Kristian Ferrell
Basketball has come a long way since its inception in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, particularly when it comes to scoring. Originally, all goals were worth one point, but the rules were refined over time, and by 1896, field goals were worth two points, and free throws were worth one point. The introduction of the three-point line in the 1960s and its subsequent adoption by major leagues like the NBA in 1979 further evolved the game, allowing players to score beyond the traditional two points. Today, players can score 1, 2, 3, or even 4 points during a possession, depending on the location of the shot and whether fouls are committed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When did 2 points start counting in basketball? | By 1896, field goals were set at 2 points. |
| How can you score 2 points? | By making a field goal from within the three-point line. |
| What are other ways to score 2 points? | A tap or a try for a field goal that ends when the ball touches the floor but then bounces into the basket. |
| Are there any other ways to score 2 points? | If a player makes a field goal from within the three-point line and is fouled in the act of shooting, they get a free throw, which turns it into a 3-point play. |
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What You'll Learn
The introduction of the three-point line
The three-point line in basketball has an interesting history. The game's original rules, established by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, assigned one point to goals and three consecutive fouls by one team resulted in a goal for the opposing team. However, by 1896, the rules were refined, and field goals were set to two points, with free throws remaining at one point.
The concept of the three-point line was first introduced in 1945 by then-Columbia doctoral student Howard Hobson, who believed that long-distance shots made the game more exciting and wanted to reduce the advantage of taller players near the basket. The idea was proposed again in 1962 by St. Francis (New York) head coach Daniel Lynch to the New York Basketball Writers Association. That same year, at the direction of Abe Saperstein, the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first league to implement the three-point rule, with a distance of 25 feet from the basket. However, the ABL folded a year later in 1963.
The three-point rule was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for the 1963-64 season and was popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA), which introduced it in its inaugural 1967-68 season. When the ABA merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976, the three-point line was temporarily discontinued.
Finally, in the 1979-80 season, the NBA reintroduced the three-point line, setting it at 23 feet 9 inches at the top of the key and 22 feet at the corners. This change was intended to address the lack of scoring and add excitement to the game. The three-point shot has since grown in popularity, becoming a key element of many NBA offenses, with teams averaging about 37.5 three-pointers per game. The NCAA followed suit in 1986, adopting a 19-foot 9-inch line for the 1986-87 season, and the rule was subsequently embraced by high school basketball.
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The standardisation of the free throw line
The free throw was introduced in 1891 when basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith. Originally, goals were worth one point each, and three consecutive fouls by one team without the opposing team committing a foul resulted in a goal for the opposing team. However, as the rules were refined, it was decided that the penalty for committing fouls was too great, so the rules were changed to make all field goals worth three points, and three consecutive fouls awarded the other team one point. By 1896, the rules were further refined to standardise the free-throw line at 15 feet, with free throws counting for one point and field goals for two points.
The free-throw line is an important feature of basketball court design, with the distance from the basket to the free-throw line remaining the same across different court sizes. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the free-throw line is 4.57 metres horizontally from the plane of the front of the backboard. The FIBA regulation size court, used in international competitions, is slightly smaller than the NBA court, but the free-throw line remains at the same distance from the basket.
In Australia, the most popular choice for backyard basketball courts is to follow the regulations of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). This means adhering to the standard distance of 4.57 metres from the backboard to the free-throw line. However, the key width is often adjusted to fit the available space, with the recommended distance from the free-throw line to the backboard being 4.6 metres for effective practice of free throws.
The three-point line, which is separate from the free-throw line, has a more varied history. The American Basketball League first introduced it in 1961, but the league disbanded after a year. The American Basketball Association adopted it in 1967, and when it merged with the NBA in 1976, the three-point line was temporarily discontinued. The NBA reintroduced it in 1979, and it has since become a crucial aspect of offensive strategies.
