Basketball has its own language! If you're not familiar with it, it can sound like a foreign language. This glossary is meant to help you speak "Hoops" proficiently!

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y
• Z
• #'s

A

• AAU - a term used to refer to spring and summer basketball where players pay to play for private clubs.
• Air Ball – A shot that misses the rim and the backboard completely.
• Advance Pass – A pass thrown up the court to a teammate to speed up transition offense.
• Alley-Oop – A pass thrown near the basket that a player jumps to catch and score in one motion.
• Amoeba Defense - a zone defense used by Jerry Tarkanian at UNLV. It is a zone that changes shapes throughout a possession, causing confusion for opponents. 
• And-One – A situation where a player is fouled while making a basket and gets one free throw.
• Anticipation Steal – A defensive move where a player predicts a pass and intercepts it before it reaches the intended receiver.
• Assist – A pass leading directly to a made basket.
• Attacking the Basket – Driving aggressively toward the hoop to score or create an opportunity.
• Anchor – The primary defensive player responsible for protecting the paint and contesting shots.
• Angle Screen – A screen set at an angle to force the defender into a difficult position.
• Arc – The curved trajectory of a shot, affecting its accuracy.
• Alley Defense – A defensive concept where players defend passing lanes to prevent easy ball movement.
• Attack Dribble – A hard dribble used to drive past a defender aggressively.

Click The Image Below To Receive 3 FREE Video Workouts

B

• Backboard - the rectangular board the hoop is attached to. 
• Backdoor Cut – An offensive move where a player cuts behind a defender to receive a pass near the basket.
• Backcourt – The area of the court behind the half-court line, including the defensive side.
• Backcourt Violation - when a player crosses into the frontcourt and then proceeds to go back into the backcourt, resulting in a turnover.
• Back Pivot - when a player with the ball front pivots on the foot furthest from the rim to create space for a shot or pass behind them.
• Back Screen - when an off-ball player sets a screen on the back of a defensive player to get a teammate open going towards the basket.
• Back Tap - when a defensive player is chasing a dribbler and knocks the ball away from behind.
• Balance Hand - the non-shooting hand (left hand for a right handed player). This hand provides balance to the ball.
• Ball Fake – A deceptive move using a fake pass or shot to mislead a defender.
• Ball Movement – Passing the ball efficiently to create open shots.
• Ball Reversal – The movement of the ball from one side of the court to the other to shift the defense. 
• Ball Side - the side of the floor the ball is on.
• Ball Screen – A screen set by an offensive player to free a teammate handling the ball.
• Bank Shot – A shot that bounces off the backboard before going into the basket.
• Baseball Pass - a 1 handed pass thrown like a baseball that is commonly used for long passes.
• Baseline - the lines at each end of the floor that denote the out of bounds area.
• Baseline Drift – A movement where an offensive player slides along the baseline to get open for a corner shot.
• Basket Cut - a cut by an offensive player directly to the basket.
• BEEF - an acronym for proper shooting form (balance, eyes, elbow, follow through)
• Behind The Back Dribble - a dribble move where a player changes dribbling hands by bouncing the ball behind their back.
• Blind Pig - an action where a player flashes to receive a pass and then hits a teammate cutting backdoor for a layup.
• Blindside Screen – A screen set where the defender does not see it coming, often resulting in an effective pick.
• Blitz - another term for trapping, often on ball screens
• BLOB - an acronym for baseline out of bounds plays.
• Block (defensive foul) - a foul that occurs when a defensive player illegally impedes the path of the offensive player.
• Block - the rectangles outside the key at each end of the floor.
• Blocked Shot - when a defensive player knocks a shot out of the air (while the ball is ascending).
• Boomerang - when an offensive player passes to a teammate who immediately passes back to the original player.
• Bounce Pass – A pass that bounces off the floor before reaching a teammate.
• Box And One - when 4 defensive players play a zone and the 5th player plays man to man. A strategy to combat a star player.
• Box Out – A fundamental rebounding technique used to establish position and prevent an opponent from getting a rebound.

