Kristian Ferrell
The three-pointer, also known as a three-point field goal, is a shot in basketball that is taken from beyond the three-point line. The three-point line is an arc surrounding the basket, and the distance from the basket to this line varies depending on the competition level. The introduction of the three-pointer was intended to add excitement to the game and provide a weapon for players and teams. The rule was first implemented in 1961 by the American Basketball League (ABL), with other leagues following suit in subsequent years. Today, the three-pointer is a dominant feature of basketball, with teams shooting more three-pointers than ever before and the game evolving around this style of play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Three-point field goal, three, triple |
| Origin | First tested at the collegiate level in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham |
| Originator | Then-Columbia doctoral student Howard Hobson |
| Reason for Origin | To make long-distance shots more viable and reduce the advantage of taller players closer to the basket |
| Distance from Basket | Varies by competition level |
| Distance in National Basketball Association (NBA) | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket |
| Distance in International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (all divisions), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) | 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center of the basket |
| Distance in NCAA in 1986-87 | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
| Distance in NCAA in 2008-09 | 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the three-pointer
The three-pointer, also known as a three-point field goal, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line in basketball, earning the shooter three points. The three-point line is a designated arc surrounding the basket, and its distance from the basket varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket. In other competitions, such as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the arc is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the center.
The concept of the three-pointer was first introduced at the collegiate level in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham. Howard Hobson, a doctoral student at Columbia, wanted to make long-distance shots more viable and reduce the advantage of taller players near the basket. The line was drawn 21 feet away from the hoop, and Columbia won the game 73-58. The three-pointer was tested again at the collegiate level in 1958 and 1961, with varying line distances.
In 1961, the American Basketball League (ABL), led by commissioner Abe Saperstein, became the first league to officially adopt the three-point rule. Saperstein, along with coach Ray Meyer, selected 25 feet as the initial distance from the basket but the ABL owners later shortened it to 22 feet. The ABL shut down in 1963, but the three-point shot gained popularity when it was adopted by the American Basketball Association (ABA) for its inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan believed the three-pointer would "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans".
In 1979, the NBA adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, marking its official entry into mainstream basketball. While it was initially considered a gimmick, the three-pointer has since become a dominant feature of the game, with teams averaging about 37.5 three-pointer attempts per game. The three-point shot has sparked debates about its impact on the sport, with some arguing that it has made the game less exciting and too predictable, while others view it as the most valuable weapon in modern basketball.
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Three-pointers in the NBA
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a three-point field goal, often referred to as a three-pointer, three, or triple, is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point for each made free throw.
The three-pointer was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, with a 21-foot line, in a game between Columbia and Fordham. The three-point shot was introduced to add excitement to the game and reduce the advantage of taller players closer to the basket. The American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to officially institute the rule in 1961, with a 25-foot arc, later shortened to 22 feet. The NBA adopted the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, with the arc set at 23 feet 9 inches from the center of the basket.
Over time, the use of three-pointers in the NBA has increased significantly. While teams averaged fewer than five three-point attempts per game forty years ago, there is now an average of about 37.5 three-pointers attempted per game. This increase can be attributed to the growing recognition of the three-pointer as the most valuable weapon in modern basketball.
Despite its popularity, the prevalence of three-pointers in the NBA has sparked debates about rule changes to encourage more offensive variety. Some fans and analysts argue that the excessive reliance on three-pointers has made the game less exciting and too predictable. Suggestions to address this issue include moving or removing the three-point line, changing the scoring system, limiting the number of three-point shots, remodelling the court, or allowing hand-checking behind the arc.
The NBA experimented with a shorter three-point line during the 1994-95 season, reducing it to 22 feet around the basket to address a lack of scoring. While this change initially increased three-point attempts and scoring, it did not resolve the issue as teams continued to play at a slower pace. The NBA returned the three-point line to its original position before the 1997-98 season.
Today, the three-pointer continues to play a prominent role in the NBA, with teams shooting twice as many threes as they did a decade ago. The evolution of the game has led to a focus on three-point shooting as a key strategy, shaping the modern game significantly.
