BASKETBALL TERMS

GROUP 3 8-1 SAMPAGUITA

◦ Alternating-possession rule: ◦Backcourt:
The possession arrow changes direction after The half of the court that is opposite a team’s
each held ball situation, alternating which team offensive basket; the court a team is attempting to
gets possession of the ball. defend.
◦ Airball: A shot at the basket that misses ◦ Ball handler:
everything and doesn't touch the rim, The player with the ball; usually the point guard at
backboard or net. the start of a play.
◦ Alley-Oop: When one player jumps and catches ◦ Ball Side:
a pass from another player and simultaneously The half of the court from the middle to the
dunks the ball or shoots it in before landing. sideline where the ball is currently located. May
◦ And One: When a player gets fouled while also be referred to as the ‘strong side’.
shooting and the ball goes in. The player then ◦ Bank shot:
gets one free throw. A shot where the ball is first bounced (or banked)
off the backboard at such an angle that it then
◦ Assist: A statistic that occurs when a player
drops into the basket.
passes the ball to someone who scores after
receiving the pass. The passing player earns an ◦ Baseline:
assist in the stat sheet. The boundary line behind each basket; also
called the endline.
◦ Backboard:
The rectangular or fan-shaped board behind
the basket.
◦ Basket: Blocking:
Attached to the backboard, it consists of a The use of a defender’s body position to illegally
metal rim 18″ in diameter suspended 10′ from prevent an opponent’s advance; the opposite of
the floor, from which a 15-18″ corded net hangs, charging.
and through which points are scored; also used ◦ Bonus free throw:
to refer to a successful field goal.
See “One-and-One.”
◦ Beat the defender: ◦ Bounce pass:
When an offensive player, with or without the A pass that strikes the floor before it reaches the
ball, is able to get past an opponent who is receiver.
guarding him.
◦ Boxing out:
◦ Bench Points: A player’s attempt to position his body between
The number of points scored during a game his opponent and the basket to get rebounds
from players that began the game on the and prevent the opponents from doing so. Also
bench. All points scored by non-starters. referred to as Blocking out.
◦ Blocked shot: Carrying the ball:
The successful deflection of a shot by touching
Also called “palming;” a violation committed by a
part of the ball on its way to the basket, thereby dribbler that involves placing the dribbling hand
preventing a field goal. under the ball and momentarily holding or carrying
it while dribbling.
◦ Center: ◦ Court vision:
Also called the “pivot player;” an offensive A player’s ability to see everything on the court
position typically played by a tall player who during play — such as where his teammates and
plays mainly in the key areas (at the post). defenders are set up — which enables him to
make better choices in passing; the best players
◦ Center court circle:
possess this trait.
The circular area at midcourt from which jump
balls are taken. ◦ Crossover dribble:
A dribble in which the ball is moved from one
◦ Charging:
hand to the other while the dribbler changes
A personal foul committed when an offensive
directions.
player illegally contacts a defensive player who
has established position or is stationary. ◦ Cut:
A quick movement by an offensive player to
◦ Chest pass:
elude an opponent or to receive the ball.
A two-handed pass thrown from the passer’s
chest in a straight line to the chest area of the ◦ Cylinder:
receiver. The imaginary area directly above the basket
where goaltending or basket interference can
◦ Controlling the boards:
occur.
Securing a majority of the rebounds.
◦ Dead ball:
◦ Conversion:
Occurs whenever the whistle blows to stop play
A made basket or free throw.
and after a field goal, but before the opponent
gains possession of the ball.
◦ Dead ball: ◦ Double foul:
Occurs whenever the whistle blows to stop play A situation in which two opponents commit a foul
and after a field goal, but before the opponent against each other simultaneously.
gains possession of the ball. ◦ Double team:
◦ Defense: A defensive tactic in which two defenders
The team not in possession of the ball whose temporarily guard one player.
objective is to keep the opponent from scoring; ◦ Downcourt or down the court:
also a specific pattern of play used by a The direction a team on offense moves, from its
defending team. backcourt into its frontcourt and towards its own
◦ Defensive rebound: basket.
A rebound of an opponent’s missed shot. ◦ Dribble or dribbling:
◦ Double-double: Process by which a player repeatedly bounces
When a player scores double-digits in 2 the ball off the floor so that it returns to his/her
categories during one game (points, assists and possession. It’s the only legal means by which a
rebounds are most common, but it can also be single player may move the ball across the court.
blocks or steals); a sign of great versatility.
◦ Drive:
◦ Double dribble: A quick dribble directly to the basket in an effort
A violation that occurs when a player dribbles to score.
the ball with two hands simultaneously or stops
dribbling and then dribbles again.
◦ Dunk: ◦ 4-point play:
When a player close to the basket jumps and A made 3-point field goal in which the shooter
strongly throws the ball down into it; an athletic, was fouled, followed by a successful free-throw.
creative shot used to intimidate opponents. ◦ Fake or feint:
◦ Elbow: A deceptive move to throw a defender off
A term often used to indicate the area of the balance and allow an offensive player to shoot
court where the free-throw line and side of the or receive a pass; players use their eyes, head or
key meet. any other part of the body to trick an opponent.
