A three-point field goal (also called a three-pointer) is a field goal in a basketball game made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc surrounding the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point for each made free throw. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the 3-point line is 22 ft. (approximately 6.706 m) away from the basket in the corners of the court. This distance naturally increases along a 14 ft. (approx. 4.267 m) straight line that is 3 ft. (approx. 0.914 m) away from the sidelines. At the 14 ft. mark, the 3-point line becomes an arc 23 ft. 9 in. (approx. 7.239 m) away from the basket and remains so until the arc reaches the straight line on the other side of the court 14 ft. from the baseline. In international FIBA and WNBA play, the three-point line is 22 ft. 1.75 in. (6.75 m) away from the basket on the arc and 21 ft. 8 in (6.6 m) at its corners. In both men's and women's National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball, the three-point line is an arc 20 ft. 9 in. (approx. 6.325 m) away from the basket that, unlike professional leagues, does not change as it gets closer to the sidelines.
A three-point line consists of an arc at a set radius measured from the point on the floor directly below the center of the basket, and two parallel lines equidistant from each sideline extending from the nearest end line to the point at which they intersect the arc. A player's feet must be completely behind the three-point line at the time of the shot or jump in order to make a three-point attempt; if the player's feet are on or in front of the line, it is a two-point attempt. A player is allowed to jump from outside the line and land inside the line to make a three-point attempt, as long as the ball is released in mid-air.
An official raises his/her arm with three fingers extended to signal the shot attempt. If the attempt is successful, he/she raises his/her other arm with all fingers fully extended in manner similar to a football official signifying successful field goal to indicate the three-point goal. The official must recognize it for it to count as three points. Instant replay has sometimes been used, depending on league rules. The NBA, WNBA, FIBA and the NCAA specifically allow replay for this purpose. In NBA. FIBA, and WNBA games, video replay does not have to occur immediately following a shot; play can continue and the officials can adjust the scoring later in the game, after reviewing the video. However, in late game situations, play may be paused pending a review.
If a shooter is fouled while attempting a three-pointer and subsequently misses the shot, the shooter is awarded three free-throw attempts. If a player completes a three-pointer while being fouled, the player is awarded one free-throw for a possible 4-point play. Conceivably, if a player completed a three-pointer while being fouled, and that foul was ruled as either a Flagrant 1 or a Flagrant 2 foul, the player would be awarded two free throws for a possible 5-point play.
SPORTS
RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Basketball" and "Three-point field goal", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
© Stories Preschool. All Rights Reserved.