Any shot, other than the free throw that gets us a basket is known as a field goal in basketball. The worth of a field goal is either two or three points. Whenever a player makes a basket behind the three-point line, the player will receive a three-point score.
Furthermore, any shot made from anywhere inside or on the three-point line is a two-pointer. The entire purpose of playing basketball is to attain more points than the opposing team.
Obviously, you can only achieve this by scoring field goals regularly, efficiently, and consistently. You can’t score many points without field goals. A total of 15,387 field goals have been made by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former Los Angeles Lakers center.
With up to 28,307 field goal attempts, it also holds the world record. Keep reading to learn about field goal definition, 2-point, and 3-point field goals, field goal percentage, and more.
What's Inside
What is a field goal in basketball?
Free throws and field goals are the two fundamental ways of scoring points in basketball. There are different kinds of basketball leagues throughout the world, with varying levels.
However, all of them use the Field Goal system. Field Goals are usually tracked in an organized basketball game. Although Field Goals do not constitute a stat, it is used to get three very important stats which tells us a player’s scoring proficiency. That is:
- (FGA) Field Goals Attempted
- Field Goals Made (FGM)
- (FG%) Field Goal Percentage
Field goals can be made several ways, and there are numerous variations among these methods, but there are basically two categories:
- Two-point field goals
- Three-point field goals
In a stat sheet, you must be aware that FGs refer to two-point field goals and three-point field goals. On the other hand, three-point field goals are symbolized as the ‘3 PM’, ‘3PA’, and ‘3P%’. The referee must call a field goal if any of the following three things occur:
- When you release the basketball from your hand or leave the ground, both of your feet must be inbounds.
- Balls need to be shot within 24 seconds (30 seconds in college) before the expiry of the shot clock.
- It would be best to score the ball in your team’s basket, or else the points will go to your opponent.
Let’s find out even more about each type of field goal and all the ways you can get a game-winning field goal.
How many points are awarded in a field goal?
We discussed earlier that a field goal is worth 2 to 3 points depending on the distance between the basket and shooting point of the ball. You will be awarded two points if you make your field goal inside the 3-point line.
Furthermore, if you make an attempt beyond the three-point line, then you will receive three points. There could be additional points awarded to a field goal than two or three.
FIBA 3×3 basketball competitions are a great example of this since only one point is awarded for a field goal. Likewise, a field goal may be worth up to 4 points in the BIG3 basketball league. However, NBA & NCAA games award 2 or 3 points for field goals.
What is a 2-point field goal in basketball?
Shots made from inside or on the 3-point line other than free throws are considered two-point field goals. A player can try several ways exist to attempt two-point field goals when inside the three-point line. Here are some of the most frequent:
- Dunk: It is a two-point field goal attempt in which the offensive player leaps under the basket and hangs on the rim after making the shot.
- Floater: An offensive player shoots floater while driving to the basket and then stops halfway to shoot the ball up for the shot that flies past the defense.
- Hook: In a hook shot, a player tries to reach the basket with one hand, extending it away from his or her defender and shooting it above the defender’s head.
- Jump Shot: The jump shot is made from wherever the offensive player is on the court (within the three-point line) in an attempt to make a two-point basket.
- Layup: It is a shot made by an offensive player from inside the paint area in which he attempts a two-point field goal without touching the basket.
Examples
The examples above count as field goal attempted (FGA) in basketball. Moreover, if the ball goes in the basket, it counts as a field goal made (FGM). Also, there are some categorize of the above-mentioned field goals.
- Jump shots are categorized as follows
- Normal jump shot
- Fadeaway jump shot
- Turnaround jump shot
- Leaning jump shot
- Bank shot (When the basketball goes off the backboard first before hitting the rim or going into the basket).
Layups are categorized as follows:
- Underarm Layups
- Overarm layups
Dunks are categorized as follows:
- Standing dunk
- Alley-oop
- Tomahawk
- Windmill
And much more field goal types depending upon an individual player’s creativity.
What is a 3-point field goal in basketball?
We are now aware of two-point field goals, so let’s move on to three-point field goals. An offensive player who will make a three-pointer must keep his foot behind the three-point line when shooting the ball.
When a player is on the line, it does not count as a three-pointer. You should know that the three-point line is an arc and not a straight line. As used in the NBA, the center of the arch is 23’9” from the center of the basket.
Moreover, the arc is located 22’0” from the baseline. It’s hard to attempt a layup (or dunk) without stepping inside the three-point line since a jump shot is a primary way in which a player attempts a three-point field goal.
An offensive player tries various jump shots like the ones described above can also be used to attempt three-point field goals. The hook shots usually occur only if players can’t get a better shot or the shot clock is dwindling, and the same with the floater shots.
The two terms three-point play and three-point field goal should not be confused. During an offensive possession, a player will usually be fouled by a defender in the act of making a two-point field goal attempt.
An offensive player will be able to make one free throw, which will give him a chance for a three-point play. A three-point field goal isn’t considered a three-pointer if the player makes a free throw.
Those shots are counted as two-point field goals and one free throw. Additionally, If the player fails to make his shot, the field goal is not recorded. Instead, the player receives two free throws.
A player who scores a three-point field goal by being fouled while attempting may count the shot as a 3 PM (Pointers Made) and receive one free throw. In a missed three-point field goal, the player gets three free throws if they are fouled. However, the field goal is not recorded.
Famous Field Goals in Basketball
What is a field goal percentage in basketball?
