Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a high-scoring sport, with teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) regularly achieving over 100 points per game. There are three primary ways to score points in basketball: field goals, three-point field goals (3-pointers), and free throws. A field goal can be scored from inside the three-point line and is worth two points. A three-point field goal is scored from behind the three-point line and is worth three points. Free throws are shots taken after a foul and are worth one point. The team with the most points at the end of a game is the winner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Field goals | 2 or 3 points |
| Free throws | 1 point |
| 2-point baskets | Any shot made from inside the 3-point line (22 feet) |
| 3-point baskets | Shots made from beyond the 3-point line |
| "And one" | When a player scores points for a basket and one free throw |
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What You'll Learn
Field goals: 2 or 3 points for baskets scored during regular gameplay
The most common type of scoring in basketball is the 2-point basket. This is any shot made from inside the 3-point line (22 feet) and can be achieved with a jump shot, layup, or dunk. Jump shots are taken when a player is in motion, jumping into the air to shoot the ball. A layup is a close-range shot that involves leaping toward the basket and releasing the ball with one hand while in the air. A dunk, meanwhile, occurs when a player jumps close to the basket and puts the ball directly through it with one or both hands.
The NBA introduced the 3-point line during the 1979-80 season, incentivizing players to attempt shots from longer distances with the reward of an extra point. Thus, any basket made from beyond the 3-point line is worth 3 points. The 3-point shot has become increasingly popular, now serving as a key strategy for many NBA offenses.
It's important to note that the number of points awarded can also be influenced by fouls. If a player is fouled in the act of shooting and misses the shot, they are typically awarded two free throws for 2-point shots or three free throws for 3-point shots. However, if the player makes the shot despite being fouled, they still get the points for the basket and one additional free throw, commonly referred to as an "and one."
Understanding the scoring system in basketball is crucial for players and spectators alike, as it directly impacts the outcome of the game. By awarding different point values based on the shot type and distance, the game encourages a variety of strategies and showcases the diverse skills of the players.
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Free throws: 1 point for shots after a foul
Free throws are an important part of basketball, providing an opportunity to score extra points after a foul. They are also known as foul shots and are awarded when a player is fouled by an opponent while shooting. The player steps behind the free-throw line, or the charity stripe, and attempts an unopposed shot, with no defenders blocking their attempt.
The number of free throws awarded depends on the type of foul and the player's position on the court. If a player is fouled while shooting and misses the basket, they may receive two or three free throws, depending on their position in relation to the three-point line. If they make the basket despite the foul, this is reduced to one free throw, and the basket counts, resulting in a three- or four-point play. This is often referred to as an "and one".
In the case of a common foul, the free-throw attempt proceeds with specific player positioning. The spaces nearest the end line must be occupied by opponents of the free-throw shooter, with teammates occupying the adjacent spaces. If there is a violation by the shooter, the free throw is cancelled, and play resumes. If the defensive team violates, a substitute free throw is awarded if the shooter misses. If the offensive team violates, or the shot misses the hoop, the defensive team gains possession of the ball.
Each successful free throw is worth one point, contributing to the overall score of the game. These points can add up, influencing the outcome of the game, especially when combined with field goals.
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3-pointers: 3 points for shots from behind the 3-point line
The 3-point line was introduced to the NBA during the 1979-80 season. This rule change rewarded players for making shots from long distances with an extra point. Before this, all shots during live action counted for two points.
A 3-pointer is a shot or field goal made from beyond the three-point line. This means that the player must release the ball while at least one foot is still on the floor outside the three-point line. They can then land inside the two-point area after the ball is released.
A successful 3-pointer is worth three points. If a player is fouled in the act of shooting a 3-pointer and they make the subsequent free throw, this becomes a four-point play.
The 3-pointer has grown in popularity since its introduction and is now a key part of many NBA offenses. The average number of 3-point shots taken has risen to an all-time high in recent years.
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Fouls: 2 or 3 free throws for a shooting foul
Fouls are an important part of basketball, and they can significantly impact the score of a game. When a player is fouled while shooting the ball, they are awarded free throws. The number of free throws depends on whether the shot was a 2-point shot or a 3-point shot. If the player misses a 2-point shot, they are awarded 2 free throws. If they miss a 3-point shot, they are awarded 3 free throws. These are known as shooting fouls.
In addition to shooting fouls, there are also common fouls, technical fouls, and unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls. For common fouls, the opposing team takes the free throws, with players occupying specific spaces near the end line. If a team commits multiple fouls in a single quarter, it enters a penalty or bonus situation, and the fouled team is awarded free throws. In the NBA, this starts with the fifth foul of the quarter, and the opposing team gets two free throws.
The rules for free throws and penalties can vary slightly between different basketball leagues. For example, in college basketball, the game is divided into two halves instead of quarters, which affects the number of fouls that trigger a penalty. In the last two minutes of the fourth quarter in the NBA, a player fouled away from the ball is awarded one free throw and possession of the ball to discourage teams from intentionally fouling poor free-throw shooters to extend the game. FIBA has a similar rule, called a "throw-in foul," which applies in the last two minutes of any period.
The strategy of intentionally fouling a poor free-throw shooter has been dubbed "Hack-a-Shaq" due to its famous use on Shaquille O'Neal. This strategy can be advantageous for a trailing team as it stops the clock, similar to a timeout, and gives them a chance to regain possession of the ball. However, if a player is injured upon being fouled and cannot shoot free throws, the rules for substituting a player vary between leagues. In college basketball, any player in the game at the time can be designated by the opposing coach, while in the NBA, the opposing team selects the replacement player, and the injured player cannot return unless it was a flagrant foul.
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And 1 or 4-point play: 2 or 3 points, plus an additional free throw
An "and-one" or "4-point play" is a scoring scenario in basketball that combines points from a basket and subsequent free throws. This play is worth either 3 or 4 points, depending on the type of basket made and the nature of the foul committed.
A 4-point play occurs when an offensive player makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defender. This results in a shooting foul, earning the player one additional free throw attempt. If the player makes the free throw, they score a total of 4 points (3 points for the initial basket + 1 point for the made free throw).
Alternatively, a 3-point play, often referred to as an "and-one," involves a player making a two-point basket and being fouled in the act of shooting. This results in one additional free throw attempt. If the player makes the free throw, they score a total of 3 points (2 points for the basket + 1 point for the made free throw).
These plays are relatively rare in professional basketball, but they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. The introduction of the 4-point play rule in various basketball leagues, such as the NBA, has added an exciting element to the game, providing players with an opportunity to quickly change the score and shift the momentum of the game.
The Harlem Globetrotters, a renowned exhibition basketball team, have also embraced the concept of a 4-point play. They introduced a four-point field goal line located 30 feet from the basket, further emphasizing the skill and accuracy required to execute such high-value shots.
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Frequently asked questions
A field goal scored from inside the three-point line is worth two points. A field goal scored from outside the three-point line is worth three points.
A free throw is worth one point.
A player can score one, two, three, or four points during a possession.
A "three-pointer" is a term used to refer to three-point field goals, which are shots taken from behind the three-point line.
An "and one" refers to a situation where a player scores a basket and is awarded a free throw.
