Andrew Pace
The three-point shot has become a staple in basketball, but it is a relatively new phenomenon. The three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer, three, or triple, is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. The concept of the three-point shot was first introduced in 1945, with a 21-foot line, in a game between Columbia and Fordham, but it was not kept as a rule. The American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to officially institute the rule in 1961, with the three-pointer being located 22 feet from the basket. The three-point shot has since become an integral part of basketball strategy, with league-wide three-point rates increasing significantly over the years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First basketball league to institute the 3-point rule | American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line | 25 feet |
| Distance from the center of the basket in the NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) |
| Distance from the center of the basket in the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) |
| First season with a 3-point line in all college basketball conferences | 1986-87 |
| League-wide 3-point rate in 2010-11 | 22.2% |
| League-wide 3-point rate in 2015-16 | 39.2% |
| Percentage of 3-point attempts that were off the dribble in 2013-14 | 23% |
| Percentage of 3-point attempts that were off the dribble in 2019-20 | 30% |
| Percentage of 3-point attempts that were off the dribble in 2020-21 | 28% |
| League's success rate from beyond the arc in 2020-21 | 36.7% |
| League's success rate from beyond the arc in 2015-16 | 35.8% |
| Value of 3-point shots compared to 2-point shots | Less valuable |
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What You'll Learn
The three-point shot was first introduced in 1961
The three-point shot has become a staple in basketball, with the percentage of three-point attempts increasing year after year. The three-point shot was first introduced in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL), which became the first basketball league to institute the rule. Abe Saperstein, the commissioner of the new league, wanted to add excitement to the game and set it apart from the NBA. He aimed for the three-pointer to become the basketball equivalent of a home run in baseball. Saperstein, along with DePaul University coach Ray Meyer, decided on a distance of 25 feet from the basket for the new shot line. However, in June 1961, while Saperstein was travelling, the other ABL owners voted to shorten the line to 22 feet.
The concept of the three-point shot was not entirely new, as there had been experiments with a similar concept in previous years. In 1945, the three-point line was first tested at the collegiate level in a game between Columbia and Fordham, with a 21-foot line, but it was not adopted as a rule. Another experiment took place in 1958, this time with a 23-foot line, in a game between St. Francis (NY) and Siena. In 1961, Boston University and Dartmouth played a game with an experimental rule that counted all field goals as three points.
It is worth noting that the three-point shot was not immediately adopted by all basketball leagues and organizations. For example, the NCAA and other collegiate leagues played without a three-point line for many years before eventually adopting it. The 1986-87 season was the first in which the three-point line was adopted across all college basketball conferences.
The introduction of the three-point shot has had a significant impact on the game of basketball, changing offensive and defensive strategies. It has also led to the development of new specialized player positions, such as the stretch four or three-and-D player, who can shoot three-pointers and also provide defensive capabilities. The three-point shot has become an essential tool for teams, with some teams relying heavily on three-point shooting as a key part of their offensive strategy.
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The NBA adopted the three-point line in 1979
The three-point shot in basketball was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. The ABL commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and help his league stand out from the NBA. The distance of the shot was set at 25 feet from the basket, although this was shortened to 22 feet by the other ABL owners when Saperstein was travelling. The three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963–64 season, and it was also popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967–68 season. During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
In 1979, the NBA finally adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis, for the 1979–80 season. Despite the view of many that it was a gimmick, the first three-point shot in NBA history was made by Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics on October 12, 1979. Rick Barry of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Grevey of the Washington Bullets also made three-pointers on the same night. In the early years, the three-point shot was considered a gimmick or desperation tactic, but in the late 1980s, it began to emerge as an important offensive weapon. By the 2020s, the three-point shot had become an integral part of NBA strategy, with league-wide three-point rates increasing in each of the last 10 seasons.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the NBA, the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center 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 distance is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket. In the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the arc is 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the center of the basket.
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The NCAA experimented with the three-point line in 1945 and 1958
The three-point line in basketball has its origins in the 1940s, with the NCAA experimenting with the concept in 1945 and again in 1958. The 1945 experiment involved a 21-foot line in a game between Columbia and Fordham, but it did not become a permanent rule. The 1958 experiment featured a slightly longer 23-foot line, but it too failed to gain traction as a permanent rule change. These early experiments with the three-point line were precursors to its official adoption by the NCAA over three decades later, in April 1986, for the 1986-87 season.
