Like the game itself, basketball terminology moves fast. It varies depending on the region and level of play (NBA/WNBA, NCAA college level, high school, or youth basketball), but that’s not all. Street pick-up basketball culture generates new slang at an astounding rate, and that slang often makes its way into the mainstream basketball vocabulary.
This glossary covers a wide range of definitions, including basketball passes, fouls and violations, techniques, and specific offensive and defensive plays. Whether you’re a serious fan, a weekend pick-up warrior, or the parent of a new player, this basketball glossary will help you learn to talk like a true baller.
Basketball Words: A-E
1 and 1: A free throw awarded for certain fouls in which the player can attempt one shot. If they make the first free throw, they can attempt a second.
2-for-1: A strategy at the end of the game or quarter where the offense manages the difference between the shot clock and the game clock to get more than one offensive play in before time runs out.
3-Second Violation: A violation triggered when an offensive player has at least one foot inside the key for more than three seconds without stepping out and back in.
5-Second Violation: A violation that occurs when an offensive player who’s closely guarded by their defender holds the ball for more than five seconds without passing, dribbling, or shooting. If they fail to take any of these actions, it results in a turnover. This violation can also be called when an offensive player fails to successfully inbound the ball after five seconds.
8-Second Violation: An NBA/WNBA rule in which the team inbounding the ball after the opposing team scores has eight seconds from when an offensive player touches the ball to get it over the half-court line. If the defense can keep the offense from crossing half-court in eight seconds, the result is a turnover.
10-Second Violation: A rule in nonprofessional leagues identical to the NBA/WNBA’s 8-second violation rule, except that it allows the offense 10 seconds to get the ball past half-court instead of eight.
Alley-Oop: An assisted shot that requires precise coordination between two players. The first player lobs a high pass as the second cuts toward the basket. The second player jumps, catches the pass midair, and scores before landing on the floor.
Amoeba Defense: A defensive strategy that was popularized by Jerry Tarkanian during his time as coach of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It involves an active, flexible, and aggressive zone defense that shifts, traps, and adjusts to the offense in an “amoeba-like” fashion.
Assist: A pass to a player that results in that player making a basket.
Backboard: The square glass behind the basket. The rim is mounted on the backboard.
Backcourt: The half of the court opposite the side the current offense is shooting on.
Backcourt Violation: A violation that occurs when the ball crosses back into the backcourt after the offense moves it to the frontcourt. This results in a turnover. Also known as over-and-back.
Backdoor Cut: A move where the offensive player makes a fake move in one direction, then quickly cuts back in the other direction behind the defender and toward the basket to get open for a pass.
Ball Reversal: When the offense moves the ball quickly around the perimeter.
Baseball Pass: A high, long pass made with one arm (like throwing a baseball).
Baseline: The line under each basket that marks out-of-bounds. Also known as an end line.
Basket: The hoop and net attached to the backboard, through which players throw the ball to score points. This can also refer to when a player puts the ball through the hoop and scores.
Basket Cut: When an offensive player cuts from the perimeter to the basket without the ball.
Basket Interference: A violation that occurs when an offensive player reaches up and makes contact with the ball while it’s in the cylinder. This violation results in the offensive team losing possession of the ball. This is sometimes called offensive basket interference.
Behind-the-Back Dribble: When a player dribbles the ball behind their back to evade their defender.
Bench: Where players sit when they’re not in the game.
Bench Player: A player who didn’t start in the game, but is substituted later “off the bench.”
Bench Points: Points scored by players who didn’t originally start in the game but were substituted off the bench.
BLOB: An acronym for “baseline out of bounds,” used when the offense inbounds the ball from out of bounds under the basket, along the baseline.
Block (area on the court): Two rectangular areas marked on the floor on either side of the basket. Coaches use these areas to direct players where to stand.
Block/Blocked Shot: When a player shoots the ball and a defender knocks the shot out of the path to the basket, resulting in a missed shot. This is done without touching or fouling the shooter.
Blocking Foul: A common defensive foul in which a player uses their body to prevent the movement of another player without fully setting their feet and position.
