Basketball Terms Glossary

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Important terms related to the basketball field

This article offers an incomplete listing of the foreign words and phrases in basketball . Due to the origin of the sport, there are many English-derived words.

0-9

3 point game
If a player is fouled during a successful 2-point throw and then converts the bonus free throw, it is called a 3-point game (two points for the basket + one point for the free throw).
4 point game
If a player is fouled during a successful 3-point throw and then converts the bonus free throw, it is called a 4-point game (three points for the basket + one point for the free throw).
50-40-90
A statistical benchmark, mostly related to the NBA, for an unusually good thrower. The figures relate to the hit rates for field throws (50%), three-point throws (40%) and free throws (90%) (with a sufficient number of throw attempts to ensure statistical representativeness).

A.

Airball
An unblocked throw that does not touch the board or ring.
Alley-oop
A pass in the direction of the basket / board, which is picked out of thin air by a teammate (or in rare cases by yourself) and transformed in the same move directly with a lay-up or more often with a dunk. The player grabs the ball from the air and guides it in flowing motion directly to the basket without stopping.
Ankle breaker
The attacker with the ball causes the defender to stumble or even fall through a quick movement (e.g. by means of a crossover )
And1 / And One
The bonus free throw that a player receives after a foul on a successful basketball throw.
Writing desk
Common name for the table at which the representatives of the → judge sit. (In Austria and Switzerland clerk's desk )
Assist
Passing template to a player that leads directly to a basketball success; the number of assists each player has is one of the most important statistics
Aufposten (Engl. Post up )
Posture in which a player stands with his back to the direct opponent and kneels slightly. It is mostly used by center players to protect the ball near the opponent's basket with their own body.
Boxing out, blocking out
Forcing the opponent out of the vicinity of the basket in order to achieve a better rebound position. The body is used as a barrier by mostly standing low, with arms outstretched and the back facing the opponent.

B.

Backcourt
Summary term for the game positions → Point Guard and → Shooting Guard . The term literally translated as "backcourt" alludes to the position of the players relatively far from the basket.
Brick (Engl. Brick )
A ball that ricochets off the ring or board with no chance of a basket (hit).
Backdoor cut
An offensive action away from the ball, in which the attacker tries to play freely by taking a quick step outwards and then changing direction with a pull to the basket behind the defender.
Moving (engl. Block moving screen )
An illegal block in which the block plate is not stationary or is stationary long enough.
Oscar Torres blocks an opponent's throw
block
(1) Shotblock: The touching or knocking away of a ball by the defender while attempting to throw it without touching the attacker. (2) also "Screen" or "Pick": The targeted holding of an opponent by means of a firm and deep stance (such as pick and roll ).
board
A rebound / ricochet.
Buzzer beater
A basketball success that occurs immediately before the final siren (the buzzer ) sounds and often from a great distance. Sometimes only throws that decide the game in the last second (Game Winner) or bring to a tie (and thus into overtime) are referred to as Buzzer Beater.

C.

center
One of the playing positions in basketball. Centers are usually the tallest players on the field, playing mostly near the basket.
Crossover
Dribbling movement that begins with a cross step and a hand change at the same time.
Crunch time
The last minutes of a close game.
Cut
Offensive action away from the ball, in which the attacking player tries to shake off his opponent by quickly changing direction.
Cutting down the nets
Cutting off the nets by the winning team in a final game, a tradition particularly widespread in the USA

D.

