Basketball Terminologies

Terms in relation to Defense

1. Defense - The team on defense is the team without possession of the basketball. While
on defense, the team will attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring in their
basket.
2. Defensive Stance - The players on defense should always be in a defensive stance. This
involves keeping the knees bent and arms out wide. This puts a defender in the best
position to react quickly and steal the basketball.
3. Defensive Slide Shuffle (or simply, a slide) – a defensive slide shuffle is an act a
defender makes to move laterally. In a defensive slide, the defender moves laterally by
extending the foot out on the side of their body that they are moving in. Then they drag
their opposite foot back into position. This is done repeatedly in any given direction.
Feet are never to cross and heels should never come together. The defenders’ shoulders
should stay level while performing the slide.
4. Backcourt (area) - If referring to an area of the court, the backcourt is the half of the
court that a team is defending.
5. Block – a block refers to when a player shoots the ball but has a defensive player knock
the shot off course.
● Block (defensive play) - The term block can be used when a defensive player
knocks the basketball out of their opponent's hands or out of the air during an
attempted field goal.
6. Box out – a box out (or block out) refers to when a player positions their body in front of
the person they don’t want to get the ball after a shot has been put up. The goal of a
box out is to not allow certain players to get a rebound and to give yourself a better
opportunity to rebound.
7. BOX and ONE - A defensive strategy commonly used against teams with one dominant
player. This defense involves playing one defender man-on-man against the dominant
offensive player and then setting up the four other defenders in a box zone.
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/box-and-1-defense/

8. Closeout - A closeout is a defensive action that occurs when an offensive player receives
the basketball and their defender must sprint towards them to prevent the shot while
also attempting to prevent the offense from driving towards the hoop.
9. Charge – a charge refers to when an offensive player runs into a defensive player who
has established a defensive position. For a charge to happen the defensive player must
accept the contact within his or her cylinder.
10. Double Team - A double team occurs when two defensive players trap the player in
possession of the basketball. The goal is to get the basketball out of a great player's
hands or force the offensive player to make a poor pass that results in a steal.
11. Draw a foul – to draw a foul simply means to create the contact in such a way that the
player you are drawing contact from is called for a foul.
12. Full-Court Press - A defensive strategy involving the defense pressuring the basketball
for the entire length of the court. A full-court press can be either man-to-man or zone.
For example, the 1-2-1-1 press.
13. Flop – a flop is a term used to describe when a player acts like they received a lot more
contact on play than actually occurred in order to try and convince the referees a foul
occurred.
14. Goal Tending - A goaltending violation is called when a player on defense touches the
basketball when it's on the downward flight after a shot. When this happens, the basket
is counted. A goaltending violation is also called if a player touches the basketball while
it's above or on the rim.
15. Hack - The term 'hack' is another word for fouling an opponent.
16. Junk Defense - A junk defense is a combination of man-to-man defense and zone
defense. For example, a box and one or a triangle and two.
17. Man-to-man Defense – Man-to-man defense refers to a team defense approach
whereby each defender is assigned one player on the opposite team for whom they are
responsible for guarding.
● A defense that involves all players matching up and taking responsibility for
guarding one player on the opposition team. It is team defense and players are
required to help each other, but all players have a specific opponent they're
defending.
● https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/man-to-man-defense/
18. On-Ball Defense - When an offensive player has the basketball, the defender guarding
them and pressuring the basketball is playing on-ball defense.
19. Pressure – Pressure is a term used to describe defense. Pressure on defense refers to
guarding the ball closely and harassing the offensive player so that they want to get
away from the defender.
20. Press - An organized basketball defense in which the team on defense pressures the
opponent full-court in an attempt to force a turnover.
21. PACK line defense - A popular variation of man-to-man defense developed by Dick
Bennett. It involves one player defending the basketball at all times while the other four
players are in help position inside an imaginary arc 16 feet around the basket. Complete
coaching guide here.
● https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/pack-line-defense/
 22. Shot Clock Violation - If a team is unable to attempt a shot before the shot clock
expires, a shot clock violation is called and the offensive team loses possession of the
basketball.
23. Secondary Help Defender – Secondary help defenders are defenders who rotate to help
a teammate who is helping the defender on the ball. This refers to helping the helper.
For example, if teammate A is guarding the ball and teammate B helps out teammate A,
then teammate C rotates over to help teammate B so that teammate B’s defensive
assignment is not open, is the secondary help defender. Teammate C is the secondary
help defender.
24. Trap – a trap refers to a defensive play whereby two or more defenders attempt to
contain the player with the ball and not allow them to get away from the defenders.
Sometimes defenses will be designed to set up traps in specific areas of the floor like the
corners of the halfcourt.
25. Zone Defense – zone defense refers to an approach to team defense where each
defender is assigned to guard any player that lies in a certain area. Defenders are not
restricted to guarding only one player in a zone defense.
● - A defensive strategy coaches will use that requires defenders to guard specific
areas of the court instead of opposition players.
● 1-2-2 ZONE - A common zone defense similar to a 2-3 zone. 2-All 5 players are
responsible for guarding a portion of the three-point
line.https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/1-2-2-zone-defense/
● 1-3-1 ZONE - A unique and aggressive zone defense that relies on cutting off
passing lanes, anticipation, and deflections to create turnovers and fast-break
opportunities for your team. https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/1-3-1-zone-
defense/
● 2-3 ZONE - The 2-3 zone is the most common zone defense coaches will use as
an alternative to man-to-man defense. It involves two players at the top of the
key guarding above the free-throw line and three players across the key guarding
the paint and the sides of the court. This is a very common defense to see in
youth basketball (unfortunately) because it crowds the key and forces the
opposition to shoot from the perimeter.
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/2-3-zone/
3-2 Zone - The 3-2 zone is a common zone defense. It involves three players guarding the

perimeter and two players inside guarding the key area. This defense is great for challenging

perimeter shots but can be exposed inside due to only two defenders protecting the basket.
Basketball Terminologies

Terms in relation to Offense

1. Offense - The team on offense is the team with possession of the basketball. While on

offense, the team will attempt to score in their opponent's basket.