Block Out: When a player uses their body to create a barrier between their opponent and the basket.
Bonus: A state in which a team has reached a certain quota of fouls, which varies by league. When a team is in the bonus, all of their future fouls (even non-shooting fouls) will grant the other team a free-throw opportunity. Depending on the number of fouls and whether the team is in the bonus or double bonus, the other team may be shooting 1-and-1 or two free throws.
Bounce Pass: A pass that hits the ground one time on its way to its intended receiver.
Box Out: A type of block out in which players create a box-shaped space between the basket and the person they’re defending in order to secure the rebound.
Breakaway Rim: A basketball rim designed to give or flex when a player dunks or hangs on the rim.
Bump the Cutter: When a defensive player deliberately makes contact with an offensive player who’s cutting or moving without the ball. This is typically a light bump or hip check made to disrupt the motion of the offensive player.
Buzzer Beater: A successful basket that leaves the shooter’s hand before the buzzer rings to signal the end of a quarter, half, or game.
Carrying the Ball: A violation that happens when a player turns the ball over in their hand while dribbling, putting their hand under the ball instead of on top of it. This violation results in a turnover when called by the referee. Also known as palming.
Catch and Face: A movement of an offensive player who catches the ball, turns to face the basket, and becomes a triple threat to shoot, pass, or drive.
Center: A position typically played by one of the taller and larger players that requires them to protect the basket defensively, rebound, and score in the paint.
Center Circle: The circle at the center of the court, used for tip-offs and some jump balls.
Charge: A type of foul called on an offensive player who runs into a defender who’s squared up with both feet set, possibly causing the defender to fall to the floor. In college and NBA/WNBA games, there’s a marked spot very near the basket inside which charges aren’t called.
Chest Pass: A pass from the middle of the chest using both hands.
Circus Shot: An extremely difficult or acrobatic shot. Rarely attempted due to its difficulty and low chance of success.
Close Out: When a defensive player moves toward a shooter in a purposeful manner, often with a hand in the shooter’s face, to disrupt a shot. The close-out move finishes as a box out after the shot is taken.
Coast to Coast: When a player gains possession of the ball on the defensive side of the court by rebound or an inbound pass from their teammate, then dribbles the ball down to score without passing the ball to any other player.
Court: The area in which basketball games are played. The court is always rectangular, with a basket on each of the shorter ends, but court sizes differ between youth, high school, college, and professional leagues. Most NBA courts are made of hard maple, with the exception of the Boston Celtics, who play on a parquet floor made of oak.
Crossover: When a player switches the ball from one hand to the other to avoid or confuse a defender.
Cylinder: An imaginary space above the rim of the basket that extends upward in the shape of a cylinder. In this area, players generally aren’t allowed to touch the ball. Doing so is considered basket interference on offense and goaltending on defense.
Dead Ball: When the ball isn’t considered playable. This happens whenever the referee blows the whistle for any reason to stop play.
Defense: The team that doesn’t have possession of the ball. There are two main defensive strategies: man-to-man and zone defense.
DNP-CD: Short for “Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision,” meaning that the coach opted not to include a player in the game. Most often used in a player’s stat report after the game.
Double Bonus: A second threshold of fouls a team can reach while in the bonus. While in the double bonus, even non-shooting fouls grant their opponents the opportunity to shoot two free throws. This only applies in college and high school leagues.
Double Dribble: A violation that occurs when a player touches the ball with both hands at the same time while dribbling, interrupts their dribble, or picks up the ball and then starts their dribble again. This violation results in a turnover.
Double-Double: When a player gets ten or more in at least two of these five categories within a single game: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
Double-Team: When two defenders guard a single offensive player at the same time. This is used to apply pressure and limit an opponent’s options.
Dribble: When a player continuously bounces the ball between the floor and their hand. If the ball handler takes too many steps without dribbling, the result is a traveling violation.
Drive: To move purposefully with the ball toward the basket.
Drop Step: A move made by an offensive player in the post with their back to the basket and their defender behind them. The player pivots and forcefully steps back toward the basket in a quick movement, using their body to shield the ball from the defender.
