Glossary of basketball terms

Basketball, like any other major sport, has its own unique words and phrases used by sports journalists, players, and fans

0–9

2 for 1 play

A basketball play that does not consume most of the shot clock in order to save time.

3-and-D

21st-century term for a player, usually a wing, whose main assets are three-point shooting ("3") and defense ("D"), usually against other wings

3-second violation

when you stand in the paint for longer than three seconds, and you are not guarding anyone

5-second violation

When a team is in-bounding a ball after a dead ball, and the team with possession fails to pass it into play in 5 seconds

8-second violation

When the team with possession fails to advance the ball out of the backcourt, past the midpoint line, in 8 seconds

24-second violation

(NBA, WNBA, FIBA) a shot-clock violation.

3x3 

A formalized version of three-on-three half court basketball created by FIBA in 2007, and currently being heavily promoted by the federation. Originally known as FIBA 33.

5x5 

A minimum of 5 in all positive stat categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks).

n-possession game

A way of expressing the number of times a team that trails its opponent late in a game must secure possession of the ball and score without allowing their opponent to do the same in order to tie and/or overtake the opponent. Under normal circumstances, the most points possible on any given possession is three; therefore, the number of possessions (n) necessary is equal to the point margin divided by three and (if necessary) rounded up to the nearest integer. For instance, a team down by 7 points would be in a three-possession game.

A

ACB

The top professional league in Spain; often regarded as the second-strongest domestic league in the world, behind the NBA. Initialism for the Spanish Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ("Association of Basketball Clubs").

advance step

A step in which the defender's lead foot steps toward their man and the back foot slides forward.

air ball 

An unblocked shot that fails to hit the rim or backboard.

alley oop 

An offensive play in which a player throws the ball up near the basket to a teammate (or, more rarely, to himself) who jumps, catches the ball in mid air and immediately scores a basket, usually with a slam dunk.

and-one

The free throw awarded to a shooter who is fouled while scoring.

assist 

A pass to a teammate who scores a basket immediately or after one dribble.

B

backdoor cut

An offensive play in which a player on the perimeter steps away from the basket, drawing the defender along, then suddenly cuts to the basket behind the defender for a pass. The opposite of a V cut.

ball hog 

A player who does not pass the ball

backboard 

The rectangular platform behind the rim that supports it

backcourt

1. The half of the court a team is defending. The opposite of the frontcourt.
2. A team's guards.

backcourt violation

1. Touching the ball in the backcourt after it has entered the frontcourt and was not last touched by the other team.
2. Failure to bring the ball from the backcourt into the frontcourt within the allotted time of 8 seconds in the NBA or FIBA (previously 10) and 10 seconds in NCAA play for both men and women (this violation was not part of the NCAA women's game until the 2013-14 season).

back screen

An offensive play in which a player comes from the low post to set a screen for a player on the perimeter.

ball fake

A sudden movement by the player with the ball intended to cause the defender to move in one direction, allowing the passer to pass in another direction. Also called "pass fake."

ball reversal

Passing of the ball from one side of the court to the other.

ball screen

An offensive play in which a player sets a screen on the defender guarding the player with the ball.

ball side

The half of the court (divided lengthwise) that the ball is on. Also called the "strong side." The opposite of the help side.

banana cut

A wide, curving cut, as opposed to a cut that is a straight line. Also known as a 'C' cut

bank shot

A shot that hits the backboard before hitting the rim or going through the net.

baseball pass

Passing the basketball using an overhand throw with one hand similar to a baseball pitch.

baseline

The line that marks the playing boundary at either end of the court. Also called the "end line."

baseline out-of-bounds play

The play used to return the ball to the court from outside the baseline along the opponent's basket.

basket cut

A cut toward the basket.