C

• Carry - a violation where the dribbler puts their hand under the ball while dribbling. This results in a turnover.
• Center - the “5” player on a team. Generally the biggest player who plays closest to the rim. 
• Center Circle - the circle at half court where the jump ball occurs.
• Chin - an offensive set from the Princeton Offense that puts the post player at the high post and uses a combination of back screens, ball screens, & flare screens to create openings.
• Chin The Ball – Holding the basketball securely under the chin after securing a rebound to protect it from defenders.
• Charge – An offensive foul where a player runs into a stationary defender.
• Cherry Picking - when a player does not get back on defense in hopes of scoring an easy basket when their team gets the ball back.
• Chest Pass - a 2 hand pass thrown from the chest to the chest of a teammate without bouncing.
• Closeout – A defensive technique where a player quickly moves to contest a shooter.
• Contest - when a defensive player is close enough to an shooter to make the shot more difficult, usually by putting their hands up.
• Corner Three – A three-point shot taken from the shortest distance to the basket, in the corner of the court.
• Crossover Dribble – A move where a player quickly switches the ball from one hand to another to change direction.
• Cross Screen - a screen that occurs when a player goes across the court to screen for a teammate. Commonly used to free a player in the post.
• Curl - when a player comes off a screen and curls back towards the basket for a pass.
• Cut – A quick movement by an offensive player to get open for a pass.

D

• Dead Ball – A situation where play is stopped due to a whistle, foul, or violation.
• Defense - the team without the ball. The goal of defense is to stop the opponent from scoring.
• Defensive Rebound – A rebound secured by the defense after a missed shot.
• Defensive Stance - an athletic stance used to stay in front of an offensive player. Similar to an athletic stance (knees bent, arms out).
• Deflection - when a defensive player gets a hand on the ball.
• Deny Defense – A defensive technique used to prevent a pass to an offensive player by staying in the passing lane.
• Diamond And One - similar to a box and one except the 4 players in the zone are in a diamond shape instead of a box.
• Dip - when a shooter brings the ball down (to gain power) before lifting the ball in the shooting motion.
• Double Double - when a player tallies 10 or more of 2 statistical categories
• Double Dribble - a violation that occurs when a player stops dribbling and then restarts or when a player dribbles with 2 hands. This results in a turnover.
• Double Foul - when players on each team foul simultaneously resulting in a foul on both players.
• Double Screen - when 2 players without the ball stand side by side to screen for a teammate.
• Double Team – Two defenders guarding one offensive player.
• Drag Screen – A screen set in transition to create a scoring opportunity before the defense is set.
• Dribble Penetration – Driving into the defense off the dribble to create scoring opportunities.
• Drop Step – A low post move where a player pivots and steps toward the basket for a shot.
• Dump Pass – A short pass made in the paint to a teammate for an easy score.
• Dunker Spot - an area of the court just outside the lane and even with the backboard that is used by post players to be in position to catch and finish or offensive rebound.

E

• Elbow – The corner area of the free-throw line where players often take mid-range shots.
• Elevator Screen - when 2 players set a screen that allows an offensive player to run between them before sliding together (closing the elevator doors).
• Endline - another name for baseline.
• Entry Pass – A pass that initiates an offensive play, usually into the post.
• Euro Step – A two-step move used to evade defenders when driving to the basket.

