Andrew Pace
Pike has several meanings, including a type of fish, a weapon, and a body position in gymnastics and diving. In the context of basketball, a pike may refer to a specific body position or movement that a player can use to gain leverage, change direction, or perform a shot. However, the term pike is not commonly used in basketball terminology, and it may be used interchangeably with other terms such as layup or dunk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body position | Bent at the hips, straight knees, hands touching toes or clasping legs behind or above the knees |
| Origin | French pique, "a long weapon of war," from piquer, "to prick," probably derived from the Latin word picus, "woodpecker" |
| Other meanings | A mountain, a type of fish, a surname |
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What You'll Learn
Pike as a basketball move
Pike is a body position where the hips are bent, the knees are straight, and the hands touch the toes or clasp the legs behind or just above the knees. In gymnastics, a pike is a position in which the body is bent only at the hips. In cheerleading, a pike is a type of jump.
In the sport of basketball, a player can take a pike position while performing a layup, which is a shot taken near the basket. A layup is typically done by jumping and extending the arm with the ball towards the basket, laying the ball off the backboard and into the basket.
Pike can also refer to a mountain, a weapon similar to a spear, or a type of fish. In this context, pike is a large freshwater fish with a long body and snout that is valued for food and sport. They are widely distributed in cool northern waters and are known for their voracious appetite and slender shape.
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Pike as a position in gymnastics
Pike is a fundamental position in gymnastics, involving the body being bent only at the hips while keeping the legs straight and together. It is one of the basic shapes in gymnastics, along with the tuck, straddle, and hollow body, that form the foundation for more advanced skills. The pike position is used in several gymnastics events and is integral to various skills and routines.
The pike position requires the gymnast to bend at the hips, bringing their chest as close to their thighs as possible. The degree of hip flexion determines how tight the pike shape is, with a distinct angle at the hips of around 90 degrees or more. The legs must be kept straight and together, with knees extended and feet pointed, contributing to a streamlined shape. The arms are often extended forward to help maintain balance and control during flips and tumbling passes.
The pike is commonly used in floor routines, with a single pike involving one flip (salto) and a double pike involving two consecutive flips. The double pike is a challenging skill requiring the gymnast to generate enough power to complete two rotations while maintaining the pike shape. The even more advanced triple pike involves three consecutive flips, requiring tremendous power and precise form.
Pike jumps are performed on the floor and the beam, with the gymnast jumping into the air and assuming the pike position. On the balance beam, the pike is used in jumps and flips, adding difficulty due to the tight, controlled movements required on the narrow surface. The pike is also used in dismounts from the beam and bars, creating a graceful exit. In men's gymnastics, the pike is applied to movements on the rings, such as the Piked Front Lever, which showcases flexibility and core strength.
Overall, the pike position is a critical element in gymnastics, requiring precision, strength, and control. It serves as a foundation for various skills and routines, adding difficulty and elegance to the sport.
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Pike as a type of fish
Pike is a type of fish that is typically found in cool northern waters. It is a large freshwater fish with a long body, a shovel-like mouth, and a long snout. Pike is valued both for food and as a game fish. The northern pike is the most common species of pike, averaging 18 to 20 inches in length and weighing up to 46 pounds. However, they can grow much larger, with the largest recorded northern pike specimen weighing 55 pounds.
Pike is an aggressive and territorial species, known for its cannibalistic nature. They are ambush predators, lying in wait among the weeds and exhibiting remarkable acceleration when they strike. Young pike need places to shelter between plants to avoid being eaten by larger pike. The presence of vegetation is essential for pike, as they use it to hide and hunt. They are typically found in sluggish streams, shallow weedy places in lakes and reservoirs, and cold, clear, rocky waters.
The northern pike has a wide geographic range, including North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, they are found in various states, from Alaska to northern Arizona, and in Canada, they stretch from the Arctic regions to the upper Mississippi River basin. In Europe, pike can be found in Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and more. The species has also been introduced to other parts of the world, where it is sometimes seen as a threat to native fishing stocks.
There are several other species of pike, including southern pike, amur pike, and aquitanian pike, each with its own unique range and characteristics. Southern pike, as the name suggests, is found in southern Europe, including Italy, southern France, and Switzerland. Amur pike, also known as black-spotted pike, is native to the Amur River system in East Asia, while aquitanian pike is native to southwestern France and was only recently discovered in 2014.
