Basketball Glossary and Terms

2023-01-04

Understanding key basketball terms is important for fully enjoying and understanding the game. Whether you are a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the sport, knowing the terminology will help you better follow the action on the court and understand the strategies and tactics used by players and coaches.

Basketball terms 

  • Alley-oop: a high-scoring play in which one player lobs the ball to a teammate who jumps and slams it through the basket
  • And-one: a term used when a player is fouled while attempting a shot and is able to make the basket, earning an extra free throw opportunity
  • Assist: a pass that directly leads to a basket
  • Backboard: the rectangular board behind the basket that the net is attached to
  • Bench: the area where the players who are not currently in the game sit and wait for their turn to play
  • Box out: a tactic used by a defensive player to position themselves between an opposing player and the basket, with the goal of rebounding a missed shot
  • Charging: an offensive foul that occurs when a player with the ball runs into a defensive player who has established position
  • Court: the rectangular playing surface on which the game is played
  • Cut: a quick change of direction by a player with the ball, usually with the aim of getting open for a pass or a shot
  • Dribble: the act of bouncing the ball on the floor with one hand while moving
  • Dunk: a high-scoring play in which a player jumps and slams the ball through the basket with their hand
  • Fast break: a quick transition from defense to offense, with the goal of scoring before the opposing team can set up their defense
  • Field goal: a score awarded for successfully shooting the ball through the basket from the field of play
  • Field goal percentage: the number of successful field goals made divided by the total number of field goal attempts
  • Flagrant foul: a foul that is particularly aggressive or intentional
  • Full-court press: a defensive tactic in which the team applies pressure to the opposing team throughout the entire length of the court
  • Half-court trap: a defensive tactic in which two defenders trap a ball handler in the half-court area
  • High post: the area of the court near the free throw line and outside the key
  • Inbounds pass: a pass made from out of bounds into the court of play
  • Isolation: an offensive tactic in which a single player is isolated with the ball and the other players stand around and watch
  • Jump shot: a shot taken while jumping, typically from a distance
  • Key: the painted area in front of the basket that includes the free throw lane and the restricted area
  • Layup: a close-range shot taken by a player who is moving toward the basket
  • Low post: the area of the court near the basket, typically occupied by taller players who are strong at scoring in close range
  • Man-to-man defense: a defensive tactic in which each player is assigned to guard a specific opponent
  • Motion offense: an offensive tactic in which players constantly move and cut, creating passing and scoring opportunities
  • One and one: a term used when a player is fouled while attempting a shot and is awarded one free throw, with the opportunity to earn a second free throw if the first is made
  • Overhead pass: a pass made by a player while the ball is above their head
  • Pick and roll: an offensive play in which one player sets a screen (a "pick") for a teammate, who then "rolls" to the basket for a scoring opportunity
  • Pick: see "screen"
  • Point guard: the player on the team who is responsible for running the offense and making decisions with the ball
  • Post: the area of the court near the basket, typically occupied by taller players who are strong at scoring in close range
  • Press: a defensive tactic in which the team applies pressure to the opposing team, often near their own basket
  • Punch pass: a pass made with a quick, punching motion
  • Rebound: the act of retrieving the ball after a missed shot
  • Screen: a tactic used by an offensive player to block the movement of a defensive player and create space for a teammate
  • Set shot: a shot taken with both feet planted on the ground
  • Shooting guard: a perimeter player who specializes in scoring from the outside
  • Shot clock: a countdown timer that gives a team a certain amount of time to attempt a shot
  • Shot fake: a tactic used by a player with the ball to deceive a defender and create an open shot
  • Small forward: a perimeter player who is versatile and can score from multiple areas on the court
  • Steal: the act of taking the ball away from an opposing player
  • Strongside: the side of the court where the ball is located
  • Switch: a tactic used by a team on defense in which players change assignments and guard different opponents
  • Three-point line: the arc that surrounds the basket and marks the distance beyond which a shot made is worth three points
  • Tip-in: a scoring play in which a player jumps and tries to tap the ball into the basket after a missed shot
  • Tip-off: the method used to begin a game, in which the ball is thrown into the air and two players jump to try to tap it to a teammate
  • Transition: the movement of the ball and players from one end of the court to the other
  • Trapping defense: a defensive tactic in which two or more players work together to cut off an opposing player´s options and force a turnover
  • Traveling: a violation in which a player takes more than the allowed number of steps without dribbling the ball
  • Turnover: a loss of possession of the ball to the opposing team, either through a steal or other violation
  • Weakside: the side of the court opposite the ball
  • Wing: the area of the court near the sideline and outside the three-point line.

What are slang terms for basketball?

  • Air ball: a shot that misses the rim, backboard, and net completely
  • Basket: the rim, net, and backboard that the ball is shot through
  • Board: see "rebound"
  • Bucket: another term for a basket
  • Dime: a pass that leads to an easy scoring opportunity
  • Dunk: a high-scoring play in which a player jumps and slams the ball through the basket with their hand
  • J: another term for a jump shot
  • Juke: a fake or move used to deceive an opposing player
  • Oop: see "alley-oop"
  • Rock: another term for the ball
  • Swish: a shot that goes through the basket without touching the rim or backboard
  • Three: a shot made from beyond the three-point line that is worth three points
  • Trip-dub: a triple-double, which is a statistical feat in which a player records double digits in three categories (usually points, rebounds, and assists) in a single game.

Conclusion 

There are many different terms used in basketball, ranging from specific positions and tactics to describe the way the game is played, to slang terms that are commonly used by players and fans.

Understanding these terms can help you better understand the sport and follow along with the action.