BEEF

Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow Through — A mnemonic used to teach proper shooting form.

bench

1. Substitutes sitting on the sideline
2. The bench or chairs they sit on

benchwarmer

A player who sits on the bench for most if not all of the game.

big man

A low post player who is typically physically large for a basketball player and generally either a center or power forward.

blindside screen

A screen set directly behind a defender where the player can't see it.

block

1. A violation in which a defender steps in front of a dribbler but is still moving when they collide. Also called a "blocking foul."
2. To tip or deflect a shooter's shot, altering its flight so the shot misses.
3. The small painted square on the floor next to the basket just outside the lane.

block out

To maintain better rebounding position than an opposing player by widening your stance and arms and using your body as a barrier. Also called "box out."

board

A rebound

bonus

Under NCAA men's and NFHS rules, a team is "in the bonus" when its opponent has seven, eight or nine team fouls in a half and so gains a one and one opportunity on each non-shooting foul. The opposing team is "over the limit." Under NCAA women's rules, the bonus takes effect on the fifth team foul in a quarter, but the "one and one" no longer exists; all subsequent non-shooting fouls result in two free throws. In the NCAA rule book, free throws in this situation are officially called bonus free throws. See also double bonus and penalty.

bounce pass

A pass that bounces once before reaching the receiver.

box-and-one

A combination defense in which four defenders play zone in a box formation and the fifth defender guards one player man-to-man.

box out

See block out.

box set

A formation in which four players align themselves as the four corners of a box. Often used for baseline out-of-bounds plays.

brick

A shot attempt that hits the rim and bounces off.

bricklayer

One who repeatedly shoots bricks.

bump the cutter

To step in the way of a player who is trying to cut to the ball for a pass.

buzzer beater 

A basket in the final seconds of a game (right before the buzzer sounds) that in itself results in a win or overtime.

C

carry

A penalty in formal play or slang for when an offensive player is deemed to have held the ball excessively at the ball's apex while dribbling. Also referred to as palming. In formal play this penalty is considered either a carry or a double dribble.

chest pass

The ball is passed from one player to another player's chest.

charge

An offensive foul when the person with the ball rushes into a non-moving defender. See also offensive foul

center 

One of the three standard player positions. Centers are generally the tallest players on the floor, responsible mainly for scoring, rebounding, and defense near the basket.

chucker

A player who takes frequent, and often imprudent, shot attempts. The term was popularized by the television series Seinfeld.

cornerman

See stretch four.

D

dead-ball rebound

a rebound not credited towards either team's total rebounds, such as the rebound that (technically) occurs after a miss on the first free throw of a two-shot foul. It ensures that every missed shot has a corresponding rebound, and was introduced for the purposes of box score statistical error detection.

dime

See drop a dime.

dish

An assist.

disqualifying foul

(FIBA) an especially egregious foul, almost always involving violence or other excessive physical contact, that is punished by immediate ejection. Equivalent to the NBA's flagrant-2.

double bonus

(NCAA men's and NFHS) When a team accumulates 10 or more fouls in a half in NCAA men's or NFHS play, the other team is "in the double bonus", earning two free throws on each subsequent non-shooting foul by the defense. Before 2015–16, this rule was also part of NCAA women's play, but the change from playing in halves to quarters resulted in the elimination of the "one-and-one" free throw situation. The term "double bonus" is widely used by the media and fans, but does not appear in any official rule book. See also bonus and penalty.

double-double

Double-digit figures in two positive statistical categories (example: 12 points, 14 rebounds)

double dribble

1. To dribble the ball with two hands at the same time
2. To dribble, stop, and then begin to dribble again; Either act results in a loss of possession.

double nickel

To accumulate 55 points.

downtown

Well outside the three-point line.

dribble drive motion 

An offense that spreads the players to open up the lane for driving player to make a layup or kick out for a three-pointer.

dribble

To bounce the ball continuously with one hand. Required in order to take steps with the ball.

drop a dime

To make an assist without looking.

drop step

A post up move where the ballhandler picks up his dribble and at the same time extends a leg back on one side of his defender and then turns toward the basket, using that leg as leverage to get between his defender and the basket.

dunk

(v) To score by putting the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. (n) A shot made by dunking.

