Basketball captivates millions worldwide, but it all comes down to one thing: putting the ball through the hoop.
What began in 1891 as a creative solution for indoor winter exercise has exploded into a global phenomenon powering a multi-billion dollar industry, with the NBA alone generating $13 billion league-wide.
In those early days, scoring was simple — one point per basket, with someone retrieving the ball from the peach basket after each successful shot. Today's scoring system rewards different shots with varying point values. Let's break down how those numbers add up.
How Can You Score Points in Basketball?
Just five years after basketball's creation, the rules changed to distinguish between a field goal made during play and a free throw resulting from a foul. These 1896 changes still stand today, with some additions to the point system.
Field goals
Field goals in basketball are shots taken from the court during the course of the game. There are two ways to score a field goal. From inside the three-point line or from beyond the three-point line:
- A field goal shot made within the three-point line is worth 2 points,
- A field goal shot made beyond the three-point line is worth 3 points.
There are different techniques for scoring a field goal. These include:
- Layups: This is a running shot taken when the player gets close to the basket.
- Jump shots: This shot is taken from a greater distance away from the basket.
- Dunk shots: This shot is taken when the player is directly under the basket. Unlike a layup, the player slams (hence the familiar term slam dunk) the ball into the basket, rather than throwing it in.
Free throws
Free throws are awarded to a player after a foul has been committed by the opposing team. The player who was fouled can get one or more free throw attempts, depending on the severity of the foul. If the player scores a goal during a free throw, it is worth one point. The NBA has an extensive list of fouls, here are just a few of the most common ones:
- Having six or more players on the court during the game.
- Unnecessary contact with another player.
- Deliberately hanging onto the basketball ring, net, or backboard during play.
There are specific rules for taking a free throw shot:
- Free throws are taken from the free-throw line, which is 15 feet from the basket.
- During a free throw attempt, the player has ten seconds to release the ball and score a point.
- Only the player taking the free throw is allowed to touch the ball, and the rest of the players must stay behind the three-point line.
Bonus throws
If the opposing team has committed a certain number of team fouls within a given period, the team that was fouled is awarded bonus free throw attempts for each subsequent foul. The number of team fouls required to reach the bonus varies by league:
- In the National Basketball Association (NBA), it is typically 4 fouls per half.
- In most NCAA Division I games, it is typically 7 fouls per half.
When a bonus throw is awarded, the player who was fouled is given one free throw for each foul committed by the opposing team.
“And ones”
“And ones” are awarded when a player scores a field goal and is also fouled during the same play. In this case, the player receives one or more free throw attempts. If the player successfully scores during the free throw attempt(s), this is also referred to as an “and one”.
What Information Is Displayed on a Basketball Scoreboard?
Given all the scoring possibilities and all the rules around earnings points, it should come as no surprise that there is a lot of information on a basketball scoreboard. Here’s what you generally see:
Score
The current score for each team, displayed in large numbers, is the most important information.
Time
The time remaining in the game or in a specific quarter or half.
Quarter/Half
The current quarter or half of the game.
Fouls
The number of fouls committed by each team. This is important as the number of fouls affects the game in various ways, such as awarding free throws and determining when a player gets a bonus throw.
Timeouts
The number of timeouts remaining for each team. This is important as timeouts can be used by teams to rest and strategize during the game. Also, requesting too many timeouts is a foul.
Bonuses
Indicates when a team has been granted bonus throws.
Shot clock
Displays the amount of time a team has to attempt a shot. This ensures that teams cannot hold onto the ball indefinitely and adds pace to the game. This is particularly relevant for free throws.
In addition to these basics, some scoreboards may also display additional information such as the names of the players, player statistics, and game-related announcements.
Test Your Knowledge
Try these scenarios to test your understanding of basketball scoring:
Scenario 1
A player takes a jump shot within the three-point line, and the ball goes into the basket.
Question: What happens next?
Scenario 2
A player is awarded a free throw after being fouled. They take the shot, and the ball goes into the basket
Question: How many points does the player’s team earn?
Scenario 3
The opposing team commits their seventh foul in a half during an NCAA game.
Question: What happens next?
Scenario 4
A player makes a slam dunk and is fouled at the same time. They successfully make the additional free throw.
Question: What is the total number of points scored for this play?
Using an online scoreboard
KeepTheScore is one of the leading providers of online scoreboards and has a dedicated basketball scoreboard. It’s incredibly easy to get started!
What's particularly convenient is that you can control your scoreboard from anywhere, including a mobile phone.
📺 Streaming basketball games? Check out our guide on adding a basketball scoreboard overlay to OBS for professional live streaming.
Do you have any questions or insights? Share them with us in the comments section! And if you want regular inspiration on how to use KeepTheScore, sign up for our newsletter.