F

• Face up - squaring up to the basket.
• Fadeaway - a shot taken while jumping away from the basket.
• Fast Break – A quick offensive attack following a defensive stop.
• Field goal - a shot taken from anywhere but the free throw line. 
• Flagrant Foul - a foul deemed excessive or unnecessary, resulting in free throws and the ball for the opposing team.
• Flare (Or Fade) Screen – A screen set for a shooter moving away from the ball.
• Flat Screen - a ball screen that is set with the screener’s chest facing half court, allowing the dribbler to go either way off the screen.
• Flex Offense – A structured offensive system based on screening and cutting.
• Flex Screen - an action characterized by a baseline cross screen followed by a down screen.
• Flipping A Screen - when a screener acts like they are going to set a ball screen on one side and at the last moment moves to set the screen on the other side.
• Floater - a shot used to score over taller defenders at the rim, taken on the move with high arc.
• Flop - intentionally falling to try and draw a foul.
• Floppy - a screening action where there is a down screen on either side and the player can choose which screen to use.
• Foul - a violation of the rules.
• Four Corners Offense - a spread offense used to run time off the clock.
• Free throw - an unguarded shot from 15 feet worth 1 point that is awarded for certain fouls.
• Free throw line - the line 15 feet from the hoop where players attempt free throws from.
• Front Court - the half of the court on which a team attempts to score.
• Front Pivot - when a player pivots by stepping forward with 1 foot.
• Front The Post - a defensive strategy where the post defender plays in front of the post player (between them and the ball) to discourage an entry pass.
• Full-Court Press – A defensive strategy applying pressure across the entire court.

G

• Gather - when a player picks the ball up from a dribble and goes into a layup or shot.
• Get - an offensive action where a player passes to a teammate and sprints after their pass to get a handoff back and attack the basket.
• Give-and-Go – A play where a player passes the ball, then cuts to the basket for a return pass.
• Goaltending – A defensive violation where a player blocks a shot on its downward trajectory.
• Guard – A perimeter position responsible for handling the ball and setting up offense.
• Guide Hand - see balance hand.

H

• Half Court Line - the line at half court that divides the backcourt and frontcourt.
• Half-Court Set – A structured offensive possession in the half-court.
• Hammer - a back screen set on the weak side that is meant to free a teammate for a corner 3. The defender does not see the screen coming.
• Hand Off - an offensive action where a player hands the ball off to a teammate to try to create a driving lane.
• Hedge - a ball screen defense where the defender guarding the screener jumps out to force the dribbler away from the hoop before recovering to their player.
• Help Defense – Defensive support from teammates when an opponent drives past the primary defender.
• Help Side - a defensive term for the side of the floor the ball is not on.
• Help The Helper - a defensive concept whereby a teammate rotates to cover for another teammate who is helping on the ball.
• Hesitation Move - a dribble move where the dribbler slows down before speeding up to go past their defender.
• Hi Lo - an offensive action where the ball is entered to player around the free throw line (the hi player) who looks to hit a post player in front of the rim (the low player). This is effective because it removes the help defense.
• High Post – The area near the free-throw line where post players can operate.
• Hook Shot - a 1 hand shot taken close to the basket by turning sideways and flicking the ball over their head towards the hoop.
• Hop - a shooting method that involves making a small hop into the shot, landing on both feet at the same time.
• Horns - an offensive set with a point guard up top, a player on each elbow, and a player in each corner.

I

• Ice -  a ball screen defense that does not allow the dribbler to use the screen and is meant to keep the ball on 1 side of the floor.
• Illegal Screen - a screen that is set by a moving player. This is a foul.
• In And Out Dribble - a dribble move where the player brings the ball towards the center of their body before keeping it in the same hand and bringing it back out to go past the defense.
• Inbound Play – A set play used to pass the ball in from out of bounds.
• Intentional Foul - a foul that is not trying to make a play on the ball. This results in free throws and the ball for the opposing team.
• Isolation (ISO) – A play designed to create a one-on-one scoring opportunity.

J

• Jab Step - a quick step taken by a player with the ball to set up a defender for a drive or shot.
• Jump Ball – A method of starting play where the referee tosses the ball into the air between two players.
• Jump To The Ball - a defensive concept where all players move with the ball on any pass, bringing them closer to the ball.
• Jump Shot – A shot taken while jumping in the air.
• Jump Stop - when a player makes a small jump and lands on both feet at the same time, allowing them to pivot on either foot.
• Junk Defense – A combination of zone and man defense used to target specific offensive threats.

