Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 16: Goal: When Made and Its Value

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When a goal is made and how much it is worth, own-basket goals, the ball from below, and what can still score in the last tenths of a second.

16.161Goals and Their Value

When the ball is in, which team is credited, and 1, 2 or 3 points.

A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains within or passes through it entirely.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.1.1 · recall
A goal goes to the team attacking the opponents' basket that the ball entered.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.1 · recall
A goal released from a free throw counts 1 point.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.1 · recall
The 3-point line is not part of the 3-point goal area, so the shot was released from the 2-point area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.4, 16.2.1 · applied
In the air he keeps the status of his take-off, behind the arc, so the goal was released from the 3-point area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1, 16.2.1 · applied
After the ball touches the ring on a last free throw and is legally touched by any player before entering, the goal counts 2.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.1 · applied
A team's 3-point goal area is the whole court except the area near the opponents' basket.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.4, 16.2.1 · applied
1, 2 and 3 points.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.1 · recall
Released from beyond the arc, in from above and through: 3 points.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.1, 16.2.1 · applied
The ball is within the basket when the slightest part of it is inside and below the level of the ring; D has already passed through.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.1.2 · applied

Own-basket goals, the ball from below, and the 0.3-second rule.

An accidental goal in the team's own basket counts 2 points.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.2 · applied
It is entered as scored by the captain of the opponents' team on the court.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.2, B.11.2 · recall
Scoring in one's own basket on purpose is a violation and the goal does not count.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.3 · applied
Causing the whole ball to pass through the basket from below is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.4 · applied
The game clock or shot clock must show 0.3 or more to gain control on a throw-in and attempt a shot.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.5 · recall
At 0.2 or 0.1 only a tap or a direct dunk can count, provided the hands are off the ball when the clock shows 0.0.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.5 · applied
The rule names the game clock or the shot clock.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.5 · recall
An accidental own goal counts for the opponents and is credited to their captain on the court.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.2 · applied
A tap is one of the two goals possible with 0.2 or 0.1 on the clock.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.5 · applied
With 0.2 or 0.1 left only a tap or a direct dunk can produce a valid goal; catching first takes too long.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 16.2.5 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 16 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)