Scoring and the act of shooting
FIBA · 2026Point values, shooting continuation and last-second attempts under the 2026 rules.
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Article 16 — One, two or three pointsArticle 15 — When shooting startsArticle 16 — Very little time remainingArticle 16 — One, two or three points
A free throw scores 1 point, an ordinary field goal 2, and a shot released from the three-point area 3. The ball must enter from above. An accidental own basket awards the opponents 2 points; a deliberate own basket is a violation and does not count. A last free throw legally touched after rim contact becomes a 2-point field goal if it goes in.
Article 15 — When shooting starts
On jump shots and other moving shots, the act starts as the shoulders and ball move upward toward the basket. On a drive, it starts when the gathered ball comes to rest in the hands and the player continues the shooting motion. Passing after the foul ends shooting status. The 2026 text normally requires the shooter to be in the frontcourt; a final action before game-clock or shot-clock expiry can start anywhere, from the gather. Legal steps and shooting status are separate questions.
Article 16 — Very little time remaining
A player needs at least 0.3 seconds on the game or shot clock to catch and attempt a shot. With 0.2 or 0.1, only a tap or direct dunk can count, and the player’s hands must be off the ball at 0.0.
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