
In basketball, a field goal (FG) is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance from the basket. The term is used officially in the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. A field goal can take many forms, including jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. The percentage of field goals made is a crucial statistic in evaluating players, with players with high field goal percentages usually averaging double-digit points per game.
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What You'll Learn

Field goal defined
In basketball, a field goal is any basket scored on a shot or tap except for a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket. Field goals can be scored from anywhere on the court, from a simple jump shot to a layup or a slam dunk. The term "field goal" is used officially by the NBA, NCAA, WNBA, and in high school basketball. It is used in rule books, box scores, statistics, and referees' rulings.
Field goal percentage is a crucial statistic in basketball, calculated by dividing the number of field goals made by the number attempted, then multiplying by 100. For example, a player with a 40% field goal percentage has made 4 out of 10 shots. This statistic is important for evaluating players and their performance, with players with high field goal percentages usually averaging double digits in points per game.
Some of the greatest field goal shooters of all time include Michael Jordan, who led the NBA in field goals made ten times, and Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the top four spots for most field goals made in a season. Shaquille O'Neal holds the record for the most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage, while DeAndre Jordan has the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%.
Field goals are an important aspect of basketball, providing players with an opportunity to score points and get their team ahead. They are a fundamental part of the game, with players and teams employing various strategies to maximize their scoring opportunities.
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Examples of field goals: layups, slam dunks, jump shots, three-pointers
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. Examples of field goals include:
Layups
A layup is a shot taken close to the basket, often performed by jumping toward the hoop and releasing the ball with one hand. This is a common and relatively low-risk shot, especially when the player is approaching the basket from a straight angle.
Slam Dunks
A slam dunk, or simply a dunk, is a type of field goal worth two points. It is performed when a player jumps in the air, controls the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim, and scores by forcefully putting the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. The slam dunk is usually the highest percentage shot and a crowd-pleaser.
Jump Shots
Jump shots are a common type of field goal where the player jumps, usually from a stationary position, and shoots the ball towards the basket. This can be done from various distances and angles, and the player may use one or both hands to release the ball.
Three-Pointers
A three-point field goal, also known as a three-pointer or triple, is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. It is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for regular field goals. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. For example, in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket, while in other leagues, such as the FIBA, WNBA, and NCAA, the distance is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in).
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Field goal percentages
In basketball, a field goal is any shot or tap that results in a basket, except for a free throw. Field goals are typically worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket. Less commonly, they can be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league. The term "field goal" is used officially in the rulebooks, scores, and statistics of the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball.
Field goal percentage is a crucial statistic in basketball for evaluating players' performance and skill. It is calculated by dividing the number of field goals made by the number attempted, then multiplying that figure by 100 to get a percentage. For example, a player with 10 attempts and 4 made field goals has a field goal percentage of 40%.
Players with high field goal percentages typically average double digits in points per game. Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most prolific scorers of all time, has the second-highest field goal percentage for a season at 72.7%. The highest field goal percentage for a single season was set by New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who achieved 74.2% in the 2019-20 season.
Shaquille O'Neal holds the record for the most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage, while DeAndre Jordan has the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%. Michael Jordan is also considered one of the greatest field goal shooters of all time, having led the NBA in field goals made ten times.
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Top field goal scorers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. It is usually worth two or three points, depending on the location of the attempt. One type of field goal is a slam dunk, where a player jumps near the basket, throwing the ball down through the basket while airborne.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the record holder for the most field goals made in the NBA. Over his career, he scored 15,837 field goals. Abdul-Jabbar is also known for his impressive NBA Playoff debut, where he scored highly and impressed with his shooting ability.
Wilt Chamberlain, another legendary NBA player, is known for his prolific scoring. He holds the top four spots for the most field goals made in a single season and had the second-highest field goal percentage for a season at 72.7%. Chamberlain also posted the first 20-point/20-rebound/20-assist game in NBA history in 1968, showcasing his all-around excellence.
Michael Jordan, often considered one of the greatest basketball players ever, was also a highly effective field goal scorer. Jordan led the NBA in field goals made ten times throughout his career. His scoring prowess was evident in the 1993 NBA Finals, where he averaged 41.0 points per game across six games, scoring a total of 246 points. Jordan's ability to consistently make field goals was a key factor in his team's success.
These three players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan, are renowned for their exceptional field goal scoring abilities. They have left an indelible mark on the NBA with their remarkable scoring feats, solidifying their places among the greatest players to ever grace the courts.
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How to score a field goal: shoot from beyond the three-point line or any shot that isn't a free throw
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw. Field goals are one of the primary methods of scoring in basketball, and they can take many forms, including jump shots, layups, and dunks. The term "field goal" is an official term used by the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. It is used in their rule books, box scores, statistics, and referees' rulings.
A field goal can be scored from anywhere on the court outside the free-throw line during regular play. The value of a field goal depends on the location of the attempt on the basket. A two-point field goal is scored from inside the three-point line, while a three-point field goal is scored from beyond the three-point line. In rare cases, a field goal can be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league.
The ability to consistently make two-point shots is valuable as it forces defenses to adjust and opens up other scoring opportunities. Three-point shots, on the other hand, are more difficult but can be game-changers as they add an extra point to the score. Players with a high field goal percentage are valuable to their teams as they contribute to the team's scoring efficiency.
To improve their field goal percentage, teams employ various strategies, including practicing shot selection and spacing the floor to create open shots. Additionally, player development programs that enhance shooting technique and confidence are crucial. Understanding the fundamentals of field goals and their impact on the game is essential for fans, players, and enthusiasts alike.
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Frequently asked questions
FG stands for Field Goal.
A field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. It can be worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket.
Field goal percentage is calculated by taking the number of field goals made by a player, dividing it by the number of attempts, and multiplying that number by 100. For example, a player with 10 attempts and 4 goals has a field goal percentage of 40%.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most field goals in a career. Wilt Chamberlain holds the top four spots for most field goals in a season, while Shaquille O'Neal has the record for most seasons with the best field goal percentage. Michael Jordan is also considered one of the greatest field goal shooters, leading the NBA in field goals made ten times.










