K

• Keep - an offensive action where a player fake a handoff to a teammate and then attacks.
• Kick-Out Pass – A pass made from inside the paint to an open perimeter shooter.
• Key (Paint) – The rectangular area near the basket, also called the lane.

L

• L Cut - a cut made in the shape of an ‘L’, with a player generally coming up the lane before popping out to the wing.
• Lane Violation – A violation for stepping into the paint too early on a free throw attempt.
• Layup – A close-range shot off the backboard.
• Lift - when a player (usually in the corner) rises to the wing to create space for a teammate rolling to the rim. Also referred to as shake.
• Lob pass - a pass over the top of a defender. Often used to feed a post player who is being fronted.
• Low Post – The area near the basket where post players operate offensively.

M

• Man-to-Man Defense – A defensive scheme where each player guards a specific opponent.
• Matchup Zone - a zone defense where players guard whoever is in their area man to man.
• Mid-Range Shot – A shot taken between the paint and the three-point line.
• Mismatch – An advantageous matchup for an offensive player.
• Motion Offense – A fluid offensive system based on player movement and screens rather than set plays.
• Mover Blocker Offense - an offense made famous by Dick Bennett which involves players being designated as scorers (movers) or screeners (blockers).

N

• No-Look Pass – A deceptive pass made without looking directly at the receiver.

O

• Offense - the team with the ball that is attempting to score.
• Offensive Rebound – A rebound collected by the offensive team after a missed shot.
• Officials - the referees who enforce the rules of the game. 
• On-Ball Defense – Defensive positioning against the ball handler.
• Open Post - an offensive formation that places 5 players around the perimeter
• Outlet Pass – A quick pass to start a fast break.
• Overhead Pass - a 2 hand pass made from above the head, similar to a soccer throw in.
• Overtime - if the game is tied at the end of 4 quarters, a short period played to decide the winner.
• Over And Back Violation - see backcourt violation 

P

• Packline Defense - a popular man to man defense strategy based on keeping the ball out of the paint.
• Paint - the rectangular area from below the hoop, going up to the free throw line.
• Palming - see carry.
• Pass fake - when a player acts like they are going to pass the ball but doesn’t.
• Penetration - when a player dribbles the ball towards the basket.
• Pick - see screen
• Pick And Pop - when a player sets a ball screen and then pops out to the perimeter for a shot.
• Pick And Roll – A two-man play involving a ball screen and a roll toward the basket.
• Pinch Post - an area around the elbow (generally on the weak side) used to initiate many offensive actions in the Princeton offense and other similar offenses. 
• Pistol - a transition offense set where the point guard dribbles towards the wing and can pass or keep their dribble, initiating a number of different options.
• Pivot - when a player moves 1 foot while keeping the other foot in contact with the floor. 
• Pivot Foot – The foot that must remain stationary while pivoting in place.
• Point Guard - the player who is the primary ball handler for their team and is responsible for setting up the offense.
• Possession Arrow - the arrow that is on the scorer’s table that shows which team gets possession of the next jump ball or at the start of the next quarter.
• Post Up - when a player catches the ball close to the basket facing away from the hoop.
• Power Position - a position of strength with the ball, characterized by a wide base, and 3 points of contact with the ball (both hands and the ribs or shoulder).
• Press - a full court defense used to try and force turnovers.
• Press Breaker – A strategy used to advance the ball against a full-court press.
• Princeton Offense - an offense based around cutting and screening that requires high levels of coordination and basketball IQ.
• Pullup - a jump shot taken off the dribble.
• Putback - when an offensive player gets an offensive rebound and immediately shoots.

Q

• Quick Hitter – A fast offensive play designed for an immediate shot.

