Scoring in basketball is relatively simple, but it has changed over time. Basketball did not originally feature the three-point line, which is now featured in all sorts of basketball leagues ranging from youth to international. Basketball scoring now comes in intervals of one, two or three depending on where you shoot from on the floor. If you're new to basketball or trying to teach scoring rules to a novice player, it shouldn't take more than a minute of explanation before you're ready to play.
Two-point Field Goals
Any shot made from the court when your feet are inside or on the three-point line is a two-point shot. These are called two-point field goals. Most points scored in a basketball game are two-point field goals. The official rule constituting a field goal, according to the National Basketball Association, is that "A legal field goal or free throw attempt shall be scored when a live ball from the playing area enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through the net."
Three-point Shots
Three-point shots are field goals made from outside the three-point arch painted onto the floor. In order to make a qualifying three-point field goal you must have had at least one foot planted fully behind the three-point arch prior to shooting. You must make sure that no part of your feet touches the three-point arch when shooting, otherwise it will be counted as a two-point field goal.
Foul Line Scoring
Any time you are fouled in the act of shooting, or if the other teams commits an excessive number of penalties that puts them into bonus territory, a player will be sent to the line to shoot free throws. Free throws are worth one point each and can be scored a number of ways. If you are fouled while shooting, or if you are in bonus territory--called double-bonus foul trouble in college basketball--two free throws will be taken. If you are fouled on a three-point shot, you will be given three chances for free throws worth one point each. If you are fouled on a made basket, you will be given one extra free throw whether you scored a two- or three-point basket.
Two-point Field Goals
Any shot made from the court when your feet are inside or on the three-point line is a two-point shot. These are called two-point field goals. Most points scored in a basketball game are two-point field goals. The official rule constituting a field goal, according to the National Basketball Association, is that "A legal field goal or free throw attempt shall be scored when a live ball from the playing area enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through the net."
Three-point Shots
Three-point shots are field goals made from outside the three-point arch painted onto the floor. In order to make a qualifying three-point field goal you must have had at least one foot planted fully behind the three-point arch prior to shooting. You must make sure that no part of your feet touches the three-point arch when shooting, otherwise it will be counted as a two-point field goal.
Foul Line Scoring
Any time you are fouled in the act of shooting, or if the other teams commits an excessive number of penalties that puts them into bonus territory, a player will be sent to the line to shoot free throws. Free throws are worth one point each and can be scored a number of ways. If you are fouled while shooting, or if you are in bonus territory--called double-bonus foul trouble in college basketball--two free throws will be taken. If you are fouled on a three-point shot, you will be given three chances for free throws worth one point each. If you are fouled on a made basket, you will be given one extra free throw whether you scored a two- or three-point basket.