◦ Elbowing: ◦ Fastbreak:
It is a violation if a player vigorously or An offensive strategy in which a team attempts to
excessively swings his elbows, even if there is no move the ball downcourt and into scoring
contact; it is a foul if contact is made. position as quickly as possible so that the defense
is outnumbered and does not have time to set
◦ End line:
up.
See ‘baseline’.
◦ Field goal:
◦ Established position:
A basket scored on any shot other than a free
When a defensive player has both feet firmly
throw, worth two or three points depending on
planted on the floor before an offensive player’s
head and shoulder get past him; the offensive the distance of the attempt from the basket.
player who runs into such a defender is ◦ Flagrant foul:
charging. Unnecessary or excessive contact against an
opponent.
◦ Forward: ◦ Free-throw line:
An offensive position played to the sides of the A 12-foot-long line that is parallel to and 15 feet
basket near the key area and out toward the from the backboard.
sideline along the baseline. ◦ Free-throw line extended:
◦ Foul (also referred to as ‘personal foul’): An imaginary line drawn from the free-throw line
A violation resulting from illegal contact with an to the sideline to determine the location for
opposing player. certain plays.
◦ Foul line: ◦ Front court:
See “Free-throw line.” The half of the court (divided by the center line)
that contains the offensive team’s basket; the
◦ Foul shot:
See “Free-throw.” offensive half of the court.
◦ Full–court press:
◦ Free throw:
A defensive tactic in which a team guards the
An unguarded shot taken from behind the free-
opponents closely the full length of the court.
throw line after a foul. If successful, the shot
counts one point. ◦ Game clock:
Shows how much time remains in each quarters
◦ Free-throw lane:
or halves of games.
Also called the “key” or “lane;” a 12-foot wide
area extending from the baseline to the free-
throw line. Players may not be in this area during
a free-throw attempt.
◦ Guard: ◦ Hesitation Dribble:
An offensive position played primarily at the A dribbling action with a change-of-pace
perimeter, or away from the basket. intended to confuse and/or freeze the defender.
The basic action is a stutter step in which the
◦ Guarding:
dribbler momentarily slows his or her pace and
The act of following an opponent around the
court to prevent him from getting close to the speed.
basket, taking an open shot or making easy an ◦ High percentage shot:
pass, while avoiding illegal contact. A shot that is likely to go in the basket, such as a
layup.
◦ Half-court or set offense:
When a team takes the time to develop a play ◦ High post:
in its frontcourt, such as the give-and-go or a An imaginary area outside either side of the foul
screening play; opposite of fast break. lane at the elbow / free-throw line extended
area.
◦ Held ball:
Formerly called a “jump ball.” When two players ◦ Inbounds:
on opposite teams are in joint control of the The area within the baselines and sidelines of the
ball. court; also the act of bringing the ball into this
area by means of a throw-in.
◦ Help Side:
The half of the court from the middle to the ◦ Incidental contact:
sideline opposite to where the ball is currently Minor contact usually overlooked by officials.
located. ◦ Inside shooting:
Shots taken by a player near or under the basket.
◦ Intentional foul: ◦ Key:
A personal foul that the official judges to be Also called the “free-throw lane” or “lane;” the
premeditated. area measuring 12 feet in width and extending
from the free-throw line to the end line.
◦ In the paint:
In the “key” area, so named because this area ◦ Layup or layin:
of the floor is painted. A shot taken close to the basket that is usually
banked off the backboard towards the basket.
◦ Jump ball:
The procedure for starting play at the beginning ◦ Loose ball:
of a game or an overtime period. The official A ball that is alive but not in the possession of
tosses the ball into the air between the two either team.
opponents positioned at the center-court circle; ◦ Low post:
the two players jump up and try to tap the ball An imaginary area outside either side of the foul
to a teammate. lane close to the basket.
◦ Jump shot: ◦ Lower percentage shot:
A shot that is released after the shooter has A shot that is less likely to go in the basket, such as
jumped into the air.
one thrown by a player who is off balance or
◦ Jump stop: outside his shooting range.
A method used to come to a complete stop. ◦ Man-to-man defense:
Both feet must land simultaneously – either A team defense in which each player is assigned
parallel or staggered – in order for it to be a to guard a particular opponent.
jump stop.
◦ Offense: ◦ Outside shooting:
The team that has possession of the basketball. Shots taken from the perimeter.
Also, a structured pattern of play that a team ◦ Over-and-back violation:
uses while attempting to score. A violation that occurs when the offensive team
◦ Offensive rebound: returns the ball into the backcourt once it has
A rebound of a team’s own missed shot. positioned itself in the front court.
◦ Officials: ◦ Overhead pass:
The referees who control the game, stop and A two-handed pass thrown from above the
start play, and impose penalties for violations forehead.
and fouls. ◦ Overtime:
◦ One-and-one: An extra period played to break a tie score at the
The “bonus” free-throw situation awarded for end of a regulation game.
non-shooting fouls after the opposing team ◦ Palming:
exceeds a certain number of team fouls in a See “Carrying the ball.”
half. The person fouled shoots one free throw; if
successful, the shooter takes a second shot. ◦ Pass:
An intentional throw to a teammate.
