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Basketball Scoring: From Free Throws to Three-Pointers

Scoring strategies for basketball changed dramatically when the three-point line was introduced. Before the three-point line, every basket was worth two points. Offensive strategies without the three-point line centered around getting the ball as close to the basket as possible before shooting to have the best chance of scoring. During that time, teams that had a very tall player typically had a big advantage because they could get it inside to them, and they had a good chance of just shooting over defenders.

 

In the 1979-80 season, the National Basketball Association (NBA) created the three-point line. Soon, college and high school basketball followed with three-point lines. Instead of trying to jam the ball inside, teams created offensive philosophies that incorporated the three-point shot. The invention of the three-point shot opened the space near the basket, negating some of the offensive advantage that tall players had over their opponents.

  

 

The Basics of Basketball Scoring

The amount of points a made basket is worth in live play is determined by the distance of the shot from the basket. Baskets are either worth one, two, or three points. In live play, baskets are worth only two or three points. A shot that’s farther from the basket is worth three points. Each level of play has a three-point line, which is the designated distance from the basket for a three-point shot. In high school, the three-point line is 19’9”, in college it’s 22’1 3/4”, and in the National Basketball Association (NBA) it’s 23’9”.

 

  • Field Goal: A field goal is worth two points. Any shot that’s made from inside the three-point line is a field goal. A layup, which is when a player makes a shot driving to the basket, is a field goal and so is a successful jump shot from 10 feet. Both fall under the field goal category even though the distances of the shots are different. 

  • Three-Point Field Goal: Any shot that’s made from beyond the three-point line is worth three points.  

  • Free Throw: Every free throw is worth one point. The only way to make points when the play is dead is from free throws. In high school, college, and professional basketball, the free throw line is 15 feet from the basket. Players shoot either one, two, or three free throws when they’re fouled. They get three free throws if they were shooting a three-point shot and two free throws if they were shooting a two-point shot when the foul occurred. One point is awarded if the player who's fouled makes their shot.  

 

There’s a way to score three points on a play without making a three-pointer. When a player is fouled in the act of shooting, and the basket is made, they get to shoot a free throw. In basketball lingo, it’s called “and-one.” That means a player gets a free throw added to their made basket. If they make the free throw, it’s a total of three points. A player who makes a three-point shot while being fouled can make a four-point play if they make their free throw.  

 

Fouls & Technicals That Lead to Points

Common, technical, and flagrant fouls are ways teams can score during dead ball situations. The player that’s fouled always shoots the free throw unless they’re injured or it’s a technical foul. On a technical foul, any player can shoot the free throw. In that instance, teams usually select their best free throw shooter. Below is an explanation of each type of foul.

 

  • Technical Foul: A technical foul is when a player or a coach violates the rules or there’s a procedural violation. It can be unsporting behavior, like swearing, or it could inadvertently be putting six players on the floor—only five are allowed. If a team is charged with a technical, their opponents shoot two free throws, and they get possession of the basketball. 

  • Common Fouls: A common foul is any ordinary foul. Players only shoot free throws after a common foul if they were in the act of shooting or if they’re over the bonus. “Over the bonus” means that a team has exceeded the number of fouls allowed for a half or a quarter. For instance, when a team hits seven fouls in college basketball, they automatically get a 1-and-1 free throw attempt if it wasn’t a shooting foul. That means the player gets a second free throw if they make the first one. They lose their bonus free throw if they miss the first free throw. In the NBA and high school, the bonus starts with the fifth foul in each quarter, where players are awarded two free throw shots. There’s no 1-and-1 in the NBA or high school. 

  • Flagrant 1: A flagrant 1 is when a player inadvertently engages in physical conduct with another player that could lead to an injury. The other team gets two free throws and possession of the basketball with a flagrant 1. 

  • Flagrant 2: A flagrant 2 is when a player intentionally engages in physical conduct with another player. In this situation, the player who committed the foul is ejected from the game and the opposing team gets two free throws and possession of the basketball. 

 

In overtime, the bonus changes. For the NBA, fouls don’t carry over from regulation. Instead, the bonus starts after three fouls in a five-minute overtime period. The team that’s ahead after five minutes is the winner. If the teams are tied, another five-minute overtime period is added. In college and high school, fouls are carried over from regulation. College overtime is four minutes, and high school’s is three minutes.  

 

Goaltending & Basket Interference

There are two rule infractions that either add or subtract points. They are goaltending and basket interference. Below is an explanation for each.

 

  • Defensive Basket Interference: Basket interference is when a player touches the ball while it’s in the cylinder of the basket. What’s the cylinder? That’s the space above the basket that rests within the circle of the hoop. The cylinder goes from the hoop to the ceiling. If a defensive player redirects a shot that’s in the cylinder, it’s a penalty and the other team is awarded either two or three points. 

  • Offensive Basketball Interference: If an offensive player commits interference on a made basket, the points are wiped away. 

  • Goaltending: Goaltending occurs when a defensive player interferes with or blocks a shot on a downward trajectory when the ball is above the cylinder. Defensive players can only block the shot on the way up. Goaltending can only be called on the defense. 

 

Understanding the different ways to score in basketball can give you a more in-depth meaning of the game and it can help players and coaches develop effective offensive strategies.