Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a high-scoring sport, but it can take dozens of attempts to score. The most common type of scoring in basketball is the 2-point basket, which can be achieved through a jump shot, layup, or dunk. To score 3 points, players must shoot from behind the three-point line without touching the line with their foot. Free throws, worth 1 point, are awarded when a player is fouled, or when a team commits at least five fouls in a single quarter. To shoot accurately, players should square their shoulders to the basket, bend their knees, lean their back towards the basket, and flick their wrist towards the hoop to release the shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Field goal | A basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw |
| Two-point field goal | A shot made from inside the three-point line |
| Three-point field goal | A shot made from beyond the three-point line |
| Free throw | Awarded when a player is fouled by an opponent during shooting or when the opposing team commits a certain number of team fouls |
| Free throw value | One point |
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What You'll Learn
Two-pointers vs. three-pointers
In basketball, there are three primary ways to score points: field goals, free throws, and foul shots. A field goal refers to any basket scored during regular gameplay, from inside the three-point line. A standard field goal can take the form of jump shots, layups, slam dunks, or tip-ins. A successful field goal attempt from inside the three-point line counts as two points, while an attempt from outside the line counts as three.
The term "two-pointer" is used to refer to a successful basket scored from inside the three-point line, while "three-pointer" refers to a basket scored from outside the line. The mathematics behind the preference for three-pointers is simple: three is greater than two. As a result, over the last decade, there has been a shift in offensive strategies, with teams increasingly focusing on long-range three-point attempts rather than mid-range jump shots.
The effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is a correction made to the traditional field goal percentage to account for three-point attempts. It provides a more accurate representation of the expected number of points scored per possession. The eFG% is calculated by multiplying the traditional FG% by 2, which results in an inflated score. To address this, the eFG% formula multiplies the number of field goals made by 2 and the number of three-point field goals made by 1.5.
While three-pointers are worth more points, they may be more challenging to make consistently due to the increased distance from the basket. Additionally, the defensive strategies employed by teams may also impact the success rate of three-point attempts. Ultimately, the decision to focus on two-pointers or three-pointers depends on various factors, including player skills, team strategy, and game dynamics.
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Free throws
The number of free throws awarded can vary depending on the type of foul and the player's position on the court when it occurred. Personal fouls, which involve illegal physical contact such as hitting, pushing, or blocking, typically result in two free throws if the fouled player is within the three-point arc and three free throws if they are behind it. If a player is fouled while shooting a three-pointer and still makes the basket, they are awarded one additional free throw, allowing them to score four points on that play.
Team fouls, on the other hand, occur when a team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game. In the NBA, this is typically six fouls per half, while women's basketball allows seven per regulation half. Once a team surpasses this limit, the opposing team enters a "bonus" situation, receiving one free throw for each additional foul committed by the other team.
The rules surrounding free throws also include penalties. If the free throw shooter or their teammate violates the rules during the attempt, no points are scored, and the opposing team gains possession. If an opponent violates the rules, the shooter may receive a substitute free throw if their attempt was unsuccessful. In some cases, a jump ball may be administered at midcourt between any two opponents if violations occur on both teams.
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Layups
There are four different layup techniques, with the original and simplest version suitable for children and beginners. This involves throwing the ball with one hand onto the backboard. The whole arm is stretched out, with the hand placed under the ball. By snapping the wrist upwards, the ball rolls off the fingertips and falls softly into the basket. This is also known as a finger roll and is suited for more experienced players.
The overhand layup, or flip layup, is where the ball is taken above the head and laid, or flipped, into the rim. This is often used when closer to the basket. The power move is similar to the overhand layup, but with a jump using both legs, requiring a strong jump. The two-foot layup gives more control and balance, allowing more room to adjust your shot in reaction to a defender.
To perform a layup, position yourself about 10 feet from the basket, halfway to the 3-point line, and run to the basket at a 45-degree angle. Hold the ball close to your body with both hands at hip level. As you jump, stretch out your right arm and straighten your arm and elbow to shoot the ball towards the backboard. Aim for the upper right corner of the square on the backboard. The left-hand version is the same but inverted, so start with your left foot, jump off your right leg, and lay up with your left arm.
To improve your layup skills, start at the left elbow and score a layup off two feet. Then run to the other elbow and repeat. You can also try a drill where you start at the left corner and attack the basket aggressively, scoring a layup, collecting the ball, and running to the next spot until you reach the right corner. This will help you improve your layups at game speed.
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Jump shots
Preparation
Before you take the shot, you should hold the ball loosely in front of your body, with your middle finger pointing forward and your other hand supporting the ball to the side, forming a T-shape. Your legs should be shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointing towards the basket. You should bend your knees slightly and tilt your upper body forward a little. It is important to keep your eyes on the rim throughout the shot, which will help you maintain a compact form and a straighter shot.
The Shot
The jump is achieved by the explosive extension of the legs and the simultaneous raising of the arms. At the highest point of the jump, the player throws the ball with one hand, while the other hand supports the ball until the time of release. The elbow should be at least at shoulder height, with the ball resting on the fingers, not the palms. The player then flicks their wrist forward, with the movement being primarily upwards, and the wrist not bending too far downwards. This allows for a good throwing angle. The shooting hand should follow through, pointing at the basket after releasing the ball.
Post-Shot
After the ball is released, try to land in the same spot you jumped from to maintain balance. Keep your fingers pointing at where you wanted to shoot, and hold this position until the ball hits the basket.
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Dunk shots
The slam dunk is one of the most spectacular and crowd-pleasing shots in basketball. It is also one of the toughest feats in the sport, requiring more jumping ability than shooting skills. The key to a successful dunk is training one's physique, especially one's jumping power. This can be achieved by building up hip and leg muscles through exercises such as squats, lunges, or weight training. Core strength is also important for increasing dunking ability and reducing the risk of injury.
To execute a slam dunk, a player must dribble and charge towards the hoop, jump as high as possible, and leap towards the hoop with the ball still in their hand. The player then lifts the ball above the rim and forcefully shoves it through the basket with one or both hands. Most people jump off one foot, but some may find they can jump higher off both feet.
There are several variations of the slam dunk, including the reverse dunk, where the player turns their back to the basket in mid-air and moves the ball over their head to dunk; the windmill dunk, where the ball is brought to the abdomen and then moved in a circular motion before being slammed through the rim; and the between-the-legs slam, where the player jumps with one foot and raises the other leg, transferring the ball from one hand to the other beneath the raised leg before completing the dunk.
The NBA Dunk Score takes into account over 25 different attributes of a dunk, including vertical jump, takeoff distance, and ball speed through the rim. These attributes are calculated directly from player tracking data and contribute to a player's overall Dunk Score.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary objective of the game is to outscore the opposing team by putting the basketball through the opponent’s basket as many times as possible while preventing them from doing the same.
There are three primary ways to score points in basketball: field goals, two-point field goals, and three-point field goals.
A field goal is any basket a player scores during regular gameplay, from inside the arc that designates the three-point line on the court. A standard field goal is any shot a player attempts from inside the three-point line. Field goals can take the form of jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins.
A two-point field goal is a shot made from inside the three-point line.
A three-point field goal is a shot made from beyond the three-point line.