Elbow: The area on the court outside the top two corners where the free-throw line and the lane intersect. Elbowing is also a type of personal foul.
Elevator Screen: An offensive play where two players simultaneously set screens on either side of the lane, forming a narrow corridor for a teammate to move through. The play gets its name from the way the two players move toward one another like elevator doors closing, preventing defenders from following their teammate.
End Line: Another word for a baseline.
Eurostep: An offensive move in which a player driving to the basket takes a lateral step in one direction and then in the other to maneuver around the defender. This move is believed to get its name from European players who first debuted the move in international play.
Basketball Vocabulary: F-J
Fade Away: A jump shot taken while the player moves horizontally or backward away from the basket while in the air. This is done to avoid defenders.
Fake: A quick motion used to trick a defender about the direction of a shot or pass. Offensive players without the ball can also use fakes to get free of their defenders.
Fast Break: When the defense takes the ball in transition and quickly passes it toward their basket for a scoring opportunity.
Field Goal: A term for a made two-point or three-point basket. This term doesn’t apply to free throws.
Finger Roll: A shooting technique used in a layup or other close-range shot in which the shooter rolls the ball off their fingers. This requires a fair amount of skill and finesse to achieve.
Fishhook Cut: A movement that involves an offensive player making a rounded cut in the shape of a fishhook to create separation from their defender.
Flagrant Foul: A personal foul involving aggressive, excessive contact. There are two types, determined by the intent and intensity of the contact: Flagrant Foul 1 (FF1) and Flagrant Foul 2 (FF2). FF2 represents more serious or malicious contact and results in ejection from the game.
Foul: A rule violation that results in a free throw or a transfer of possession to the opposing team. There are three types of fouls: common, flagrant, and technical.
Foul Out: When a player reaches the maximum number of fouls and is forced to leave the court for the remainder of the game. The maximum number of fouls differs between professional and college/high school leagues.
Forward: A basketball position responsible for defending, rebounding, and scoring both inside and outside the paint. There are two types: power forwards and small forwards.
Free Throw: An opportunity for an uncontested shot, awarded to a player as a result of a called foul against their opponent. Depending on the situation, the player takes one, two, or three shots from the free-throw line. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
Free-Throw Line: The line at the top of the lane or key, parallel to the basket, where a player lines up to shoot free throws.
Full-Court Press: A press in which defenders put full pressure on the offense from the moment they inbound the ball.
Frontcourt: The half of the court the offense is shooting on.
Garbage Time: A player’s playing time in a game with such a wide scoring gap between teams that the player can’t impact the result of the game. Also referred to as garbage minutes.
Ghost Screen: When an offensive player acts like they plan to screen their teammate’s defender, but stops short of actually setting a screen and instead trails off to receive a pass. This can confuse the defender and open up opportunities for both the ball handler and the screener.
Give and Go: When a player hands off or passes the ball, then immediately takes another action such as setting a screen or making a cut.
Goaltending: A violation called when a defensive player interferes with a shot on a downward trajectory to the basket with a good chance to go in, or which has hit the backboard and is on its way into the basket. A call of goaltending results in the offensive team being awarded the points for the shot.
Granny Shot: A shot taken by bending the knees and releasing the ball in an underhand motion. Not commonly used in modern basketball.
Guard: A basketball position typically taken by quick defenders with excellent ball-handling skills. There are two main types of guard positions: point guard and shooting guard.
Half Court Line: The line that divides the court in half. Each team is assigned a basket on one side of the court, and they shoot on that basket until the sides swap at halftime.
Halftime: A pause in gameplay after the end of the first half of the game. After halftime, the teams swap which sides of the court they’re shooting on.
Hash Mark: Small lines along the side of the lane or key that note where players line up while a player shoots free throws. Only three players are allowed to stand on either side of the key during free throws, and they must stay within the area of the hash marks. This can also refer to markings on the sidelines or baselines used as reference points on the court.
