Helena Frye
In basketball, a three-point attempt is a shot taken from beyond the three-point line, which is a designated arc surrounding the basket. The three-point line was introduced to the NBA in 1979, and since then, there has been a strategic shift towards attempting more three-pointers. The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level, with the NBA having a longer distance than leagues like FIBA, WNBA, and NCAA. The number of three-point attempts has been a topic of discussion, with some arguing that there are too many attempts and that it may negatively impact the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A three-point field goal (also 3-pointer, three, or triple) is a field goal in a basketball game made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. |
| Points | 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. |
| Distance from the basket | The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies by competition level. |
| Distance in the National Basketball Association (NBA) | 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the center of the basket. |
| Distance in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the 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 the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) from the center of the basket. |
| Distance in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) men's basketball | 20 ft. 9 in. (approx. 6.325 m) away from the basket. |
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What You'll Learn
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer, three, or triple, is a shot taken from beyond the three-point line in a basketball game. The three-point line is a designated arc surrounding the basket, and the distance from the basket to this line varies depending on the competition level.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. On the other hand, in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the arc is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) uses a shorter arc of 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres).
The rules for a successful three-point field goal attempt vary slightly depending on the league. In the NBA, the shooter must have at least one foot on the floor outside the three-point line before the attempt, but they can land in the two-point area after releasing the ball. In the NCAA, the shooter's feet must be completely behind the three-point line at the time of the shot or jump, but they are allowed to jump from outside the line and land inside for a three-point attempt.
The introduction of the three-point line has had a significant impact on the strategy and gameplay in basketball. The three-point revolution refers to the increasing focus on attempting three-point field goals in the NBA, which began in the mid-2010s. Teams have sought to cultivate three-point shooting talent, and the number of three-point attempts per game has increased significantly since the introduction of the three-point line in 1979.
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Three-point line distance
The three-point line distance varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 metres) from the centre of the basket. However, the shortest possible three-point shot in the NBA, from the corner, is 22 feet (6.7 metres) from the hoop. The three-point line in the NBA is a three-part structure with two straight lines and an arc in the middle. The straight lines are 3 feet (0.91 metres) inside each sideline and the arc that intersects the straight lines is 23 feet 9 inches from the basket.
In the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the three-point line is 6.75 metres (22 feet 1.75 inches) from the centre of the basket. The NCAA and NAIA arc is the same distance from the centre of the basket as the FIBA arc, but is 3 feet 4 inches (1.02 metres) from each sideline because the North American court is slightly wider than the FIBA court.
In the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the three-point line is 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 metres) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point line was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945, with a 21-foot line, in a game between Columbia and Fordham, but it was not kept as a rule. The NCAA's Southern Conference became the first collegiate conference to use the three-point rule, adopting a 22-foot (6.71-metre) line for the 1980-81 season. Over the following five years, NCAA conferences differed in their use of the rule and distance required for a three-pointer. The line was as close as 17 feet 9 inches (5.41 metres) in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and as far away as 22 feet (6.71 metres) in the Big Sky. The NCAA experimented with the FIBA three-point line distance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2018 and 2019, then adopted that distance for all men's play.
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Three-point revolution
The three-point revolution, or 3-point revolution, refers to the rapid strategic shift in National Basketball Association (NBA) offenses and defenses toward attempting three-point field goals. This shift began in the mid-2010s and has continued to the present day.
History of the Three-Point Revolution
The three-point line was introduced to the NBA in 1979, and in the following years, teams experimented with increased three-point field goal attempts, with varying levels of success. The 2004-2008 Phoenix Suns, led by head coach Mike D'Antoni and point guard Steve Nash, were one of the first teams to achieve significant success by making the three-point field goal a central feature of their offense. During the 2004-2005 NBA season, the Suns led the league in three-point field goal attempts and efficiency, averaging 24.7 per game with a 39.3% efficiency rate.
