When does a shot earn three points ?
Common additional rules include : Regional variations may include : A field goal counting for 2 points and the 3 - point shot ( which is only two in street basketball ) counting for 3 points , Going back to zero at 11 , and / or having to win by a certain number of points Allowing the starting shot to score points for the shooter if it goes in Inverting scoring values such that a field goal is worth 1 and a free throw worth 2 Forcing a player to take a fourth free throw and intentionally miss if he has made all 3 free throws , instead of just returning the ball to him A player can attempt a 3 - pointer instead of attempting three free throws Variations on what a score is reset to if 21 is exceeded ( 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 , and 15 are common ) " Tips " or " Taps " : With these rules , if a player jumps up , gets a rebound in the air and makes a shot before touching the ground , the player who initially shot the ball is said to have been " tipped . "