Statistic•Basketball
Free Throws (FT)
A free throw is an uncontested one-point shot awarded after certain fouls or penalties.
foul shots
Plain definition
Free-throw statistics show how many attempts a player or team earns and converts. They help measure the ability to draw fouls, take advantage of those opportunities and score without a field-goal attempt.
Derived terms
FTM
Free Throws Made: the number of successful free-throw attempts.
FTA
Free Throws Attempted: the total number of free-throw attempts.
FT%
Free Throw Percentage: the percentage of free-throw attempts that are made.
FT Rate
Free Throw Rate: a measure of free-throw volume, commonly calculated as FTA divided by FGA.
Why it matters
Free throws can stabilise offensive output because they are uncontested. A team that reaches the line frequently puts pressure on the defence and can offset average field-goal shooting. Free throws are also an important component of TS%.
Practical example
A player is fouled while shooting and receives two free throws. Making one of the two adds one point while the game clock is stopped.
Related terms
Statistic•Basketball
Field Goals (FG)
Field Goals are two-point or three-point shots attempted during play, excluding free throws.
Statistic•Basketball
True Shooting Percentage (TS%)
True Shooting Percentage measures scoring efficiency across field goals, three-pointers and free throws.
Statistic•Basketball
Personal Fouls (PF)
Personal Fouls count the illegal contact fouls charged to a player or team.