R

• Ram Screen - when a player sets a down screen for a post player, who then sprints into a ball screen.
• Read And React Offense - a popular offense based on reading the player with the ball and reacting accordingly.
• Rebound – Securing possession after a missed shot.
• Reject (the screen) - when a ball handler goes attacks opposite the direction of a screen.
• Rescreen - when a screener sets a screen and then immediately sets a second screen for the same player, usually going the opposite way. Commonly used on ball screens when the on ball defender goes under the screen.
• Retreat Dribble - when a player dribbles backwards to create space and relieve pressure (also referred to as a pullback).
• Reverse Layup - a layup taken by going under the rim and shooting on the opposite side of where the player started.
• Reverse Pivot - when a player pivots by moving 1 foot backwards.
• Rim Protector – A player who specializes in shot-blocking near the basket.
• Rim Runner - a player who sprints to the rim in transition, generally a post player, looking for a quick score.
• Rip Thru - when a player with the ball in triple threat moves the ball from one side of the body to the other, usually below their knees or above their head.
• Run & Jump - a full court man to man press that attempts to trap a defender from the blind side to force turnovers.

S

• Scout - a study of the tendencies and strengths of an opponent to help prepare for a game.
• Screen (Pick) – An offensive move used to block a defender and create space.
• Screen The Screener - an offensive action where a player sets a screen and then receives a screen to get open.
• Seal – A technique where an offensive player uses their body to prevent a defender from getting between them and the basket.
• Shell Drill – A defensive drill used to teach rotations, closeouts, and help-side defense.
• Short Corner - an area of the court between the corner and the block, commonly used by offensive teams against a zone defense.
• Shot Clock – A countdown timer limiting the time an offense has to take a shot.
• Shot Clock Violation - a turnover committed when a team does not take a shot that hits the rim before the shot clock expires.
• Shot Fake - a move where a player acts like they are going to shoot but does not release the ball.
• Shovel Pass – A short, underhand pass used in close quarters.
• Sideline - the lines on the sides of the court that mark out of bounds.
• Sideline Trap – A defensive strategy where two players trap the ball handler near the sideline to force a turnover.
• Sixth Man - the first player to sub in off the bench.
• Skip Pass - a pass made from one side of the court to the other.
• Slip Screen – A quick cut to the basket after faking a screen to catch the defense off guard.
• SLOB - an acronym for sideline out of bounds play.
• Slot - an area of the court straight up from the lane lines (between the top of the key and the wing).
• Small Sided Games - drills that are less than 5v5 that work on specific skills within the game.
• Snake Dribble - a move used after a ball screen where the dribble weaves back towards the side they started on, following a snake like path.
• Spacing - a concept meant to capture the formation offensive player should be in as well as how close to each other they should be.
• Spin Dribble - a dribble move where a player reverse pivots 360 degrees to get by a defender.
• Square Up - when a player turns to face the basket after catching a pass.
• Staggered Screen – Two screens set in sequence to free a shooter.
• Stampede - an offensive action where a player catches a pass on the run, allowing them to attack aggressively and quickly.
• Step-Back Jumper – A move where the shooter steps back to create space from the defender before shooting.
• Stride Stop - similar to a jump stop, except that the feet land separately, with the outside foot hitting first.
• Strong Side - the side of the floor that the ball is on.
• Swing Pass – A quick pass that moves the ball from one side of the court to the other to shift the defense.
• Swish - a made shot that does not hit the rim.
• Switch - when 2 defenders swap what players they are guarding, usually after a screen.

