Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a sport with a lot of variations in rules and regulations, and the number of points awarded for different shots is no exception. While the three-point shot is a staple of the game, with the line first being introduced in the 1990s, the four-point shot is a more recent innovation. The four-point play, as it's called, was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League and has since been adopted by various leagues and competitions, including the NBA, WNBA, and FIBA. This rare play occurs when an offensive player is fouled by a defensive player while making a three-pointer, resulting in a free throw attempt. Alternatively, a four-point dunk can be achieved when a player shoots from within four feet of the basket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | Rare |
| How to score | Offensive player shoots and makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player, resulting in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, or a two-point field goal and is intentionally or flagrantly fouled on the shot and is awarded two free throws |
| History | First introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League, later adopted by the American Basketball Association, the National Basketball Association (NBA), FIBA, the NCAA, the NHFS, and the WNBA |
| First completed in the NBA | Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls on October 21, 1979, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks |
| First four points in professional basketball | Scored by Chris Banchero of the Philippine Basketball Association |
| Four-point dunk qualification | The ball must be taken from within 4 feet of the basket |
| Four-point line distance | 27 feet (Philippine Basketball Association), 28 feet (WNBA All-Star Game), 30 feet (Harlem Globetrotters) |
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What You'll Learn
Four-point plays
In basketball, a four-point play is a rare feat that occurs when an offensive player shoots and makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defender. This results in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, or a two-point field goal, and the player is awarded two free throws if the foul is intentional or flagrant. This rule was introduced by the American Basketball League and later adopted by the American Basketball Association, the National Basketball Association (NBA), FIBA, the NCAA, the NHFS, and the WNBA.
To successfully execute a four-point play, the player must possess excellent shooting skills and precise timing. It requires the player to be fouled while shooting a three-pointer, and the three-pointer must be made along with the subsequent free throw. All four points will be awarded if the player's team is fouled and makes the free throw. Even if the player misses the free throw, their team still earns credit for the four-point play.
The concept of a four-point play has evolved over time, with different leagues adopting variations. For example, the Harlem Globetrotters introduced a four-point field goal, with a line 30 feet from the basket, and previously used a four-point circle. The Big3 basketball league has designated three circles beyond the three-point line as four-point shot areas, where a player shoots with any part of their body touching the four-point circle.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has also made headlines by introducing a four-point arc from 27 feet, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league to integrate a four-point field goal into its rules. This addition has sparked debates among fans about its potential impact on the game and the required shooting percentages to balance the scoring.
While the mechanics of a four-point play may vary slightly depending on the league and its specific rules, the fundamental concept remains the same: a player scores four points on a single possession by combining a field goal with free throws earned from a foul. It is a challenging and exciting aspect of basketball that adds an extra layer of strategy and skill to the game.
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Four-point dunks
To score four points in basketball, you can attempt a four-point dunk. This is when a player shoots and makes a three-pointer while being fouled by a defender, resulting in a shooting foul and a free throw attempt. This is a rare occurrence and requires agility and coordination.
The rules for a four-point dunk are as follows:
- The set-up: To attempt a four-point dunk, you must be within four feet of the basket.
- The shot: Shoot for a three-pointer.
- The foul: Simultaneously, you must be fouled by a defensive player. This results in a shooting foul.
- The free throw: You then get a free-throw attempt.
If you make your three-pointer and your free throw, you will have scored four points in a single possession. This is a valuable play in basketball, and while uncommon, it can be a game-changer.
Some variations and additional rules regarding four-point plays include:
- The Harlem Globetrotters introduced a four-point field goal, with a line 30 feet from the basket. They previously had a four-point circle used since 2010.
- The PBA and Big3 leagues have adopted different forms of a four-point line, with one field goal worth four points.
- The WNBA All-Star games since 2022 have featured a four-point field goal, with two circles located on each side of the court, about 28 feet from the basket.
- The Philippine Basketball Association introduced a four-point line stretching 27 feet away from the basket in 2024, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league to integrate a four-point field goal.
