Alley-oop: When a player lobs a pass above the basket and a teammate
catches it in midair and puts it in the basket on the way down.
Assist: The last pass to a teammate that leads directly
to a field goal; the scorer must move immediately toward the
basket for the passer to be credited with an assist; only
1 assist can be credited per field goal.
Blind or "no look" pass: A pass from a ball handler
who does not see the receiver, but is estimating where he
should be.
Blocking: The use of a defender's body position to
legally prevent an opponent's advance; the opposite of charging.
Boxing out: A player's attempt to position his body
between his opponents and the basket to get rebounds and prevent
the opponents from doing so.
Catch-and-shoot: A play in which a player receives
a pass and shoots it immediately without squaring up so that
the defender cannot react in time. Used by teams with great
perimeter shooters, such as the Indiana Pacers, who design
a lot of these kinds of plays around Reggie Miller.
Charging: An offensive foul which occurs when an offensive
player runs into a defender who has established position.
"Court vision:" A player's ability to see everything
on the court during play ‹ such as where his teammates
and defenders are set up ‹ which enables him to make
better choices in passing; a highly desirable quality in a
point guard.
Crossover dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the
ball across his body from one hand to the other. Also called
"rocking the baby."
"Downtown:" A shot from well behind the 3-point line.
Also called Death Valley.
Drive to the basket: To move rapidly with purpose and
authority toward the basket with the ball with the intention
of scoring.
Fast break: Also called the run-and-shoot or run-and-gun
offense, it begins with a defensive rebound by a player who
immediately sends an outlet pass toward midcourt to his waiting
teammates; these teammates can sprint to their basket and
quickly shoot before enough opponents catch up to stop them.
Flagrant foul: Unnecessary or excessive contact against
an opponent.
Foul lane: Usually just called "the lane" or "the paint."
The painted area bordered by the end line and the foul line,
outside which players must stand during a free-throw; also
the area an offensive player cannot spend more than 3 seconds
at a time in.
Free agent, restricted: An NBA player whose contract
has expired and who may negotiate with any team, but his original
team retains the right of first refusal to make an offer at
least 125% of the player's previous salary or $250,000 (whichever
is greater) within 15 days of another team making an offer.
Free agent, unrestricted: An NBA free agent who is
not subject to the right of first refusal; he must have completed
at least his 2nd contract and have more than 5 years in the
NBA, or he must have been fired ("put on waivers") by his
team.
Full-court press: When defenders start guarding the
offense in the backcourt.
Give-and-go: A play in which the player that passes
the ball cuts immediately to the basket.
Half-court or set offense: When a team takes the time
to develop a play in its frontcourt, such as the give-and-go
or screening play.
High post: Imaginary area outside either side of the
foul lane at the free-throw line.
Illegal defense: A rather nebulous rule that is called
irregularly. It's designed to prevent the use of the zone
defense; it¹s more like a 3-second violation for the
defense, in which no defender can stay in the lane for more
than, well, 3 seconds.
Key: The area at each end of the court consisting of
the foul circle, foul lane and free-throw line; named for
the keyhole shape it had years ago.
Low post: Imaginary area outside either side of the
foul lane close to the basket.
Man-to-man defense: The defense mandatory in the NBA,
where each defensive player is responsible for guarding one
opponent.
Outside shooting: Shots taken from the perimeter.
Over the limit: When a team commits more than 5 team
fouls per NBA period (4 in each overtime) or more than 7 per
half in college.
Perimeter: The area beyond the foul circle away from
the basket, including 3-point line, from which players take
long-range shots.
Pick: When a player establishes position between the
ball carrier and a defender. Moving picks are a violation.
Also used as screens. See below.
Pick-and-roll: You are the point guard. The power forward
is in the low post, the center in the high post. You bring
the ball up court and pass to the center, who draws a double
team and kicks it out to you. You pass to the left or right
wing just as another guard comes up and sets a pick for you
-- you then "roll" to the basket to get the pass for a lay-up
or open shot. The Utah Jazz use this one a lot.
Pivot: The center; also the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped dribbling is ready to pass or shoot.
Post position: The position of a player standing in
the low post or high post.
Posting up: The process of getting into post position.
Screen: An offensive player who stands between a teammate
and a defender to give his teammate the chance to take an
open shot.
Shoot off the dribble: A shot taken while driving to
the basket.
"Sixth man:" The best sub on the team, the first guy
off the bench to replace a starter.
Squaring up: When a player's shoulders are facing the
basket as he releases the ball for a shot; considered the
best shooting position.
Swing man: A player who can play both the guard and
forward positions.
Technical fouls: Also known as "T's." Basically unsportsmanlike
conduct; this can include vociferous trash talking between
players, but most often involves abusive and insulting language
directed at the refs. In the pros the penalty is one free
throw for the opposing team; in college it's two. Can be called
on coaches as well as players.
The Paint: Another name for the foul lane. See above.
Timeout: Full timeouts are 100 seconds in the NBA,
75 seconds in college.
Transition: The shift from offense to defense. Teams
slow in shifting are often victims of the fast break, above.
Trey: A 3-point basket.
Triangle Offense: "The" offensive scheme of the 1990¹s,
as practiced by the Chicago Bulls and now the L.A. Lakers.
Invented at USC in the 1940's, coach Tex Winter brought it
to Chicago in 1985 but it was not fully implemented until
the arrival of Phil Jackson in 1989. Gets its name because
the set-up always begins with the 3 guards starting behind
the 3-point line on the same side of the court. Superstar
players dislike it because it relies on a lot of fast ball
movement (i.e. unselfish play) and it can get complicated.
Triple double: When a player scores double-digits in
3 categories during one game (points, assists and rebounds
are most common, but it can also be blocks or steals).
Weakside: The side of the court away from the ball.
Zone defense: A defense used extensively in college
but not permitted in the NBA, where each defender is responsible
for an area of the court and must guard any player who enters
that area.
See Also:
Baseball Glossary
Basketball Glossary
Soccer Glossary
Football Glossary
The Budweiser Sports League -
The #1 Adult Recreational Sports Program in St. Louis