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The evolution of scoring rules
Basketball has come a long way since its inception in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith. The scoring rules have evolved over the years, with the introduction of 2-pointers and 3-pointers adding an exciting dimension to the game.
The Early Days:
In the beginning, all goals were worth one point each. However, the rules were still being refined, and it was decided that the penalty for committing fouls was too harsh. As a result, the rules were changed to give more weight to field goals, which were adjusted to be worth 2 points, while free throws were set at 1 point. This change standardised the scoring system and gave more value to field goals, encouraging players to go for them.
By 1896, the 2-point field goal had become an official part of the game. This scoring rule applied to any basket made inside the free throw line, which was standardised at 15 feet. The 2-pointer became the most common way to score in basketball, with players utilising jump shots, layups, or dunks to score within the designated area.
The 3-Point Revolution:
The game evolved further with the introduction of the 3-point line. The American Basketball League first experimented with this concept in 1961, but it was short-lived as the league folded a year later. The idea was revived by the American Basketball Association during its inaugural season in 1967. The 3-point line rewarded players for making shots from longer distances, adding an extra point to their tally. However, when the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, the 3-point line was temporarily discontinued. It made a comeback in the 1979-80 NBA season, forever changing the strategic approach to the game.
Strategic Adaptations:
The introduction of the 2-point and 3-point scoring rules had a significant impact on gameplay strategies. Teams began to value players with strong shooting abilities, especially from beyond the arc. The 3-point shot grew in popularity, becoming a focal point of many NBA offenses. Coaches and players had to adapt their strategies, incorporating new plays and tactics to maximise their scoring potential.
The Possibility of a 4-Pointer:
With the existing scoring rules, a theoretical 4-point play is possible. This occurs when a player attempts a 3-point shot, is fouled in the process, and then makes the subsequent "And 1" free throw. While rare, this scenario adds another layer of excitement and strategic consideration to the game.
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The original scoring rules
The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, and the original rules dictated that all goals were worth one point. If a team committed three consecutive fouls, their opponents were awarded a goal. In 1896, the rules were refined to standardise the free-throw line at 15 feet and set free throws at one point and field goals at two points.
The three-point line was introduced by the American Basketball League in 1961, but the league folded a year later. The American Basketball Association began using it again in 1967, and the NBA followed in 1979. The NCAA adopted the three-point line in 1986, and it was soon after introduced in high school basketball.
Today, the most common type of scoring in basketball is the two-point basket. This is any shot made from inside the three-point line (22 feet) and can be a jump shot, layup, or dunk. If a player is fouled in the act of shooting, they are granted a free throw, and if they make it, it turns into a three-point play. If a player makes a shot from beyond the three-point line, they score three points, and if they are fouled, a free throw turns it into a four-point play.
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Four-point plays
In basketball, a four-point play is a rare occurrence. It happens when an offensive player shoots and scores a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player. This results in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, which, if successful, results in four points being scored in a single possession.
The four-point play was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League. It was later adopted by the American Basketball Association during its inaugural season in 1967. 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 NBA history on October 21, 1979, against the Milwaukee Bucks. The NBA's introduction of the three-point line in 1979 increased the likelihood of four-point plays, as players were now incentivized to attempt shots from longer distances.
The Philippine Basketball Association introduced a four-point line in 2024, becoming the first major professional 5x5 basketball league to integrate a four-point field goal into its rules. The Big3 basketball league is another example of a league that has adopted a four-point field goal, with three distinct circles beyond the three-point line designated for four-point shots.
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Frequently asked questions
2 points started counting in basketball in 1896 when the rules were refined to standardise the free throw line at 15 feet, setting the free throw goal at 1 point and field goals at 2 points.
You can score 2 points in basketball by making a field goal from within the three-point line. This can be done with a jump shot, layup, or dunk.
You can score 3 points by making a field goal from beyond the three-point line. You can also score 1 point by making a free throw, which is when a player is fouled in the act of shooting.
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