Hedge: A defensive technique used to counter a screen in which the defender’s teammate sees the screen coming and steps up to prevent the offensive player from advancing, giving the original defender time to return to their match-up.
Held Ball: When an offensive and defensive player both have possession of the ball at the same time. This results in the referee calling a jump ball.
Help Side: A term that the defense uses to describe the area of the court that’s on the opposite side of where the offense is working with the ball. It's called this because the defender on that side is in a position to help the defenders on the ball side.
Hoop: Term used to describe the basket.
Illegal Defense: A defensive violation, also known as a defensive 3-second violation, in which a defensive player spends more than three seconds in the key while not actively guarding an opponent. This rule is only used in the NBA/WNBA.
Illegal Screen: An common offensive foul in which a player attempts to set a screen but leans into their opponent or doesn’t firmly set their feet.
Inbound: When a player passes the ball onto the court and into play from out of bounds. Also known as inbounding the ball.
Inside Cut: When a player makes a cutting move from outside the lane into the lane area.
Inside Shot: A shot taken from inside the lane.
Intentional Foul: When a player initiates physical contact with an opponent specifically to stop play. This is sometimes called on a defensive player when the referee thinks they’ve fouled in hopes of regaining control of the ball.
Isolation: A tactic where a skilled player’s teammates clear out, hopefully bringing their defenders with them, to give the player space to go one-on-one against their defender. This creates opportunities for the player while also opening up a potential assist to a teammate.
Jab Step: When an offensive player makes a quick step in one direction with their non-pivot leg, then returns to their original position. This is used to try to throw the defender off their stance and to create separation, giving the offensive player a chance to shoot, pass or drive.
Jump Ball: A term used to settle disputes following a held ball or any other situation where it’s not clear which player has possession of the ball. In the NBA/WNBA, a jump ball is settled by the referee throwing the ball up between two opposing players, who each try to tip the ball to their teammates. College and high school teams use this same approach to start the game, but any subsequent disputes of possession are decided using the possession arrow.
Jump Shot: A shot in which a player jumps and shoots while their feet are still off the ground.
Jump Stop: When an offensive player comes to a stop with both feet landing on the ground simultaneously.
Basketball Words: K-O
Key: The rectangular area under the basket, also known as the lane. Its short sides are marked by the baseline and free-throw line. During a free throw, players line up to on the long sides to secure rebounds. Because it’s marked in color on some courts, it’s also known colloquially as “the paint.”
Layup: A common shot while a player drives to the basket. This shot may be taken off one or two feet, but it’s taken while the player is in the air.
Lane: Another term for the key.
Lane Violation: A violation of the rules that govern free throws. This happens when the shooter’s foot is over the free-throw line while shooting, the shooter enters the lane before the ball hits the rim, or one of the non-shooters enters the lane before the ball leaves the shooter’s hand.
Starting Lineup: The five players on a team who are playing at the very start of the game.
Man-to-Man: A type of defensive strategy where each player guards another individual player no matter where they move on the court.
Mismatch: When a pair of offensive and defensive players have a significant difference in speed, skill, or size/height.
Nellie Ball: A style of basketball named after former NBA coach Don Nelson characterized by quick pacing and ball movement with a focus on speed and scoring. It’s a strategy often used by teams of smaller, shorter players because of its emphasis on speed and skill rather than size.
No Look Pass: A pass made to a teammate while the passer looks elsewhere to confuse the defense.
Off-Ball Foul: A foul made on a player who doesn’t have the ball or isn’t directly involved in a play with the ball.
Off the Dribble: When an offensive player makes a move, takes a shot, or creates a play by passing while in motion and dribbling the ball.
Offense: The team that’s currently in possession of the ball. Coaches create any number of plays to make up their offensive strategy. Here are some common offensive strategies:
Motion: Involves continuous movement on offense (dribbling, passing, and cutting) without a specifically-defined play. This gives players the flexibility to make decisions in real time.
UCLA: Made popular by John Wooden, the longtime UCLA coach, this offensive strategy involves lots of player and ball movement, screening, and high-post play.
