Three-point field goal
In basketball, a three-point field goal, three-pointer, three-point shot, or simply three is a field goal made from beyond the three point line, a designated semi-ellipsoid arc radiating from the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points given for shots made inside the three point line.
In order to attempt a three-pointer, a player must be positioned outside the three point line, such that the three point line is between his feet and the basket. At the time of the shot or jump, the player may not be on the line or inside the line, or the basket is considered a two point attempt; however, the player is allowed to jump from outside the line and land inside the line, as long as the ball is released in mid-air.
To signal a three-point shot, a referee must raise his arm to signal the shot attempt. If the attempt is successful, he raises his other arm to make a Y shape and holds up three fingers in both hands to indicate the points scored. Even if the shot is attempted beyond the line, a referee has to recognize it for it to count. This has been an issue of much contention, as many times games are decided by a last-second three-pointer. In these extreme circumstances, referees will often confer before deciding on how to rule the shot. Video replay is sometimes used depending on league rules.
Distance
The distance from the basket to the three point line varies at different levels of play. For college basketball, the NCAA set the line at 19 feet, 9 inches in 1987. In the NBA, the line was introduced in 1979 and extends to 23 feet, 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the top of the key and 22 feet (6.72 meters) near the sidelines. In international play (including Olympics), FIBA introduced the three-pointer in 1984 at 20 feet, 6 inches (6.25 meters).
Form
Proper form in shooting a three pointer is essentially the same as shooting a regular jump shot. Elbows should be tucked in and the shooting shoulder should be facing the basket. The shot should be released at the apex of the jump and the wrist should snap forward in a follow through. Players with excellent form on their three-pointer include the Seattle Supersonics' Ray Allen and Duke University's J.J. Redick. However, one of the best all-time three-point shooters, Reggie Miller (from the Indiana Pacers), did not have proper technique but amazing touch.
History
Although the three-pointer was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League in 1961, it became popularized by the ABA after its introduction in 1968. During the 1970s, the ABA would use the three-pointer, along with the dunk, as a marketing tool to compete against the NBA. In the 1979-1980 season, the NBA officially adopted the three-pointer. On October 12,1979 Celtics guard, Chris Ford, hits the NBA's first three pointer.
During two seasons from 1994-1996, the NBA combated decreased scoring (due to tougher style defenses) by decreasing the overall distance of the line to a uniform 22 feet around the basket. Dennis Scott (Magic) used this rules change to set a record for most three-pointers in a season: 267 in 1995-96. Following the 1996-97 season and onward, the line was reverted back to its original distance. With the legalization of zone defense in the early 2000s, the three-pointer became more important due to its ability to stretch out a zone.
Famous three-pointers throughout basketball history include:
1) Pacers' Reggie Miller scoring consecutive three-pointers to beat the Knicks in the waning seconds of Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. As of 2005, Miller holds the NBA 3-point field goal record, with 2,560 career 3-pointers.
2) Bulls' John Paxson hitting a three to defeat the Suns in the deciding Game 6 of the 1993 Finals. This is currently the only three to "clinch the deal" and win a championship.
3) Lakers' Robert Horry hitting a three at the buzzer in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals vs the Sacramento Kings to tie the series at 2-2. The Lakers would eventually go on to win the champsionship.
4)Rockets'Tracy McGrady made 13 points(four 3-pointers)in 35 seconds while vs San Antonio Spurs in 2004 regular season,including a four points play over Tim Duncan and hit a three at 1.7 seconds left in the game to help the rockets defeat the Spurs by 1 point(81-80)
Perhaps one reason for the three-pointer's popularity is the colorful calls made by sports broadcasters. Normal calls will be along the lines of "X pulls up for three!" or "X for three!" Synonyms are "X from downtown!", "X buries a dagger!", "X dials long distance!" and "X nails a trifecta!"
College vs. NBA vs. International
Many coaches are known for disliking, even shirking, the three-pointer. Some of these coaches are known for their defensive "toughness" and affinity for grinding out low scoring games. Their reasoning in avoiding the three-pointer usually stems from its typically lower shooting percentage, the likelihood of a quick defensive rebound and fast break, and the missed opportunity of drawing shooting fouls (fouls on three-point shot attempts do occur but are very rare). Most notable from these line of coaches is perhaps Larry Brown. It should be noted that this reasoning does not carry over to college coaches. Mike Krzyzewski, coach of the Duke University Blue Devils, is known as a defensive coach, yet runs many plays for three-point shots.
Since the three-point line is closer in college and international play, it is generally much more widely used. For example, in the 2005 NCAA Final Four championship game, the losing team, Illinois, hoisted up over 40 three-point attempts. In the NBA, the three-pointer is a favored weapon of the Phoenix Suns, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Seattle SuperSonics.
Utilization of the three-pointer in gameplay
More often than not, coaches and point guards will run specific plays to open up a good three-point shooter for a shot. Common plays to open up a player for a three often include multiple screens or a drive and dish, where one player will drive to draw the defense away from a shooter before passing to him. Creating one's own three-pointer off the dribble is a difficult skill that few possess since it requires a blend of strength, quickness and accuracy. The three-pointer is also often used only as a threat, to dare defenders to leave them open while letting teammates break down the defense.
Often during close games when time is running out, the losing team will begin hoisting up threes in an attempt to quickly score points. Whether this is effective is controversial. Some say it is the best chance at evening the score. Others will say that the losing team will just be digging itself into a deeper hole due to the lower shooting percentage. Sports commentators will often argue about whether a team needs a three at a certain point in the ballgame.
Due to its higher point value, the three is often the final shot by the losing team down by two or three points in an attempt to either win or force overtime. Field goals that are made when time expires are known as buzzer beaters (due to the sound of the horn to conclude a quarter) and buzzer-beating threes at the end of games make for dramatic finishes.