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How Does Scoring Work In Basketball?

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Players score in basketball by successfully shooting the basketball through the hoop. By making a basket, teams can earn one, two, or three points per shot. Read on to learn all about scoring in basketball!

Table of Contents

  • Two and Three-Pointers
  • Free Throws
  • Bonus
  • “And Ones”
  • Referees
  • Basketball Scoring Summary
  • FAQ

Two and Three-Pointers

The most basic ways to score in basketball are two-point and three-point field goals. When a player puts the ball through the hoop during play, it is known as a field goal. Field goals are worth either two or three points. The amount of points a basket is worth depends on where it is shot from on the court. Shots taken from within the three-point arc are worth two points and shots taken beyond the three-point line are worth three points.

The three-point arc is a curved line that runs from the end line near the basket out to a little over halfway between the end line and mid-court. Based on the level of play, the distance of the arc from the basket varies. The arc is 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket on high school basketball courts. The arc is 20 feet, 9 inches from the basket on college basketball courts. The dimensions of the arc in the NBA are slightly different, as the sides of the arc are located 22 feet from the center of the basket and extend 16 feet, 9 inches from the baseline. The arc then flattens and is 23 feet, 9 inches from the rim.

Free Throws

A free throw occurs after a player is fouled by another player in the act of shooting the ball. After the player is fouled, gameplay stops, and the player goes to the free throw line, which is located 15 feet from the front of the backboard. The player is then given one, two, or three separate attempts to shoot the ball into the basket. The number of free throws a player is given depends on if they were shooting a two or three-pointer and if they made the shot when they were fouled. Each free throw the player successfully makes is worth one point. When shooting a free throw, players must make sure that both of their feet are behind the free throw line to be awarded the points.

Free throws can also be awarded to a team when their opponent commits a technical foul or a foul while they are in the bonus.

Bonus

Players will also shoot free throws if they are fouled in any manner while they are in the bonus. The bonus is a situation when any defensive foul for the remainder of the quarter will result in the opposing team shooting two free throws. The bonus is activated when a team reaches a certain number of fouls, which depends on the level they are playing at.

In the NBA, the bonus begins when the opposing team commits their fifth foul in a quarter or two fouls within the last two minutes of a quarter.

In college basketball, there is a bonus and a double bonus. The bonus begins once a team commits their seventh foul in a half. In this case, any defensive foul will result in the opposing team shooting a “one-and-one.” This means that a player needs to make the first free throw in order to get a second shot. Once a team commits their tenth foul of the half, they get two free throws regardless of whether or not they make the first one. This is called the “double bonus” and is usually stylized as “bonus+” on the scoreboard.

The bonus rule was created to discourage excessive fouling in basketball.

“And Ones”

A unique way to score in basketball is through an “and one.” An “and one” is when a player is fouled in the act of shooting and successfully makes the basket. This is referred to as an “and one” because even though the player made the basket, they are given the chance to score an extra point through a free throw attempt. If the player is fouled while shooting a two-point shot and makes the basket, they have the chance to earn three points on that play. If the player is fouled while shooting a three-point shot and makes the basket, they have the potential to earn four points on that play. 

Referees

Basketball games feature a set of game officials called referees. In relation to scoring, referees determine if each basket is legal and whether it is a two or three-point basket. They are also responsible for calling fouls that result in free throws and violations during gameplay, such as travels and goaltending. Referees will determine if a shot was taken before or after the clock expired, which can result in last-second baskets counting or being overturned. While players are the ones making shots and scoring points, referees have a major impact on the game.

Basketball Scoring Summary

In basketball, teams score points by successfully shooting the ball through the hoop. There are various ways to score in basketball:

  • Field goals are shots made during play from anywhere on the court, except free throws.
  • A field goal shot from within the three-point arc is worth two points.
  • A field goal shot from outside the three-point arc is worth three points, and is called a “three-pointer.”
  • Free throws are given to players who are fouled during a scoring attempt. Each free throw made is worth one point.  
  • Players can receive one, two, or even three free throws depending upon the severity of the foul and whether or not they made the attempted shot.
  • The bonus is activated if a team commits a set number of fouls during a quarter.
  • During the bonus, players receive a free throw on any foul committed by the team who activated the bonus during the remainder of a quarter.
  • A free throw made after a foul that was committed during a successful field goal is called an “and one.”

FAQ

Can you score five points in one possession in basketball?

