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In basketball, a free throw or foul shot is an attempt to score a point by shooting from behind the free-throw line, after a foul has been committed by the opposing team. The number of free throws awarded depends on the type of foul and the league, with players receiving between one and three free throws. In the NBA, most players make 70-80% of their attempts. The rules around free throws and fouls vary across different leagues, with the NCAA and WNBA, for example, having different rules to the NBA.
Foul Shots in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A free throw or foul shot is an unguarded scoring attempt awarded to a player after a foul by an opposing team member. |
| Types of Fouls | Personal, technical, team, and flagrant. |
| Types of Fouls Explained | Personal fouls involve blocking or striking a player while shooting; technical fouls involve unsportsmanlike conduct or physical/verbal abuse; team fouls occur when a team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game. |
| Free Throw Procedure | The shooter must stand behind the free-throw line (or "foul line"/"charity stripe") at the end of the restricted area. Up to four players from each team line up on either side of the free-throw lane to capture the rebound. |
| Number of Free Throws | Depending on the situation, a player may be awarded between one and three free throws. |
| Free Throw Points | Each successful free throw is worth one point. |
| Free Throw Strategy | A team may intentionally foul a poor free-throw shooter, hoping to gain possession of the ball if the player misses. |
| Free Throw Percentages | In the NBA, most players make 70–80% of their attempts; the league's best shooters have higher percentages. |
| NCAA Men's Basketball Rules | Beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded; if made, another is given ("one-and-one"). Starting with the tenth foul, two free throws are awarded. |
| Overtime in NCAA | Considered an extension of the second half for accumulated team fouls. |
| Offensive Fouls | Free throws are not awarded for offensive fouls, even if the team fouled is in the bonus. |
| FIBA, WNBA, NCAA Women's Basketball | Limit of four fouls per quarter; starting with the fifth foul, the opposing team gets two free throws. |
| Free Throw Violations | During an attempt, players must follow specific positioning rules; violations can result in additional shot attempts for the shooter. |
| Injured Player | If the offended player is injured and unable to attempt the free throw, the opposing coach selects a replacement player from the bench. |
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What You'll Learn
Types of fouls that result in free throws
In basketball, 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. A player may be awarded between one and three free throws, depending on the situation. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
There are several types of fouls that can result in free throws. One of the most common is a personal foul, which occurs when a player makes illegal contact with an opponent. This includes holding, pushing, charging into, or impeding the progress of an opponent. A personal foul can result in one or two free throws, depending on the league rules and the severity of the foul.
Another type of foul that can result in free throws is a technical foul. Technical fouls are typically called for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as arguing with a referee, cursing, or excessive time-outs. Technical fouls usually result in one or two free throws for the non-offending team, depending on the league and the severity of the infraction.
In some cases, a flagrant foul may be called. This is a more severe foul that involves excessive or violent contact. Flagrant fouls can result in two or more free throws for the non-offending team, and the player committing the foul may be ejected from the game.
Additionally, there are specific fouls that apply in certain leagues or situations. For example, in the NBA, a "throw-in foul" was introduced in 2022, which applies in the last two minutes of any period. This foul occurs when the defense commits a personal foul on an offensive player while the ball is out of bounds, and it results in one free throw and possession for the non-offending team.
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How many free throws are awarded
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, with no opposing players on the lane. These are generally awarded when a player has been fouled by an opposing team member, analogous to penalty shots in other sports. The number of free throws awarded depends on the situation and the type of foul committed.
Personal fouls, such as blocking or striking a player while shooting, typically result in one to two free throws being awarded to the offended player. If the offended player is injured or ejected from the game, a replacement player from the same team will attempt the free throws. In the case of flagrant fouls, which involve unsportsmanlike conduct or aggressive behaviour, the player fouled must shoot the awarded free throws, and the opposing team may receive up to two free throws and possession of the ball.
Technical fouls, on the other hand, can result in two free throws and possession of the ball for the non-offending team. Technical fouls are typically called for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting or verbal abuse by players, coaches, or team staff. Team fouls, which occur when a team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game, can also result in free throws being awarded to the opposing team.
The number of free throws awarded can also vary depending on the specific league and competition rules. For example, in NCAA men's basketball, the seventh foul of the half results in one free throw, with a second attempt awarded if the first is made. Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded. Additionally, certain situations, such as a successful basket during a foul, can result in an "And-One", where the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts for either three or four points.
