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In basketball, a free throw is an unguarded scoring attempt that gives a team the chance to score extra points after a foul. The free throw line is situated at the end of the restricted area, 15 feet from the backboard. The length of the free throw process is governed by a set of rules, which vary slightly depending on the league. For example, in the NBA, a player has 10 seconds to attempt their free throw after receiving the ball, whereas in NCAA men's basketball, a player is awarded a second free throw if they successfully make the first one after a certain number of fouls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance of the free throw line from the backboard | 15 feet |
| Key length | 19 feet |
| Key width in NBA, WNBA, and FIBA | 16 feet |
| Key width in NCAA and NAIA | 12 feet |
| Distance of the three-point line from the center of the basket | 23 feet and 9 inches |
| Distance from the free throw line to the basket | Not mentioned |
| Time to attempt a free throw after controlling the ball | 10 seconds |
| Number of free throws awarded in NCAA men's basketball after the seventh foul of the half | 1 |
| Number of free throws awarded in NCAA men's basketball after the tenth foul of the half | 2 |
| Number of free throws awarded in FIBA, WNBA, and NBA after the fourth foul in a quarter | 2 |
| Number of free throws awarded in NCAA women's basketball starting with the opponent's fifth foul in a period | 2 |
| Number of free throws awarded in case of a technical foul in FIBA and the NBA | 1 |
| Number of free throws awarded in case of a Class A technical foul in NCAA | 2 |
| Number of free throws awarded in case of a Class B technical foul in NCAA | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Free throw line distance
The free throw line, also known as the foul line or charity stripe, is situated at the end of the restricted area at the free throw lane, or the key, of the basketball court. The free throw line is 15 feet from the plane of the face of the backboard. The free throw shooter must stand behind the free throw line and attempt the free throw within 10 seconds of controlling the ball. The shooter must not step over the plane of the free throw line until the ball touches the basket ring, backboard or the free throw ends. If the shooter violates this rule, it is considered a violation and no point can be scored.
The key, or the free throw lane, is a rectangle measuring either 19 feet by 16 feet or 19 feet by 12 feet. The former dimensions are used in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) games, while the latter is used in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The free throw line bisects the key.
The three-point field goal area has parallel lines 3 feet from the sidelines, extending from the baseline, and an arc of 23 feet 9 inches from the middle of the basket, which intersects the parallel lines. The restricted area is marked with a half-circle 4 feet from the centre of the basket ring and then parallel to the lane line to the face of the backboard with a solid two-inch line.
The free throw lane is marked at each end of the court, with all boundary lines being part of the lane. Lane space marks and neutral zone marks are not part of the lane.
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Rules and penalties
Free throws, or foul shots, are attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, with no opposition. They are awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team or a technical foul. They also occur when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation, where each subsequent foul results in free throws, regardless of the type committed. The number of free throws awarded varies from one to three. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
Free throws come with a set of rules and penalties to ensure fair play. Here are some key rules and their associated penalties:
- Player Positions: During a free throw, the players must position themselves according to the marks around the key or lane. The opponents are given the best positions to get the rebound. Specifically, only two players from the team taking the free throw are allowed to take position around the key or lane, with one player on each side. The opposing team can have three players positioned around the key or lane, two on each side closest to the basket, and one on either side closest to the free thrower. All other players must remain behind the three-point line. A violation of these player position rules results in a penalty. If the violation is by a teammate of the shooter, no point can be scored, and the opposing team gets possession. If the violation is by an opponent, the shooter gets a substitute free throw if they miss, but it is ignored if they make the shot.
- Lane Space Violations: Players occupying lane spaces must not extend themselves over their lane spaces in front of an opponent. They must also avoid touching the lane line or floor inside the line when the ball is released by the shooter. Players not occupying lane spaces must stay behind the three-point line and may not touch the line or floor inside the line when the ball is released. If a lane space violation occurs, and the free throw attempt remains in play, the opposing team will inbound the ball on either sideline at the free throw line extended.
- Time Limit: The shooter has a time limit to release the ball, which is typically ten seconds in the United States. If the shooter violates this rule by not releasing the ball within the time limit, the free throw is cancelled.
- Crossing the Free-Throw Line: The shooter must not step on or cross the free-throw line before the ball touches the hoop. Jumping is allowed during the attempt, but the shooter must not leave the designated area. If the free thrower crosses the free-throw lane before the ball touches the hoop or backboard, the shot does not count, and the opposing team gets possession.
- Double Violations: If both a teammate and an opponent violate the rules during a free throw attempt, a jump ball is administered at midcourt between any two opponents.
- Disconcertion Violation: If an opponent violates the rule of disconcerting the shooter once the ball is at their disposal, a substitute free throw will be awarded.
- Technical Fouls: In the NBA and FIBA, a technical foul results in one free throw for the opposing team. In NCAA, technical fouls are classified as Class A (serious unsportsmanlike conduct) and Class B (less severe violations), with Class A resulting in two free throws and Class B in one free throw.
