A free throw is an unguarded shot taken from the free-throw line, worth one point, that a player is awarded after certain fouls or violations by the other team. No defender may contest it, which is why the free-throw line is nicknamed the “charity stripe.” It is the simplest scoring play in basketball and often the most decisive in close games.
How does a free throw work?
When a free throw is awarded, play stops and the shooter steps to the line alone. The shooter must keep both feet behind the free-throw line and release the ball toward the basket without any defender challenging the shot. Each successful attempt counts as one point. A trip to the line usually means one, two, or three attempts in a row, depending on why the foul was called.
Other players position themselves along the marked spaces on both sides of the lane, alternating between the defending and shooting teams. They wait for the shot, then compete for the rebound if the attempt misses. On a made free throw, the defending team simply takes possession and inbounds the ball.
How far is the free-throw line?
The free-throw line is 15 feet from the face of the backboard. Measured from the baseline, the line sits roughly 19 feet back, and the free-throw “circle” is centered on it. This distance is the same for the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, and college basketball, so the shot itself looks identical at nearly every level of the game.
When is a free throw awarded?
Free throws are awarded in several situations. The most common is a shooting foul, where a defender makes illegal contact with a player in the act of shooting. Free throws also follow technical fouls and flagrant fouls, and they are triggered by the team-foul bonus, which sends the fouled team to the line once the opponent commits too many fouls in a period.
The number of attempts depends on the play:
| Situation | Free throws awarded |
|---|---|
| Fouled on a made 2-point shot | 1 (and the basket counts) |
| Fouled on a missed 2-point shot | 2 |
| Fouled on a missed 3-point shot | 3 |
| Fouled on a made 3-point shot | 1 (and the basket counts) |
| Technical foul (NBA) | 1 |
| Team in the penalty (bonus) | 2 |
The “and-one” is a fan favorite: a player is fouled but still makes the basket, so the points count and a single bonus free throw is added.
What are the rules for shooting a free throw?
The shooter must release the ball within a set time. In the NBA and WNBA, that limit is 10 seconds after the official hands over the ball. The shooter must also stay behind the line until the ball leaves the hand; stepping over early is a violation that wipes out the attempt.
Players lined up along the lane have their own rules. They cannot enter the key or leave their assigned spaces until the ball strikes the rim. If a defender breaks in too early and the shot misses, the shooter typically gets a replacement attempt. If an offensive player crowds in early, a missed shot is simply lost with no do-over.
What is the bonus, or penalty, situation?
Teams are limited in how many fouls they can commit before the opponent starts shooting free throws automatically, even on non-shooting fouls. This is called the bonus or penalty. In the NBA, once a team commits its fifth foul in a quarter, every subsequent defensive foul sends the other team to the line for two shots, regardless of whether a shot was being attempted.
The bonus rewards patient offense and punishes a team that fouls too often. It also shapes late-game strategy, because a team in the penalty can be sent to the line simply by being fouled, turning ordinary contact into free points. College basketball and FIBA use their own foul thresholds, but the principle is the same: foul too much and you give away easy points.
Do free-throw rules differ by league?
The core mechanics are the same everywhere, but the details vary slightly. FIBA uses the same 15-foot distance and one-point value, with small differences in timing and lane spacing compared with the NBA. College basketball follows its own team-foul and bonus structure, and technical-foul penalties can differ by level. The universal truth across all of them is that a free throw is uncontested and worth exactly one point.
Why do free throws matter so much?
Because they are undefended, free throws are the highest-percentage shots most players will take, and reliable shooters can quietly build big leads at the line. In tight finishes, teams intentionally foul weaker free-throw shooters to stop the clock and force pressure attempts, a tactic sometimes aimed at a single poor shooter. A strong free-throw percentage is often the difference between winning and losing a close game, which is why coaches treat the skill as fundamental rather than an afterthought. Practicing under fatigue and building a repeatable routine are common ways players guard against pressure at the line.
Bottom line
A free throw is a one-point, undefended shot from 15 feet, awarded after fouls and certain violations. Knowing when they are given, how many a player earns, and the timing and lane rules explains one of basketball’s most important and most pressure-filled plays.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a free throw worth?
A free throw is worth one point. It is the only shot in basketball with a fixed single-point value, no matter where the foul happened on the court.
How far is the free-throw line?
The free-throw line is 15 feet from the face of the backboard. Measured from the baseline, the line sits about 19 feet away in the NBA.
How many free throws do you get after a foul?
A player fouled while shooting gets two free throws on a two-point attempt and three on a three-point attempt. If the shot goes in despite the foul, the basket counts and the player gets one bonus free throw, known as an and-one.
How long does a shooter have to take a free throw?
In the NBA and WNBA the shooter has 10 seconds to release the ball after the official hands it over. Taking longer is a violation and the attempt is waved off.
What is a lane violation on a free throw?
A lane violation happens when a player enters the key or leaves an assigned spot too early. Players lined up must wait until the ball hits the rim; the shooter must stay behind the line until the ball is released.
