Ayrton Oneill
The four-point shot in basketball has been a topic of discussion and debate for years, with some leagues and teams even experimenting with it. The PBA, for example, implemented a four-point shot from 27 feet away, starting in the Governors' Cup of its 49th season. This has sparked mixed reactions from fans and players, with some expressing doubts about its effectiveness and impact on the game's strategy and pace. While the four-point shot adds a new level of excitement, it also raises concerns about the potential for negative consequences on the traditional gameplay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasion | A four-point play is when an offensive player shoots and makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player. |
| Result | The player gets a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, or a two-point field goal. |
| Free throw | If the player makes their free throw, they score four points in a single possession. |
| History | The four-point play was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League and later adopted by the American Basketball Association. |
| NBA | The National Basketball Association introduced the rule in 1979. |
| First NBA four-point play | Sam Smith of the Chicago Bulls completed the first four-point play in NBA history on October 21, 1979, against the Milwaukee Bucks. |
| First player with two four-point plays | Dale Ellis was the first NBA player to complete two four-point plays in the same game on January 26, 1988, against the Sacramento Kings. |
| Other leagues | The four-point play rule was introduced by FIBA in 1984, the NCAA in 1986 (men) and 1987 (women), the NHFS in 1987, and the WNBA in 1997. |
| Four-point shot | A four-point field goal is a shot made from a designated area of the court, typically further from the basket than the three-point line. |
| Four-point shot distance | The four-point shot is usually located 30 feet (9.1 m) away from the basket. |
| Four-point shot pioneers | The Harlem Globetrotters first introduced the four-point shot, and the Big3 basketball league was the first professional league to use it. |
| Four-point shot in practice | The Sixers' practice court has a 4-point line and a 12-foot arc extending from the basket. |
| Four-point shot in professional games | The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) decided to add a four-point arc from 27 feet. |
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What You'll Learn
Four-point plays
In basketball, a four-point play is a rare occurrence when an offensive player scores a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player. This results in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt. Alternatively, a player can score a two-point field goal, be intentionally fouled, and then be awarded two free throws. If the player 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. Other organisations that have since adopted the rule include FIBA in 1984, the NCAA in 1986 for men and 1987 for women, the NHFS in 1987, and the WNBA in 1997.
The Harlem Globetrotters also have a four-point field goal, with a line 30 feet from the basket. The Globetrotters previously used a four-point circle from 2010 until 2016. While four-point plays are uncommon in professional basketball, some leagues such as the PBA and Big3 have adopted different forms of a four-point line. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) introduced a four-point arc from 27 feet in 2024, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league in the world to integrate a four-point field goal.
The increase in the number of players shooting three-pointers has led to a higher likelihood of four-point plays occurring. Notable players with a high number of four-point plays include James Harden, Steph Curry, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller.
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Four-point field goals
A four-point field goal, also known as a four-pointer, is a shot made from a designated area on the basketball court that is typically further from the basket than the line for a three-point field goal. The four-pointer was first introduced by the Harlem Globetrotters, with a line 30 feet from the basket. The Big3 basketball league is the first professional league to officially adopt the four-point field goal, with three distinct circles beyond the three-point line where players can score four points.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) introduced a four-point line stretching 27 feet from the basket in 2024, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league in the world to integrate the four-point field goal into its rules. The four-point play has also been adopted by other leagues, including the WNBA All-Star Game, which introduced a four-point field goal in 2022 with two circles located on each side of the court about 28 feet from the basket.
The four-point play is a rare occurrence in basketball, where an offensive player scores a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player, resulting in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt. Alternatively, a player can score a two-point field goal and be intentionally fouled, earning two free throws. If the player makes their free throws, they will have scored four points in a single possession.
The introduction of the four-point play has sparked debate among basketball fans and players, with some considering it a gimmick that could destroy spacing on the court and negatively impact the game. Others argue that it encourages the development of long-range shooting skills, which could improve a team's performance in international competitions.
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Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is the first professional basketball league in Asia and the second-oldest continuously operating professional basketball league in the world after the NBA. The PBA has been introducing new rules to make the game more exciting, including the introduction of a "head coach challenge" and parameters on "transition take fouls".