E

elbow

1. An attempted or actual elbow strike. Especially violent examples are typically called as flagrant fouls.
2. The court area where the free-throw line meets the side of the 3-second lane.

end of quarter 

when a quarter ends

Eurocup 

Europe's second-level transnational club competition; the qualifying rounds are operated by FIBA Europe, while the competition proper is operated by the Euroleague Basketball Company. Analogous to the UEFA Europa League in football.

Euroleague 

Europe's top transnational club competition, also operated by the Euroleague Basketball Company. Analogous to the UEFA Champions League in football.

EuroBasket 

European international tournament, held every two years for both men and women. Analogous to the UEFA European Championship (men) and UEFA Women's Championship.

F

fadeaway 

A fadeaway or fall-away in basketball is a jump shot taken while jumping backwards, away from the basket but still facing it. The goal is to create space between the shooter and the defender, making the shot much harder to block.

fast break 

An offensive tactic in which a team attempts to advance the ball and score as quickly as possible, giving the other team no time to defend effectively. Often the result of a steal or blocked shot. See also secondary break.

FIBA 

The International Basketball Federation, known as FIBA from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball. An association of national organizations which governs international competitions.

FIBA 33 

The original name of what is now called 3x3.

field goal 

A shot made from anywhere on the court, does not include free throws.

Finger roll 

A specialized type of layup shot where the ball is rolled off the tips of the player's fingers using the momentum of the jump. The advantage of the finger roll is that the ball can travel in a higher arc over a defender that might otherwise block the shot.

flagrant foul 

An unsportsmanlike foul in which there is no serious attempt to play the ball. The NBA classifies these types of fouls as flagrant-1 and flagrant-2; NFHS (high school) uses flagrant personal foul and flagrant technical foul; the NCAA uses both sets of terms interchangeably. At all North American levels, the latter type of foul results in the immediate ejection of the offender. FIBA does not use the term "flagrant foul", instead using unsportsmanlike foul and disqualifying foul (which roughly correspond to the two North American subcategories).

floater 

A type of shot typically utilized by smaller guards. It is characterized by shooting the ball with an extremely high arc in order to prevent taller defenders from blocking the shot.

flop 

An intentional fall by a player after little or no physical contact from an opponent, with the goal of drawing a personal foul call against the opponent.

forward 

One of the three standard player positions. Forwards are primarily responsible for scoring and rebounding. See Small forward and Power forward. An individual capable of playing both types of forward is often called a cornerman or stretch four.

foul 

Violations of the rules other than floor violations, generally attempts to gain advantage by physical contact; penalized by a change in possession or free-throw opportunities; see personal foul, technical foul, flagrant foul, unsportsmanlike foul, and disqualifying foul.

four-point play 

A rare play in which a player is fouled while making a three-point shot and then makes the resulting free throw.

free throw 

An unopposed attempt to score a basket, worth one point, from the free throw line. Generally, two attempts are awarded when the player is fouled in the act of shooting (three attempts are awarded in the case of three-point shot), fouled flagrantly, or when the opposing team fouls while over the foul limit. For technical fouls, one free throw is awarded under FIBA rules; the NBA and NFHS award two free throws for all technical fouls; and NCAA rules award either one or two free throws, depending on the specific type of technical foul. In 3x3, where regular baskets are worth 1 point and shots from behind the arc worth 2 points, one attempt is normally awarded. Two attempts are awarded when a player is fouled on a missed shot from behind the arc, the opposing team has committed more than six fouls in a game, and on any technical foul.

G

granny shot 

An underhand shot taken using both hands, usually as a free throw.

Grinnell System 

A combined offensive and defensive system created by David Arseneault, head coach at Grinnell College. A variation of the run-and-gun style, its most unique feature is that entire five-player units are usually substituted every 45 to 90 seconds, as in an ice hockey shift.

guard 

One of the three standard player positions. Today, guards are typically classified in two broad categories. Point guards have strong ballhandling and passing skills and are typically used to run the offense. Shooting guards, as the name implies, are generally the team's best shooters, and are very often the leading scorers on their teams. Some players, often referred to as combo guards, combine the features of both.

gunner

Someone who shoots the ball too many times.

get back

To retreat back across the halfcourt line after either a made or missed shot attempt. Usually called out by players or coaches to let team know to hustle back and set up on defense.