Key Contributors
Several individuals have been credited with helping to drive the three-point revolution. Stephen Curry, a point guard for the Golden State Warriors, is widely regarded as a pioneer of the movement. Curry, drafted by the Warriors in 2009, quickly established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history. His shooting efficiency from beyond the arc and his versatility in shooting off-the-dribble or in-motion made him a unique offensive threat. The Warriors further bolstered their three-point capabilities by drafting shooting guard Klay Thompson in 2011. The chemistry between Curry, Thompson, and forward Draymond Green helped the Warriors achieve playoff berths in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Other notable figures associated with the three-point revolution include Steve Kerr, James Harden, Daryl Morey, and Mike D'Antoni. Morey, in particular, has been dubbed one of the godfathers of the movement due to his tenure with the Houston Rockets, where they focused on maximizing three-point attempts.
Impact on the Game
The three-point revolution has had a significant impact on the NBA, with teams increasingly prioritizing three-point shooting talent. The Golden State Warriors, as the dominant team in the league, prompted other teams to search for and develop three-point shooters to compete. While not all teams achieved the same level of success as the Warriors, the adoption of the three-point offense improved the overall pace and efficiency of NBA basketball.
By the 2018-19 season, NBA teams were averaging 32.0 three-point attempts per game, a significant increase from the 2.8 attempts per game averaged in the years following the introduction of the three-point line. The 2024-25 NBA season has witnessed a historic number of three-point attempts, sparking discussions about whether the league should adjust its approach to manage the volume of three-point shots.
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Three-point rules
A three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer, is a shot made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. The three-point rule was first introduced in 1945, but it was not kept as a permanent rule until the American Basketball League (ABL) instituted it in 1961. The three-point line was created to add excitement to the game and encourage more scoring opportunities.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) from the centre of the basket. In other leagues, such as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the arc is 6.75 m (22 ft 1.75 in) from the centre of the basket.
The three-point rule allows for the possibility of a three-point play or a four-point play. A three-point play occurs when a player is fouled while making a two-point basket, resulting in one point for the basket and two free throws. A four-point play happens when a player is fouled while making a three-point basket, earning three points for the basket and one point for the free throw.
The three-point rule has had a significant impact on the strategy and gameplay in basketball. It has led to an increase in three-point attempts, with teams recognising the higher scoring potential of these shots compared to two-point attempts. However, some critics argue that the emphasis on three-point shooting may negatively impact the game, making it less dynamic and reducing the variety of shots and strategies employed by teams.
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Three-point attempts in different leagues
A three-point field goal, also known as a 3-pointer or triple, is a shot taken from beyond the three-point line in basketball, which is a designated arc surrounding the basket. The distance from the basket to this arc varies depending on the competition level.
Three-point attempts in the NBA
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the three-point line is 23 feet and 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket. The NBA has experimented with different distances for the three-point line in the past, such as in the 1994-95 season when they shortened the distance to increase scoring.
Three-point attempts in the FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) all use a three-point line that is 6.75 meters (22 feet and 1.75 inches) from the center of the basket. The NCAA adopted this distance in 2019 for all men's play and in 2021 for women's play.
Three-point attempts in High School Basketball
In the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the three-point line is closer to the basket at 19 feet and 9 inches (6.02 meters) from the center.
Three-point records in the NCAA
The Alabama Crimson Tide set a new record for three-pointers in an NCAA tournament game, with 25 three-pointers made out of 51 attempts. Alabama's All-America guard, Mark Sears, played a key role in this record-breaking performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A three-point attempt in basketball, also called a three-pointer, is a field goal attempted from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket.
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies depending on the competition level. In the NBA, the three-point line is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket. In FIBA, WNBA, NCAA, and NAIA competitions, the distance is 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches).
A successful three-point attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and one point for each made free throw.
The three-point line was first introduced to the NBA in 1979. Initially, NBA teams averaged around 2.8 three-point attempts per game. However, beginning in the mid-2010s, there was a rapid increase in the number of three-point attempts, a trend known as the "three-point revolution." By the 2018-2019 season, NBA teams were averaging 32.0 three-point attempts per game.