One of the most groundbreaking rule changes was the confirmation of the four-point shot during the PBA's 49th season. Chris Banchero, the first cousin of Paolo Banchero, became the first player in PBA history to score a four-pointer. The four-point shot was made from a distance of 27 feet, which some critics have argued is too close.
The introduction of the four-point shot has sparked debate among basketball fans. Some argue that it will encourage players to develop their long-range skills, making them more competitive on an international level. On the other hand, others view it as a gimmick, similar to when the three-point line was first introduced in the 1970s.
The PBA's decision to adopt the four-point shot highlights its willingness to experiment with new rules and interpretations to improve the game and make it more exciting for players and fans alike.
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National Basketball Association
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the usual shot values are 2 points for a field goal and 3 points for a shot made from beyond the 3-point line. However, in a recent development, the NBA has introduced a 4-point shot for the 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. This game, which took place on July 15, 2023, in Las Vegas, featured four circles placed above the regular three-point line at 28 feet from the rim. If a player had contact with one of these circles when attempting a shot, the shot was worth four points. This rule was first implemented in the 2022 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game to increase excitement and improve the pace of play.
The 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game also featured another special rule: a shorter shot clock. Normally, the shot clock is set at 24 seconds, but for this game, it was shortened to 20 seconds. This change added more pace to the game, encouraging quicker decisions and execution from the players.
It's important to note that these special rules, including the 4-point shot, were specifically designed for the 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game and may not be standard for regular-season games or future All-Star events. The NBA may choose to evaluate the impact and reception of these rules before deciding whether to incorporate them into future competitions.
While the 4-point shot adds a unique twist to the traditional scoring system, it's unlikely to become a permanent fixture in the NBA's regular scoring rules. The NBA has a rich history and a well-established set of rules that govern the game, and any significant changes to the scoring system would require careful consideration and consensus from various stakeholders, including players, coaches, and fans.
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History of the three-point line
The three-point line in basketball has come a long way since its inception, evolving from a radical idea to a fundamental aspect of basketball strategy. The concept of a shot worth more than two points was first proposed in the 1930s by Howard Hobson, who later coached the University of Oregon to a national championship in 1939. However, it wasn't until the 1940s that the idea gained traction.
The short-lived American Basketball League (ABL) became the first professional league to implement the three-point line in 1961, with the line set at 25 feet from the basket. The ABL's commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and set his league apart from the bigger NBA. He saw the three-pointer as basketball's equivalent of a home run in baseball. After the ABL shut down in 1963, the three-point shot was adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-64 season and later popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967-68 season.
The ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA, and its commissioner, George Mikan, shared Saperstein's view of the three-pointer as a "home run" that would bring fans out of their seats. Despite this, when the ABA and NBA merged in 1976, the three-point line was not carried over to the NBA. It wasn't until three years later, in 1979, that the NBA adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis for the 1979-80 season. Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first three-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979.
The introduction of the three-point line marked a significant shift in basketball strategy, forcing coaches and players to rethink their offensive and defensive approaches. It created a new area of scoring potential, leading to a reevaluation of court spacing and encouraging teams to spread the floor more, opening up driving lanes and post-up opportunities. Over time, the three-point line distance has been adjusted, with the NBA experimenting with different distances to balance scoring and the traditional flow of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the PBA will implement a 4-point shot from 27 feet away starting in the Governors' Cup of its 49th season. The WNBA All-Star game featured it in 2022 and 2023.
The story of the four-pointer in basketball is not new. The first official 4-point shot was registered in the Philippines’ basketball league. It has also been featured in All-Star matches and the women’s skills competition.
Coaches have mixed feelings about the 4-point shot. Some believe it will change the offensive approach and revolutionise the game. Others are cautious, thinking it might change the geometry of the game too much and encourage low-percentage shots.
The 4-point shot will change the math game within basketball and the value of different shots. It may also impact offensive and defensive schemes and player positioning on the court.
The NBA has not officially introduced the 4-point shot in competitive matches, but some teams have added 4-point lines to their practice courts. The possibility of a future rule introduction remains a topic of discussion.
