Ball Terms

1 and 1

A free throw awarded for certain fouls; the shooter attempts one shot and gets a second only if the first is made.

2-for-1

End-of-quarter/game strategy of managing the shot clock vs. game clock to get two offensive possessions before time runs out.

3-Second Violation

Called when an offensive player stays in the key for more than three seconds without stepping out and back in.

5-Second Violation

Called when a closely guarded player holds the ball five seconds without passing, dribbling, or shooting, or fails to inbound within five seconds. Results in a turnover.

8-Second Violation

NBA/WNBA rule: the team inbounding after a score has eight seconds to get the ball over half court or it's a turnover.

10-Second Violation

Same as the 8-second rule but in nonprofessional leagues, giving the offense 10 seconds to cross half court.

Amoeba Defense

Aggressive, flexible zone defense popularized by Jerry Tarkanian at UNLV that shifts, traps, and adjusts to the offense.

Backdoor Cut

A fake in one direction followed by a quick cut behind the defender toward the basket to get open for a pass.

Ball Reversal

When the offense moves the ball quickly around the perimeter.

BLOB

Baseline out of bounds: an inbound play from under the basket along the baseline.

Block (area on the court)

Two rectangular areas marked on either side of the basket, used by coaches to position players./paint

Bonus

Once a team reaches a foul quota (varies by league), all further fouls, even non-shooting, give the other team free throws (1-and-1 or two shots).

Box Out

A type of block out that creates a box-shaped space between the basket and the opponent to secure the rebound.

Catch and Face

Catching the ball and turning to face the basket, becoming a triple threat.

Charge

Offensive foul on a player who runs into a defender who is squared up with both feet set. In college and the NBA/WNBA, charges aren't called inside a marked area near the basket.

Circus Shot

An extremely difficult or acrobatic shot with a low chance of success.

Close Out

A defender moves purposefully toward a shooter, often with a hand up, to contest the shot, finishing as a box out after the shot.

Coast to Coast

A player gains possession in their own end and dribbles the length of the court to score without passing.

Court

The rectangular playing area with a basket at each short end; size differs by league level.

Crossover

Switching the dribble from one hand to the other to avoid or confuse a defender.

Cylinder

Imaginary space above the rim; touching the ball in it is basket interference (offense) or goaltending (defense).

Dead Ball

The ball is not playable, such as after any whistle that stops play.

Defense

The team without the ball. Two main strategies: man-to-man and zone.

DNP-CD

Did Not Play, Coach's Decision.

Double Bonus

A second foul threshold where non-shooting fouls give two free throws (college and high school only).

Double Dribble

Violation of dribbling with both hands at once, or picking up the dribble and starting it again. A turnover.

Double-Double

Ten or more in two of five categories in a game: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks.

Double-Team

Two defenders guard one offensive player at the same time to apply pressure.

Dribble

Continuously bouncing the ball between the floor and your hand.

Drive

Moving purposefully with the ball toward the basket.

Drop Step

A post move with back to the basket: pivot and step hard toward the basket, shielding the ball from the defender.

Elbow

Area where the free-throw line meets the lane at its outer corners. Also a type of personal foul.

Elevator Screen

Two players set screens on either side of the lane and close like elevator doors behind a teammate, trapping the defenders.

End Line

Another word for baseline.

Eurostep

Driving to the basket with a lateral step one way then the other to get around a defender.

Fade Away

A jump shot taken while moving backward or sideways away from the basket to avoid defenders.

Fake

A quick motion that tricks a defender about a shot or pass direction.

Fast Break

When a team takes the ball in transition and quickly pushes it toward their basket for a scoring chance.

Field Goal

A made two-point or three-point basket (not a free throw).

Finger Roll

A layup where the shooter rolls the ball off their fingers.

Fishhook Cut

A rounded, fishhook-shaped cut that creates separation from a defender.

Flagrant Foul

Aggressive, excessive contact. FF1 is less severe; FF2 is malicious and results in ejection.

Foul

A rule violation resulting in free throws or a change of possession. Types: common, flagrant, technical.

Foul Out

A player hits the maximum number of fouls and must leave for the rest of the game.

Forward

A position that defends, rebounds, and scores inside and outside the paint: power forward or small forward.

Free Throw

An uncontested shot from the free-throw line awarded after a foul; each make is worth one point.

Free-Throw Line

The line at the top of the lane where free throws are shot.

Full-Court Press

Defenders apply full pressure on the offense from the moment the ball is inbounded.

Frontcourt

The half of the court the offense is shooting on.

Garbage Time

Playing time in a game with a score gap so wide the players can't affect the result.

Ghost Screen

A player fakes setting a screen but slips away to receive a pass, confusing the defender.

Give and Go

A player passes or hands off the ball, then immediately cuts or sets a screen.

Goaltending

Defender interferes with a shot on its way down or on the backboard and headed in; the offense is awarded the points.

Granny Shot

An underhand free-throw style shot; rarely used today.

Guard

Quick players with strong ball handling: point guard and shooting guard.

Half Court Line

The line dividing the court in half.

Halftime

The pause after the first half, after which teams swap baskets.

Hash Mark

Small lines beside the lane showing where players line up for free throws; also sideline/baseline reference marks.

Hedge

A defender's teammate steps up to stop the ball handler off a screen, buying time for the original defender to recover.

Held Ball

Offensive and defensive players both have possession at once, leading to a jump ball.

Help Side

The side of the court opposite the ball, where defenders can help teammates on the ball side.

Hoop

Another word for the basket.

Illegal Defense

NBA/WNBA defensive 3-second violation: spending over three seconds in the key without guarding anyone.

Illegal Screen

Offensive foul for leaning into an opponent or not setting your feet when screening.

Inbound

Passing the ball into play from out of bounds.

Inside Cut

A cut from outside the lane into the lane area.

Inside Shot

A shot taken from inside the lane.

Intentional Foul

Contact initiated on purpose to stop play, often by a defender trying to regain the ball.

Isolation

Teammates clear out so a skilled player can go one-on-one against a defender.

Jab Step

A quick step with the non-pivot foot, then back, to throw off a defender and create separation.

Jump Ball

A way to settle unclear possession; the ref throws the ball up between two players. College/high school use the possession arrow after the opening tip.

Jump Shot

A shot taken while jumping, released while the feet are off the ground.

Jump Stop

Coming to a stop with both feet landing on the floor at the same time.

Key

The rectangular area under the basket, also called the lane or the paint.

Layup

A close shot taken on a drive while in the air, off one or two feet.