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Basketball fans are an integral part of the game, with their cheers and chants bringing life to the game. Fans of the sport have traditionally shown their support by rushing the field or court after a big win, although this has become less common since the 1980s. Today, fans are expected to adhere to a code of conduct, which includes refraining from disruptive behaviour, foul language, and throwing objects. That said, basketball fans are known for their creative chants, often led by cheerleaders, to encourage their team and intimidate their opponents. These chants can be simple, like Defense, or more creative, like chanting the name of a non-star player. In addition to chants, fans also show their support by wearing matching shirts and creating unified sections in the crowd, known as the sixth man.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storming the court | Fans swarm the court after a huge win |
| Chanting | "Let's go Lakers", "Dee-Fense", "Traitor", "Pab-Lo"Chants are often led by cheerleaders |
| Cheering | Shouting, clapping, and screaming to celebrate a win |
| Wearing merchandise | Wearing matching shirts to appear unified and numerous |
| Unruly behaviour | Throwing objects, using foul language, making obscene gestures, drinking excessively |
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What You'll Learn
Chanting
Chants are usually short and simple, often led by cheerleaders, and are designed to fire up the team and crowd. A common chant is "Dee-fense!!!", which is used to encourage the team to keep their guard up on defence and rattle the offence. This chant is so legendary that it is used not only in basketball but also in NFL games, hockey, and soccer.
Chants can also be used to intimidate opponents, as seen in the case of a home crowd chanting "Traitor" at a former Wisconsin high school player, Tyler Herro, during a road game. Herro responded with a 45-point game and led his team to victory.
Some fans take a more creative approach to their chants, coming up with original material instead of the usual cheers. For example, during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, fans sang out "Pab-Lo, Pab-Lo" to honour the play of Argentine rookie Pablo Prigioni. Chanting the name of a non-star player like Prigioni is also considered a good move, as it shows intelligent and ardent fandom.
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Storming the court
In the past, it was commonplace for fans to storm the court after a big win, regardless of the sport. For example, in 1960, hundreds of Pittsburghers rushed onto the field to celebrate with the Pirates after their first title in 35 years. Similarly, in the late 1970s, fans of the Steelers would rush onto the field of Three Rivers Stadium to celebrate playoff victories.
Today, storming the court is mostly seen in college basketball. It is considered a cherished rite, with some believing that "real and honest fan emotion sets college athletics apart from everything else". However, it is also considered dangerous, with some coaches and players fearing for their safety. Arizona Coach Sean Miller, for instance, demanded punitive action after his team lost at Colorado, stating that "an Arizona player is going to punch a fan, and they are going to punch the fan out of self-defense".
There are unofficial rules that govern when it is acceptable to storm the court. For example, storming the court is allowed if you defeat your opponent with a buzzer-beating half-court shot, and your opponent is nationally ranked. Additionally, if you are a non-BCS school that is not nationally ranked and you defeat a nationally ranked BCS school, storming the court is permitted.
While storming the court can be dangerous, it is also seen as a benefit of being a sports fan. With increased access and coverage of sports today, storming the court is one of the few ways fans can physically celebrate with their favourite team.
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Matching outfits
Wearing matching outfits is a great way for basketball fans to show their support and rally their team. It's all about unity and pride, with fans wanting to demonstrate their unwavering support for their favourite team and players.
Rally House is a popular destination for basketball fans to gear up and showcase their team spirit. They offer a diverse range of officially licensed NBA gear, including jerseys, hats, shirts, and other merchandise. Fans can find apparel for various teams, such as the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Many college basketball fans take this a step further by creating identical shirts to wear as a group. This unity in appearance makes the fan section seem even larger and more intimidating to opposing teams. These dedicated supporters are often referred to as the "sixth man" on the team, as their presence and enthusiasm are believed to impact the game.
The tradition of wearing matching outfits extends beyond the NBA to college and university basketball. Schools like the Texas Longhorns, Kansas Jayhawks, and Michigan Wolverines offer vintage and throwback merchandise collections, allowing alumni and fans to celebrate their school's history while showing their unwavering support.
Fans can also purchase gear featuring specific players' names and numbers, such as jerseys or shirts with Joel Embiid's name on them. This way, fans can showcase their admiration for their favourite players while uniting with others who share their passion for the sport and their team.
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Cheering
Crowd chants are typically short cheers, often led by cheerleaders, who use their voices to set the tone and teach the crowd to follow along. These chants are usually simple and rhythmic, such as "Let's go Lakers", accompanied by clapping sequences. In some cases, fans come up with their own creative chants, personalizing them for their team. One of the most common chants is "Dee-Fense!!!", which is done to encourage the team to maintain their guard on defense and rattle the offense.
The impact of the sixth man is particularly noticeable in high school basketball, where the smaller gymnasium size allows squads to assemble inches away from the court, creating an intense atmosphere and increasing player-fan interactions. These squads often wear matching shirts and name themselves based on their school mascot or color to foster a sense of unity and make their presence more prominent.
While cheering and chanting are essential aspects of fan involvement, it is important to note that there is also a code of conduct in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. This includes refraining from disruptive behavior, foul language, and obscene gestures, as well as respecting players and other fans.
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Shrieking
A famous example of this occurred during a game between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs. A female fan unleashed a nails-on-chalkboard shriek for the final 20 seconds of the fourth quarter, continuing on throughout the rest of the game, which went into two overtimes! This poor display of fan behaviour was lambasted by various sports media outlets, and even spawned its own Twitter account and multiple people claiming responsibility.
So, if you're thinking of shrieking at a basketball game, it's best to keep it down and opt for a different way to rally your team and show your passion. There are plenty of other ways to show your support without disturbing those around you. Remember, as a fan, you are expected to respect and appreciate the players and other fans around you, and this includes refraining from disruptive behaviours like excessive shrieking.
To avoid being that person who ruins the game for others, it's best to keep your shrieking to a minimum or find alternative ways to express your enthusiasm that won't disturb those around you.
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Frequently asked questions
The "sixth man" is the fan section, which is considered the sixth "player" of their basketball team. The fans attempt to influence the game by cheering and chanting for their team.
Basketball fans often chant "Dee-fense!" to encourage their team to keep their guard up on defense and rattle the offense. They also chant things like "Let's go Lakers" or the name of a non-star player to show intelligent and ardent fandom.
Basketball fans should avoid disruptive behavior, including foul or abusive language, obscene gestures, and throwing objects. They should also avoid stepping onto the court and consuming alcoholic beverages irresponsibly.
In the past, it was common for basketball fans to rush the court after a big win. However, this practice has become less common due to concerns about protecting public property and player safety.
