How to use the basketball score sheet

Start with the game format and paper size. Print it blank, or add team names, date, venue, competition and rosters before downloading. During play, record each player’s points and fouls, mark the new running team total after a made shot, and note timeouts. At each period’s end, write the points scored during that period in its column. Add period points, including overtime, to obtain the final score and check it against the player-point total.

Field goals, free throws and the running score

A made two-point field goal adds 2, a made three-point field goal adds 3, and a made free throw adds 1. If a team has 8 points and makes a three, mark its new total of 11 in the running-score grid and add 3 to the scorer’s player points. This sheet records points, rather than field-goal or free-throw attempts. Use a separate statistical box score if you need shooting percentages, assists or rebounds.

Team fouls and bonus free throws

Keep individual player fouls separate from the team-foul count. Apply your competition’s rules for which fouls count, when counts reset, and when bonus free throws begin. The NFHS change introduced in 2023–24 replaced the one-and-one with two free throws for common fouls beginning with the fifth team foul in each quarter. Other competitions use different rules. The sheet’s foul spaces are a recording aid; they do not automatically award a bonus or disqualify a player.

A paper record and a live scoreboard

Keep the sheet at the scorer’s table and use a basketball scoreboard online for spectators. Set up that board separately and update it as the game progresses. Organizing several games? Use the tournament bracket maker to manage the bracket and record each final result.

Frequently Asked Questions

More printable score sheets

Hockey Score Sheet Ā· Baseball Score Sheet Ā· Soccer Score Sheet Ā· Cornhole Score Sheet Ā· Volleyball Score Sheet Ā· Pickleball Score Sheet