Princeton: Named for Princeton University’s former head coach Pete Carril in the ‘60s and ‘70s, this strategy is characterized by player and ball movement, cuts, and active ball screens, with players reading and reacting to the defense.
5-Out: An offensive formation where all offensive players are positioned outside the three-point line. This is often used when a team has strong three-point shooting, but it can also open up opportunities for dribble drive penetration.
Dribble Drive Motion (also called The Memphis Attack): A type of motion offense where the offensive player dribbles toward the basket (drives) while the other four players move continuously to stay open or draw defenders away. The dribble-driver can then take a shot or pass, either to an open shooter or to another teammate in position for a drive.
Offensive Foul: A foul charged to an offensive player. Types of offensive fouls include charging, illegal screening, and illegal contact.
One-on-One: A situation where an offensive player is guarded by their defender without help from the other defensive players.
Out of Bounds: The area outside the official playing court lines. When the ball goes out of bounds, it's considered out of play. The team who last touched the ball before it left the court loses possession.
Outlet Pass: The first pass made after a defensive rebound as that team becomes the offense.
Over-and-Back: Another term for a backcourt violation.
Over-the-Back: A type of foul where a player jumps to rebound the ball but reaches up over the back of the player in front of them, thus initiating contact.
Basketball Terms: P-T
Palming: Another term for carrying the ball.
Perimeter: The area inside the three-point line, but outside the key.
Pick: Another term for a screen.
Pick-and-Roll: A tactic where an offensive player sets a screen for the ball handler. Once a defender hits the screen, the offensive player releases the screen and moves toward the basket to either draw the defender away or receive a pass from the ball handler.
Pivot Foot: To avoid a traveling violation, a player with the ball must keep one foot in firm contact with the floor unless they’re dribbling. The pivot foot is the foot they keep in place, which must stay in contact with the floor. Its name comes from the fact that a player with the ball can still move by rotating on their pivot foot.
Pocket Pass: A pass to a teammate who’s cutting toward the basket from the high post or the perimeter. The term comes from how the ball handler must carefully pass through a small space (or pocket) to their teammate.
Point Guard: The position primarily responsible for bringing up the ball, setting up the plays, and running the offense. This position is known as the 1.
Possession Arrow: A rule which replaces a physical jump ball as a way of deciding possession, used only in college and high school but not in professional leagues. After the initial jump ball that starts the game, the loser of the jump ball is awarded the possession arrow, which alternates between teams throughout the rest of the game. After a jump ball call, the ball is awarded to the team with the possession arrow by a throw-in.
Post (High Post, Low Post): Locations on the floor at the top and bottom of the key/lane. High post is the area at the top of the key around the free-throw line, and low post is the area down near the basket just inside or outside the lane.
Post-Up: When a player positions themselves in the high or low post position to be an available target for a pass.
Power Forward: A forward who’s typically tall and strong. A power forward plays very similarly to a center, with a focus on rebounding and scoring from inside the paint. This position is known as the 4.
Press: A defensive strategy to put extensive pressure on the ball to interrupt the offense. There are several types of presses.
Pump Fake: When an offensive player makes a motion as if to shoot, but quickly stops in the hopes that their defender will leave their feet and provide an opportunity for the offensive player to drive to the basket.
Rainbow Shot: A shot with a very high arc.
Rebound: When a player gains possession of a ball after a missed shot. A rebound can be offensive or defensive, depending on which player rebounds it.
Restricted Area: In the NBA/WNBA, an area marked in the lane near the basket inside which defensive players are forbidden from taking a charge.
Screen: When an offensive player without the ball sets themself firmly in place to separate a defender from their teammate. Players can set screens on the ball to free their ball handler from defenders or off-ball to free a teammate to cut or receive a pass.
Shot Clock: A set amount of time the team on offense has to take a shot. If the offense shoots and misses, the shot clock automatically resets as long as the shot hits the rim. If time expires without a shot or if the shot misses the rim, the result is a shot clock violation, which leads to a turnover. The length of time on the shot clock varies between high school, college, and the NBA/WNBA.