Pike is a member of the Esocidae family, which includes other species such as pickerel, muskellunge, and mud minnows. They have small scales that can be blue-gray, yellow-green, or pinkish-red, and their markings change as they age. Pike is a popular game fish, and their spawning season typically occurs between late winter and spring. They are apex predators and carnivores, feeding on insects, small fish, and even larger prey like water birds, frogs, and small mammals.
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Pike as a weapon
The pike is a long medieval infantry spear with a heavy wooden shaft that is 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) long. The pike is a variant of the spear, with a sharp, pointed tip made of metal. The shaft near the head was often reinforced with metal strips called "cheeks" or "langets". The great length of the pike allowed a great concentration of spearheads to be presented to the enemy, with their wielders at a greater distance.
The earliest recorded use of a pike-like weapon was the Macedonian sarissa, used by the troops of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II of Macedon. The pike was also used by Germanic tribesmen in the 2nd century AD, as described by Tacitus. The pike was a crucial weapon for mercenaries in the late 15th century, particularly Swiss mercenaries, who utilized 14- to 18-foot-long pikes made of ash poles with leaf- or diamond-pointed steel heads. The Swiss soldiers were known for their skill with extra-long spears, and they handled the pike with dexterity and speed.
The pike was typically used in a deliberate, defensive manner, often alongside other missile and melee weapons. Pikemen often carried an additional shorter weapon, such as a dagger or sword, for close-quarters combat. The pike was particularly effective when used in marching formations, where the weapons could be presented for protection while retreating. For example, at the Battle of Ravenna in 1512, several companies of Spanish pikemen were attacked while retreating by French heavy cavalry. The pikemen turned into a defensive position, and the French general, Gaston de Foix, was unhorsed and killed.
The pike remained in use until the introduction of the bayonet, after which it disappeared from land warfare. However, a shortened version of the pike was retained as a naval boarding weapon through the 19th century.
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Pike as a surname
Pike is a surname of English origin, dating back to the Domesday Book of 1066, where the first recorded spelling of the name is listed as Aluric Pic. The name has three possible derivations, all metonymic occupational names. Firstly, it could be a name for a fishmonger or fisherman, derived from the Middle English "pike", referring to the fish with pointed jaws. Secondly, it may be the name for someone who worked the soil with a pointed tool, also derived from the Middle English "pike". Lastly, it could be the name for a soldier who used a pike, a weapon consisting of a sharp metal end on a long pole, derived from the Old French "pique".
The surname Pike has many variations, including Pikes, Pykes, McPike, Picke, and Pique, as well as Speight, Paik, and Peake. The name is especially common in Newfoundland, ranking 22nd among all surnames there based on the 1955 voters' list. In the United States, it is the 1138th most common surname, while in England and Wales, it ranks 513th. The name is historically most prevalent in the English West Country, particularly in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
Several notable individuals have borne the surname Pike, including Albert Pike (1809-1891), an American attorney, soldier, writer, and Confederate general; Alfred Pike (1917-2009), a Canadian professional ice hockey player; Rob Pike, a Canadian software engineer; Robert Pike (1616-1706), a settler in Newbury, Massachusetts; and Samuel Pike (c. 1717-1773), an English minister.
The Pike surname has a rich history and can be found in various records, including military collections, censuses, and genealogical studies. The name has evolved and spread across the globe, with variations and distinct family lines emerging over time.
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Frequently asked questions
A pike is a large freshwater fish with a long body and long snout that is valued for food and sport and is widely distributed in cool northern waters.
No, pike is not a basketball move. However, it is a body position in gymnastics where the hips are bent, the knees are straight, and the hands touch the toes or clasp the legs behind or just above the knees.
Pike can also refer to a mountain, a weapon similar to a spear, or a type of fish. It is also used to describe a foot soldier armed with a pike or the act of piercing something with a pike.
Some common basketball moves include dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding. Dribbling involves bouncing the ball continuously with one hand while moving. Passing involves transferring the ball to a teammate, and shooting involves attempting to score points by putting the ball through the basket. Rebounding refers to gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot or rebound.
While there may be basketball moves that resemble a pike position in some way, the term "pike" is not commonly used to describe a specific basketball move. However, some moves involve bending at the hips, such as a post-up move where the ball handler extends one leg back and uses it as leverage to get between their defender and the basket.
