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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1.
Rules and Scoring – Ch.1 – Basketball
Main Body
Basketball has many intricate rules and regulations. The International Basketball Federation has done a nice job of teasing out the most basic rules and explaining them, along with defining some of the key basketball jargon. Read through the content and links below to learn about the game and its rules.
The Game
First, access FIBA’s basic rules of Basketball. Review the six categories:
Number of players
Positions
Scoring
Violation
Fouls
Referee signals
Next, check out rules from the NBA’s website; specifically read through the following:
Players can score 1, 2, 3 (or even 4 points) during a possession.
Players score 3 points for any basket made beyond the 3 point line, in bounds.
Players score 2 points for any basket made inside the 3 point line, in bounds.
Players score 1 point for made free throws.
Free throws are shots when in a player is fouled in the act of shooting. A free throw shot is also taken when the other team is over the foul limit, putting the offensive team in a bonus “1 and 1” situation:
Seven or more fouls: when a defensive team exceeds the foul limit (7+ fouls), the offensive teams receives a bonus each time they are fouled. The “1 and 1” situation refers to a free throw structure in which if the first free throw is made, the player can attempt another free throw. However, if the first free throw is missed, it is a live ball and both teams can attempt to rebound the ball.
Ten or more fouls: if an opposing team exceeds the second foul limit (10+ fouls), the offensive team is given a double bonus in which 2 free throws are awarded for each foul, regardless of whether the first free throw is made or not.
If a player is fouled in the act of shooting, and the ball goes in the basket, the player is allowed an “And 1” free throw. Under normal circumstances, if a player is fouled in the act of shooting and misses the shot, the player is awarded 2 free throws.
As an example, suppose a player drives the basketball, pulls up to shoot, but on the way down is fouled by the defender. Also suppose that the ball went into the basket during the play. The player is awarded 2 or 3 points, depending on where the shot was attempted, plus an additional free throw. Thus, theoretically, a 4 point play exists when a player attempts a 3 point shot that goes in but is also fouled. Making the “And 1” free throw will result in a 4 point play.
Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Make shield rolls
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3. Look at the ring, not at the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6. Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand
This is the biggest newbie mistake!
Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.
The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.
***
And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.
How to throw the ball correctly in basketball: technique, tips, video tutorials
The first thing taught in any basketball section is how to throw the ball correctly in basketball. This is where all the NBA stars once started. In addition to throwing technique, many more qualities will come in handy on the court: speed, strength, agility, quick reaction, but it all starts with technical improvement. For basketball players, this process never ends; in training, they work out tactical schemes and constantly work on the shot. In this article, you will learn how to throw and score the ball correctly, what types of shots are, which ones are the most effective, and how to improve your basketball shot.
If a basketball player does not progress, he becomes less successful. Therefore, after training, the players do not leave the court and for a long time just throw the ball into the basket from different points, this can go on for several hours in a row. So do both schoolchildren who have recently joined the section, and athletes from the best leagues in the world. It is extremely important to master the technique, but it is just as important to continue to work on it, to include basketball throwing exercises in training so that all movements are not only memorized, but also verified.
Types of throws
Almost the whole game consists of throws, and they differ from each other. There are different types according to the execution technique, for example, a dunk or a half-hook, as well as by range: directly from under the shield, from a short or long distance. There are also differences in the method of implementation, for example, after dribbling or in a jump.
The simplest in terms of technical implementation are lay-up and dunk. The first is performed from below, usually right from under the basket, it will not be difficult even for a child to master the correct throw in basketball from such a distance. The dunk will be a little more difficult, as physics intervenes. It is necessary not only to throw the ball, but to group well, to jump high in order to be as close to the basket as possible. In this case, it will be possible to simply put the ball into the ring with two hands or one. You can learn more about this from the article “What are dunks in basketball and how to do them correctly?”.
In the case of the dunk, it is important not only to know how to shoot correctly in basketball, but also to work on the strength of your legs and improve your jump. That is why training begins not only with throws, but with general physical preparation. The very first to be mastered will be from an average distance, this is the basis of everything, these are exactly what they do as a free kick. To implement it is simple and difficult at the same time, the moment is not technically difficult, but extremely responsible.
The worst thing that can happen to a beginner is learning the wrong technique to throw a basketball. The body has muscle memory, so learning something from scratch is easier than relearning. Incorrectly learned movements are reflected in accuracy. Sometimes even high-level basketball players spend several years to correct the wrong technical points that they found in school.
