Amanda Knapp
In basketball, a field goal is a shot made during normal play that successfully goes through the basket, with the exception of a free throw. Field goals are a primary method of scoring and are worth two or three points, depending on the player's position on the court when the shot is made. Field goal attempts are a crucial part of a team's strategy, and players with a high field goal percentage tend to average double digits in points per game. This percentage is calculated by dividing the number of field goals made by the number of attempts, then multiplying by 100.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any shot made during normal play (not a free throw) that successfully goes through the basket. |
| Types of shots | Layups, jump shots, hook shots, floaters, slam dunks, alley-oops, mid-range jump shots, bank shots, fadeaway jump shots, three-point jump shots. |
| Shot location | Anywhere on the court, except during free throws. |
| Points | 2 or 3 points, depending on the player's position on the court when the shot is made. Uncommonly, a field goal can be worth 1 or 4 points in certain competitions. |
| Statistics | Field goals made (FGM), attempted field goals (FFA), and field goal percentage (FG%). |
| Fouls | If a player is fouled and misses the shot, it is not counted as a missed field goal attempt. If a player is fouled and makes the shot, it counts as a made field goal attempt. |
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Layups
To perform a layup, a player begins by leaping from underneath the basket and using one hand to lay the ball off the square in the backboard and into the basket. It is better to aim for the backboard rather than trying to tip the ball over the rim as this allows for more room for error.
When practicing, it is important to run into your shot to provide momentum and simulate a game scenario. Practicing until your muscles remember the movement is key, so that during a game, you will not have to think about which foot to put forward and which one to jump off.
There are a few steps to performing a layup:
- Step toward the basket with your left foot.
- When a few feet from the basket, give the ball one last hard dribble to the outside of your left foot.
- Jump off your right foot, keeping your body moving toward the basket but without bending forward.
- As you jump, bring the ball out of the dribble and position it close to your chest.
- Shoot with your left arm as you lift your left leg.
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Dunking
The history of dunking includes a rule change in 1956, which required shooters to keep both feet behind the line during free-throw attempts. This was partly due to Wilt Chamberlain, who was known for his dunking ability and had dunked on an experimental 12-foot basket. Dunking was banned in the NCAA and high school sports from 1967 to 1976, with some attributing this to the dominance of Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and others to racial motivations, as most prominent dunkers at the time were Black.
The act of dunking has also influenced the development of basketball equipment. In 1976, Arthur Erhat patented a rim that had "give" but returned to its original position, making dunking safer and reducing the risk of backboard shattering. This was followed by the introduction of the breakaway rim to the NBA in 1981 and strengthening the goal standards to adapt to the increasing strength and weight of players.
Some notable dunks include Dwight Howard's "Superman" dunk in the 2008 Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest and Jamario Moon's dunk in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he leaped from the foul line and dunked a bounce pass with his non-dominant hand.
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Field goal percentage
Field goals made / Field goals attempted x 100
For example, if a player made 20 field goals out of 40 attempts, their FG% would be:
20 / 40 x 100 = 50%
A FG% of .500 (50%) or above is generally considered efficient in basketball. However, this benchmark varies depending on the player's position, with guards typically having lower FG% than forwards and centers.
Some of the highest individual field goal percentages in NBA history include Mitchell Robinson's 2019-20 season with the New York Knicks (74.2% FG%), Shaquille O'Neal's career average of around 580 (.580), and Wilt Chamberlain's single-season average of 72.7%. These players excelled at scoring efficiently, often through high-percentage shots near the basket.
To provide a more nuanced view of shooting performance, analysts often consider additional metrics like effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and true shooting percentage (TS%). These metrics account for the added difficulty of three-point shots and the impact of free throws on scoring, offering a more comprehensive understanding of a player's offensive effectiveness.
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Field goal violations
Goaltending: Goaltending occurs when a defensive player interferes with a field goal attempt that is in its downward motion towards the basket rim. This can include swatting the ball away from the rim or causing the rim to move off-center when the ball is touching the rim or passing through. It is considered a violation, and if it occurs at the opponent's basket, the offended team is awarded points according to the zone of the attempt.
Basket Interference: Basket interference generally happens when a player interferes with the ball while it is above the basket ring within the imaginary cylinder. The rules regarding basket interference can vary slightly between different basketball organizations. For example, in FIBA, if the ball touches the rim and bounces upward within the imaginary cylinder, it can be played by either offensive or defensive players.
Other field goal violations include:
- A player running with the ball without dribbling it or putting their hand under the ball to carry it.
- A player dribbling a second time after voluntarily ending their first dribble.
- A thrower-in carrying the ball onto the court, failing to release it within 5 seconds, or stepping on the court over the boundary line before releasing the ball.
- A team maintaining continuous possession of the ball in its backcourt for more than 8 consecutive seconds.
- A player being the first to touch the ball after a field goal attempt if they did not touch the backboard, basket ring, or another player.
- An offensive player leaving the playing area in the frontcourt to set a screen.
- Personal fouls during a successful field goal attempt, such as interfering with the ball or failing to pass it to the official when a violation is called.
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Field goals vs free throws
In basketball, a field goal is any basket scored from a shot or tap, excluding free throws. Field goals are typically worth two or three points, depending on the location of the shot. However, in certain competitions, such as FIBA 3x3 basketball, a field goal can be worth one point, while in the BIG3 basketball league, it can be worth four points.
Field goals are a broad category of shots that can be further divided into close-range and perimeter-based field goals. Close-range field goals, such as layups, hook shots, floaters, and slam dunks, are usually prioritised by coaches over perimeter-based shots. Perimeter-based field goals include the mid-range jump shot, bank shot, fadeaway jump shot, and three-point jump shot.
The statistics for field goals are typically represented as 'FG' and include three main measurements: Field Goals Made (FGM), Field Goals Attempted (FGA), and Field Goal Percentage (FG%). To calculate the effective field goal percentage, you multiply the number of two-point field goals made by 1.5, add this to the number of two-point field goals made, and then divide the sum by the total number of two-pointers attempted. This value is then multiplied by 100 to get the FG%.
Some of the most notable players in NBA history, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O'Neal, have achieved remarkable records related to field goals. Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for the most field goals made in a career, while Chamberlain tops the list for most field goals in a season. Michael Jordan led the NBA in field goals made ten times, and Shaquille O'Neal holds the record for most seasons with the best field goal percentage.
On the other hand, a free throw is a shot taken from the free-throw line after a foul has been committed. Free throws are worth one point and are not considered field goals. The free-throw line is located just outside the 'key' or 'lane' on the court, and players must shoot the ball towards the basket without stepping over the line. Free throws are an important aspect of the game as they can impact the outcome, especially in close matches.
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