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Four-point field goals
A four-point field goal, also known as a four-pointer, is a shot taken from a designated area on the basketball court that is typically further from the basket than the line for a three-point field goal. This area is usually marked as a circle, and in the case of the Harlem Globetrotters, it is located 30 feet (9.1 meters) away from the basket. The Big3 basketball league, the first professional league to use the four-point field goal, has three distinct circles beyond the three-point line that are designated as four-point shot areas.
To score four points in basketball, an offensive player must shoot and make a three-point field goal while simultaneously being fouled by a defensive player. This results in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, or a two-point field goal, and the player is awarded two free throws if they are intentionally or flagrantly fouled on the shot. If the player successfully makes their free throws, they will have scored four points in a single possession.
The four-point play was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League and was later adopted by the American Basketball Association during its inaugural season. The National Basketball Association (NBA) introduced the rule in 1979, with Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls completing the first-ever four-point play in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While four-point plays are uncommon in professional basketball, some leagues such as the PBA and Big3 have adopted different forms of the four-point line, where one field goal is worth four points. The WNBA All-Star Game, starting in 2022, featured a four-point field goal with two circles located on each side of the court, about 28 feet (8.5 meters) from the basket.
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Four-point shots
The four-point play typically occurs when an offensive player makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defender, resulting in a shooting foul and a free throw attempt. This means that the player has the opportunity to score three points from the field goal and an additional point from the successful free throw, resulting in a total of four points. This play requires agility and coordination, and excellent shooting skills, as the player must execute the shot while being impeded by the defender.
In some variations, a four-point shot can also be achieved through a dunk. In this case, the player must take the ball from within four feet of the basket, without running, and dunk it to score four points. This is a more challenging and less common method of scoring four points, as it requires close proximity to the basket and precise execution.
The introduction of the four-point shot has been a topic of discussion and controversy in the basketball world. Some argue that it adds an exciting element to the game, encouraging players to develop their long-range shooting abilities and creating more dynamic and high-scoring competitions. On the other hand, critics suggest that the four-point shot may devalue the traditional three-pointer and disrupt the balance of the game, especially when it comes to defensive strategies.
The rules and implementation of the four-point shot vary across different leagues and organisations. For example, the Harlem Globetrotters, a semi-pro basketball team, introduced a four-point field goal located 30 feet from the basket. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) also introduced a four-point line, stretching 27 feet from the basket, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league to integrate this rule.
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Four-point circles
The four-point circle is a designated area on a basketball court where a successful shot attempt is worth four points. Introduced by the Harlem Globetrotters in 2010, the four-point circle is typically located further from the basket than the three-point line, with the circle positioned about 28 to 30 feet (8.5 to 9.1 metres) from the basket.
In the Big3 basketball league, there are three distinct four-point circles beyond the three-point line. A four-point shot is attempted when a player shoots with any part of their body touching the area of the four-point circle. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has also introduced a four-point line, located 27 feet (8.2 metres) from the basket.
The four-point circle adds a unique element to the game, encouraging players to develop their long-range shooting skills and providing an opportunity to score more points. It is an exciting and valuable play, rewarding players who can successfully shoot from a greater distance.
It is worth noting that the rules and regulations of basketball can vary across different leagues and countries, so the specifics of the four-point circle may differ in certain competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a four-point shot is possible in basketball. A four-point play occurs when an offensive player makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player, resulting in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt. The player must make their free throw to score four points.
To execute a four-point play, an offensive player must shoot a three-pointer while being fouled by a defender. This results in a foul shot, and if the player makes the three-pointer and the subsequent free throw, they score four points.
Some notable four-point plays in basketball history include Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls completing the first-ever four-point play in the NBA on October 21, 1979. Dale Ellis became the first NBA player to complete two four-point plays in a single game on January 26, 1988. More recently, in the WNBA All-Star Game in 2022, a four-point field goal was introduced, occurring when a shot is made from one of two circles on each side of the court, 28 feet from the basket.