H

halfcourt defense

The portion of a team's defensive play conducted with both teams having established positions. See also transition defense.

halfcourt offense

The portion of a team's offensive play conducted with both teams having established positions. See also transition offense.

Halftime

1. The end of the first half of play
2. The interval between the two halves.

Hand-check foul

A kind of foul wherein a player used his hands illegally to impede or slow the movement of his opponent.

Heating Up

When a player starts to make the majority of their shots and takes over the game.

I

in-n-out 

A shot that appears to be going in, but instead goes back out.

2. A dribble where the offensive player dribbles in am inward motion then back out to fake out a player

index rating 

See Performance Index Rating.

I got back

to be in the back of the court ready to block or shoot.

J

jump shot 

An overhead shot taken while jumping, sometimes abbreviated as J.

jump ball: jump ball starts every basketball game it happens in center court

K

key 

The free-throw lane and free-throw circle together (originally, the lane was narrower than the circle's diameter, giving the area the appearance of a skeleton key hole)

kicking 

A violation called when a player intentionally uses his or her foot or leg to contact the ball. Play is stopped and the ball is given to the non-violating team to inbound.

L

lane 

The free-throw lane.

lay-in

A close-range shot using one hand to tip the ball over the rim

layup 

A close-range shot using one hand to bank the ball off the backboard

M

Man-to-man defense 

A defense in which each player guards a single opposing player. See also zone defense.

Memphis Attack 

Another name for dribble drive motion; the offense was popularized in the early 2000s at the University of Memphis under their then-head coach, John Calipari.

mid-range 

Describes a shot taken from outside the paint but inside the three-point arc.

motion offense 

Offense created through a series of cuts and screens to create the best possible shot, with most or all offensive players moving simultaneously.

N

NBA 

The National Basketball Association, the largest professional league in the United States, also with one team in Canada.

NCAA 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the primary governing body for intercollegiate sports in the United States. Also used to describe national tournaments operated by this body, especially the Division I men's and women's tournaments. An unrelated body with the same name exists in the Philippines.

NFHS 

The National Federation of State High School Associations, the body that sets rules for high school sports in the U.S., including basketball.

NIT 

The National Invitation Tournament, a postseason tournament for NCAA Division I men's basketball teams that do not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Founded in 1938, a year before the NCAA Tournament, it is closely identified with New York City; all games were originally held at the third Madison Square Garden, and to this day the semifinals and final are held at today's Madison Square Garden. In its early years, it was considered more prestigious than the NCAA Tournament, but this changed starting in the 1950s. The tournament has been directly operated by the NCAA since 2006.

O

offensive foul

A foul committed by a member of the team playing offense.

one-and-one

(NCAA men's and NFHS) A free-throw attempt which, if made, allows the player a second free-throw attempt. This also existed in NCAA women's play, but was removed starting with the 2015–16 season. See also bonus.

one trillion

A box score showing one minute played and zero for all other statistics, resulting in a one followed by twelve zeros – the conventional American rendering of "one trillion."

outlet pass

A pass thrown by a rebounder to start a fast break.

over-and-back

See backcourt violation (1).

over the back

a foul committed by a player who tries to rebound the ball by pushing, moving or climbing on a player's back who is already in position to rebound the ball.

overtime

when the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the teams play a five-minute overtime period.

