<Tr> <Td> American high school basketball </Td> <Td> 19 feet 9 inches (6.02 m) </Td> <Td> 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> A player's feet must be completely behind the three - point line at the time of the shot or jump in order to make a three - point attempt; if the player's feet are on or in front of the line, it is a two - point attempt . A player is allowed to jump from outside the line and land inside the line to make a three - point attempt, as long as the ball is released in mid-air . </P> <P> An official raises his / her arm with three fingers extended to signal the shot attempt . If the attempt is successful, he / she raises his / her other arm with all fingers fully extended in manner similar to a football official signifying successful field goal to indicate the three - point goal . The official must recognize it for it to count as three points . Instant replay has sometimes been used, depending on league rules . The NBA, WNBA, FIBA and the NCAA specifically allow replay for this purpose . In NBA, FIBA, and WNBA games, video replay does not have to occur immediately following a shot; play can continue and the officials can adjust the scoring later in the game, after reviewing the video . However, in late game situations, play may be paused pending a review . </P> <P> If a shooter is fouled while attempting a three - pointer and subsequently misses the shot, the shooter is awarded three free - throw attempts . If a player completes a three - pointer while being fouled, the player is awarded one free - throw for a possible 4 - point play . Conceivably, if a player completed a three - pointer while being fouled, and that foul was ruled as either a Flagrant 1 or a Flagrant 2 foul, the player would be awarded two free throws for a possible 5 - point play . </P>

When did they add the three point line