| Term |
Definition |
| Assist |
A pass to a teammate who scores directly or who does not dribble more than twice before scoring. |
| Backcourt |
The end of the court opposite a team's offensive goal. |
| Baseline |
The end boundary line on a court. |
| Bench |
Reserves. |
| Blocking |
Personal contact that impedes the progress of an opponent who does not have the ball. |
| Blocking Out |
A technique (also called "boxing out") used by a rebounding player who steps in front of and with his/her back to an opponent and keeps that opponent behind him/her. |
| Blocks |
The first lane spaces underneath the basket. |
| Boards |
The backboards |
| Bounce Pass |
A pass that strikes the floor just more than halfway to the receiver. |
| Center |
A player who plays in the center area close to the basket. |
| Chest Pass |
A pass that is thrown in the air from about chest level. |
| Control |
A player is in control when he is holding or dribbling a live ball. Team control exists when a live ball is being passed between members of a team. |
| Defender |
A member of the team who does not have possession of the ball. |
| Defense |
The team that does not have possession of the ball. |
| Double dribble |
A violation in which a player dribbles the ball, stops, then begins to dribble again. |
| Dribble |
Bounce the ball. |
| Fast Break |
A play in which a team gains possession and then pushes the ball downcourt quickly, hoping to get a good shot off before the other team has a chance to get back and set up on defense. |
| Field goal |
A basket, worth either two or three points, depending on whether it was taken from inside or outside the three-point line. |
| Foul |
A rules infraction for which the penalty is one or more free throws. |
| Free Throw |
Opportunity given to player to score one point by an unimpeded shot from behind the free throw line. Also called a Foul Shot. |
| Goaltending |
A violation, in which a player interferes with a shot while the ball is on its downward arc, pins it against the backboard or touches it while it is in an imaginary cylinder above the basket; may be committed by either an offensive or defensive player. |
| Holding |
Personal contact with an opponent which interferes with his freedom of movement. |
| Hoop |
Basket or rim. |
| Jump Ball |
A method of putting the ball in play by tossing it up between two opponents in one of three circles. |
| Jump Shot |
A shot taken after a player jumps in the air. |
| Key |
The free throw lane and circle. |
| Lane |
The painted area between the end line and the free-throw line near each basket, outside which players line up for free throws. Also known as the key. |
| Offense |
The team that has possession of the ball. |
| Outlet Pass |
A quick, pass (often after a rebound) to a teammate that starts a fast break. |
| Perimeter Players |
The offensive players (guards and one forward) who play outside the lane and face the basket. |
| Post Players |
The offensive players (center and one forward) who play near the lane and have their backs to the basket. |
| Press |
A term that is an abbreviation for pressure, as in defensive pressure. |
| Rebound |
A missed shot that bounces off the rim or backboard; also to gain possession of the ball after such a missed shot. |
| Screen |
An offensive play in which a player of offense acts as a stationary barrier to prevent a player on defense from defending a player. Also called a pick. |
| Steal |
To take the ball away from the opposing team, either off the dribble or by picking off a pass. |
| Technical Foul |
A penalty for improper behavior, such as using foul language or arguing with the referee. |
| Throw-in |
Method of putting the ball in play from out of bounds. |
| Trap |
A situation in which two defenders guard the player on offense who has the ball. |
| Travel |
To run or walk illegally while holding the ball. |
| Turnover |
Any loss of possession without a shot being taken. |
