The game of basketball is about teamwork, dribbling, passing, defense and strategy. It's also about scoring. Coaches often emphasize the team aspect of the game and how players have to work together if winning is the ultimate goal. But the scoring aspect of basketball cannot be overstated. Individual players have to put the ball through the rim.
2-Point Field Goal
Any shot taken from the field that is inside the 3-point arc is worth 2 points. That includes a dunk or a layup from inches away or an 18-foot jump shot from the baseline. The 2-point shot is the primary shot at all levels of basketball. From a coach's perspective, the ideal shot to take is a layup or a dunk because it is the easiest shot.
3-Point Field Goal
The 3-point shot is a staple of offensive play. At the high-school level, boys and girls shoot 3-pointers from a distance of 19 feet, 9 inches. In college basketball, women shoot 3-pointers from 19 feet, 9 inches, and men shoot them from 20 feet, 9 inches. In professional basketball, the distance varies between 22 feet and 23 feet, 9 inches. The distance is shortest near the baseline and longest straight away from the basket. The 3-point shot came into existence in 1967, with the founding of the American Basketball Association. While that league folded following the 1975-76 season, the NBA adopted the 3-point shot, and it is a key part of offensive play at all levels of basketball.
Shooting Fouls -- Free Throw
The free throw is worth 1 point. A player shoots a free throw when he is fouled while shooting the basketball. If a player takes a shot from inside the 3-point line and is fouled by a defender, he gets two free throws if the shot from the field did not go in. If he made the shot from the field, he gets one free throw. If the foul occurred while he was taking a 3-pointer, he gets three free throws if that shot did not go in. If he made that shot, he gets one free throw.
Bonus Free Throws
Players also shoot bonus free throws when the opposing team has accumulated a certain number of fouls, which depends on the level of play. These fouls do not have to be shooting fouls. At the professional level, if a team commits five fouls or more in a quarter, its opponent shoots two free throws on each subsequent foul. At the college level, a team get one free throw after the seventh foul by its opponent. If the team makes that free throw, it gets a second free throw. After the 10th foul by a team, its opponent shoots two free throws on any subsequent fouls. High school basketball follows the same standard as college basketball.
Technical Free Throws
Teams shoot free throws if their opponent commits a technical foul. This foul occurs when a coach or a player argues vehemently with the referee and does not stop in a reasonable period of time. Additionally, if a player or coach gets two technical fouls in the same game, she is also ejected from the game.
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