Yes, it is possible to score five points in one basketball possession. One possible scenario to score five points is when a player is fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer and makes the shot. If a player or coach on the opposing team is called for a technical foul on the play, the player will be given two free throws and will have the chance to score five points in one possession. Also, after making the three and getting fouled, the player can miss the free throw while their teammate gets the rebound and puts it back in for two points. While both of these scenarios are not necessarily in the same play, they are in the same possession.

Can you score four points in one play in basketball?

Yes, you can score four points in one play in basketball. To score four points in one play, a player has to make a three-point basket while being fouled and then make the following free throw. You can score four points in one possession by making a two-point shot while obtaining a flagrant foul and then making the subsequent two free throws. A player can also make a two-point shot, miss the following free throw, and earn two points if their teammate gets the rebound and makes a two-point shot.

How do you score three points in basketball?

Scoring three points in basketball can be done in a few ways. The most simple way to score three points is by shooting the ball beyond the three-point arc and making the shot. In this scenario, three points are awarded automatically. Another way to score three points is by getting fouled in the act of shooting a two-point shot, making the basket, and then making the subsequent free throw.

What are the most common ways you can score in basketball?

The most common ways to score in basketball are the free throw, two-point, and three-point shots. A free throw is worth one point and occurs after a player is fouled in the act of shooting or when the other team is in the bonus. A two-point shot occurs when a player makes a basket inside of the three-point arc, while a three-point shot occurs when they make a shot from outside of the arc.

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Scoring in Basketball: A Guide on How the Point System Works

The game of basketball has evolved to be one of the most popular sports in the entire world. Originally invented by James Naismith in 1891, the game featured 13 rules and was intended to keep students active during the colder months. Nearly 130 years later, the game has evolved along with the ways players can score.

So, how does scoring work in basketball?

Scoring in basketball revolves around players shooting the ball from various distances and the ball going into the basket. Shooters can earn one point by making a free throw, two points by making a shot inside the three-point line and three points by making a shot beyond the three-point line.

Of course, there are multiple ways of achieving these points, so we’ll discuss each category in greater detail below!

How Do Free Throws Work in Basketball?

The first category we’ll take a look at is the one-point play. There’s only one way to score a single point and that’s with the free throw — which is located 15 feet away from the basket.

As the name suggests, free throws are supposed to be the easiest way to score a point — though it’s also one of the most neglected ways.

Free throws are awarded to a player after a shooting foul occurs. The player shooting the free throw must’ve been in a shooting motion as they were fouled for them to be sent to the free throw line.

The free throw system is an effective way of limiting the amount of fouls that occur throughout the game by rewarding the person that was fouled.

When a shooting foul occurs, the ref will whistle the play dead and motion the player to the free throw line. All the other players on the court will either line up underneath the basket or behind the free throw shooter, which allows the shooter to relax before shooting. The other players must stay still until the shot is up.

Each free throw shot is worth one point, but the shooter will either be rewarded one shot, two shots or three shots. Here’s a look at how this is determined:

  • If the shooter makes the shot as they’re fouled, they receive one shot.
  • If the shooter misses the shot as they’re fouled inside the three-point line, they receive two shots.
  • If the shooter misses the shot as they’re fouled beyond the three-point line, they receive three shots.

As mentioned previously, free throws are meant to be the easiest way to score a point. Unfortunately, lack of practice has led many to underperform at the free throw line.

Different Ways to Score Two Points in Basketball

Basketball players can earn two points in a variety of ways, making it the most common form of scoring in the game.

Here’s a list of the ways a player can score inside the three-point line:

  • Layup – a layup is achieved when the basketball player dribbles the ball inside the paint and gently “lays” the basketball in the basket. In theory, a wide open layup should be the easiest way to score in the middle of a game.
  • Dunk – a dunk is similar to a layup, but occurs when the basketball player throws the ball in the hoop and hangs onto the rim. It’s a more aggressive way of scoring in the paint and is utilized to show force and dominance by bigger players. The alley-oop is also a popular form of dunking.
  • Floater – the floater, similar to a hook shot, has become an extremely important shot in the modern era of basketball. It occurs when the player dribbles toward the rim but instead of attacking the rim, they come to a quick stop and float the ball up in the air. It’s designed to float high enough so the defender can’t block it.
  • Jump Shot – As the name implies, jump shots or “jumpers” involve a player jumping into the air and shooting the basketball. Jump shots are tougher than layups, but are often the most common form of scoring in basketball.

