Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a sport with a plethora of rules and terminology that can be overwhelming for new fans. One of the most important concepts to understand is the field goal, which is a shot attempted by a player during a game that is not a free throw. Field goals can be worth one, two, or three points, depending on the distance from the basket and the format of the game. The term field goal is used officially in the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball, and it encompasses a wide range of shots, from simple jump shots to more complex moves like layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. The percentage of field goals made is a crucial statistic for evaluating players and their efficiency, with players like Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O'Neal known for their impressive field goal records.
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What You'll Learn
Field goal types: jump shot, layup, slam dunk, tip-in
Field goals are an important statistic in basketball, with the best players in the game having high field goal percentages. A field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. It is worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket.
Now, let's look at the different types of field goals:
Jump Shot
A jump shot is a basic type of field goal. It is performed by jumping and releasing the ball at the apex of the jump. The jump shot is distinct from the layup, with the defining factor being the one-handed reach and motion.
Layup
A layup is a two-point field goal attempted by an offensive player from inside the paint area. It is considered the most basic shot in basketball. The player leaps from below, laying the ball up near the basket, and uses one hand to bounce it off the backboard and into the basket. The overhand layup is similar to a jump shot but is performed from a much closer range.
Slam Dunk
A slam dunk is a type of field goal worth two points. It is performed when a player jumps near the basket with possession and controls the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim. The player then scores by shoving the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. The "tomahawk" dunk is one of the simplest dunk types, performed with one or two hands.
Tip-in
A tip-in is when a player misses their shot and then taps the ball into the hoop as it is rolling off the rim. This counts as one point and gives the player another chance at scoring.
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Field goal scoring: 1, 2, 3, or 4 points
In basketball, a field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. It is an official term in the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. A field goal happens when a player makes a basket during play. Field goals can be as simple and basic as a jump shot, or they could take on many different forms such as layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins.
Field goals are typically worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket. If the shot is made outside the three-point line, it is worth three points. If it is a close-range shot or a perimeter-based shot made within the three-point line, it is worth two points. In the BIG3 League, certain long-distance perimeter-based shots are worth four points. In FIBA 3x3 competitions, field goals are sometimes worth one point.
Field goal percentage is an important statistic in basketball, used to evaluate players and their skills. It is calculated by taking the number of field goals made by a player, dividing it by the number of field goal attempts, and multiplying by 100. A player with good shooting skills usually averages about 40% from the field.
Some of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time include Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, DeAndre Jordan, and Steve Nash. Baron Davis holds the NBA record for the longest successful field goal at 89 feet, and Diana Taurasi holds the WNBA record for the greatest number of field goals in a season, with 298 out of 660 attempts in 2006.
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Field goal efficiency: FGM, FGA, and percentage distribution
Field goals are an important aspect of basketball, providing players with an opportunity to score and get their team ahead in the game. A field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. They can take the form of jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. The term "field goal" is used officially in the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball.
Field goal efficiency is a crucial metric for players and coaches to evaluate performance and make strategic decisions. This efficiency is measured through three main statistics: Field Goals Made (FGM), Field Goal Attempts (FGA), and percentage distribution.
FGMs represent the number of shots a player makes from any distance, reflecting their accuracy and shooting ability. The FGA, on the other hand, indicates the total number of attempts made by a player, regardless of whether they were successful or not. This statistic helps contextualize a player's performance, showing how often they attempt shots and providing insights into their overall contribution to the game.
The percentage distribution, often referred to as shooting percentage or FG%, is calculated by dividing the number of field goals made by the number of attempts and then multiplying by 100. For example, a player who made 4 out of 10 shots has a field goal percentage of 40%. This statistic is vital for evaluating players' consistency and accuracy in shooting.
Additionally, the Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a metric that takes into account the extra difficulty and value of three-point shots. It is calculated as (2-point FGM + 1.5 * 3-point FGM) / FGA. This adjusted calculation provides a more nuanced understanding of a player's or team's shooting performance, especially in relation to three-point shots.
Some notable players with impressive field goal percentages include Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the top spots for most field goals made in a season, and Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks, who set the record for the highest field goal percentage in a single season at 74.2%.
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Field goal violations: goaltending and basket interference
Field goals are an important part of basketball, and the term refers to any shot attempted by a player that is not a free throw. The term "field" refers to the court, and field goals can take many forms, from jump shots to layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins. They are worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket.
Now, when it comes to field goal violations, we need to talk about goaltending and basket interference. These are both considered field goal violations and are outlined in Rule No. 11 of the NBA rulebook.
Goaltending and Basket Interference:
Goaltending and basket interference are two related violations that can occur during a field goal attempt. These violations are outlined in Rule No. 11 of the NBA rule book, which states that a player shall not:
- Touch the ball or the basket ring when the ball is sitting or rolling on the ring and using the ring as its lower base. There is an exception: if a player near their own basket has their hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if the contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder or if they touch the basket.
- Touch any ball within the playing area when it is above the basket ring and within an imaginary cylinder extending upwards from the ring.
- During a field goal attempt, touch a ball that has a chance to score after it has touched any part of the backboard above or below the ring level, depending on whether the ball is on its upward or downward flight.
- Touch the rim, net, or ball while the ball is in the net, preventing it from clearing the basket.
- Vibrate the rim, net, or backboard so as to cause the ball to make an unnatural bounce, or bend or move the rim off-center when the ball is touching or passing through it.
Penalties for Violations:
If a violation occurs at the opponent's basket, the offended team is awarded two or three points, depending on whether the attempt was from the two-point or three-point zone. The procedure is the same as if the awarded score resulted from the ball going through the basket, except that an official hands the ball to the entitled team for a throw-in.
If the violation occurs at a team's own basket, no points can be scored, and the ball is given to the offended team at the free-throw line extended on either sideline. If both teams violate the rules, no points are scored, and play resumes with a jump ball between any two opponents in the center circle.
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Top field goal shooters: Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal
In basketball, a field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. It is an official term in the NBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. Field goals can be in the form of jump shots, layups, slam dunks, or tip-ins.
Now, let's look at the top field goal shooters in the game's history.
Wilt Chamberlain
One of the most prolific scorers of all time, Wilt Chamberlain holds numerous NBA records. Chamberlain was the first player to make prominent use of shots like the fadeaway jump shot and the finger roll. He holds the top four spots for most field goals made in a season and has the second-highest field goal percentage for a season (72.7%). He led the NBA in field-goal percentage nine times. Chamberlain's main weakness was his poor free-throw shooting, with a career average of .511.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest field-goal shooters of all time. Jordan led the NBA in field goals made ten times. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP awards in the same year (1996).
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal is another legendary player known for his field goal accuracy. O'Neal led the NBA in field goal percentage ten times, breaking Chamberlain's record of nine. His career field goal accuracy was .582, ranking him third all-time in field goal percentage. O'Neal's ability to dunk contributed significantly to his high field goal percentage. However, like Chamberlain, his weakness was in free-throw shooting, with a career average of 52.7%.
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Frequently asked questions
A field goal is any shot, other than a free throw, that is attempted by a player. It is scored when a player shoots from beyond the three-point line and the ball goes through the basket. Field goals can be close-range shots near the basket or perimeter-based shots that are further away from the basket.
Field goals are normally worth two or three points, depending on the distance from the basket. In certain variations of the game, such as 3 on 3 basketball, close-range field goals and perimeter-based shots within the three-point line may be worth one point.
Field goals are the easiest way to score in basketball. Field goal percentage is a crucial statistic for evaluating players, with players with higher field goal percentages usually averaging double digits in points per game.