Shot Clock Violation: When the shot clock expires, resulting in a turnover.
Shooting Guard: A guard who’s a strong outside shooter with good dribbling and passing abilities. This position is known as the 2.
Sixth Man: A player who doesn’t start the game on the court, but is the first player off the bench as a substitute.
Slam Dunk (or Dunk): A shot in which the shooter jumps high enough to put at least one hand above the rim, then forcefully pushes the ball down through the hoop.
Small Forward: A versatile position that can score from inside and outside the paint, pass, and rebound. This position is referred to as the 3.
Steal: When the defense gains possession of the ball from the offense by taking it directly from a dribbling player or intercepting a pass.
Strong Side: An offensive term for the side of the basket where the ball is at the moment. This side is considered strong because being near the ball creates more scoring opportunities.
Substitute: When a coach swaps a player on the bench into the game, taking an active player off the court. In order to be subbed in, a player must report to the scorer's table and wait until the referee waves them in during a stoppage in play.
Switch: A tactic in which defenders swap defensive assignments in the middle of a play. This typically happens when one defensive player runs into a screen, and another defender steps in and picks up the player they were guarding.
Technical Foul: A foul due to egregious behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or coach. This can also include violations of game (like too many players on the floor, hanging on the rim after a dunk) or equipment rules (like incorrect uniforms or numbers). Technical fouls result in the opposing team receiving free throws and/or possession of the ball.
Three-Point Line: An arc marked on the floor around each basket. Baskets made from outside this arc count for three points, while those made from inside it are worth two. The three-point line is a different distance from the basket in high school, college, and professional leagues.
Three-Point Play: When a player is fouled on a made two-point basket, is given a free throw for the violation, and then makes the free throw for a third point.
Timeout: A pause in the play requested by a coach or player in which both teams gather at their benches for discussion. Each team can request a limited number of timeouts per game.
Transition: When a team moves from defense to offense or offense to defense after possession changes.
Tip-Off: A situation used to start each game in which two opposing players stand in the center circle, and the referee throws the ball up into the air between them. Each player tries to tip the ball to their teammate to start the game with a chance to score.
Trap: A defensive tactic similar to a double team in which two or more defenders trap the ball handler in a corner or near the sidelines in an attempt to force a turnover.
Traveling: A violation that occurs when the player with the ball takes too many steps without dribbling. A player may take one step after ending their dribble or receiving a pass. After this, any additional steps, or a shift in an established pivot foot, will result in a traveling violation and a turnover. Also known as walking.
Triple-Double: When a player ends a game with at least ten in three of these five categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.
Triple Threat: When an offensive player has possession of the ball within shooting range, and has clear options to pass, dribble, or shoot.
Turnover: When the offense loses possession of the ball to the defense. This can happen in a number of ways, such as a defensive steal, an out-of-bounds ball last touched by the offense, or an offensive foul or violation.
Basketball Language: U-Z
V-Cut: A V-shaped movement where an offensive player cuts toward their defender, then quickly changes direction to create separation.
Walking: Another term for traveling.
Weak Side: An offensive term for the side of the basket opposite where the ball is at the moment. This side is considered weak because there are fewer scoring opportunities away from the ball.
Wing: The area on the court that extends from the top of the free-throw line out toward the sidelines.
Zone Defense: A defensive strategy in which players guard a position or area on the court instead of a specific offensive player. There are many types of zone defense. Here are a few of the most common:
Match-Up: A type of zone defense that allows players to also match up man-to-man depending on the actions in the game. It requires skilled and flexible defenders, but can confuse the offense if done well.
2-3: A formation with two defensive players (often guards) at the top of the lane at or beyond the free-throw line and three defensive players in a line in the lane near the basket.
3-2: A formation with three defensive players at the top of the lane at or beyond the free-throw line and two defenders in the lane near the low block.
1-2-2: A formation with one defender at the top of the key area to pressure the ball handler, two defenders on the wings to the left and right to prevent perimeter shots, and two defenders in the low block or baseline area.