When it comes to the jump shot, there are plenty of different ways to create space. These are highlighted by the fadeaway, the catch-and-shoot, the step-back jump shot, the pull-up jump shot and the bank shot.

The Three-Point Line in Basketball

Fans of basketball today are well-aware of the NBA three-point line as it has quickly become one of the most popular forms of scoring. The three-point shot has become as flashy as it is difficult, despite a wide range of players perfecting the technique.

Believe it or not, the three-point line wasn’t added to the game of basketball until 1979 — nearly 90 years after the game was invented. In the NBA, the arc is located 23 feet and 9 inches away from the basket, with the corners being 22 feet away.

When a shot is made beyond the three-point line, three points are awarded to the shooter. In the event the shooter steps on the three-point line during a shot and the ball goes in the net, only two points are awarded. Likewise, if the shooter draws a foul while shooting a three-pointer, it will result in an extra shot from the free throw line.

Much like the two-point jump shot, the three-point jump shot will come with variations to create more space. While you’ll rarely see a player try a floater or hook shot from the three-point line, there is the possibility of some awkward shots — especially at the end of a quarter when the buzzer sounds.

In some cases, the player might attempt a full-court or half-court shot at the end of the quarter. This will still result in three points, despite the increased difficulty.

What Is an And One in Basketball?

And-ones are difficult to obtain, but they can give a team the spark it needs to make a run. An and-one occurs when a player makes their shot, but is also fouled at the same time. Unlike most shooting fouls, an and-one will only reward the shooter with one free throw shot since they already made the basket.

An and-one will do one of two things for you:

  1. It will give you the opportunity at turning a two-point play into a three-point play.
  2. It will give you the opportunity at turning a three-point play into a four-point play.

In fact, an and-one that occurs on a three-point shot is the only way a player can earn four points in a single play in modern-day basketball. It’s a large reason why you’ll see players try to get off a shot when they’re fouled near the three-point line — even if they’re not ready to shoot.

Even if they miss the shot, they have the opportunity to go to the free throw line and get something out of it.

The Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Over the history of the NBA, which has spanned nearly 75 years, we have seen a wide range of players display elite scoring talent. There’s a reason all the greatest basketball talent in the world comes to the NBA and it’s because that’s where legends are born.

Taking a look at the top-25 greatest scorers in NBA history, only two of them are still actively pursuing an NBA career — and doing well at that. LeBron James (No. 3 all-time) and Carmelo Anthony (No. 17 all-time) both entered the league in 2003 and have enjoyed some of the greatest careers we’ve seen in a long time.

Here’s a full list of the top-25 greatest scorers in NBA history, courtesy of NBA.com:

  1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387 points
  2. Karl Malone – 36,928 points
  3. LeBron James – 34,087 points**
  4. Kobe Bryant – 33,643 points
  5. Michael Jordan – 32,292 points
  6. Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 points
  7. Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points
  8. Shaquille O’Neal – 28,596 points
  9. Moses Malone – 27,409 points
  10. Elvin Hayes – 27,313 points
  11. Hakeem Olajuwon – 26,946 points
  12. Oscar Robertson – 26,710 points
  13. Dominique Wilkins – 26,668 points
  14. Tim Duncan – 26,496 points
  15. Paul Pierce – 26,397 points
  16. John Havlicek – 26,395 points
  17. Carmelo Anthony – 26,314 points**
  18. Kevin Garnett – 26,071 points
  19. Vince Carter – 25,728 points
  20. Alex English – 25,613 points
  21. Reggie Miller – 25,279 points
  22. Jerry West – 25,192 points
  23. Patrick Ewing – 24,815 points
  24. Ray Allen – 24,505 points
  25. Allen Iverson – 24,368 points

When it comes to active players in today’s NBA — outside of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony — there are plenty of scorers that could find themselves on this list very soon. Kevin Durant (22,940 points) and James Harden (20,723 points) are the closest, but Russell Westbrook (20,315 points) and LaMarcus Aldridge (19,599 points) are right behind them.

If you have dreams of one day being as good of a scorer as these all-time greats, it’ll take immense training and unrivaled dedication. For those that want it bad enough, just keep working hard at it and never give up.

Even the greats work to improve their game each and every day, so don’t neglect the process!

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types, accrual rules, the best snipers in the NBA

The goal of any sports game is to win, and each has some kind of system for determining success. In basketball, points determine which team wins. They are the unit of account and show how much one team has surpassed the other in the current match. Understanding how points are awarded is necessary not only for players, but also for fans, otherwise they will not be able to objectively evaluate the actions of their favorite and his opponent. In this article, you will find answers to a number of important questions: what points are awarded for in basketball, whether a match can be tied, and how long it usually lasts.

