Helena Frye
In basketball, a dime is a term used to refer to a pass that leads to an assist. An assist is recorded when a player passes the ball to a teammate, who then scores a basket. The term dropping dimes refers to an assist, where a player draws multiple defenders towards themselves and then passes the ball to a teammate for an easy score. The origin of the term is uncertain, but it is speculated that it came from the cost of a payphone call, which was $0.10 or a dime. Dropping a dime could refer to helping someone make a phone call or assisting the police in an investigation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | The term "dime" in basketball is believed to have originated from urban slang used on the East Coast of the U.S. (particularly Philadelphia), where “assisting” the police in an investigation was called "dropping a dime" due to the $0.10 cost of payphone calls at the time. |
| Definition | A dime is a type of pass that leads to an assist. It is a precise, accurate, and timely pass made to a teammate, allowing them to catch the ball and shoot it in one fluid motion without needing to adjust their position. |
| Skills Required | Good court vision, passing skills, and the ability to read the movements of teammates and opponents are essential for executing a dime effectively. |
| Player Example | LeBron James is known for his ability to make dime passes and consistently ranks among the top assist leaders in the NBA. |
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What You'll Learn
'Dropping dimes' refers to an assist
In basketball, a dime is a term used to refer to a pass that leads to an assist. An assist is recorded when a player passes the ball to a teammate, who then scores a basket. The dime pass is an effective way of setting up teammates so they can score easily. To play a dime in basketball, the player must be able to make an accurate and timely pass to a teammate who is in a position to score. The pass should be made in such a way that the teammate can catch the ball and shoot it in one fluid motion, without needing to adjust their position. This requires good court vision, as well as the ability to read the defence and anticipate the movements of both teammates and opponents.
The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it is believed to come from the phrase "dropping a dime", which originally meant to use a payphone that cost 10 cents, or a dime. This phrase was also used to describe "assisting" the police in an investigation, due to the cost of a payphone call. Over time, "dropping a dime" took on a more general meaning of helping someone out, and it is thought that this is how the term transitioned to basketball. The idea of "dropping a dime" in basketball is that the player is helping their teammate to score by making a precise pass.
Some sources suggest that the term may have come from the idea of a pass so accurate that it could bounce off a dime, the smallest US-minted coin. Others suggest that it may have originated from the phrase "pass it on a dime", meaning a perfect 10/10 pass.
While the exact etymology of the term is unclear, "dropping dimes" in basketball refers to making a precise and well-timed pass that leads to an assist for a teammate. This technique is an important part of the game and requires a high level of skill and court awareness.
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The term originated from the cost of pay phones
In basketball, the term "dime" refers to an "assist", where a player, after attracting multiple defenders, passes the ball to a teammate, enabling them to score easily. The term is believed to have originated from the cost of payphone calls, which was $0.10 or a dime.
The phrase "dropping a dime" is synonymous with helping someone. In the context of payphones, it meant facilitating someone's phone call by providing them with the required change. Similarly, in basketball, "dropping a dime" means helping a teammate score by providing a well-timed pass.
The use of the phrase "dropping a dime" to describe assisting someone in making a phone call is believed to have originated in the 1950s when the cost of payphone calls increased from $0.05 to $0.10. This increase in price led to the phrase becoming more commonly associated with the cost of a payphone call.
The phrase "dropping a dime" also has a negative connotation, implying that someone is "ratting" or "dropping a dime on someone" to the police. This usage of the phrase is believed to have originated in the 1960s, when the cost of payphone calls was still a dime, and was used to describe assisting the police in an investigation.
The term "dime" in basketball is thus derived from the cost of payphone calls, reflecting the idea of assisting or helping a teammate by setting them up to score.
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A dime is a type of pass
In basketball, a dime is a term used to refer to a type of pass that leads to an assist. An assist is recorded when a player passes the ball to a teammate, who then scores a basket. The dime pass is an effective way of setting up teammates for an easy basket. To execute a dime in basketball, the player must be able to make an accurate and timely pass to a teammate who is in a position to score. The pass should be made in such a way that the teammate can catch the ball and shoot it in one fluid motion, without needing to dribble or adjust their stance. This requires good court vision and the ability to read the defence and anticipate the movements of both teammates and opponents.
The term "dropping dimes" in basketball refers to an "assist". A player draws multiple defenders towards themselves and then unselfishly passes the ball to a teammate for an easy score. The passer is credited with an "assist" for this effort. The term likely originated from the act of "dropping dimes", where people would drop dimes into pay phones to make a call, or as an act of charity for the homeless. The term "dropping a dime" has also been used to refer to the act of assisting the police in an investigation. In basketball, "dropping a dime" can refer to making a precise pass to a teammate, similar to how "dropping a dime" in a payphone allows someone to make a call.