P

pack

To roughly hit down a ball that an opposing player has just released for a shot. (See also, swat.)

pack-line defense

A man-to-man defensive system in which one player pressures the ball and the other four "pack" down within an imaginary "line" extending to about 2 feet (60 cm) inside the three-point arc, with the intent of preventing dribble penetration. The system, derived from a number of other man-to-man systems, was developed by Dick Bennett, and has been popularized in the 21st century by coaches including his son Tony, Chris Mack, and Sean Miller.

paint

the key.

palming

Specifically referring to the habit of an offensive player to hold the ball at the apex of its bounce while dribbling, usually by gripping the ball firmly in the dribbling hand. In organized play this is always considered a dribbling penalty, often called a carry or double dribble. In non-organized play this is typically considered rude and is generally discouraged by the defensive players.

pass

(v) To throw the ball to a teammate. (n) The act of passing to an open teammate

penalty

once a team reaches a set number of team fouls in a playing period, varying by governing body, the fouled team gets free throws instead of possession of the ball. The fouling team is "over the limit." See also bonus and double bonus.

Performance Index Rating 

A player rating originally used by Liga ACB to determine weekly and season MVPs; later adopted by the Euroleague Company to determine the same awards in the Euroleague and Eurocup. No longer used to determine season MVPs, but still used for weekly awards. It is calculated from statistics available in standard European box scores as follows:

Add the following statistics—points, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals, fouls drawn, free throws made, 2-point field goals made, 3-point field goals made.

Subtract turnovers, own shots blocked, fouls committed, free throw attempts, 2-point field goal attempts, and 3-point field goal attempts.

perimeter

the area outside the key but well inside the three-point arc.

Philippine Basketball Association 

or colloquially known as PBA is a basketball league in the Philippines. It is the second oldest professional basketball league in the world after NBA.

pivot

The pivot center.

pivot foot

The foot that must remain touching the floor to avoid traveling

player control foul

player with the ball crashes into a defender; incorrectly referred to as a charge

point forward 

A forward with strong ballhandling and passing skills who can be called on to direct the team's offense.

points in the paint 

Field goals made in the painted area below the free-throw line

post up 

To go in or near the key, turn so that you are facing away from the basket but towards a teammate who has the ball, and try to establish position to receive a pass.

prayer 

A shot that has very little probability of being made.

Princeton offense 

an offensive basketball strategy which emphasizes constant motion, passing, back-door cuts, picks on and off the ball, and disciplined teamwork. Used and perfected at Princeton University, it's an offense designed for a unit of 5 players who can each pass, shoot and dribble at an above average level.

Q

quadruple-double 

Double-digit figures in four positive statistical categories (example: 13 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, 14 steals)

R

Rainbow 

A perfect high shot arc on a shot that goes in, usually resulting from a fluent shooting motion and usually on a long shot attempt.

Rebound 

(v) To obtain the ball after a missed field goal attempt (n) An act of rebounding.

Rejected 

To have one's shot blocked.

Rimshot 

a toss in which the ball hits the rim of the basket

Rip a C

A motion used while chinning the ball to create space during a pivot between an offensive player and a defensive player. Pivot towards the defender and rips the ball in a C-shape away from the pressure to create a passing lane.

Run 

An interval in which one team heavily outscores the other.

Rock 

the ball

Run and Gun 

A combined offensive and defensive system devoted to increasing the pace of the game. On offense, the ball is moved upcourt as fast as possible, with the goal of taking the first shot available (often a three-pointer). The defense uses full-court pressure in an attempt to cause turnovers. See also Grinnell System.

S

screen, set a screen 

(v) To attempt to prevent a defender from guarding a teammate by standing in the defender's way. The screening player must remain stationary; a moving screen is an offensive foul. (n) The tactic of setting a screen. Also called a "pick".

secondary break

An offensive phase after a fast break is initially stopped, but before the opponent can enter into its set defense.

set shot

A shot taken without leaving the floor.

shot clock

A timer designed to increase the pace (and subsequently, the score) by requiring a shot to be released before the timer expires; if the ball does not touch the rim or enter the basket, it results in a loss of possession for the shooting team. The time limit is 24 seconds in the NBA, WNBA, and FIBA play, and 30 in NCAA play for both sexes. See also airball.

sixth man (or sixth woman) 

1. A player who does not start, but is generally the first person off the bench, and often has statistics comparable to those of starters.
2. A superfan who believes that his fervent support of a team will have a direct influence on the outcome of a game that that team may be involved in.

stretch four

a power forward ("4") capable of "stretching" a defense with his or her outside shooting ability.

swingman 

A player capable of playing either shooting guard or small forward.

swat

To hit a ball that an opposing player just shot off course so that it misses completely. (See also, pack.)

swish 

(n) A shot which goes through the net without hitting the rim. The backboard may be used so long as the shot does not hit the rim. (v) To make a swish.

