Basketball Terminology and Definitions

A collection of flashcards defining basketball terminology, including rules, court areas, strategies, positions, and common slang.

$1$ and $1$

A free throw awarded for certain fouls in which the player can attempt one shot; if they make the first, they can attempt a second.

$$2-for-1$$

A strategy at the end of a game or quarter where the offense manages the difference between the shot clock and the game clock to get more than one offensive play in before time runs out.

$3$-Second Violation

A violation triggered when an offensive player has at least one foot inside the key for more than $3$ seconds without stepping out and back in.

$5$-Second Violation

A violation occurring when a closely guarded offensive player holds the ball for more than $5$ seconds without passing, dribbling, or shooting, or fails to inbound the ball within $5$ seconds.

$8$-Second Violation

An NBA/WNBA rule where the inbounding team has $8$ seconds from touching the ball to get it over the half-court line.

$10$-Second Violation

A rule in nonprofessional leagues allowing the offense $10$ seconds to get the ball past half-court.

Alley-Oop

An assisted shot where a player lobs a high pass to a teammate who jumps, catches the pass midair, and scores before landing.

Amoeba Defense

An active, flexible, and aggressive zone defense popularized by Jerry Tarkanian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in the '$70s$ and '$80s$.

Assist

A pass to a player that results in that player making a basket.

Backboard

The square glass behind the basket on which the rim is mounted.

Backcourt

The half of the court opposite the side the current offense is shooting on.

Backcourt Violation

A violation, also known as over-and-back, occurring when the ball crosses back into the backcourt after the offense moved it to the frontcourt.

Backdoor Cut

A move where an offensive player fakes in one direction and then cuts behind the defender toward the basket to get open for a pass.

Ball Reversal

When the offense moves the ball quickly around the perimeter.

Baseball Pass

A high, long pass made with one arm similar to throwing a baseball.

Baseline

The line under each basket that marks out-of-bounds; also known as an end line.

Basket Cut

When an offensive player cuts from the perimeter to the basket without the ball.

Basket Interference

A violation occurring when an offensive player touches the ball while it is in the cylinder.

Behind-the-Back Dribble

When a player dribbles the ball behind their back to evade their defender.

BLOB

An acronym for ‘baseline out of bounds,’ used when the offense inbounds the ball from under the basket along the baseline.

Block (area on the court)

Two rectangular areas marked on the floor on either side of the basket used by coaches to direct player standing positions.

Block/Blocked Shot

When a defender knocks a shot out of its path to the basket without touching or fouling the shooter.

Blocking Foul

A defensive foul where a player uses their body to prevent an opponent's movement without fully setting their feet and position.

Block Out

When a player uses their body to create a barrier between their opponent and the basket.

Bonus

A state where a team has reached a certain quota of fouls, granting the opposing team free-throw opportunities on all future fouls.

Bounce Pass

A pass that hits the ground one time on its way to the receiver.

Box Out

A type of block out where players create a box-shaped space between the basket and their opponent to secure a rebound.

Breakaway Rim

A basketball rim designed to flex when a player dunks or hangs on it.

Bump the Cutter

When a defender deliberately makes light contact or a hip check to disrupt an offensive player moving without the ball.

Buzzer Beater

A successful basket that leaves the shooter’s hand before the buzzer sounds to end a period.

Carrying the Ball

A violation, also known as palming, where a player turns the ball over in their hand or puts their hand under it while dribbling.

Catch and Face

A movement where a player catches the ball and turns to face the basket to become a triple threat.

Center

A position typically played by the tallest players, responsible for protecting the basket, rebounding, and scoring in the paint.

Charge

A foul called on an offensive player who runs into a defender who is squared up with both feet set.

Chest Pass

A pass released from the middle of the chest using both hands.

Close Out

When a defender moves toward a shooter purposefully to disrupt a shot, often finishing as a box out.

Coast to Coast

When a player gains possession on the defensive side and dribbles down to score without passing.

Crossover

When a player switches the ball from one hand to the other to avoid or confuse a defender.

Cylinder

The imaginary space above the rim extending upward where players generally cannot touch the ball.

Dead Ball

A state when the ball is not playable because a referee has blown the whistle to stop play.

DNP-CD

Short for ‘Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision.’

Double Bonus

A threshold in college and high school where non-shooting fouls grant the opponent $2$ free throws.

Double Dribble

A violation where a player touches the ball with both hands while dribbling or resumes dribbling after picking up the ball.

Double-Double

When a player achieves $10$ or more in at least $2$ of these categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocked shots.

Double-Team

When two defenders guard a single offensive player simultaneously.