In terms of efficiency, there is no technique that will make any player successful. Much depends on individual characteristics, primarily on height and other anthropometric data. Therefore, you need to master the correct shooting technique in basketball in different performances in order to understand which one makes you more effective.
Correct execution
When learning any throw, you need to watch the position of the body. In the case of the usual, the legs should be shoulder-width apart, this gives stability and enhances coordination of movements. The throwing leg is slightly forward relative to the supporting leg, about half a step. The heels are torn off the floor surface by just a couple of millimeters, the knees are slightly bent, this gives the body springiness.
The main characteristic of basketball shots is accuracy, and it depends on the position of the head. The head should be located strictly in the center of the body, if you tilt it to the right or left, then a deviation will occur, accuracy will suffer.
Let's move on to the most important thing - the work of the hands. When taking out, the thrower is bent at the elbow at a right angle, her forearm is located perpendicular to the floor. With proper implementation, the ball will come off your hand at the level of your forehead or a little higher, this should be taken into account when training a shot in basketball. The second hand is the insurer, it should not firmly fix the ball, just hold it slightly. If you do not listen to this rule, then in flight there will be a deviation from the desired trajectory. In this case, before the throw, the projectile is fixed exclusively with the throwing hand.
Spread your fingers wide for better control of accuracy. The larger the captured area, the easier it is to control.
Accuracy is also affected by backspin, which is given to the ball by fingertips at the very last moment. Twist the middle and index fingers. The throwing arm should not be tense, the ball is escorted exclusively by the hand. The faster it is released, the more accurate its flight will be.
Basketball throwing technique consists of many tiny details, and each of them is important. Before you throw, you need to sit down slightly in order to straighten up at the right moment, this is not done abruptly, but quickly. Such actions allow you to transfer an additional momentum to the projectile. The flight range depends not only on the force that is invested by the throwing hand, so there is simply no need for its tension and sharp movements with the brush.
Last but not least is the trajectory. Players constantly calculate it to understand how to hit the basket in basketball from the distance they are at the moment. The trajectory should always be curved, throwing in a straight line is not worth it for two reasons: it is more difficult to get into the ring, and it is easier for representatives of the other team to intercept the blow. The higher the trajectory, the more likely it is to hit the basket, and not the bow. In addition, according to the rules of the game, block shots can only be placed during the ascending phase of the movement. It turns out that the higher the highest point of the flight is located, the more difficult it is to intercept it.
How to choose a throwing technique?
Do not try to master difficult throws until the most common one is brought to automatism. It is necessary to constantly do throwing exercises in basketball on technique, initially not even paying attention to accuracy and speed. Muscle memory should be replenished with basic movements, and only after that you can try to repeat the tricks of Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry. You can learn about a complex and very effective technique from the article “How to do a hook throw in basketball?”.
What is needed is automatism, since in real game conditions there will be no time to think about how to place a foot or place hands. Opponents simply will not provide such an opportunity. Over time, you will realize that, technically, the execution of a jump shot is very similar to a free kick.
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.
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. 
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.
Rules and Scoring – Ch.1 – Basketball
Rule No. 7 – 24-Second Clock
The “1 and 1” situation refers to a free throw structure in which if the first free throw is made, the player can attempt another free throw. However, if the first free throw is missed, it is a live ball and both teams can attempt to rebound the ball.
Thus, theoretically, a 4 point play exists when a player attempts a 3 point shot that goes in but is also fouled. Making the “And 1” free throw will result in a 4 point play.
Don't overlook this little thing! 
Practice with the ball constantly. 
Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge. 
Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal). 
This is where all the NBA stars once started. In addition to throwing technique, many more qualities will come in handy on the court: speed, strength, agility, quick reaction, but it all starts with technical improvement. For basketball players, this process never ends; in training, they work out tactical schemes and constantly work on the shot. In this article, you will learn how to throw and score the ball correctly, what types of shots are, which ones are the most effective, and how to improve your basketball shot. 
Much depends on individual characteristics, primarily on height and other anthropometric data. Therefore, you need to master the correct shooting technique in basketball in different performances in order to understand which one makes you more effective. 
When taking out, the thrower is bent at the elbow at a right angle, her forearm is located perpendicular to the floor. With proper implementation, the ball will come off your hand at the level of your forehead or a little higher, this should be taken into account when training a shot in basketball. The second hand is the insurer, it should not firmly fix the ball, just hold it slightly. If you do not listen to this rule, then in flight there will be a deviation from the desired trajectory. In this case, before the throw, the projectile is fixed exclusively with the throwing hand. 
It turns out that the higher the highest point of the flight is located, the more difficult it is to intercept it. 