The field goal percentage can be considered a shooter’s most crucial stat due to how successful they are as a scorer. However, you should pay attention to the number of points you score and how the points were acquired.
It is essential to know that this is not true for all positions. The centers and forwards usually have more FG% than guards. You can find the FG% of a player by using the following formula given below.
Field Goal% = Field Goals Made / Field Goals Attempted x 100 %
FG% = FGM / FGA x 100 %
For Example: If a player made 15 Field Goals and attempted 30 Field Goals, what would his Field Goals percentage be?
FGM = 15
FGA = 30
FG% =?
FG% = FGM / FGA x 100 %
= 15 / 30 x 100 %
= 50 %
That means he is shooting at 50% Field Goal Percentage, which is quite good.
What is a field goal attempt in basketball?
Field goal attempts (FGA) are counted whenever a player shoots the ball to make a basket. It counts towards your Field Goal Attempt no matter whether you make the basket or not. You can think of your FGA as the volume of your scoring.
What is a field goal made in basketball?
This stat includes how many field goals you have made. When a player shoots the ball and gets into the basket, that counts as a field goal. Besides the field goals attempt stat, field goals made stat also contributes to the FG% stat.
What is a good field goal percentage in basketball?
Field goal percentages greater than 50% are considered a good field goal percentage in NCAA and NBA basketball. You can check your favorite basketball player’s success by his field goal percentage that should be 50% or more when shooting both inside the 3-point line and beyond it.
What Is True Shooting Percentage in Basketball?
The true shooting percentage is one more unique way to record field goal percentage. Unlike the other, this method includes free throws. Fundamental true shooting percentage factors in free throws are a little different than effective field goal percentage. The formula below can be used to calculate shooting percentage in basketball.
True shooting percentage = [(total points scored) / {(field goals attempted) + (free throws attempted x 0.44)} x2] x 100
TS % = [(TPS) / {(FGA) + (FTA x 0.44)} x2] x 100
For Example: If a player scores a total of 20 points and shooting 7/14 from the field, including 6/10 from the free-throw line, then what will be the True Shooting percentage?
TPS = 20
FGA = 14
FGM = 7
FTA = 10
FTM = 6
TS % =?
TS % = [(TPS) / {(FGA) + (FTA x 0.44)} x2] x 100
= [(20) / {(14) + (10 x 0.44)} x 2] x 100
= [(20) / {(14) + (4.4)} x 2] x 100
= [(20) / {18.4} x 2] x 100
= [(20) / (36.8)] x 100
= [0.543] x 100
TS % = 54.3%
With more free throws being taken, true shooting percentage becomes increasingly popular. James Harden, for example, attempts up to10 free throws per contest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is a field goal in basketball called?
The term field goal in basketball refers to a basket scored with any shot that is not a free throw based on the distance from the basket is worth two to three points. Therefore, the field goal in basketball can be called a three-pointer or two-pointer.
What is a good field goal percentage in high school basketball?
A higher percentage of field goals indicates the greater effectiveness of a particular player. The field goal percentage of 50% or higher is considered a good one in high school basketball. The criteria do not apply equally to every position. Guard’s field goal percentage is usually lower than that of centers and forwards.
Why is a field goal worth 3 points?
Basketball has a rule about field goals that can be worth 3-points or 2-points. For a basket made inside the 3-point circle, a player will be awarded two points. Also, a player can earn 3-points if he makes a basket from beyond the 3-point line.
How do you score a field goal in basketball?
A field goal refers to any basket that a basketball player makes and gets two or three points during a live game. Under basketball rules, free throws do not count as field goals. It is essential to know a player’s efficiency on the court from his field goal percentage and number of field goals.
Should you jump forward when shooting a basketball?
Jumping depends upon the type of shot you are going to make. Moreover, jumping toward the 3-point line would be a point loss if you were trying to make a three-pointer. It is OK to jump forward in an open shot. However, it would be best if you didn’t do so in a crowded shot.
How to make a field goal in basketball from a Jumping position?
If you want to make a field goal by jumping, try a slam dunk.
What is a good field goal percentage in college basketball?
A higher percentage of field goals signifies higher efficiency. A field goal percentage of 50% or more is regarded as a good percentage in college basketball. However, it is not an equal criterion for all positions. FG% is typically lower for guards than for centers and forwards.
Is a layup a field goal?
Yes, field goals can be made with layups. Usually, the field goal is done by dunks, layups, or jump shots. An attempt at a field goal could be worth two or three points. It depends on how close the basket is to the player and where the shot was taken.
Why do you jump when shooting a basketball?
Basketball players usually jump as they shoot to make it more difficult for defenders to block the shot. While free throws don’t have defenders, there’s no need to jump and create unnecessary complexity.
Is a 3-pointer a field goal?
Yes, a player who shoots a basketball from outside the three-point line will make a three-pointer.
Why do they call it a field goal in basketball?
The field goal is an indication of a player’s skill level. More skillful players will have a higher percentage of field goals. Moreover, the field is known as the court in basketball terms; that’s why it is called a field goal.
Final Words
The term field goals are often confusing to basketball players and newcomers. ‘Field goal’ is an ancient basketball term and was used before its adoption as a common term when the court was known as the ‘field of play’ and baskets were referred to as goals.
Field Goals provide an essential measurement of a player’s ability to make a difference in the game. Players with good field goal percentages are more likely to average double-digit points per game.