding the ball up before releasing it, adding hesitation to his shot.
Some players have rituals that are unique and memorable, such as three-time PBA champion Marlou Aquino, who wore trademark goggles that he would push up to his hair before shooting. Aquino would also plant his right foot near the centre of the line and wrap the ball around his waist. Beau Belga is also known for taking his time at the end of his shooting motion, sometimes baiting his opponents into a lane violation.
Other players have more unconventional rituals, such as Jason Kidd, who blew a kiss as a tribute to his family, and Steve Nash, who licked his fingers after taking practice air shots, a ritual that many would argue should be outlawed for sanitary reasons.
While some may view these rituals as peculiar or strange, they are essential for players to feel confident and focused when taking their free throws.
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Three-point line
The three-point line in basketball is a line on a basketball court forming an arc at a set distance from the basket. If a player shoots the ball from beyond this line and scores, they are awarded three points. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level and the league's rules.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) set their three-point lines at 22 feet 1.75 inches (6.75 m) from the centre of the basket. This distance is also used in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) sets their three-point line at 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 m) from the centre of the basket. This is also the distance used in elementary and middle schools. The NCAA previously used this distance for their women's basketball three-point line until the 2011-12 season when it was moved to match the men's line.
The three-point line was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the line set at 25 feet (7.62 m) from the basket. However, in 1963, the ABL shut down, and the three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for their 1963-64 season. The American Basketball Association (ABA) also popularised the three-point shot, introducing it in their inaugural 1967-68 season.
The three-point line has evolved over time, with the NCAA experimenting with different distances before settling on the current men's and women's lines. The introduction of the three-point shot has added excitement to the game and provided a new weapon for players and teams to utilise.
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Frequently asked questions
In basketball, the free-throw or foul shot line is situated at the end of the restricted area. Players must position their body with both feet fully behind this line when shooting.
Standing closer to the line increases the chances of making the shot.
While standing close to the line is advantageous, some players like Nick Van Exel are known to take a few steps back (1-2 feet) to shoot from a farther distance.
Many players have pre-shot rituals, such as bouncing the ball off the floor, touching their shoes, or more iconic rituals like Gilbert Arenas wrapping the ball around his waist three times.
The three-point arc is a marked semicircle around the basket. Shots made from beyond this arc are worth three points. The distance of the arc from the basket varies depending on the level of play and is subject to change as rules committees assess what is best for the sport.