Drop Step

A post move where a player with their back to the basket pivots and steps back toward the rim to shield the ball.

Elevator Screen

An offensive play where two players set screens to form a corridor that closes like elevator doors after a teammate passes through.

Eurostep

An offensive move where a driving player takes a lateral step in one direction and then another in a different direction.

Fade Away

A jump shot taken while the player moves horizontally or backward away from the basket in the air.

Fast Break

An offensive transition where the ball is moved quickly toward the basket for a scoring opportunity.

Field Goal

A made basket worth $2$ or $3$ points, excluding free throws.

Finger Roll

A shooting technique for a layup where the shooter rolls the ball off their fingers.

Fishhook Cut

An offensive movement in the shape of a fishhook to create separation from a defender.

Flagrant Foul

A personal foul involving aggressive, excessive contact; FF2 results in ejection.

Foul Out

When a player reaches the maximum allowed fouls and must leave the game.

Free Throw

An uncontested shot worth $1$ point awarded after a foul.

Full-Court Press

A defensive strategy applying pressure on the offense from the moment they inbound the ball.

Garbage Time

Playing time at the end of a game when the scoring gap is so wide that the result cannot be changed.

Ghost Screen

When an offensive player fakes a screen and instead trails off to receive a pass.

Give and Go

An offensive play where a player passes the ball and immediately moves for a return pass, screen, or cut.

Goaltending

A violation where a defender interferes with a shot on its downward trajectory or after it hits the backboard.

Hedge

A defensive technique to counter a screen where a teammate steps up to block the offensive player's path temporarily.

Held Ball

When an offensive and defensive player have possession of the ball simultaneously, resulting in a jump ball call.

Illegal Defense

A defensive $3$-second violation in the NBA/WNBA where a defender stays in the key more than $3$ seconds without actively guarding someone.

Isolation

A tactic where teammates clear out to let a skilled player go one-on-one against their defender.

Jump Ball

A method to settle possession disputes, performed by the referee throwing the ball up between two opposing players.

Key

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

Lane Violation

A rule violation during free throws involving the shooter or non-shooters entering the lane too early.

Man-to-Man

A defensive strategy where each player guards a specific individual opponent.

Nellie Ball

A fast-paced style of basketball focused on speed and scoring, named after Don Nelson.

Pick-and-Roll

A tactic where an offensive player sets a screen and then moves toward the basket to receive a pass or draw defenders.

Pivot Foot

The foot a player keeps in contact with the floor to avoid traveling while rotating.

Point Guard

The player responsible for bringing up the ball and running the offense, known as the ‘$1$’.

Possession Arrow

A college and high school rule that alternates possession following jump ball situations.

Power Forward

A tall, strong forward focused on rebounding and scoring in the paint, known as the ‘$4$’.

Screen

When an offensive player stands firmly to separate a defender from a teammate.

Shot Clock violation

A turnover occurring when the offense fails to shoot before the set amount of time expires.

Sixth Man

The first player used as a substitute off the bench.

Small Forward

A versatile position that can score, pass, and rebound, known as the ‘$3$’.

Technical Foul

A foul for egregious behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct, or violation of equipment/game rules.

Three-Point Line

An arc on the floor; shots made from beyond it are worth $3$ points.

Tip-Off

A situation used to start a game where two players try to tip the ball to their teammates from the center circle.

Trap

A defensive tactic where two or more defenders corner the ball handler to force a turnover.

Traveling

A violation, also known as walking, when a player takes too many steps without dribbling.

Triple-Double

When a player achieves at least $10$ in $3$ of the $5$ major statistical categories.

Triple Threat

A position where an offensive player has the option to pass, dribble, or shoot.

Wing

The area on the court extending from the top of the free-throw line toward the sidelines.

Zone Defense

A defensive strategy where players guard specific areas of the court rather than specific opponents.

Box and $1$

A hybrid defense with $4$ players in a zone and a $5$th playing man-to-man.

Airball

An off-target shot that misses both the rim and the backboard.

And $1$

An extra free throw opportunity awarded to a player fouled while making a basket.

Ankle Breaker

When a player’s crossover causes a defender to stumble or fall.

Charity Stripe

A slang term for the free-throw line.

Cherry Picking

When a defender stays near their own basket away from the action to wait for an easy scoring opportunity.

Dime

Slang for an assist.

Double Nickel

Slang for scoring $55$ points in a single game.

GOAT

An acronym standing for the ‘Greatest of All Time.’

Hack-a-Shaq

A strategy of deliberately fouling a weak free-throw shooter to force them to the line, named after Shaquille O’Neal.

Swish

When a ball enters the basket without touching the rim or backboard.