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Three-pointers in the NCAA
A three-pointer, or three-point field goal, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line, an arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for shots made inside the line. The three-pointer was first introduced in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham, with the line drawn 21 feet from the hoop. The three-point shot was then tested two more times at the college level, once in 1958 and once in 1961, before being officially instituted by the American Basketball League in 1961 with a 25-foot arc.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) first recognised the three-point field goal in the 1986-87 season, setting the three-point perimeter at 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) for both men's and women's college basketball. The three-pointer was first used in the NCAA tournament in March 1987, and it was adopted in women's basketball the following season.
In 2007, the NCAA voted to extend the men's three-point line to 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m), with the new distance taking effect in the 2008-09 season. The women's line was moved to match the men's in the 2011-12 season. More recently, in 2019, the NCAA announced that the men's three-point line would again be extended, this time to the FIBA standard of 6.75 meters (22 ft 2 in). This change was implemented in Division I in the 2019-20 season and in lower divisions in the following season. The women's line was moved to the FIBA distance in 2021-22.
The three-pointer has had a significant impact on the game of basketball, with players becoming specialised in shooting from beyond the arc. The introduction of the three-point shot was intended to add excitement to the game and reduce the advantage of taller players closer to the basket. While it has led to increased scoring and changed the strategies and dynamics of the game, some fans and analysts believe that the focus on three-pointers has made the game less exciting and too predictable.
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Three-pointers in high school basketball
A three-pointer, also known as a three-point field goal, is a shot in basketball made from beyond the three-point line, which is a designated arc surrounding the basket. The three-pointer rule was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961 to add excitement to the game. The three-point line was initially drawn at 25 feet from the basket, but it has since been adjusted by various leagues and competitions.
In high school basketball, the three-pointer is also gaining popularity, with more varsity and JV players attempting shots from beyond the arc. This trend mirrors the increasing prevalence of three-pointers in the NBA, as high school players look to emulate their favourite professional players. The three-pointer offers strategic advantages, creating more scoring opportunities and spacing on the court. However, it is important to note that the three-pointer is not always the best shot option, and coaches emphasise the need for players to develop the requisite skills and proficiency before relying heavily on this shot.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has adopted a three-point line distance of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket. This distance is shorter than that used in the NBA (23 feet 9 inches) and other professional leagues, recognising the different skill levels and court sizes at the high school level.
While the three-pointer has undoubtedly added a new dimension to high school basketball, some critics argue that it may have made the game more predictable and less exciting. This debate has sparked discussions about potential rule changes to encourage more offensive variety, such as modifying the three-point line distance or scoring system. Nonetheless, the three-pointer remains a valuable weapon in the arsenal of high school basketball players, influencing the dynamics and strategies of the game.
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The future of the three-pointer
The three-pointer, also known as a three-point field goal, has become an integral part of basketball. It was first introduced at the collegiate level in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham. The three-point shot was then adopted by the American Basketball League in 1961, with other leagues soon following suit. Over the years, the three-pointer has evolved and its impact on the game has been significant. In recent times, three-point shooting is at an all-time high, with teams shooting twice as many threes as they did a decade ago.
However, this heavy reliance on three-pointers has sparked debates about the future of the shot. Some critics argue that the game has become too one-dimensional, with teams prioritizing three-point shooting over traditional post-play and inside scoring. There is also a perception among some fans and analysts that the abundance of three-pointers has made the game less exciting and too predictable. These discussions have led to suggestions for rule changes, such as moving or abolishing the three-point line, changing the scoring system, limiting three-point attempts, or remodeling the court.
Despite these criticisms, the three-pointer remains a valuable weapon in modern basketball. The increase in three-point shooting can be attributed to the analytics-based approach, which has shown that taking more three-pointers can be advantageous. This strategy has been further encouraged by the success of teams like the Golden State Warriors, who have won multiple NBA titles with a three-point-centric game plan.
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Frequently asked questions
A three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer, three, or triple, is a basketball shot made from beyond the three-point line. The three-point line is an arc surrounding the basket, and the distance from the basket to this line varies depending on the competition level.
A successful 3-pointer is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point given for each made free throw.
The three-point shot was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham, with the line drawn 21 feet away from the hoop. However, it was not kept as a rule. The American Basketball League became the first league to officially implement the three-pointer league-wide with a 25-foot arc in 1961.
