Section 6: Scoring
Field Goals
- Two-point field goal: A shot made from inside the three-point line scores 2 points
- Three-point field goal: A shot made from behind the 6.75m (22.15ft) three-point arc scores 3 points. The shooter's feet must be entirely behind the line at the point of release. If a foot is on the line, it counts as a two-pointer.
Free Throws
- Value: 1 point each
- Awarded for: Personal fouls on a shooter (2 free throws for a two-point attempt, 3 for a three-point attempt), unsportsmanlike fouls (2 free throws + possession), disqualifying fouls, technical fouls (1 free throw in FIBA, 2 in NBA)
- Team foul bonus: Starting from the 5th team foul in each quarter, the fouled player shoots 2 free throws regardless of whether the foul occurred during a shooting act
- NBA comparison: NBA awards bonus free throws after the 5th team foul per quarter (same) but awards 2 free throws for technical fouls (FIBA awards 1)
Goaltending and Basket Interference
This is a major rule difference from the NBA:
- FIBA rule: Once the ball touches the rim, any player may touch it — even while it is still on or above the cylinder of the basket. Players may tip the ball off the rim or swat it away.
- NBA rule: No player may touch the ball while it is on the rim, within the cylinder above the basket, or on its downward flight toward the basket. Any such touch is basket interference.
- Impact: This means offensive tip-ins off the rim and defensive swats of the ball sitting on the rim are legal in FIBA but illegal in the NBA. It adds a significant physical dimension to play around the basket.