What is a Free Throw in Basketball
A free throw is an uncontested shot awarded to a player who has been fouled, taken from the free throw line 15 feet from the basket.
A free throw is an uncontested shot awarded to a basketball player after a foul has been committed against them. The shot is taken from the free throw line, which is 15 feet (4.57 meters) from the backboard. Each successful free throw is worth 1 point.
When Free Throws Are Awarded
Free throws are awarded in several situations:
- Personal foul on a shooter — If a player is fouled while shooting, they receive:
- 2 free throws if the shot was a 2-point attempt
- 3 free throws if the shot was a 3-point attempt
- 1 free throw (plus possession) if the shot went in (an "and-one")
- Bonus/penalty situation — Once a team exceeds a certain number of team fouls per half or quarter, the opposing team receives free throws for non-shooting fouls too
- Technical foul — Results in 1 free throw and continued possession
- Flagrant foul — Results in free throws plus possession depending on severity
Free Throw Rules
- The shooter must stay behind the free throw line until the ball leaves their hands
- Other players must wait outside the lane until the ball is released
- The shooter has 10 seconds to attempt the shot
- Teammates and opponents line up along the lane in designated spots
Famous Free Throw Shooters
- Steve Nash — Career 90.4% free throw percentage
- Stephen Curry — Career 90%+ free throw shooter
- Rick Barry — Famous for shooting free throws underhanded ("granny style"); career 89.3%
- Wilt Chamberlain — Famously poor free throw shooter despite being one of the greatest players ever (51.1% career)
The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy
Teams sometimes intentionally foul a poor free throw shooter to give them two uncontested shots rather than allowing a higher-percentage shot. This strategy, known as "Hack-a-Shaq" (named after Shaquille O'Neal, who shot below 55% from the line), is controversial but legal.