Double team

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A double team in basketball is defending one offensive player with two defensive players.

Generally as a basketball strategy, each defender guards one offensive player. However, when an offensive player is overwhelming the defender, another defender may help out and create a double team. A successful double team can make it very difficult for the offensive player and often creates a turnover. However, if the offensive player passes out of a double team, one of his teammate might be left wide open for an easy shot.

Double team is usually employed near the basket because there the shot is easier to make. One common offensive strategy is to have a player posting up to force a double team and then pass out for an open three-point field goal. A good offensive player might also get double teamed far from the basket just to make him give up the ball before setting up the offense.

[edit] Other Uses

The term "double team" is often used in common speech in reference to overworking (e.g. when there is an unexpected surge of sick leave at the workplace). Sexually, "double team" would refer to a threesome.