Double dribble (English. Double dribble )
Rule violation in which a player → dribbles the ball, picks it up and then dribbles again. The result is a loss of the ball (→ turnover).
Doubles (Engl. Double team )
Assignment of two defenders to an attacking player (usually in possession of the ball)
Double
The achievement of a double-digit value in a statistical category by a player. The term is mostly used when a player has a two-digit value in two such categories (e.g. points and rebounds) at the end of a game, which is referred to as “double-double”. A “triple-double”, ie two-digit values ​​in three statistical categories (e.g. templates, rebounds and points) is much rarer.
Downtown
Far outside the triple line or generally a long distance.
Three-point line
Semicircular line around the basket, behind which a player must be when throwing a basket, so that a → field throw counts three points. The exact shape of the line and its distance from the basket may vary depending on the league.
Dribble (English. Dribbling )
Repeatedly bouncing the ball against the floor with your hand. Since only two steps are allowed with the ball in hand, this is the most common type of ball control.
Drop step
A movement in the post in which the ball carrier picks up the ball and turns with a long step towards the basket, using the leg as a barrier between himself and the defender.
Dunking (Engl. Dunk )
When a player pushes the basketball through the ring from above with one or two hands, this is known as "dunking." In the NBA, the Slam Dunk Contest was introduced, in which selected players artistically “dunk” the ball into the basket (in German this is called “stuffing”).

F.

Fadeaway
(from English fade away , literally "to disappear"): The shifting of the body's center of gravity backwards during the throwing movement. Moving away from the basket makes the throw more technical, but also more difficult for an opponent to defend.
Fast break
A fast attack (a fast-break of handball or a counter , for example, the football-like), which is characterized by a fast ball presentation and rapid completion (litter on the basket).
Field Litter (Engl. Field goal )
Throwing the ball in the direction of the opponent's basket, which occurs during the current game, in contrast to a → free throw. Depending on the player's position, the throw counts two points or, if it is behind the → three-point line, three points.
Floater / tear drop
Throwing technique in which the ball is thrown from the barrel with one hand and with a high trajectory towards the basket. It is mostly used to overcome a larger opponent when moving to the basket.
Flopping
The pretending of a foul by the opponent in order to get free throws or to get possession of the ball (comparable to a swallow in football). If a flop is detected, it is treated as a technical foul.
Forward
(German (outdated) also winger ): One of the common playing positions in basketball. Forwards are classically mainly responsible for points and rebounding. A further distinction is made between → Small Forward and → Power Forward . The term, which can be translated as “attacker” or “striker”, refers to the separation between attacking and defending players that is only common in the early stages of basketball (see → Guard).
Franchise players
A player who plays a leading role in his team ( franchise , mostly NBA) in terms of sport and publicity and is usually bound by long-term contracts.
Free throw
Unhindered throw of the ball in the direction of the opposing basket, in which the throwing player stands behind the free-throw line in front of the basket. Free throws are awarded to a team after a foul by the opponent and count one point each, the playing time is stopped during the execution.
Front court
Summary term for the playing positions → Small Forward , → Power Forward and → Center . The term, literally translated as “apron”, alludes to the position of the players relatively close to the basket.

G

Garbage time
The last minutes of a game that was decided prematurely, and thus the counterpart to → crunch time.
Goaltending
Describes the irregular blocking of a throw, e.g. B. after the ball has reached the highest point of its trajectory or has touched the board. The throw is scored regardless of whether it hits the basket.
Go-to-guy
The player of a team who is given responsibility on the offensive in decisive game situations (mostly in → crunch time).
Baseline (Engl. Baseline )
The boundary of the playing field behind the basket.
Guard
Designation of the game positions usually occupied by the two smallest players on a team → point guard and → shooting guard . These players are primarily responsible for setting up the game and throwing from a distance. The term which can be translated as “defender” refers to the separation between attacking and defending players, which is only common in the early stages of basketball (see → Forward).

H

Hack-a-Shaq
Defensive tactic in which a player with a poor free throw rate is deliberately fouled on purpose. Named after Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal .
Hookshot (Engl. Hook shot )
Throwing technique in which the ball is thrown towards the basket in an arching motion with the arm stretched upwards.
High post
Position of a player at or above the free-throw line

I.

In-and-out (eng. In and out )
A ball that seems to hit, but surprisingly jumps out of the ring again.
In-and-out dribble
Dribble technique in which a change of hand and direction is faked with the aim of throwing the defender off balance.

J

Jab step
A jab step is a pretense of moving towards the basket, to the left or to the right. After a step in the respective direction, the foot is withdrawn and walked in a different direction or concluded with a throw.

