What is an “And One” in Basketball?

What is an “And One” in Basketball?

Basketball is one of the most physical sports. One of the plays that make basketball an exciting and physical game is the “and one”.

“And one” dunks and layups are a common theme on ESPN highlight reels, but what exactly is an and one?

In this post, we will uncover what an “and one” is and the significance of these plays during a basketball game.

What is an “And One” in Basketball?

An “And One” is a term used to describe when a player scores a basket while being fouled. The “one” in “and one” refers to the additional shot the player will receive for being fouled. If the player misses while being fouled, it is not considered an “and one”.

Examples of When an And One Can Occur

There are many scenarios where an and one can occur. One of the most common instances is during a fast break.

Here is a video of Stephen Curry scoring an and-one layup during a fast break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDw17wN2b-U

Lay-up “and one baskets” are the most common type of “and one”, but they can also occur during any shot attempt. Some of these include:

  • 2 point shots
  • 3 point shots
  • Lay Ups
  • Dunks
  • Floaters
  • Runners
  • Fadeaways
  • Hook shots

What is The Importance of the And One in Basketball?

And-one plays are an important part of basketball for a number of reasons. They get the other team in foul trouble, gives your team the opportunity to score more points, and ultimately build confidence for your entire team and fans.

As we learned in a previous post, layups are worth two points, but if you get an and one, you can potentially score three points if you make the free throw. If your team plays aggressively, and-one plays can quickly add up and help your team win the game.

Furthermore, if you get an and-one from shooting a three-point basket, you can potentially earn four points in one play. This makes and-one baskets very significant in determining the outcome of the game.

What Type of Shots can Give you an And One?

Basketball players can get an And 1 from any shooting attempt. These include:

  • 2 point shots
  • 3 point shots
  • Lay Ups
  • Dunks
  • Floaters
  • Runners
  • Half-court shots

Can an And-One Be Called During a Pick-Up Game?

Though basketball players have a habit of yelling “and one” any time they feel they have been fouled, an and-one can only be upheld in an official game with referees. During pick-up games, when an and-one occurs, the opposing team just takes possession of the ball to continue the game. The player that was fouled will not receive an additional free throw.

Have more basketball questions? Check out our other basketball blogs to learn more!