T

• Tag Up - a transition defense strategy where players matchup with the player boxing them out on a shot. They attempt to offensive rebound but stay between their player and their basket.
• Technical Foul - a foul outside the spirit of the game. This results in free throws and the ball for the opposing team. Two technical fouls result in an ejection.
• Three Pointer - a shot taken from beyond the 3 point line.
• Three Point Play - when a player makes a shot and is fouled, getting a foul shot to earn 3 total points.
• Timeout – A break in play called by a coach to discuss strategy or rest players.
• Tip-In – A play where a player taps a missed shot into the basket.
• >Top Lock - a defensive strategy used against good shooters where a defender gets between a player and a screen, not allowing them to use the screen.
• Top Of The Key - the area above the 3 point line in the middle of the floor.
• Trailer – A player who follows the play in transition, often receiving a pass for a scoring opportunity.
• Transition Defense – the phase of the game when a team loses possession and must get back and stop their opponent from scoring.
• Transition Offense – A fast-paced attack following a defensive stop.
• Trap – A defensive strategy involving two players pressuring the ball handler.
• Travel - a violation when a player takes too many steps without dribbling the ball, resulting in a turnover.
• Triangle And Two - a defensive strategy where a team plays 3 defenders in a triangle shaped zone, while the other 2 play man to man against the best offensive players. 
• Triangle Offense - an offense made famous by the 90’s Bulls that combines spacing and screening with 3 players in the shape of a triangle.
• Triple Threat – The position a player assumes after receiving the ball, allowing them to pass, dribble, or shoot.
• Turnover – A mistake that results in the opposing team gaining possession of the ball.
• Twirl - when a player who receives a screen curls and sets a screen for the player who just screened for them.

U

• UCLA Cut – A cut from the perimeter to the low post, typically following a screen at the top of the key.
• Underhand Layup – A layup executed with an underhand motion, often used to finish at the rim softly.
• Up Screen – A screen set by an offensive player moving from a lower position to a higher position on the court.
• Up-and-Under – A post move involving a fake shot followed by a step through.

V

• V Cut - when an offensive player sprints towards the rim and then back out in a V shape in an attempt to get open.
• Violation - anything that breaks the rules of the game.

W

• Weak Side – The side of the court opposite the ball, where help defenders are positioned.
• Wing – The area on the court outside the three-point line and near the free-throw line extended.
• Wraparound Pass – A pass thrown around a defender to reach a teammate.

Z

• Zipper Cut – A cut where a player moves from the baseline up the lane to receive the ball near the top of the key.
• Zone Defense – A defensive strategy where players cover specific areas rather than guarding a single opponent.
• Zone Offense - strategies used to attack zone defenses and try to score.
• Zone Press – A defensive scheme that applies pressure in the full court while maintaining zone principles.
• Zoom - an offensive action where a down screen is followed by a dribble handoff.

#’s

• 1-2 Step - a shooting footwork method characterized by taking 2 steps into the shot. For a righty, they would usually step left foot followed by right foot.
• 1-2-1-1 Press - a full court press (often called a diamond) that attempts to trap the first pass and force a quick turnover.
• 1-2-2 Defense - a zone defense that can be played half court of full court and with or without trapping.
• 1-3-1 Zone - a zone defense with 1 player up top, 3 across the free throw line, and 1 under the rim. Forces the opponent to throw long passes.
• 2-3 Zone - a zone defense with 2 players up top and 3 along the baseline. This is the most common type of zone.
• 3-2 Zone - a zone defense with 3 players across the free throw line and a player on each block.
• 3 Seconds - a violation that occurs when an offensive player is in the key for more than :03, resulting in a turnover.
• 4 Out, 1 In Motion - an offensive set with 4 players on the perimeter and 1 by the rim.
• 4 Point Line - an imaginary line a couple feet beyond the 3 point line referenced by coaches as a place where their players should stand to maintain good spacing.
• 5 out - an offensive set where all 5 players are positioned on the perimeter.
• 5 Second Violation - a violation that occurs when a player does not pass the ball inbounds in the allotted :05.
• 5 Seconds Closely Guarded - a violation that occurs when a player dribbles without attacking for :05 or more while not attacking the basket.
• 10 Second Violation - a violation that occurs when the offensive team does not get the ball into the forecourt within the allotted :10, resulting in a turnover.

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First

Leave a Comment Name : Email (not published) : Twelve minus two is equal to?  (Prevents Spam) Answer :  Load New Question Comments : Leave this Blank :