Driepunts

Driepunts is the Dutch term used to refer to three-point field goals in basketball. A shot taken from beyond the three-point line that goes through the basket counts for three points; if successful, it adds three points to the score, and in many competitions a foul during the attempt can lead to one or more free throws.

The three-point line was introduced to reward longer-range shooting and to influence game strategy. In the NBA it was adopted for the 1979–80 season, while international play under FIBA rules incorporated the line in 1984. National and collegiate leagues followed in various years, often with different distances and rules. The exact position of the line varies by competition, with the NBA typically placing the arc farther from the basket than many other leagues.

Three-pointers have had a lasting impact on basketball tactics, player evaluation, and statistics. Teams use spacing and ball movement to create open looks behind the line, and offenses increasingly design plays around three-point shooting. Three-point attempts (3PA) and three-point percentage (3P%) are common performance metrics, influencing player roles and contracts. Notable three-point specialists and scorers—such as players widely recognized for their long-range shooting—have helped shape modern play and analytics.

See also references include the three-point line and three-point field goal as related concepts. In Dutch-speaking contexts, Driepunts remains the standard term for this scoring play across professional, amateur, and youth basketball.