BASKETBALL TERMINOLOGIES
1. Assist
- Include an inbound pass that allows a perimeter jump shot or three-point shot,
a quick pass for a layup, or a long toss-up that leads to a dunk. Most people
agree that assists should only count if the scoring player makes two dribbles
or less before scoring a field goal.
2. Back court
- It is an illegal play that the offense commits while in their own half of the court.
Teams can commit backcourt violations by taking too long to cross the mid-
court line, or by dribbling or passing into the backcourt after they cross the
mid-court line.
3. Blocked shot
- It is credited when a player deflects the course of a field goal attempt by an
opponent and the shot is not made. A shot can be considered blocked even if
the ball was not in flight before being blocked. On this play, the on-ball
defender in red ties up the shooter to cause a jump ball, and is credited with a
block.
4. Dunk
- This is a method of scoring in basketball when a player puts the ball directly in
the basket using one or both of their hands.
5. Front court
- This refers to the low post and lower half of the offensive end of a basketball
court. The front court is also used to describe the players who tend to occupy
this area, which are the center, power forward and small forward.
6. Goal tending
- It is a penalty in basketball when a player interferes with a ball via a scoring
chance.
7. Held ball
- Occurs when two opponents have one or both hands firmly on the ball or
when a defensive player touches the ball causing the offensive player to
return to the floor with the ball in his continuous possession which would
result in a traveling violation. A held ball should not be called until both
players have hands so firmly on the ball that neither can gain sole possession
without undue roughness. If a player is lying or sitting on the floor while in
possession, he should have an opportunity to throw the ball.
8. Lay up
- It is a shot near the basket, usually off the backboard. For a layup, you run
towards one side of the basket, jump, and lay the ball off the backboard into
the hoop. Practice layups from both sides of the hoop, and with both your
right and left hands.
9. Post
- It is in the area of the basketball court from the free-throw line to the baseline.
This area, usually painted a solid color, is known as the paint or the key.
There are two post positions here for players: one below the free-throw line
and the other close to the basket. The upper area, near the free-throw line, is
the high post or upper post, and the area near the basket is known as the low
post.
10. Rebound
- It is the result of a missed shot attempt by the offensive team in which a
player attempting a shot at the basket has hit the rim, backboard, or a
combination of the two. The basketball travels away from the basket to one of
the teams on offense or defensive jockey for position to recover the
basketball in order to gain possession of the basketball to try and attempt to
score.
11. Steal
- It is credited to a player that legally takes the ball away from an opponent,
intercepts a pass, or otherwise obtains possession on the ball following an
opponent’s turnover (provided the ball has remained inbounds and the clock
has not stopped). If a player deflects a pass or dribble and controls his
deflection either away from an opponent or towards a teammate resulting in
eventual possession for the defense, the player causing the deflection is
credited with the steal.
12. Three-point play
- It is when an offensive player makes a field goal, or two-point basket, and is
then fouled and makes their one free throw attempt. This is also referred to as
an and-one play. This should not be confused with a three-point field goal
where a player makes a basket from beyond the three-point line and is worth
three points.
13. Tip in
- It is a reaction to a missed shot rather than a shot type. If a shot is missed
and the ball bounces off the rim, it's legal for anyone to try and tip the ball into
the basket as long as the ball wouldn't hit the rim if it was left untouched.
14. Turn over
- It is whenever a team loses possession of the ball and the other team gains
possession.
15. Opening toss
- A jump ball is method used to begin or resume play in basketball. Two
opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official toss it into
the air between them.
16. Technical fouls
- It is any foul that involves unsportsmanlike conduct, including violations made
by players or coaches on the bench. Technical fouls include excessive
timeouts, delay of games, too many players, illegal use of the basket ring,
conduct that’s detrimental to the game, fighting, and more.
