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Basketball is a team sport played by two teams of five players each, who try to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop. The game has many intricate rules and regulations, and players can score 1, 2, 3, or even 4 points during a possession. A field goal shot made within the three-point line is worth 2 points, and a field goal shot made beyond the three-point line is worth 3 points. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level, ranging from 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) in high school competitions to 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) in the NBA. So, how many points does a 3 in basketball earn?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Points scored for a basket | 2 points |
| Points scored for a basket, or field goal, made outside the three-point arc | 3 points |
| Points scored for a free throw | 1 point |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the NBA | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, NAIA, and the Women's National Basketball Association | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) |
| Distance from the basket to the three-point line in the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring a three-pointer
Basketball is a team sport played between two teams of five players each. The objective is to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop that is elevated 10 feet above the ground. The game is played on a rectangular court, with a hoop at each end.
A three-pointer is scored when a basket or field goal is made outside the three-point line. The three-point line is an arc that varies in distance from the basket depending on the competition level. In the NBA, the distance is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24m) from the centre of the basket, while in other competitions such as the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA, the distance is 6.75m (22 feet 1.75 inches).
The three-point line was first introduced in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL) commissioner Abe Saperstein, who wanted to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. The original distance was set at 25 feet, but it was later shortened to 22 feet.
In addition to the three points scored for a successful three-point shot, a player may also be awarded free throws if they are fouled by a defender during the attempt. If a player is fouled while making a three-pointer, they are awarded three free throws if the shot does not go in, and one free throw if it does. This creates the possibility of a four-point play, where a player scores three points for the initial basket and one point for the subsequent free throw.
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History of the three-pointer
The three-pointer in basketball has an interesting history, evolving the game and changing team strategies. The American Basketball League (ABL) first introduced the rule in 1961, with commissioner Abe Saperstein wanting to add excitement to the game and give smaller players a chance to score. He envisioned the three-pointer as basketball's equivalent of a home run in baseball.
The ABL shut down in 1963, but the three-point shot lived on, adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-64 season. The American Basketball Association (ABA) also took up the rule in its inaugural 1967-68 season, using it as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA. The ABA and NBA merged in 1976, and the three-point shot was temporarily shelved due to the NBA's reluctance to embrace it.
However, the NBA eventually introduced the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis. Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first NBA three-pointer on October 12, 1979. In the early years, the three-pointer saw mixed reactions and relatively low usage, but players like Larry Bird began to showcase its potential. Over time, the three-pointer became an integral part of basketball strategy, revolutionizing the game.
The three-point line's distance from the basket has varied over the years, with the NBA's line originally set at 23 feet 9 inches (22 feet at the corners) before being shortened to 22 feet uniformly in the 1994-95 season to encourage more three-point shooting. This experiment was short-lived, and the line was returned to its original position before the 1997-98 season. The international governing body of basketball, FIBA, introduced the three-point line in 1984, with the NCAA following suit in 1986 for the 1986-87 season. The NCAA initially set the line at 19 feet 9 inches, later adjusting it to match the FIBA distance of 20 feet 6 inches in 2007 for men and 2011-12 for women.
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Rules and regulations
Basketball is a sport with many intricate rules and regulations that govern the way the game is played. The rules and regulations of basketball are designed to create a fair and competitive environment for players and teams to compete against each other. One of the key rules in basketball pertains to scoring, specifically the number of points earned for making a shot.
The number of points earned for a shot in basketball depends on the location from which the shot is taken. The standard scoring system awards three points for a shot made from outside the three-point line, two points for a shot made inside the three-point line, and one point for a successful free throw. Free throws are awarded when a player is fouled in the act of shooting or when the opposing team exceeds the foul limit, resulting in a bonus situation for the offensive team.
The three-point scoring rule was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 by commissioner Abe Saperstein. The introduction of the three-pointer was intended to add excitement to the game and differentiate the league from the NBA. The original distance for the three-point line was set at 25 feet from the basket, but it has since been modified by different leagues and organisations over time.
In 3x3 basketball, a variation of the traditional game played on a half-court with a single hoop, the scoring system is slightly different. In FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 basketball, shots from behind the arc are worth two points, while all other shots, including free throws, are worth one point. The game is played over a single 10-minute period, with the first team to reach 21 points declared the winner. If neither team reaches 21 points, the team with the higher score at the end of the 10 minutes wins.
While the basic rules of basketball are consistent across different variations of the game, it is important to note that there may be slight differences in the specifics of these rules. These differences can include court dimensions, the number of players on each team, and the duration of the game. It is essential for players and officials to be familiar with the specific rules and regulations of the particular variation of basketball they are playing or officiating.
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Fouls and free throws
In basketball, players can score 1, 2, 3, or even 4 points during a possession. A shot made beyond the 3-point line earns 3 points, while a shot made inside the 3-point line earns 2 points. Free throws, on the other hand, are worth 1 point each.
Free throws, also known as foul shots, are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line. They are typically awarded when a player is fouled in the act of shooting by the opposing team. Free throws can also be awarded in other situations, such as technical fouls or when the fouling team exceeds the foul limit, resulting in a bonus or penalty situation.
The number of free throws awarded can vary depending on the situation. In NCAA men's basketball, for example, one free throw is awarded starting with the seventh foul of the half, and if the player makes it, they get another attempt. This is known as shooting a "one-and-one". From the tenth foul onwards, two free throws are awarded. In the case of a foul during a shooting attempt, the number of free throws depends on the value of the shot attempt, with one free throw awarded if the shot is successful.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket. On the other hand, in FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA, the distance is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in). The NFHS, including elementary and middle schools, adopted a shorter three-point line of 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m).
Free throws play a crucial role in game strategy, especially in close games. A trailing team may intentionally foul late in the game to stop the clock and get a chance to gain possession. However, this strategy is considered a last resort with a low success rate.
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Variations in three-point distance
In basketball, a three-pointer is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level and the association.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket and 22 feet (6.71 m) at the corners. The NBA experimented with a shorter three-point line in the 1990s, but ultimately reverted to the original distance.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (all divisions), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) have a three-point line that is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket. The NCAA men's distance was previously 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m), but it was lengthened to match the FIBA distance in 2019.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has a three-point line that is 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the center of the basket.
The American Basketball League (ABL), which was the first league to introduce the three-point rule in 1961, originally set the distance at 25 feet (7.62 m). However, the other league owners later shortened the line to 22 feet (6.71 m).
The three-point line distance can be one of the biggest adjustments for shooters transitioning from high school to college to professional basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
A 3-point shot earns 3 points.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level. In the NBA, it is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket. In FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA, the distance is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in).
A 4-point play occurs when a player makes a 3-point shot and is fouled in the process, earning an additional free throw point.
A field goal is a shot taken from the court during the course of the game, either from inside or outside the three-point line. A free throw is awarded to a player after they have been fouled by the opposing team.
A successful free throw earns 1 point.
