In basketball, what does a "and-one" mean?
VerifiedAnswer: A basket made while being fouled, resulting in the points counting and one free throw attempt.
Explanation:
An "and-one" is one of the most exciting plays in basketball that showcases a player's skill and determination. This situation occurs when a player successfully makes a field goal (either a 2-point or 3-point shot) while simultaneously being fouled by an opponent. The beauty of this play lies in the fact that the basket counts despite the foul, and the player gets rewarded with an additional free throw attempt.
The term "and-one" comes from the scoring opportunity it creates. For example, if a player makes a 2-point shot while being fouled, they earn those 2 points plus "one" additional free throw. If they successfully make the free throw, they complete a 3-point play from what was originally a 2-point attempt. Similarly, if a player makes a 3-point shot while being fouled and converts the free throw, they achieve a rare 4-point play.
For an and-one to occur, certain conditions must be met. The foul must happen during the shooting motion, and the referee must determine that the contact affected the shooter. The player must also successfully make the shot despite the contact. This combination of skill and perseverance makes and-ones particularly impressive and momentum-changing plays.
Players and fans often celebrate and-ones enthusiastically because they represent overcoming adversity. When a player powers through contact from a defender and still manages to score, it demonstrates both physical strength and mental toughness. Many players will even shout "And-one!" immediately after making such a shot, appealing to the referee for the foul call or celebrating the successful play.
Understanding and-ones is crucial for basketball players and fans alike. For players, drawing fouls while scoring helps their team in multiple ways: they earn points, get an extra scoring opportunity, and the opposing team accumulates fouls. For fans, recognizing these plays helps appreciate the skill and determination required to succeed in basketball, making the game more engaging and exciting to watch.