K

Jury
The jury, consisting of representatives of the home team, ensures that the game is timed and recorded properly. The tasks include the operation of the game and attack time clock as well as the "letter" of the points scored, the committed fouls and the time-outs.
Lay (Engl. Layup )
Collective term for different types of throw in which the ball is placed in the basket from a short distance. The most common techniques are the pressure throw basket lay-up with the palm of the hand facing towards the basket and the forearm lay-up ( finger roll ) with the palm facing away from the basket.

L.

Low post
Position of a player approx. Level with the board

M.

Mismatch
Big difference in height between defender and attacker. It can also be provoked by tactical measures, e.g. B. by switching the position after setting a block. If there is a throw, the bigger player has the obvious advantage; however, it can happen that the little player has the advantage of moving past by accelerating faster.
MVP - Most valuable player
A particularly valuable player who is chosen by spectators or coaches at the end of a season or round. This player receives a trophy or other award for the special achievement.

P

passport
Handing over the ball to a teammate. The most commonly used technique is the chest pass, where the ball is pushed forward away from the chest. The ball can be passed to the teammate either directly or through the ground (“ground pass”). Further techniques are the overhead pass, in which the ball is thrown in the direction of the teammate, the touch pass , in which a ball in the air is passed on directly, and the immediate transfer of the ball (for example as a "pin through" against a tight standing defense).
Pick
A block in attack (also called screen ), when the player in possession of the ball is separated from his direct opponent by another player on the attacking team standing in the defensive path and thereby blocking the defender away so that the player in possession of the ball can pass. This type of block is part of the pick and roll move that is often used in basketball .
Pick and roll
Is an often used standard play in basketball in which two attackers lead the ball and two defenders face one another. With this tactic, the attacker who is not in possession of the ball blocks the path of the defender who is covering the ball carrier and thus brings the latter into a good throwing position.
Point forward
An “unconventional” playing position that describes a → forward who takes on the task of distributing the ball, which is normally assigned to the → point guard.
Point guard
One of the common playing positions in basketball, and the usual position of the → playmaker or support player. Usually it is the smallest and fastest player on a team.
Power forward
One of the common playing positions in basketball. The power forward is usually a tall and strong player who acts near the basket (although not directly at the basket like the → center).
Play-off / playoff
Elimination match, through which a championship is decided (takes place in the NBA through several so-called best-of-7 series)
Press defense (engl. Pressing )
Defense tactics that try to hinder the ball-bearing team as soon as the ball is presented. As a full-court press (dt. About Ganzfeld press ) the application of this strategy is designated in the area of the entire game field.
Pump fake
Throwing ink, in which the ball-bearing player gets momentum with his body, apparently making a → jump shot, but ultimately remains with his feet on the ground in order to deceive the opposing defense and thus at best to get a free throw or to provoke an opposing foul.
Putback dunk
After the failure of a throw, a team member of the thrower jumps towards the basket and sinks the ball that bounces off the board / ring into the basket through a dunk.

R.

rebound
A rebound consists in a rebound of the ball being caught by a defender ( defensive rebound ) or an attacker ( offensive rebound ); the number of rebounds is recorded in statistics.
Role players (eng. Roleplayer )
Term for a player who is used regularly, but usually only for a short time, in order to take on a special tactical role and thus give his own team new impulses or interrupt the rhythm of the opponent's game.
Run and gun
Attack tactic that tries to come to an end even before the opposing defense has formed.

S.