Splash : Occurs when someone makes a Nothing-but-net, and the net hangs over the rim as a result

T

technical foul 

A foul assessed for unsportsmanlike non-contact behavior and for some procedural violations (for example, having too many players on the floor or calling timeout when none remains). Penalized by loss of possession after a free throw which may be taken by any member of the opposing team. Frequently abbreviated as "technical" or "T."

three-point field goal 

A shot, worth three points, attempted with both feet behind the three-point line.

three-pointer

A three-point field goal

trey

A three-point field goal

three-point play

1. A play in which a shooter is fouled while making a two-point shot and then makes the resulting free throw. See also and one.
2. (rarely) When a shooter is fouled while taking but missing a three-point shot and then makes all three free throws.

toilet bowl 

When the ball hits the rim on a certain angle and then circles around it, can go in or out.

transition defense

The portion of a team's defensive play conducted when the other team has first gained possession and is moving up the court, before both teams have established positions. Includes defense against fast breaks. See also halfcourt defense.

transition offense

The portion of a team's offensive play conducted when first obtaining possession from the other team and moving up the court, before both teams have established positions. Includes fast breaks. See also halfcourt offense.

travel 

To move one's pivot foot illegally or to fall to the floor without maintaining a pivot foot (exact rules vary — see Traveling (basketball)) or takes 3 steps without dribbling the ball.

triangle offense 

An offensive strategy with the goal of exchanging three (sometimes all five) positions, creating spacing among players and allowing each one to pass to four teammates.

triple-double 

Double-digit figures in three positive statistical categories (example: 12 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists)

true road game

Term used in U.S. college basketball to refer to games played by a particular team on an opponent's home court, or sometimes a larger venue in that opponent's home area in which the opponent controls ticket sales. This distinction has been drawn in the 21st century because of an increasing number of early-season events—both individual games and tournaments—at neutral sites.

turnover 

A loss of possession.

U

ULEB

The organization that operated the Euroleague and Eurocup before handing responsibility to the Euroleague Basketball Company. It is a cooperative organization of European professional basketball leagues; the name is a French acronym for "Union of European Leagues of Basketball".

unsportsmanlike foul

(FIBA) an egregious foul, involving excessive physical contact, fouling with no intention to make a play on the ball, or fouling an opponent on a breakaway from behind. Roughly equivalent to the NBA's flagrant-1.

Up and down 

A travelling violation when the ball carrier jumps vertically into the air and does not get rid of it before landing.

V

violation 

An infraction of the rules other than a foul, such as traveling or a three-second violation.

V-cut 

A move where a player moves to the player defending him/her, then quickly turn and receive the ball. Used to fake the defender.

W

wing

1. An area located on either side of the court, outside the 3-second lane, along an imaginary extension of the free-throw line.
2. A player, often a swingman, who mainly operates from said area while on offense.

WNBA 

The Women's National Basketball Association, the largest professional basketball league for women in the United States.

WNIT 

The Women's National Invitation Tournament, a postseason tournament founded in 1998 for NCAA Division I women's basketball teams that do not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. In its first year of operation, it was known as the National Women's Invitational Tournament, inheriting the name of a similar event that operated from 1969 to 1996. Despite the name, it has no relation to the men's NIT—it is not operated by the NCAA, and was never under the control of any of the bodies that ran the men's NIT before 2006.

Z

zone defense

A defense in which each player is responsible for an area of the court. See also man-to-man defense.