How many points is a basket worth in 3x3?
B · Beginner · The game · 2 of 6One point from inside the arc and two points from behind it. A free throw is worth one. There is no three-point shot: the arc is the same line that marks three points in the five-a-side game, drawn 6.75 metres from the basket.
How it works
- Inside the arc: 1 point.
- Behind the arc: 2 points.
- Free throw: 1 point.
- On the line: the arc line is not part of the two-point area. A shooter touching it is inside.
- A goal: a live ball enters the basket from above and stays in it or passes through.
- Deflected in by a defender: if a defender deflects a pass or a dribble into the basket, the points go to the attacker who last controlled the ball, and the value depends on where that attacker was.
- A defender who scores on purpose: a violation. No points count and the attacking team gets a check-ball.
- Not cleared: points scored by a team that has won the ball and not yet taken it behind the arc are cancelled.
- Almost no time: with 0.2 or 0.1 of a second on either clock, only a tap can score.
The glossary has field goal value, the arc and the free throw.
Tricky cases
A shooter's heel is on the arc. One point or two?
One. The line belongs to the inside area, so a foot on it means the shot is from inside.
A shooter jumps from behind the arc and lands inside it. One point or two?
Two. A player in the air keeps the position of the place they last touched the floor.
A defender tips the ball into the basket by accident. Does it count?
Yes. An accidental goal counts, and it is credited to the attacker who last controlled the ball.
Is a dunk worth more?
No. The value depends only on where the shot is taken from.
Why the rule exists
With only three attackers and a small court, a shot from distance is harder to defend and worth double the points. That ratio is larger than three to two in the five-a-side game, which is why the long shot matters so much in 3x3 and why a game can turn in two possessions.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA 3x3 rules | 1 and 2 points | Art. 16.2.1 |
| Five-a-side basketball | 2 and 3 points, and the same 6.75 metre line | ../5x5/ set |
| Goaltending by a defender | The points are awarded as if the shot went in | Art. 31.3.2 |
From the rule book
FIBA, Official 3x3 Basketball Rules 2026 (valid as of 1 January 2026), Articles 2.2.3, 11.1, 16.1 and 16.2.1 to 16.2.7. Official document:FIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (PDF).