For many basketball players, the concept of bonus is a familiar one. Bonus is a term used to describe a situation in which a player has committed a certain number of fouls in a game, resulting in them being awarded a certain number of free throws. In this article, we’ll take a look at how many fouls you need for bonus and the different ways it can be used.
What Is Bonus in Basketball?
Bonus, in the context of basketball, is a way of rewarding a player for committing a certain number of fouls in a game. The term was first popularized in the 1970s and is still used today by both professional and amateur basketball players. When a player reaches the bonus threshold, they are awarded a certain number of free throws – usually two or three – which can be taken in any combination and at any time during the remainder of the game.
How Many Fouls Do You Need for Bonus?
The number of fouls required for bonus varies depending on the competition. In the NBA and WNBA, teams are awarded two free throws when their opponents commit five fouls in a single quarter. In NCAA and high school basketball, teams are awarded one free throw when their opponents commit seven fouls in a single half.
What Are the Benefits of Bonus?
Bonus gives players a chance to score points without having to make a shot. It’s a way of rewarding them for their defensive efforts and can be used as a way of turning the tide of a game. It can also be used as a way of punishing teams who are committing too many fouls, as they are giving away free points to their opponents.
Bonus also encourages teams to be more disciplined and less likely to commit fouls. If teams know that they will be punished for committing too many fouls, they will be more likely to focus on playing good defense without resorting to fouls.
How to Use Bonus
The most obvious way to use bonus is to take the free throws as soon as they are awarded. This is often the best way to score points quickly, as free throws are worth more than other shots.
However, bonus can also be used strategically. Teams can choose to wait until the end of the game before taking their free throws, as this can be a good way to potentially win a close game. It can also be used to put pressure on the opposing team, as they will know that their opponents are in a strong position to score points.
Conclusion
Bonus is a great way of rewarding players for their defensive efforts and can be used to turn the tide of a game. The number of fouls required for bonus varies depending on the competition, but it’s usually five fouls in the NBA and WNBA and seven fouls in NCAA and high school basketball. Bonus can be used to take free throws as soon as they are awarded, or it can be used strategically to put pressure on the opposing team or to potentially win a close game.