Andrew Pace
Basketball has an extensive vocabulary of unique words and phrases used by players, coaches, sports journalists, commentators, and fans. This basketball lingo is crucial for communication between players, coaches, and referees. Here is a list of some must-know basketball terms to help you understand the sport better.
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What You'll Learn
- Scoring terms: swish, slam dunk, layup, bank shot, fadeaway
- Fouls: flagrant foul, technical foul, bonus or penalty, double bonus
- Defence: man-to-man, zone, full-court press, take a charge, hedge
- Passing: pocket pass, baseline pass, behind-the-back pass, bounce pass, short pass
- Positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, forwards, post
Scoring terms: swish, slam dunk, layup, bank shot, fadeaway
Swish
A swish is a shot that goes cleanly through the hoop without touching the rim or backboard. It is often described as "nothing but net". The slang term "splash" is sometimes used to describe a swish, especially as an interjection when a shot is made, because the net splashes upward like water when an object is dropped into it.
Slam Dunk
A slam dunk, also known simply as a dunk, is a type of basketball shot where a player jumps in the air, controls the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim, and shoves the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. It is usually the highest-percentage shot and a crowd-pleaser. The term "slam dunk" was coined by former Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn.
Layup
A layup is a two-point shot attempt made by leaping from below and "laying" the ball up near the basket, using one hand to bounce it off the backboard and into the basket. It is considered the most basic shot in basketball. There are two types of layup: the underarm and the overarm. The underarm layup involves using most of the wrist and fingers to "lay" the ball into the net or off the board and is commonly known as the finger roll. The overhand layup is similar to a jump shot but from a much closer range and nearly always involves the use of the backboard.
Bank Shot
A bank shot involves "banking" the ball off the backboard instead of shooting it directly into the hoop. The player jumps high and slightly backward to beat the defenders and aims the ball at the backboard to score. It is considered one of the hardest shots to master, but it can be very effective, especially from mid-to-short range.
Fadeaway
A fadeaway, or fall-away, is a jump shot taken while jumping backward, away from the basket. The goal is to create space between the shooter and the defender, making the shot harder to block. The shooter must have very good accuracy and strength to counteract the backward momentum. Because the shooter moves away from the basket, they also have a lower chance of grabbing their rebound. Once mastered, the fadeaway is one of the most difficult shots for defenders to block.
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Fouls: flagrant foul, technical foul, bonus or penalty, double bonus
Fouls are an important part of basketball, and there are several types to know. A technical foul is any infraction of the rules that does not involve physical contact during play between opposing players. Technical fouls can be assessed against players, but also bench personnel, the entire team, or even the crowd. The most common technical foul is unsportsmanlike conduct, such as the use of profane language. These fouls are more serious than a personal foul but not as serious as a flagrant foul.
A flagrant foul is a personal foul that involves excessive or violent contact that could injure a player. It may be unintentional or purposeful, and the latter is also called an "intentional foul". The NBA has two levels of flagrant fouls: penalty 1 and penalty 2. Penalty 2 results in an immediate ejection of the offender and an automatic fine.
The bonus situation, also called the penalty situation, occurs when a team accumulates a certain number of fouls, and this number varies depending on the level of play. For example, in FIBA rules, the penalty is triggered when a team commits more than four fouls in a quarter. When a team has committed the requisite number of fouls, each subsequent foul results in the opposing team taking free throws, regardless of the type of foul committed. This is also known as "one-and-one".
The double bonus refers to the secondary bonus situation, where any foul automatically results in two free throws. Beginning with the tenth foul of a half, the fouled team is awarded two free throws on non-shooting fouls, regardless of whether the first shot is made.
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Defence: man-to-man, zone, full-court press, take a charge, hedge
Man-to-Man Defence
In a man-to-man defence, each defender is accountable for guarding a specific offensive player. This is the most common form of defence in basketball, especially in professional leagues like the NBA. It is also a crucial skill for young players to learn, as it lays the foundation for other defensive strategies.
Zone Defence
In a zone defence, defenders are responsible for guarding an area of the court, rather than a specific player. This strategy is less common, as it can limit players' athletic development and coordination. However, it can be effective in causing opponents to rush shots and creating passing difficulties for the opposing team.
Full-Court Press
A full-court press is a defensive strategy where pressure is applied to the opposing team for the entire length of the court, before and after the inbound pass. This tactic requires a lot of effort but can be used to create turnovers and tire out opponents.