1-3-1: A formation with one defender at the top of the key, three defenders spread out across the wings and in the lane, and one defender in the low block or at the baseline.
Box and 1: A zone defense formation where four of the defenders play in zones, typically around the four corners of the lane, while the fifth plays man-to-man defense on a specific offensive player.
Basketball Slang
Every sport has its fair share of slang terminology. Using basketball slang encourages communication, builds confidence, and provides a way to bond and cement team culture. Many basketball terms originally developed in streetball as slang and later spread into mainstream basketball culture. The constant spread of new terms can blur the lines between traditional terms and slang.
Here are some common basketball slang terms:
Airball: An off-target shot that completely misses both the rim and the backboard.
And 1: An opportunity to make an extra point by shooting a free throw if a player is fouled while shooting a made basket.
Ankle/Ankle Breaker: When an offensive player outmaneuvers their defender, often using a crossover, causing the defender to stumble or fall.
Baller: A basketball player, especially a very good one.
Benchwarmer: A player who spends most of the game on the bench “warming” it.
Bid Thief: A college team that wins an automatic bid to the NCAA March Madness tournament by winning their conference championship, despite not being favored to win due to their regular season record or conference tournament seed.
Boards: A term for rebounding that references the backboard. Used in phrases such as “crash the boards,” which means quickly and aggressively rebounding the ball.
Brick: A missed shot that bounces awkwardly off the rim or backboard with no chance of scoring.
Bricklayer: A player who shoots several bricks in one game, or throughout several games.
Buckets: A term for made baskets.
Charity Stripe: A casual term for the free-throw line. This comes from the fact that the shooter is uncontested, giving them a better chance of scoring.
Cherry Picking: When a defensive player hangs back away from the action near their own basket to create an easy scoring opportunity if their team gains possession of the ball.
Chucker: A player who shoots frequently without regard for their chance of success. Generally used as a derogatory term.
Dime: An assist.
Dish: A pass.
D-Up: A term used by players to direct or fire up their teammates to get on their matchups or to apply aggressive defensive pressure.
Double Nickel: When a player scores 55 points or more in one game. This refers to the two 5s in 55.
Downtown: A term that describes a very long shot (as in, “a shot from downtown”).
Dropping a Dime: When a player makes a precise, difficult pass that results in a scoring opportunity for their teammate.
Flop: When an offensive player exaggerates a fall, often with little to no contact, to try to trigger a foul call.
GOAT: Stands for the Greatest of All Time. Defining the true “GOAT” in basketball is a subject of great debate among fans and players alike. Most have strong feelings about who’s the greatest. There’s even debate over whether active players should be considered, or whether it should only be a former or retired player. The most common mentions are Michael Jordan and LeBron James, with other players like Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Bill Russell also on people’s lists.
Gunner: A player who has a reputation for taking a lot of shots without much restraint, often used negatively. A gunner can be seen as a selfish player who prioritizes personal scoring over team play.
Hack-a-Shaq: When a defender deliberately fouls an offensive player known for being a weak free-throw shooter to force them to the free-throw line. This defensive strategy was originally created by Dallas Mavericks’ coach Don Nelson. It was most prominently used against Shaquille O’Neal, hence its name. O’Neal was a dominant player but not a strong free-throw shooter. Opposing players would foul him to try to bring him to the free-throw line, where he would likely miss and turn the ball over. The NBA/WNBA has since instituted off-ball foul rules designed to discourage this.
Hammer: A particularly powerful slam dunk.
Handle: A player’s dribbling skill. Also used as “handles,” as in, “That player has handles.”
Hops: A player’s jumping ability.
I Got Back: A way for a defensive player to quickly communicate with their teammates that they’re back in position on defense in transition.
In the Paint: A term for the lane or key, so called because the floor is often painted a different color than the rest of the court.
Iso: Short for isolation.
Jumper: A jump shot.
Stuffed: When a player’s shot is blocked.
Swish: When the ball enters the basket without touching the rim or backboard, making a “swish” sound with the net.
Three: Slang for a three-point shot.
Vertical: A player’s jumping ability.