- Foul Counts and Penalties: The number of fouls that trigger penalties varies depending on the league and ruleset. In the NBA, the opposing team gets two free throws starting with the fifth foul of a single period (fourth in overtime). In NCAA men's basketball, one free throw is awarded starting with the seventh foul of the half, and if made, another is given ("one-and-one"). Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded.
- Intentional Fouling Strategy: Trailing teams may intentionally foul late in a close game. While this gives the leading team free throw attempts to increase their lead, it also stops the clock and provides the trailing team with a chance to gain possession.
- Substitutions: Teams often substitute players with high free-throw percentages when they are leading late in games to counter the trailing team's intentional fouling strategy.
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Types of fouls
Basketball is a fast-paced sport with frequent player contact. As such, fouls are inevitable and can significantly impact the game's flow and outcome. A foul is a violation of the rules, resulting in repercussions for the player and their team. There are several types of fouls, each with its own set of consequences. Here are the four primary types of fouls in basketball:
Personal Fouls
Personal fouls are the most common type and occur when a player makes illegal physical contact with an opponent. This includes actions such as pushing, holding, blocking, or tripping, which inhibit the opponent's freedom of movement or progress. Personal fouls can be committed by players on the offensive or defensive end. If a player commits five personal fouls in high school or six in college, they are disqualified from the game.
Technical Fouls
Technical fouls involve unsportsmanlike conduct or non-contact rule violations. This could include arguing with referees, using inappropriate language, or delaying the game. Technical fouls can be assessed without prior warning and can be given to any player, coach, or team bench personnel. Technical fouls may result in free throws for the opposing team.
Flagrant Fouls
Flagrant fouls are violent or excessively aggressive actions that could potentially cause injury to an opponent. They are considered unnecessary and excessive and often lead to ejection from the game. Flagrant fouls are a more serious form of personal foul, involving violent player contact that an official believes is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball within the rules.
Loose Ball Fouls
A loose-ball foul occurs when neither team has clear possession of the ball. This often happens when players fight to gain control of a loose ball or jockey for position to secure a rebound. Loose-ball fouls do not result in free throws or turnovers but can impact the flow of the game.
Understanding the different types of fouls is essential for players, coaches, officials, and spectators to ensure fair play and safety on the court. Each foul type has specific criteria and consequences, and they are an integral part of the strategic nature of the game.
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Player positioning
Free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line (also known as the foul line or charity stripe). The free-throw line is situated at the end of the restricted area, 15 feet from the backboard. The key, a rectangle measuring either 19 feet by 16 feet or 19 feet by 12 feet, is located at the centre of the free-throw lane.
When a free throw is awarded, the official takes the ball to the free-throw line of the offended team. The shooter must stand above the free-throw line and within the upper half of the free-throw lane. The shooter's teammates must occupy the adjacent spaces on each side, with only one of the third spaces allowed to be occupied by an opponent. The opposing team is allowed to have three players positioned around the key/lane, with two players on each side closest to the basket, and one on either side closest to the free-thrower. All other players must remain behind the three-point line.
Players will either position both feet square to the line or have one foot forward in a split stance. While standing as close to the line as possible is advantageous, some players may choose to take a few steps back to shoot from a farther distance. Once the player is prepared, they will bend their legs to generate power, extend the ball over their head, and shoot in a form similar to a typical basketball jump shot.
It is important to note that players occupying lane spaces should not extend themselves over their lane spaces in front of an opponent. They must also remain within their lane space and may not vacate more than 3 feet from the lane line before the ball is released. Additionally, 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.
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Scoring and points
Free throws, also known as foul shots, are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line (informally known as the foul line or the charity stripe). The free throw line is situated at the end of the restricted area and is 15 feet from the backboard. The key, lane, or paint, which is the area at the end of the basketball court's free throw lane, is 16 feet wide in the NBA, WNBA, and FIBA games, and 12 feet wide in the NCAA or NAIA.
Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by an opposing team member, analogous to penalty shots in other sports. They are also awarded in other situations, including technical fouls, and when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation (after a team commits a requisite number of fouls, each subsequent foul results in free throws regardless of the type of foul committed). The number of fouls that triggers a penalty is higher in college men's basketball because the game is divided into two 20-minute halves, as opposed to quarters in the NBA, WNBA, college women's basketball, or FIBA play.
Depending on the situation, a player may be awarded between one and three free throws. Each successful free throw is worth one point. In the NBA, most players make 70-80% of their attempts. The league's best shooters, such as Stephen Curry, have had seasons with a free throw percentage of over 90%.
When a free throw is awarded, an official shall put the ball in play by delivering it to the free throw shooter, who shall attempt the free throw within 10 seconds. The shooter must not purposely fake a free throw attempt and must not step over the plane of the free throw line until the ball touches the basket ring, backboard, or the free throw ends. If there is a violation, the opposing team shall inbound on either sideline at the free throw line extended. If both teams commit a violation during this free throw, a jump ball shall be administered at midcourt between any two opponents in the game.
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Frequently asked questions
A free throw in basketball is not measured in terms of time but distance. The free throw line is 15 feet from the backboard.
A free throw, or foul shot, is an unguarded scoring attempt that a referee awards a basketball player after an opposing team member commits a foul. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
Depending on the situation, a player may be awarded between one and three free throws.
