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In basketball, a field goal is any shot taken from the court, whether it be a layup or a three-point shot. The term field or the basketball field refers to the court, hence the name field goal. Field goal percentage is a commonly used statistic that roughly calculates the number of shots made divided by the number of shots attempted, expressing how efficiently a player scores. Since the 2008-09 season, referees have reviewed situations where officials are uncertain whether a successful field goal was scored as a 2-point or 3-point field goal.
Characteristics and Values Table for Basketball Field Goals
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any shot taken from the court, whether it be a layup or a three-point shot |
| Origin | The sport of basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. He used the word "field" to refer to the area of play and "goals" for made baskets. |
| Field Goal Percentage | A statistic expressing how efficiently a player scores, calculated as the number of shots made divided by the number of shots attempted, excluding free throws |
| Notable Records | Wilt Chamberlain holds the top spots for most field goals in a season; Michael Jordan led the NBA in field goals made ten times; Shaquille O'Neal has the most seasons with the best field goal percentage |
| Review Process | Since the 2008-09 NBA season, referees review situations where the successful field goal's point value is unclear or if a foul occurred |
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What You'll Learn
- The term 'field' refers to the court, so a field goal is a basket scored from the court
- Field goals can be two-point or three-point shots
- High-percentage field goals are layups and dunks
- Field goals don't include free throws
- The greatest field-goal shooters include Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and DeAndre Jordan
The term 'field' refers to the court, so a field goal is a basket scored from the court
The game of basketball was invented by James Naismith, a gym teacher in Massachusetts, in 1891. Naismith's original rules of basketball did not include the term "field goal", but he did use the word "field" to refer to the playing area and "goals" to refer to successful baskets. It is not a big leap to combine the two words to refer to a subset of goals scored from the court.
The term "field goal" in basketball refers to any shot taken from the court, whether it is a layup or a three-pointer. It is different from a "field goal" in football. When coaches and announcers talk about high-percentage field goals, they are usually referring to layups and dunks, which have the highest probability of being scored. These are the shots that coaches want to see their players taking, as they are more likely to result in points.
The field goal percentage is a common statistic used to express how efficiently a player scores. It is calculated by dividing the number of shots made by the number of shots attempted, excluding free throws. This statistic is useful because it isolates one skill (shooting within the flow of the game) from another (converting free throws). However, it can also create a gap between the statistic and reality, as points from free throws are worth the same as points from field goals, and a possession that ends with a foul may be considered an offensive success but would not count as a field goal attempt.
Some of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time include Michael Jordan, who led the NBA in field goals made ten times, and Shaquille O'Neal, who has the record for most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage.
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Field goals can be two-point or three-point shots
The term "field goal" in basketball refers to any shot taken from the court, be it a layup or a three-point shot. The term "field" or "the basketball field" refers to the court, hence the name field goal. Field goals can be two-point or three-point shots.
A two-point field goal is a shot made from anywhere on the court, except for the three-point line and the free-throw line. The most common two-point shots are layups and dunks, which have a high probability of going in. These shots are typically taken closer to the basket, and thus, are worth fewer points than shots taken from further away.
On the other hand, a three-point field goal is a shot made from beyond the three-point line, which is an arc that extends from the basket to the top of the key. Three-point shots are worth more points because they are more challenging to make due to the greater distance from the basket.
The distinction between two-point and three-point field goals is important in basketball because it affects scoring and strategy. Coaches and players must consider the potential point value of each shot when planning their offensive plays. Additionally, the field goal percentage, which is the number of shots made divided by the number of shots attempted, is a commonly used statistic to evaluate a player's efficiency in scoring.
It's worth noting that free throws are not considered field goals, and they are excluded from the field goal percentage calculation. Field goals and free throws are two different ways of scoring in basketball, with distinct rules and point values.
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High-percentage field goals are layups and dunks
When basketball coaches and announcers refer to "high-percentage field goals", they are specifically talking about layups and dunks. These are the two types of shots that have the highest probability of being scored. A player with good shooting skills will usually average around 40% from the field.
Field goal percentage is one of the most important individual statistics in basketball. It is calculated by taking the number of field goals made and dividing it by the number of attempts, then multiplying that figure by 100. For example, a player with a 40% field goal percentage has attempted 10 shots and made 4 of them. This is a crucial statistic for teams when evaluating players they might draft or trade for.
Players with a high field goal percentage usually average double digits in points per game. In the NBA, a FG% of .500 (50%) or above is considered a good percentage, although this does not apply equally to all positions. Guards usually have lower FG% than forwards and centers.
Some of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time include Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, DeAndre Jordan, and Steve Nash.
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Field goals don't include free throws
In basketball, a field goal is any shot taken from the court, whether it's a layup or a three-point shot. The term "field" or "the basketball field" refers to the court, hence the name field goal. Field goals are classified as scoring one or two points by rolling the ball right in front of the net and making it go in.
Field goal percentage measures the accuracy of field goals made. It is calculated by dividing the number of made shots by the total number of shot attempts, including 3-point attempts. Importantly, field goal percentage does not include free throws. Free-throw percentages are measured separately.
While there is a slight relationship between rolling field goal percentage and rolling free-throw percentage, the correlation is not strong. In fact, the coefficient for field goal percentage is slightly negative, suggesting that as field goal percentage increases, there is a tendency for free-throw percentage to decrease.
This relationship has been studied in the context of player strategy. For example, if a player is having a poor shooting night from the field, should the opposing team purposefully foul that player, hoping that their poor shooting will continue at the free-throw line? The relationship between field goals and free throws has also been studied with respect to player position. Big men tend to shoot higher percentages of close-range shots and average lower free-throw percentages, while guards take lower-percentage longer-range shots but average higher free-throw percentages.
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The greatest field-goal shooters include Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and DeAndre Jordan
In basketball, any basket scored during regular play is known as a field goal. This includes two-point shots, three-pointers, and free throws. The term 'field goal' is used to differentiate these points from points scored through other means, such as free throws.
Some of the greatest basketball players of all time are also some of the greatest field goal shooters. Michael Jordan, for instance, led the NBA in field goals made ten times. Jordan is widely considered one of the best basketball players ever to play the game, and his field goal record is a testament to his incredible scoring ability.
Shaquille O'Neal is another legendary player with an impressive field goal record. O'Neal holds the record for most seasons (10) with the best field goal percentage. Standing at 7'1", O'Neal's height and physical dominance made him a force to be reckoned with in the paint, allowing him to consistently score high-percentage shots.
DeAndre Jordan, a player often compared to Shaquille O'Neal due to his similar physical stature and playing style, has the record for the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%. Like O'Neal, Jordan's size and athleticism have made him an incredibly efficient scorer, specializing in high-percentage shots close to the basket.
These three players, Jordan, O'Neal, and Jordan, are excellent examples of the greatest field-goal shooters in the history of the NBA. Their records and achievements showcase their exceptional skill, dominance, and impact on the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The term "field" or "the basketball field" refers to the court, and thus any shot taken from the court is a field goal.
Layups and three-point shots are both considered field goals.
Free throws are excluded from the field goal percentage calculation, which is a statistic used to express how efficiently a player scores.
