Player in the act of shooting

15.1.1

A shot for a goal or a free throw occurs when the ball is held in a player’s hand(s) and is then thrown into the air towards the opponents' basket. A tap for a goal occurs when the ball is directed with the hand(s) towards the opponents' basket. A dunk for a goal occurs when the ball is forced downwards into the opponents' basket with one or both hands.

15.1.2

The act of shooting on jump shots or other moving shots:

• Starts when the player begins to move the shoulders and the ball upwards towards the opponents’ basket.
• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s), or if an entirely new act of shooting is made and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet have returned to the floor.

15.1.3

The act of shooting in a continuous movement on drives to the basket:

• Starts when the player has gathered the ball and it comes to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player continues the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.
• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s), or if an entirely new act of shooting is made and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet have returned to the floor. A continuous movement in the act of shooting on drives to the basket is an action of the player in the team’s frontcourt, typically starting between the offensive 3-point line and the basket, in which the player gathers the ball upon completion of a dribble or catches the ball while progressing, and then continues the shooting motion towards the basket, usually upwards.

15.1.4

For a player to be in the act of shooting, the player must be in the frontcourt. An exception is made that a player may be anywhere on the court during the last action before:

• the expiration of a game clock for the end of the quarter or overtime; or
• the expiration of a shot clock at any time of the game. In such cases, the act of shooting starts when the player has gathered the ball and it comes to rest in the player's hand(s).

15.1.5

There is no relationship between the number of legal steps taken and the act of shooting

15.1.6

During the act of shooting the player might have the arm(s) held by an opponent, thus being prevented from scoring. In this case it is not essential that the ball leaves the player's hand(s).

15.1.7

When a player is in the act of shooting on jump shots or other moving shots and after being fouled,

• passes the ball off or
• if the ball is moved upwards in a direction away from the basket or
• if the player is not facing the basket when the ball is moved in an upwards motion that player is no longer considered to have been in the act of shooting.

15.1.8

When a player is in the act of shooting on drives to the basket and after being fouled passes the ball off that player is no longer considered to have been in the act of shooting.