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Free throw shooting techniques
Free throw shooting is a unique skill in basketball. Unlike other skills, it is the only one that the offensive player has complete control over. There is no movement to counteract, no reaction to the defense, and no adjustment for range.
A good free throw shooting technique should be consistent and factored into your game plan. It is a repetitive process, and each free throw should be the same shot, with the same routine and reactions, whether you make or miss the basket. In the NBA, good free throw shooters are those who shoot over 80%. At the college level, players who shoot above 75% are considered good shooters, while high school players should aim for over 70%.
A free throw shooting routine can help you adjust to the unique demands of a free throw. For example, some players like to stand with their shooting foot on the dot, while others like to straddle it or stand 3 feet to the side. Some players will dribble the ball once, while others will do it multiple times. Having a routine will give you a certain level of comfort and a trigger mechanism to help you transition from a game player to a free throw shooter.
Additionally, it is important to remember the rules surrounding free throw attempts. For example, 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. If a player is injured and unable to attempt a free throw, the opposing coach will select a replacement player from the opponent's bench.
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Rules regarding player positioning during free throws
During a free throw, the players must position themselves according to the marks around the key or lane. Only two players from the team that is taking the free throw are allowed to take position around the key/lane, with one player on each side. 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 on the court behind the three-point line above the free-throw line extended until the ball is released.
If the free throw is not to remain in play, no player is allowed to occupy positions along the free-throw lanes. In this case, if a violation occurs, no penalty is given unless there is a disconcertion violation by an opponent, in which case a substitute free throw will be awarded. A disconcertion violation includes raising arms when positioned on the lane line on a free throw that will not remain in play.
If the free throw is to remain in play and a teammate of the shooter violates, no point can be scored, and the opposing team will inbound on either sideline at the free-throw line extended. If an opponent violates, one point is scored, and play continues as after any successful free throw, with the official administering the throw-in.
In terms of officiating, the lead official must physically and verbally indicate how many free throws remain before each free throw. This is done by holding up one, two, or three fingers or one finger on each hand to indicate the first attempt in a bonus situation. The ruling official remains tableside as the trail official and is located near the 28-foot line. The lead official administers the free throw from the endline and takes a position just outside the tableside lane line. The center official takes a position at the free-throw line extended opposite the table.
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History of the term free throw
The history of the term "free throw" in basketball dates back to the sport's early days in the late 19th century. Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, and while fouls were part of the original thirteen rules published in 1892, the concept of a "free throw" was notably absent.
In the early days of basketball, fouls were rampant, and the rules to penalize offending players were not standardized. This often led to power plays disrupting the game. To address this issue, the YMCA of New York introduced the first iteration of the free throw rule in 1894. This rule allowed a player fouled while shooting to take an unguarded shot from a mark 20 feet away from the basket. This marked the introduction of the term "free throw," referring to the unopposed attempt to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line.
Over time, the distance and method of taking free throws evolved. The original free throw, 20 to 21 feet from the basket, proved challenging and did little to deter fouling. It wasn't until the mid-1920s that the rule was changed to require the player who was fouled to take the free-throw attempt, prompting all players to practice free throws. This rule change also contributed to the standardization of the term "free throw" to refer to these penalty shots.
Today, free throws are an integral part of basketball strategy and have become a science, with players and coaches developing rituals, training methods, and technologies to improve accuracy and performance. The pursuit of perfection in free throws has led to the use of virtual reality simulations, biomechanical analysis software, and the study of psychological factors influencing shooting performance.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of foul shots awarded depends on the nature of the foul. A player may receive between one and three foul shots. If the player still makes the attempted shot despite the foul, the number of free throws is reduced to one.
A foul shot, or free throw, is an unguarded scoring attempt awarded to a player after a foul. It gives a basketball team the chance to score extra points outside of the shot clock.
Four types of fouls generate free throws: personal, technical, team, and flagrant. Personal fouls involve blocking or striking a player while shooting, while team fouls occur when a team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game. Technical fouls involve unsportsmanlike conduct, like physical or verbal abuse against a referee.
One strategy involves a team intentionally fouling a player, hoping that they will miss one or both shots and the defending team will regain possession of the ball. This strategy was dubbed "Hack-a-Shaq" when used on Shaquille O'Neal.