◦ Out of bounds:
The area outside of and including the end lines ◦ Passer:
and sidelines. The player who passes the ball to a teammate.
◦ Period: ◦ Pick-up games:
Any quarter, half or overtime segment. Impromptu games played among players who
just met.
◦ Perimeter:
The area beyond the foul circle away from the ◦ Pivot:
basket, including 3-point line, from which A footwork technique in which a player keeps
players take long-range shots. one foot in contact with a “spot” on the floor
while moving the other foot to adjust the position
◦ Personal foul:
of the body or to evade a defensive player.
Contact between players that may result in
injury or provide one team with an unfair ◦ Point guard:
advantage; players may not push, hold, trip, An offensive position played by a guard who
hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an usually brings the ball up the court and initiates
opponent; these are also counted as team the offense.
fouls. ◦ Possession:
◦ Pick: To be holding or in control of the ball.
See “Screen or Screener” ◦ Possession arrow:
◦ Pick and Roll: Used to determine which team’s turn it is to
A play in which an offensive player sets a pick inbounds the ball to begin a period or in a held
for the dribbler, then cuts off that pick, or ‘rolls’, ball situation.
toward the basket looking for a pass from the
dribbler for a shot.
◦ Post: ◦ Scoring opportunity:
An offensive position played close to the basket When a player gets open for a shot that is likely to
along the key. score.
◦ Press: ◦ Screen or screener:
An aggressive defense that attempts to force The offensive player who stands between a
the opponents to make errors by guarding them teammate and a defender to gives his
closely from either half court, three-quarter teammate the chance to take an open shot.
court or full court. ◦ Scrimmage:
◦ Quadruple double: An unofficial game between two teams, or five-
A triple double with double-digits scored in 4 on-five play between team members in a
categories. practice situation.
◦ Rebound: ◦ Shot clock:
The act of gaining possession of the ball after a A clock that limits the time a team with the ball
missed shot. has to shoot it; 24 seconds in the NBA; in college,
35 seconds for men, 30 seconds for women.
◦ Run:
Occurs when one team scores several field ◦ Shooter:
goals in quick succession while its opponents A player who takes a shot at the basket.
score few or none. ◦ Shooter’s roll or shooter’s touch:
The ability to get even an inaccurate shot to
bounce lightly off the rim and into the basket.
◦ Shooting range: ◦ Swing man:
The distance from which a player is likely to A player who can play both the guard and
make his shots. forward positions.
◦ Sidelines: ◦ 3-point play:
2 boundary lines that run the length of the court. A made 2-point field goal in which the shooter
was fouled, followed by a successful free-throw.
◦ Sixth man:
The best substitute on a team; usually the first ◦ 3 seconds:
player to come off the bench to replace a A violation in which an offensive player remains
starter. within the key for more than three seconds at a
time.
◦ Slam dunk:
See “dunk.” ◦ Team fouls:
Each personal foul committed by a player is also
◦ Squaring up:
counted against his team; when a team goes
When a player’s shoulders are facing the basket
over the limit, its opponent is awarded free-throw
as he releases the ball for a shot; considered
opportunities.
good shooting position.
◦ Technical foul:
◦ Substitute:
A foul that does not involve contact with an
A player who comes into the game to replace
opponent; a foul that involves unsportsmanlike
a player on the court.
conduct by a player, coach or non-player; or a
contact foul committed by a player while the ball
is dead.
◦ Ten-second line: ◦ Traveling:
The mid-court line over which the offensive A violation occurring when a player with the ball
team must advance the ball from the takes a step without dribbling (moving the
backcourt within 10 seconds to avoid a established pivot foot).
violation. ◦ Triple double:
◦ Three-point field goal: When a player scores double-digits in 3
A made basket from a distance greater than 19 categories during one game (points, assists and
feet and nine inches during a high school or rebounds are most common, but it can also be
college game. blocks or steals); a sign of great versatility.
◦ Three-on-two: ◦ Triple Threat Position:
A common fastbreak situation in which three Triple threat is an offensive position a player can
offensive players attempt to score on two use who has not dribbled yet. The offensive
defenders. player stands with knees flexed, feet slightly wider
than shoulder width, and both hands on the
◦ Timeout:
basketball. From this position, the offensive player
When play is temporarily suspended by an
official or at the request of a team to respond to can either shoot, dribble, or pass to a teammate
… thereby being a ‘triple threat’ with the
an injured player or discuss strategy.
basketball.
◦ Transition:
The shift from offense to defense, and vice versa. ◦ Turnover:
A loss of possession of the ball by means of an error
or violation.
◦ Upset:
When a higher-seeded (better) team loses to a
lower-seeded (inferior) one.
◦ Violation:
An infringement of the rules that’s not a foul. The
penalty for a violation is the awarding of the ball
to the opponent.
◦ Weakside:
The side of the court away from the ball.
◦ Zone defense:
A team defense in which each player is
responsible for defending an area of the court
and the opponents within that area.
◦ Zone offense:
An offensive pattern of play designed to attack
(score against) a particular zone defense.