The introduction of the three-point line in 1986 was a significant development in the evolution of basketball, and it was met with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. The rule change, which set the three-pointer at 19 feet and nine inches, was not universally embraced, with some coaches expressing concern that it undermined the traditional values of the game. Despite the initial resistance, the three-point shot gradually became an integral part of the game, with its strategic value and potential for high-scoring plays captivating players, coaches, and fans alike.
The 1986 adoption of the three-point line by the NCAA built upon the groundwork laid by earlier experiments, including those in 1945 and 1958. While those early experiments did not result in permanent rule changes, they played a pivotal role in introducing the concept of the three-point shot to the basketball community. They sparked discussions and debates about the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a rule change, shaping the way players and coaches approached the game and laying the foundation for the eventual integration of the three-point line into the fabric of basketball.
The NCAA's experimentation with the three-point line in 1945 and 1958, while not immediately transformative, represented the first steps toward embracing a new dimension in basketball strategy and gameplay. These early forays into the concept demonstrated a willingness to innovate and adapt, reflecting the evolving nature of the sport and the ongoing pursuit of enhancing the game for players and spectators alike. While the three-point line's journey toward official adoption was a lengthy one, these experimental phases were crucial in paving the way for its eventual integration into the standard rules and strategies of basketball.
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The three-point shot was used as a marketing tool in the 1970s
The three-point shot has been a part of basketball for around 40 years, but the idea has been around for much longer. The three-point shot was first introduced in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL), with commissioner Abe Saperstein aiming to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. However, the ABL shut down in 1963, and the three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for the 1963-64 season.
The shot gained popularity in the 1970s when it was used by the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA. The ABA introduced the three-point shot in its inaugural 1967-68 season and used it alongside the slam dunk to create excitement and engage fans. ABA commissioner George Mikan believed that the three-pointer "would give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans".
During the 1970s, the ABA utilised the three-point shot as a key selling point to attract fans and distinguish itself from the NBA. The three-point shot added a new element of strategy and excitement to the game, encouraging more dynamic play and rewarding long-distance shooting. It provided a unique selling point for the league, as they aimed to establish their own identity separate from the more established NBA.
The ABA's use of the three-point shot during the 1970s was a successful marketing strategy that contributed to the league's popularity and competitiveness. The shot's ability to create thrilling moments and showcase the skills of smaller players resonated with fans and helped the ABA establish its place in the basketball world. Despite initial resistance and scepticism, the three-point shot gradually gained acceptance and became an integral part of the game, with the NBA officially adopting it in the 1979-80 season.
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The three-point shot has evolved with rule changes and new strategies
The three-point shot has been a part of basketball for several decades, but its impact and significance have evolved over time. The American Basketball League (ABL) first introduced the three-point rule in 1961, with commissioner Abe Saperstein aiming to add excitement and create a unique feature for the league. The initial three-point line was drawn at 25 feet from the basket, but it was later shortened to 22 feet.
Over the years, the three-point shot has undergone rule changes and evolved with new strategies. In the 1967-68 season, the American Basketball Association (ABA) adopted the three-point rule, and commissioner George Mikan highlighted its potential to benefit smaller players and open up defenses, making the game more enjoyable for fans. The ABA effectively utilised the three-point shot as a marketing tool during the 1970s to compete with the NBA.
It wasn't until the 1979-80 season that the NBA officially adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis. Despite initial skepticism, the three-point shot gradually became an integral part of the game. Over time, the percentage of three-point attempts in the NBA has steadily increased, with more players and teams embracing the shot.
The evolution of the three-point shot has also influenced offensive strategies in basketball. The run and gun tactics, characterised by a high volume of outside shots and fast offenses, have had a significant impact on the game. Strong teams in the NBA tend to focus on outside offenses, utilising the three-point shot to create higher-scoring opportunities. Statistical analyses have supported this strategy, indicating that increasing the number and percentage of three-point offenses can improve the probability of winning.
Additionally, the three-point shot has changed from being a relatively difficult technique to a more general technique employed by players. This evolution has influenced the training and development of basketball skills and tactics globally. Players and teams now incorporate the three-point shot into their offensive arsenals, creating new challenges for defenses.
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Frequently asked questions
The 3-point shot has been in basketball since 1961 when the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to institute the rule.
The 3-point shot was introduced in the NBA in the 1979-80 season.
The 3-point line in the NBA is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket.
The arc for the 3-point line in the WNBA, FIBA, NCAA, and NAIA is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the centre of the basket.
Yes, the 3-point shot has become increasingly popular over time. In the 2015-16 season, there were six teams that took at least 1/3 of their shots from 3-point range. In the 2020-21 season, 28 out of 30 teams did so.