Take a Charge
Taking a charge is a defensive move where you draw an offensive foul by positioning yourself to make contact with an offensive player, usually one driving to the basket or jumping to shoot. To do this effectively, you must be square to the person with the ball, slide into their path, and plant your feet. When contact is made, take the impact on your chest and fall backward, pushing back to get out of the way of the falling player.
Hedge
A hedge is a defensive technique used to stop an opponent with the ball from getting to the basket or entering the painted area. It is often employed during a ""pick" or "screen" situation, where the defenders guarding the screen and the ball switch positions to block the ball-handler.
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Passing: pocket pass, baseline pass, behind-the-back pass, bounce pass, short pass
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, with several types of passes that can be used to create different scoring opportunities. Here is a breakdown of some common basketball passes:
Pocket Pass
The pocket pass is a type of pass where an offensive player with the basketball throws it to a teammate in the open space between defenders. This pass is often used to create potential scoring opportunities and is typically executed as a bounce pass following an on-ball screen, such as a pick and roll. The pocket pass can be performed with one or two hands, although using one hand is more common. It is a useful move to deceive defenders and create scoring chances.
Baseline Pass
A baseline pass is an inbound pass executed by an offensive player standing near the baseline, outside the lane on the opposite side of the basket. This pass is often used to set up plays and create scoring chances near the basket or baseline areas. Offensive players can use baseline cuts and screens to generate opportunities for their teammates. It is important to note that a player passing the ball near the baseline must not step over the boundary line before releasing the ball to a teammate.
Behind-the-Back Pass
The behind-the-back pass is an advanced passing technique where the player in possession of the ball throws it behind their back to an open teammate. This pass can deceive defenders as they typically focus on the ball or the player's hands. It is effective against transition and ball screen defences, especially when the offensive team has a numbers advantage. There is also a variation of this pass, known as the elbow pass, where the player hits the ball with their opposite elbow as it is released.
Bounce Pass
The bounce pass is a basic type of pass where the player steps forward, extends their arms, and snaps their wrists to throw the ball forward and down to a teammate. This pass is useful when a defender's arm or body might block a chest pass. The ball should be bounced at an angle with enough strength so that it bounces up towards the receiver.
Short Pass
A short pass is a type of pass used in specific basketball plays and strategies. For example, in a short-corner skip pass play, the ball is passed from the top to the wing and then to the short corner. This pass can be used to create scoring opportunities and involves multiple players in a coordinated movement.
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Positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, forwards, post
In a game of basketball, there are five players on the court for each team. Each player is assigned to a different position, defined by the strategic role they play. The three main position categories are guard, forward, and center. A standard team features two guards, two forwards, and a center.
The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is the most specialized role of any position. They are usually the shortest player on the court and are expected to control the pace of the game. Point guards are often referred to as the "coach on the floor" or the "floor general". They are responsible for controlling the ball and making sure it gets to the right player at the right time. They are also expected to be proficient in passing and dribbling the ball, as well as having good leadership skills.
The shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or the off guard, is one of the most prolific scorers on the team. They are good long-range shooters and strong and athletic. They are also good ball handlers and passers. Shooting guards need to be able to score in various ways, especially late in a close game when defenses are tighter.
The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is considered to be the most versatile of the main five basketball positions. They are taller, larger, and stronger than the guards, but shorter, quicker, and leaner than the power forwards and centers. They are relied upon to score, defend, create open lanes, and rebound for their team.
The power forward is a larger and stronger version of the small forward, though generally not as tall or long as the center. They are good at rebounding and can also be great passers, especially from the high or low post areas.
The center (C) or five is the final member of the team. They are usually the tallest player on the team and play close to the basket, with their back to it, in order to receive a pass and then turn and shoot.
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Frequently asked questions
A layup is a common shot taken while a player drives to the basket. The shot may be taken off one or two feet, but it’s taken while the player is in the air.
A slam dunk is when a player close to the basket jumps up and throws the ball down into the hoop. It is also commonly known simply as a dunk, or a jam, or a stuff.
A full-court press is when defenders pressure the ball handler the entire length of the court, not just after they cross half-court.
Bonus or penalty refers to the situation in which a team has exceeded their foul limit, and all fouls result in automatic free throws for the other team.