Steps, step errors ( traveling )
If a player in possession of the ball takes too many steps without → dribbling or changes his leg with the ball in hand, this is called a step error and the opposing team gains possession of the ball.
Black hole
A player who no longer gives the ball once he has it and is looking for a deal - successfully or not (see → ego gamer).
Screen
A block in the attack (also called a pick ), when the player in possession of the ball is separated from his direct opponent by another player on the attacking team standing in the defensive path and thereby blocking the defender away so that the player in possession of the ball can pass. This type of block is part of the pick and roll move that is often used in basketball .
Sixth man (Engl. One sixth )
Term for a substitute player who receives as much playing time as a player in the starting lineup. Usually such a player can be used in several positions and is therefore only substituted in during the game for tactical reasons.
Set play
Game situation in which both teams have taken their original formation on the field and the attacking team tries to achieve a basketball success by means of a rehearsed move.
Shooting Guard
One of the common playing positions in basketball. The main task of the shooting guard on the offensive is the throw from distance, mostly from beyond the → three-point line.
Shot block
A block in defense when a defender prevents the attacking team from throwing a goal by blocking or hitting the thrown ball in mid-air with his hands.
Small ball
A team line-up with relatively short players, which compared to the usual line-up (cf. → Starting Five ) usually offers a speed advantage on the offensive, but causes problems in defense.
Small forward
One of the common playing positions in basketball. As the “middle” player of the → starting five (in terms of height and mobility) , the small forward can take on various tasks.
SPD position ( triple threat position )
The posture of the player in possession of the ball, which enables him to throw ("shoot"), → pass or → dribble the ball at any time.
Playmaker (English playmaker ; German also build-up player )
The player of a team who takes over the ball presentation and play setup on the offensive, usually identical to the → point guard.
Spin move
Tactical turning movement of a mostly offensive player. Often used as a deception or evasive maneuver.
Jump ball (Engl. Jump ball )
Method of determining possession of the ball at the beginning of a game and in situations in which possession cannot be unequivocally assigned to any team. For this purpose, two opposing players stand opposite each other and the referee throws the ball between them vertically upwards. In most leagues, the jump ball has now been replaced by changing possession, indicated by an arrow ( possession arrow ).
Jump Shot (Engl. Jump shot )
The throwing technique most common in modern basketball, in which the ball-bearing player usually uses his entire body to swing the ball in order to throw the ball with one hand while the other hand supports the ball. Normally, the distance and orientation to the basket do not change during the throw, but there are also other variants, such as the → fade-away.
Standing throw
Throwing technique in which the throwing player stays with both feet on the ground. Originally the most common throwing technique, nowadays the standing throw is almost exclusively used for → free throw.
Starting Five
The players of a team standing on the field at the beginning of a game, usually consisting of two → guards, two → forwards and one → center. Since an unlimited number of players can be changed, this formation can be varied greatly in the course of a game (see → Sixth Man ).
Stat
Short for statistics. Points, rebounds, assists, blocks and turnover as well as the various throwing rates are particularly important. Attempts are increasingly being made to compile comprehensive statistics that specifically focus on performance off the ball and in defense (e.g. player efficiency rating ).
steal
When a player takes the ball away from his opponent or intercepts an opponent's pass, this is known as a " steal ".
Star step
Movement in which a player in possession of the ball turns around the body axis with the help of one leg. As long as the foot of the other leg ("standing leg") is in contact with the ground, this is considered a single step. A broken star step with the free leg past the defender is legal if the standing leg is only released after the other has touched down. A jump shot may follow.

T

Tip-in (alternatively putback )
Using your fingertips to move a ball bouncing or rolling on the ring into the basket.
Transition
Transition from offensive to defensive and vice versa after changing possession, for example through a defensive rebound or a turnover.
Trash talk
Verbal uncertainty of the opponent; can be punished with a technical foul.
Turnover
Loss of ball of any kind, e.g. B. by a step error or bad pass.
Two possession game
A team can catch up a deficit between 4 and 6 points with two attacks if the other team does not score.

V

Defense position
Defender's posture which, if contacted, leads to an offensive foul by the attacker. Contrary to popular belief, he does not have to stand still, but can move backwards, sideways or jump straight up under certain conditions.

Z

Zone
The marked area that extends directly under the basket to the free throw line. The zone is also called paint (because it is usually color-coded) or key (because its shape looked like a key when viewed from above until it was widened in the 1960s).
Zone defense, ball area defense
In contrast to the man-man defense, attempts are made to defend the zone by skillfully changing positions of the defenders to the attackers without a fixed assignment.

Individual evidence

  1. Jump up ↑ Basketball Dribbling: The In-and-Out Dribble. In: PRO TIPS by DICK'S Sporting Goods. November 30, 2018, accessed May 26, 2020 .