Points determine not only the success of the team's performance in the current meeting. This is an indicator of the personal success of each basketball player. To understand the principle of scoring, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game.

Rules of Basketball

The rules of this game are quite easy and there are few of them. A full team consists of ten people, but only five are on the field at a time, the rest are substitutes. The goals and objectives are simple - to hit the ball into the opponents' basket, but at the same time make sure that they do not hit yours. To do this, you can only hit the ball with your hands, but you cannot hold it in your hands. Therefore, when basketball players run with the ball, they hit it on the floor. If you specifically hit the ball with your feet, this is considered a violation, as well as with your fists. But if you accidentally touch it with your foot, then there will be no violation. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins.

We're moving on to the fun part, how points are counted in basketball. One hit in the ring can bring a different result:

  • one point - if they hit from the free throw line;
  • two - from a medium or close distance;
  • three - from a distance of 6.75 meters.

It happens that at the end of a quarter or half of a match, teams score an equal number of points. In such a case, the last period is extended by five minutes. This may repeat itself if extra time does not help determine the leader. The added period is called overtime, before each of them the athletes are supposed to rest for two minutes.

What score is the game up to?

In some sports game disciplines, the fight continues until a certain score is reached. Then it ends automatically, even if it happened very quickly. In basketball, things are different. Here they start not from the count, but from the time.

A match may consist of two periods of 20 minutes or four periods of 12 minutes. In total, the maximum time should be 48 minutes, but usually the game is extended, as there are breaks, fouls and timeouts. If the interval after the first and before the last quarter can be two minutes, then the pause in the middle of the process is delayed by a quarter of an hour.

However, it can be shorter, it is determined by the organizers of a particular tournament.

In 2006, the world record for the longest basketball game was set. It lasted as much as 58 hours, began on Saturday evening and did not end until Monday morning. However, it should be noted that the purpose of this match was to set a record and raise funds for charity. Ordinary games can't last that long.

Record scores

Such records are more significant for a basketball player, they determine how effective and useful he is for the team. The best players receive not only world recognition, but also contracts for large sums. As we remember, points in basketball are awarded for hitting the basket. These champions excelled in the number of accurate hits:

  • Wilt Chamberlain. He was the first in the history of sports to score over 30,000 points. At the end of his career, the score was 31.419. There was one match in his career that brought as many as 100 points, which is why he is considered a basketball legend of all time. Unfortunately, that legendary match 1962 years has come down to us only in the audio recording of the radio broadcast, the video has not been preserved;
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was able to break Wilt Chamberlain's record. His career score is 38.387. At the moment, such a figure has not yet been surpassed;
  • Karl Malone. An athlete from America was also able to go beyond thirty thousand points. At the time of the end, he had 36.928 in his account;
  • Michael Jordan. He also managed to go beyond 30 thousand. This happened at the 2001-2002 championship;
  • Dirk Nowitzki. He became the first European who managed to score more than thirty thousand in total for all games. Personal account amounted to 31.187;
  • James LeBron. He also managed to overcome the barrier of 30 thousand points, this happened in the 2017-2018 season.

These champion stats could have had many more names, and would have included some legends from the past. The fact is that in basketball before 1979 there were no three-point hits. If a basketball player hit from the farthest mark, he was awarded two points. Rule changes only happened in season 1979-1980s.

How long does a match last on average?

We figured out how points are awarded in basketball and who is especially successful in this. It remains to answer the last question - how much time to devote to watching the match? As said above, it technically only lasts 48 minutes, but in fact the average game time is two hours. If there are difficulties with determining the winner, then the match may be delayed for an indefinite period of time.

"Italian" scoring system introduced in Russian volleyball - Volleyball

Following the May 22 meeting of the Presidium of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation, it was decided to use the so-called "Italian" scoring system in the men's superleague championship starting next season, Sport-Express reports.

If earlier, for any outcome of the match, the winner received 2 points, and the loser - 1, now the points will directly depend on the exact score by game. At 3:0 and 3:1, the winner will write down 3 points to his account, and the loser - 0, in the event of a tie-break, points will be distributed as 2 to 1.

The Presidium also approved the two-round "format" of the 2007/08 Russian regular championship for men (with superfinals for the first, third and fifth places following it) and the expansion of the Women's Super League from 12 to 14 teams.

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