Basketball Glossary

A missed shot that misses the rim and backboard completely (it literally touches nothing but air). When this happens, fans from the opposing team will inevitably chant 'air ball, air ball.'

A high pass near the rim that a teammate catches in mid-air and finishes (often with a dunk).

"LeBron threw a perfect alley-oop to Davis for the slam."

Also known as: three-point-play

A slang term used to refer to a situation in which a player makes a shot despite being fouled, in which case they get the points from the shot and one free throw. Making the free throw results in a three-point play (or a four-point play, if the shot made during the foul was a three-pointer).

Also known as: killer crossover

A particularly effective crossover, especially one that causes the defender to slip or fall down.

Also known as: dime

A pass that directly leads to a made basket by a teammate. The pass must be intentional and contribute to the score.

"Chris Paul averaged 10 assists per game this season."

Assists divided by turnovers; a common measure of ball-handler efficiency.

Also known as: basketball

Informal shorthand for the game of basketball.

Collectively, the guards; also the half of the court containing the basket a team is defending.

An offensive violation for returning the ball to the backcourt after establishing frontcourt possession.

Also known as: go backdoor

An offensive tactic where a player breaks free near the baseline for a quick layup.

Also known as: ball handler

Control of the ball through dribbling and accurate passing.

A shot made by rebounding the ball off the backboard into the basket.

Also known as: endline

One of the short boundary lines behind the basket; the endline.

Collective term for a team's substitute players.

Also known as: rebound

A rebound.

Also known as: penalty

Situation where a team has exceeded its foul limit, so common fouls result in free throws.

Most commonly refers to a shot made right before time runs out in the game (and the buzzer sounds), especially when it's a game-winning or game-tying shot. The term can also apply to a shot made right before the end of a quarter or before halftime.

To dunk over a defender in a particularly aggressive fashion.

"Morant just caught a body!"

One of the five traditional positions, typically the tallest player; often plays near the basket and focuses on rebounding, rim protection, and interior scoring.

A dribble move switching the ball hand-to-hand while changing direction.

Also known as: assist

An assist.

In college basketball, a bonus situation where any foul results in two free throws.

Double-digit totals in two major stat categories in one game.

A violation where a player stops dribbling and then dribbles again, or dribbles with two hands.

A multi-step driving move with a deceptive step one way then another before finishing.

A dunk over a defender, right in their face.

Also known as: jumper

A jump shot taken while the shooter is fading away from the basket.

A quick transition attack aiming to score before the defense sets.

A made basket during normal play (not a free throw).

A foul involving unnecessary or excessive contact, often categorized as flagrant 1 or flagrant 2.

Also known as: teardrop

A soft, high-arching shot near the basket designed to avoid a block.

An instance of intentionally falling, flailing, or exaggerating contact in order to draw a foul. Also used as a verb.

Also known as: free throw

A free throw from the foul line awarded after a foul; worth one point if made.

An informal term used to refer to a player or team reaching their foul limit.

"They got in foul trouble late in the game."

Also known as: foul shot

An unimpeded shot from the free-throw line awarded after a foul or technical.

Also known as: foul line, charity stripe

The line behind which a player shoots free throws; also called the foul line.

A team's offensive half of the court; also the center and forwards who play there.

Man-to-man pressure defense applied the entire length of the court to disrupt offense and force turnovers.

The clock showing the time remaining in a quarter/half/game.

The ending minutes of a lopsided game, when the outcome is no longer in question and mostly bench players are playing.

To foul. Sometimes used as a noun.

"Williams hacked Smith on the way to the basket."

Also known as: elbows

Area near the top corners of the free-throw lane (around the elbows).

Describes a team moving quickly to its offense during a change of possession.

The player who throws the ball in on an inbound pass after a stoppage.

Also known as: jumper, J

A shot where a player jumps and releases the ball at the top of the leap.

Also known as: tip off

The toss between two players that begins the game or is used to restart play.

Also known as: layup

A one-handed shot taken close to the basket, often off the backboard.

Also known as: block

Area near the basket on the side of the paint; also called the block.

Also known as: man defense, man

Defense where each defender guards a specific opponent.

Also known as: no-look

A pass thrown without looking at the intended receiver.

In college basketball, a bonus free-throw situation: make the first FT to earn a second.

Also known as: lane, free throw lane

Informal name for the rectangular area under the basket, often painted a solid color.

A foul for illegal body contact or rough, unsportsmanlike play.

Also known as: screen

An offensive move where a player positions themself to block a defender and free a teammate with the ball.

A play where one player sets a screen, then cuts toward the basket to receive a pass.

The guard who directs the team's offense and primary ball-handling.

Also known as: post

To establish position near the basket with your back to it to receive a pass and attack.

To dunk over a defender spectacularly. The idea is that a photo of the dunk would be the kind to go on a poster.

"He just got posterized."

A forward valued for physical play and rebounding; often a big, strong player.

Double-digit totals in four major stat categories in one game.

Also known as: basketball, b-ball

A nickname for basketball, which is also commonly called b-ball.

A guard often responsible for perimeter scoring and long-range shooting.

A clock limiting how long the offense can possess the ball before attempting a shot.

Also known as: sixth woman, sixth player

A team's best primary substitute player.

Also known as: dunk, slam, jam, stuff

A forceful dunk shot where the player dives the ball down through the basket.

A versatile attacking player; often a mix of scoring, defense, and playmaking.

A move where the ball handler hops backward to create space, often into a jump shot.

Also known as: nothing but net, splash

A shot that goes through the hoop without touching the rim or backboard. Often described as nothin' but net. The slang word splash is sometimes applied to such shots (especially as an interjection when they are made) because the net 'splashes' upward like water into which something has dropped.

As a defender, establish position and absorb contact to draw an offensive foul.

Also known as: T, tech

A non-contact conduct foul (player/coach) that awards free throws and may include ejection if flagrant.

A play where a player scores a basket while fouled and then makes the awarded free throw.

Also known as: three, trey, triple, from downtown, behind the arc

A field goal worth three points, made from behind the three-point line.

Also known as: three seconds

An offensive violation for staying in the paint longer than the allowed three seconds.

A jump ball that begins each period.

Area around the free-throw line semi-circle between it and the three-point line.

Also known as: travel, walk

A violation for taking too many steps before dribbling or after picking up the dribble.

At least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists by one player in a game.

Loss of possession to the other team due to a mistake or rule violation.

Also known as: zone

Defense where each defender guards an area of the court rather than a specific player.