One of the most popular expressions heard in basketball game is “he shoots, he scores!” (Oddly enough, the original phrase had nothing to do with basketball. It was actually coined by a hockey announcer, Foster Hewitt, back in the 1920s). But what is he shooting? How is he shooting? And how many points did he score with the shot?

We’ve already covered some of the basics of scoring and gone over the different types of shooters in the Girl’s Guide to Basketball Players and Positions. Now it’s time to cover the different types of shots and scoring!

Objective: Like most sports, the object for the team is to score more points than other team. In basketball, points are scored by making baskets, or by putting the basketball into the basket! There are three types of scoring baskets:

1. 2 Point Shot
2. 3 Point Shot
3. 1 Point Free Throw

Shot: The act of throwing the ball into the basket is referred to as “shooting” in basketball.

Free Throw: When a player is fouled or there is a penalty, a player gets to take a free, unguarded shot, or throw, at the basket. The player must take the shot from the free throw line at the end of the lane. Each made shot is worth 1 point. (We’ll get into the assessment of penalties a little bit later). One thing to note is that the game clock is stopped during free throws, so a team can score without wasting precious minutes. This is such a key point in a close game.

Two Point Shots: Any shot made inside or on the arc (remember, the semi-circle going around the court….) is worth 2 points. The “or on” is key because if a player even has one toe on that line, it counts as only two points.

Three Point Shot: Any shot made from outside that arc is worth 3 points. Also known as shooting from downtown, since it’s so far away!

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Types of Shots:

Lay-Up: One of the most basic shots in basketball. The player “lays” or places, the ball “up” near the basket. It’s usually one-handed and the forward motion of the player helps to propel the ball up and into the basket.

• Over-arm: uses one hand to tip the ball over the rim and into the basket (layin). Over-arm layups almost always are bounced off the glass and into the basket.
• Under-arm: banks off the backboard and into the basket—known as a “finger roll” because the ball rolls from the fingers to the basket.

Jump Shot: as the name implies, this is a shot made while the player is jumping. Usually two handed and uses the momentum of the jump to create the perfect arch needed to make the basket. Three of the most common kinds of jumpers are: the fade-away, the turnaround, and the baseline. There are others like

• The Fade-Away: is a jump shot while moving jumping backwards, or fading-away from the basket. Sound tricky? It is. It’s one of the hardest shots to master, but when done properly, is the hardest shot to block. By fading back, the shooter creates a big gap between himself and his defender and room to shoot.
• You may recall a certain Mr Nathan Scott (One Tree Hill for those not into the WB…or is it CW now…) boasting to Lucas “the fade-away is weak man. I don’t have problems getting open.” To which Lucas retorted “you will now. The fade-away is great for creating space.” Nate was definitely wrong, the fade-away is anything but weak. It actually takes much more strength and precision for a fade-away than a regular jump-shot. And they are much more difficult to master and defend.

• Turnaround: The shooter does not appear to be ready to make a shot since he is not facing the basket. But then he either spins and shoots, or spins mid-air, confusing the defender. This is used a lot by centers when they are heavily guarded right under the basket.
• Baseline Jumper: You hear this term a lot and all it means is a jump shot taken close to the baseline, or out of bounds line, right near the basket.
• Pump Fake: is used to confuse the defender. The player makes the motion as if he is going to do a jump shot, or “pumps the ball” and as soon as the defender moves in response, the shooter changes his mind and ultimately “fakes out” the defense.

Hook: The player throws the ball with a sweeping motion of his arm in an upward arc with a follow-through which ends over his head. The movement resembles the shape of a hook. The shot is one handed, the other hand is used to push away the defender to create space for the shot.

Dunk (or Slam Dunk): The player takes the basketball and is able to to physically slam it into the basket, not shoot or finger roll it in.

Alley-Oop: One player throws the ball up near the basket to a teammate who jumps, catches the ball in mid air and immediately scores a basket, usually with a slam dunk. It requires a whole lot of silent communication among teammates, precision passing and impeccable timing to get these perfect.

Put-Back/Tip-In: Okay, so one guys shoots the ball and misses. But under the basket is his teammate who manages to get possession of the ball if he:

• comes down with ball and comes right back up & scores, that is a Put-Back
• knocks the missed ball back into the hoop, it’s a tip-in

Buzzer Beater: a last second shot to win the game. Very common in college basketball March Madness games and NBA playoffs.

Clutch: Similar to a buzzer beater but it really can be at any point in the game.  A “clutch” shot comes under pressure when the offense really needs a score to win or break-away from the opposing team. The player is usually heavily guarded. Or…..it’s a “clutch free throw” meaning those points scored while the clock is stopped is critical for the team to win.

Swish/Nothing but net: When the shot drop sweetly into the basket and doesn’t even touch the rim. It “swishes” into the net

Brick: When the shot bangs off the rim of the basket and does not drop in the net

Air Ball: When the shot goes no where near the basket and sails through the air, usually out of bounds. Results in fans screaming “Aiiiiirrrr-Baaaaalllll. Aiiiiirrrrr-Baaaaaaalllll”

There are a few more lesser known shots so if you hear one you don’t know, feel free to shoot me an email or a tweet @StilettoSportsJ and I’ll fill ya in!

Related Posts

• Girl’s Guide to Basketball: The Court, The Game, The Basics
• Girl’s Guide to Basketball: The Differences Between the NBA and the NCAA
• Girl’s Guide to Key Basketball Maneuvers: Dribbling, Passing, Rebounds, Assists & Steals
• Girl’s Guide to Basketball: Players & Positions
• UNC Defeats Oklahoma 72-60 On Road to Final Four