# 3 or 2 point basket? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 6, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963 "2001-03-06T17:19:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963/21 "2001-03-20T19:29:48Z")
Bob, That doesn’t seem to make sense. One foot? If you have either foot over the line in the NBA, it is not a 3-pointer. Also, notice the use of the word “prior” there, which seems to support the 3-point theory. What attempt are they talking about, could you quote more of that? ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963/22 "2001-03-20T22:55:31Z")
Unfortunately, the rest of the rule doesn’t shed any more light, but here’s how I see it. Let’s say that John Stockton gets the ball near the three point line. He notices that his left foot is behind the line, but his right foot is on it. Before he shoots, he lifts his right foot off the line. Now he is in 3-point territory. There is no part of him touching the line before he shoots. I will try to track down a referee for more clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963/23 "2001-03-20T23:32:48Z")
**muttrox** wrote: > [@](#): > > If you have either foot over the line in the NBA, it is not a 3-pointer. I don’t think that’s correct. Currently, I think an NBA shot counts as a three-pointer as long as one foot is behind the line. The rule in college is different. I vaguely remember being struck by this while watching an NBA game earlier this year. (I usually ignore the NBA and watch college ball.) One of the players launched a shot with one foot behind the line, one foot over the line. Ref calls it a three-pointer. Took me a minute to realize the pro rule must be different. I think this may be a recent rule change. In the past, I’m sure the NBA required both feet to be behind the line. I may be mistaken about all of that. I invite anyone with more knowledge of NBA rules to straighten me out. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963/24 "2001-03-21T01:13:49Z")
I guess we do need the entire NBA three-point rule here so here it is: > [@](#): > > c. A successful field goal attempt from the area outside the three-point field goal line shall count three points. > (1) The shooter must have at least one foot on the floor outside the three-point field goal line prior to the attempt. > (2) The shooter may not be touching the floor on or inside the three-point field goal line. > (3) The shooter may contact the three-point field goal line, or land in the two-point field goal area, after the ball is released. So, you can’t have a foot inside the 3-point line when attempting a shot. That’s why I think that section (1) means that you have to start the shot with at least one foot on the ground outside the line. But if you are on the floor and one foot is behind the line and one is touching it, it’s only 2 points. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2001, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963/25 "2001-03-26T06:11:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by muttrox \* > \*\*Interesting. I was all set to say it’s obviously a 2, but the more I look at it, the more I’ve convinced it’s a 3. > > “Player 1, still airborne, shoots or tips the ball into the basket.” If he can catch it and shoot it it seems like it’s clearly a 3, since he took off from behind the line. Where he got the pass from is immaterial, since he gained possession of it. > > If he tips it, it’s also a 3. After all, consider an alley-oop that starts from behind the 3-point line. It is considered a 2, because the tipping player was in 2-territory. > > Or consider a guard who passes back to a teammate who has just jumped from behind the mid-court line. This will be ruled a backcourt violation regardless of where the receiving players lands, because they took off from behind the line. In the same, Player 1 in this case would be considered to be shooting a 3-pointer. > > Not that I have any real expertise, I can’t even dunk on an 8-foot basket anymore \*\* So here’s the breakdown on this situation. NBA: 2 points (see previous posts) NCAA: 3 points High school: 3 points In both college and high school ball, a 3 point shooter’s position is always determined by where the player last touched the floor. The NCAA rule derives from parts of Rules 4 and 5. The high school rule comes from rule 4-35. I’ve never seen a play like this, but if I do, I’m ready. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-or-2-point-basket/56963.md?page=1)