Why Are There Two 3-Point Lines in Basketball?

A line that surrounds the basket and consists of an arch and two parallel lines is referred to as the 3-point line. This line is also referred to as the arc, downtown, or the perimeter.

It is also the line beyond which every goal is given three points rather than the two points that would have been awarded if the goal had been scored within the line. This line also denotes the end of the game.

In basketball, there are two baskets, and each hoop has its own three-point line in order to keep score. As a result, the game of basketball has two separate three-point lines.

Because both teams are searching for a competitive advantage, the three-point line is a golden chance for each of them to showcase their shooting prowess.

When Was the 3-Point Line Introduced?

The line was first tried in 1945 during a collegiate game between Columbia and Fordham; however, it was not maintained as a regulation after the game was played.

The three-point line was included in the American Basketball League’s official regulations shortly after the league’s establishment in the middle of the 1960s by Abe Saperstein, who served as the league’s commissioner at the time.

He did this in order to set the league apart from the NBA, which was already much larger at the time, and also to add some excitement to the game itself.

The three-point line was first used in the National Basketball Association in the 1979–1980 season by Magic Jackson and Larry Bird.

It was converted into an official regulation, and the fact that the National Basketball Association (NBA) merged with the American Basketball Association (ABA) a few years earlier made it essential for consistency since the ABA had employed the 3-point system from the beginning of its existence.

Because a number of the players had experience with both systems as well as the league, it seemed appropriate to create a single uniform system.

Chris Ford of the Bolton Celtics was the first player to score with a three-point shot. At first, it was considered a novelty; but, as time went on, it became popular and was liked.

How Far Is the 3-Point Line?

The maximum distance of the three-point line from the basket has repeatedly altered, particularly in the past. The three-point line that Abe Saperstein established was 25 feet from the hoop, and there was no scientific justification for his choice of that distance.

The official rule book of the NBA identifies a distance of 23 feet 9 inches from the hoop as the location of the 3-point line.

On the other hand, the 3-point lines for FIBA and the WNBA are placed at a distance of 22 feet and 2 inches from the hoop. As this time, the distance between countries is measured at 22 feet and 1.75 inches.

What Are the Rules in the 3-Point Line?

Because of the three-point line, several renowned shooters have been able to carry their teams all the way to the championship. The location of the shooter in respect to the 3-point line determines how many points a field goal is worth.

The line’s only purpose is to determine how many points a field goal is worth. There are a few guidelines that must be followed in order to make a 3-point shot legal.

The following are some of them: before taking the shot, the shooter must have at least one foot outside the 3-point line; no part of the shooter’s body should be touching the inside of the line, and the shooter may step on the line at any time during the shot and it will still be ruled legitimate.

What Is the Shape of the 3-Point Line?

The three-point line that is located on the corner creates a strategic arch that has been used for many historic shots, including countless notable jump shots. If the three-point line had not been established in the first place, this would not have been conceivable.

It is important to keep in mind that shooters who are coming from outside the lines are permitted to hop into the 3-point line while making a shot as long as they release the ball while it is still in midair.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) mandates that every 3-point shot be subject to instant replay review because of the advancements in technology that have made this possible.

Because it makes a difference from whichever vantage point the objectives are derived, the three-point line prompted the need for strategic planning.

A goal scored within the 3-point field is worth three points, whereas a goal scored beyond the three-point range is worth either two or one point.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the three-point line has been successful in doing what it set out to do. The game is now far more exciting as a result of it.

The NCAA increased the length of the 3-point line for men’s games in June of 2019, moving it from 20 feet 9 inches to 22 feet 1.75 inches, which is in line with international standards. This change will add more excitement to the game by making it possible for players to drive and cut closer to the basket.

When the three-point line is moved, new obstacles are introduced, which always results in an improved and more thrilling game.

With this new rule, the NCAA intends to significantly increase the level of difficulty of the three-point shot. The three-point shot is becoming an increasingly important component of a winning formula in the NBA.