Glossary of basketball terms

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

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] 0–9

24-second violation: Inability of a team to shoot before the shot clock expires.

[edit] A

Assist: Passing the ball to a teammate who immediately scores a basket after receiving a pass. The teammate that receives the pass may take 1 dribble then shoot if desired.

[edit] B

ball hog: A player who attempts to monopolize his play of the ball, usually shooting excessively.
buzzer beater: The final shot of a game that in itself results in a win or overtime.

[edit] C

center: One of the three standard player positions, centers are usually the tallest player on the team and are responsible for defending the basket and rebounding.
crescent cut: a cut where the offensive player runs in an arc instead of sharply changing direction. Usually this cut starts opposite the player with the ball and moves toward the ball and then to the basket.

[edit] D

downtown: The area on the offensive side of the three-point line.

[edit] F

FIBA: The International Basketball Federation, an association of national organizations which governs international competitition.
forward: One of the three standard player positions, forwards are primarily responsible for scoring and rebounding. See Small forward and Power forward.
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, fouled flagrantry, or when the opposing team fouls while over the foul limit. One attempt is awarded for technical fouls.
FUBAR: Fine Upper Ball Arm Reach, the ability to scoop the ball up from high under intense pressure.

[edit] G

guard: One of the three standard player positions, guards usually are responsible for setting up offensive plays. See Point guard and Shooting guard.

[edit] I

in-n-out: a shot that appears to be sailing in, but doesn't drop.

[edit] N

NBA: The National Basketball Association, the largest professional league in the United States.

[edit] P

penetration: When an offensive player, dribbling and handling the ball, gets into the key or past defenders.
pick: See setting a screen
point: A point is scored by successfully passing the ball through the basket. A free throw is worth one point, a field goal is worth two points, and a three-point shot is worth three points.
point guard: A position normally played by the smallest player on the team, who is responsible for controlling the offense and distributing the ball to the right players at the right time.

A motion used while chinning the ball to create space during a pivot between you and the defender. Pivot towards the defender and rip the ball in a C shape away from the pressure to create a passing lane.

[edit] S

setting a screen: A legal attempt by an offensive player to stop an opponent from guarding a teammate, by standing in the defender's way such that the teammate cuts next to him, blocking the defender. The teammate is now open to receive a pass, make a shot or cut to the basket. The player setting the pick must remain stationary; a moving screen is illegal and may result in an offensive foul. Also called a "pick".

[edit] T

technical foul: A foul most commonly associated with unsportsmanlike behavior. However, some procedural violations are also technical fouls. The term is frequently abbreviated to simply "tech."

three-point field goal: A shot attempted anywhere from behind the three-point line of the defending team that, if successful, is worth three points.

three-point play: A situation where a player is fouled but completes the basket, sending them to the free throw line with the opportunity to convert a two-point play into three. The phrase "and one" is also commonly used by commentators.