The phrase "dropping dimes" may also have origins in the 1970s when a "dime bag" or "dime" referred to a small amount of marijuana sold for $10. Sharing a "dime bag" with a friend was an act of generosity, similar to how "dropping dimes" in basketball helps a teammate score. Additionally, the term "dime" could have originated from the idea of a perfect 10/10 pass, with the number 10 being represented by a dime.
To effectively execute a dime in basketball, players should focus on the fundamentals of passing. This includes techniques such as keeping the ball low and using the proper form to generate power and accuracy for a strong pass. With practice and dedication, anyone can improve their passing skills and become better at making accurate and timely dime passes.
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A dime pass requires good court vision
A dime pass in basketball is a precise and well-timed assist that leads to an easy basket for a teammate. The term "dime" is used to describe this type of pass because it is like a "perfect 10"—a flawless and valuable contribution to the team's success. Executing a dime pass requires a high level of court vision and awareness. Court vision refers to a player's ability to see and understand the positions of their teammates and opponents on the court, anticipating the unfolding of the game. It involves peripheral vision and the capacity to process multiple moving elements simultaneously.
When a player has good court vision, they can make smarter and faster decisions with the basketball. They can identify the open man, anticipate their teammate's movement, and deliver the ball accurately. Court vision is essential for a dime passer because it allows them to thread the needle with their passes, finding the smallest of windows to get the ball to its intended target. This skill is especially crucial in tight, crowded spaces within the key, where defenders converge, and precise passing is required to create high-percentage scoring opportunities.
Developing court vision takes practice and a keen understanding of the game. Players must learn to observe and process the positions and movements of all nine other players on the court, as well as their own teammates' tendencies. Anticipating where a teammate intends to cut or where they will be open requires not just vision but also a deep comprehension of the offensive strategy. Players with exceptional court vision can often predict their teammates' next moves, allowing them to deliver the ball in rhythm and creating a seamless flow to the offense.
Additionally, court vision helps passers identify and exploit defensive weaknesses. By recognizing defensive rotations and anticipating help defense, a player with good court vision can make the appropriate read and deliver a dime pass to the open man. This often involves split-second decisions and the ability to manipulate the defense with eye movement and body feints. The passer can create passing lanes and set up their teammates for easy baskets by drawing defenders with these deceptive actions.
To improve court vision, players can work on several drills and exercises. One common drill is to have players wear glasses or goggles that restrict peripheral vision, forcing them to actively move their heads and scan the court. Other drills may involve passing exercises that require players to make quick decisions, such as 3v2 or 4v3 situations, where the offense must move the ball and find the open player before the defense rotates. Playing games like 3-on-3 or half-court scrimmages can also enhance court vision, as players must constantly make reads and react to different defensive looks.
In conclusion, a dime pass in basketball is about precision, timing, and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities for teammates. Court vision is an essential skill for executing these passes, allowing players to see beyond the obvious and make precise, well-timed deliveries. By developing court vision through drills, exercises, and a deep understanding of the game, players can elevate their passing skills and become masters of the dime pass.
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'Raining dimes' are players with many assists
In basketball, a dime is a term used to describe a pass that leads to an assist. An assist is recorded when a player passes the ball to a teammate, who then scores a basket. The dime pass is an effective way of setting up teammates for an easy basket. To play a dime, the player must be able to make an accurate and timely pass to a teammate who is in a position to score. This requires good court vision, passing skills, and the ability to read the movements of both teammates and opponents.
Raining dimes are players with many assists. Players who stand out in this regard include LeBron James, who has consistently been one of the top assist leaders in the NBA throughout his career. Steve Nash, a former NBA player, is also known for his ability to make dime passes and rack up assists.
The term "dime" is believed to have originated from the days when payphones were widely used, and a phone call cost a dime (10 cents). Dropping a dime was synonymous with helping someone out, as it allowed them to make a phone call. This phrase transitioned to the basketball court, where "dropping a dime" referred to assisting a teammate in scoring a basket.
It's worth noting that the term "dropping a dime" has different connotations outside of basketball. In mystery novels and movies, it often meant to rat someone out or denounce them to the police. It also has positive and negative connotations in other contexts, such as assisting a teammate or labelling someone a snitch, respectively.
While the exact origin of the term "dime" in basketball is not definitively known, it is believed to have come from urban slang, popular on the East Coast, specifically in Philadelphia and the nearby environment. The term likely transitioned to the basketball court due to its association with assisting or helping someone.
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Frequently asked questions
A dime is a term used in basketball to describe a type of pass that leads to an assist.
An assist is recorded when a player passes the ball to a teammate, who then scores a basket.
The term "dime" in basketball originated from the phrase "dropping a dime," which was used to describe helping someone make a phone call when pay phones cost $0.10.
To drop a dime, a player must make an accurate and timely pass to a teammate, allowing them to catch the ball and shoot it in one fluid motion without adjusting their position.
Yes, some people suggest that the term may have originated from urban slang, where "dropping a dime" referred to assisting the police in an investigation. Others speculate that it could be related to the idea of a perfect 10/10 pass or even the cost of cheeseburgers.