2. Alley-Oop - An exciting play involving a player catching a pass in the air and finishing with
a layup or dunk before landing back on the court.

3. And One - A phrase used when a player gets fouled on a made shot attempt. The player then

gets to go to the free-throw line and shoot one bonus free-throw.

● And 1 refers to when a player shoots and scores but is fouled on the play and so gets to shoot

an additional free throw. The additional free throw is the “1” to the “and”.

4. Assist - A player is awarded an assist when they make a pass that leads directly to a score by

one of their teammates.

● an assist is a statistical category that counts how many times a player or team has passed the

ball to a player that has led to a score. Assists have been measured differently over the history of

the game of basketball with stricter and looser definitions of what constitutes an assist. For

example, presently the understanding of when a pass becomes an assist considers how much a

player has to do after receiving the ball in order to score with less action being more favorable

for considering whether the pass was an assist or not.

5. Break the Press – Breaking a press refers to when a team on offense is being pressed and they

are able to advance the ball forward far enough that the defensive team calls off the press for that

possession.

6. Brick - A slang word given to a poor shot attempt that bounces hard off the rim or the

backboard.
● a brick refers to a missed shot, usually a badly missed shot. Oftentimes, the analogy of

building a house is used to refer to a collection of badly missed shots.

7. Buzzer Beater - A shot attempted in the final seconds and made after the shot clock has

expired. The points will still count since the basketball left the shooter's hands before the clock

expired.

8. Charity Stripe – the charity stripe refers to the free throw line. It is called the charity stripe

because when a player shoots free throws they shoot them free from defensive coverage, hence

the term charity is used in reference to the free aspect of the shot attempt.

9. Drive – to drive refers to the action of dribbling the basketball quickly towards the hoop to try

and create a closer, higher percentage shot.

10.Drive and Kick - An offensive action involving a player penetrating the defense to force

them to shift and then passing out to a teammate on the perimeter.

11. Dunk – a dunk is a form of shot attempt whereby the offensive player jumps high enough to

force the ball through the rim from top to bottom.

● A dunk is an exciting play involving an offensive player slamming the basketball forcefully

through the hoop.

12.Fastbreak – a fastbreak is when a team gains possession of the ball and quickly moves to try

and score right away rather than set up a traditional offense.

● After a change of possession, a team advances the basketball as quickly as possible to attack

the defense before they have been able to establish a good defensive position.

13.Field Goal - A field goal is a shot made from anywhere on the court except for free-throws.

This includes both two-point shots and threepoint shots.

14.Finger Roll - The finger roll is an advanced variation of a layup that involves a player turning

their palm up and rolling the basketball of the tips of their fingers. This can create a 'soft' layup

and also allow the shooter to finish with an arc that negates a shot block attempt.

15.Floater - A type of shot often utilized by smaller guards to score at the rim against tall

defenders. The basketball is shot with a high arc to prevent a blocked shot.

16.Four-Point Play - A four-point play is a rare event that occurs when a player is fouled while

successfully making a three-point shot and then makes their bonus free-throw.

17.Free-Throw - An uncontested shot 15 feet from the basket directly in front. Most free-throws

are awarded to players who have been fouled while shooting. Each free-throw is worth one point.

18.Give and Go - An offensive play involving the player with the basketball making a pass to a

teammate and then cutting towards the rim and receiving a return pass.

19.Isolation - An offensive tactic involving one player with the basketball being left alone on

one side of the court while their teammates clear out to the other side of the court. This is often

used when a player has a favourable one-on-one matchup.

20.Jab Step - From triple threat position, a player takes a quick step towards the basket while

keeping their pivot foot planted. The jab step is used to see how the defense will react and

possibly create an advantage for the offensive player.

21.Layup - A close-range shot taken when attacking the basket. Usually involves the shooter

banking the basketball off the backboard.

22.Midrange - A midrange is a jump-shot that's taken anywhere between the three-point line and

the key area. This shot is worth two points.

23.Mismatch - When an offensive player has an advantage over the defender that's currently

guarding them. When this happens, the offense will usually look to isolate this matchup on the

wing or in the low post.

24.Penetration - Penetrating is when an offensive player is able to dribble towards the basket

through the defense.

● refers to getting the ball closer to the hoop on offense, usually in reference to doing so with the

dribble.

25.Pick – Pick is another term used to describe a screen. In either, the terms mean for a player to

plant their feet in one position and hold their ground in that position in order to allow a teammate

to make a cut off of one of the screener’s shoulders in an attempt to free up that player from their

defender.

26.Pick-and-roll -A common and effective two-person offensive action involving an offensive

player setting a screen for the player in possession of the basketball. The screener will then roll

towards the basket looking to receive a pass from the ball-handler.

https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/pick-and-roll/1

27. Pick-and-Pop - Similar to the pick-and-roll. An offensive player will set a screen for the

player in possession of the basketball. But instead of rolling towards the hoop, the screener steps

out to the perimeter and looks to receive a pass for an open shot.

28.Put Back - When a player on the offensive team grabs an offensive rebound and then

immediately scores a field goal in the paint.

29.Screen - A screen involves a player setting a stationary block on their teammate's defender.

The goal of a screen is to give their teammate space that may lead to an open shot or simply to

receive a pass that puts them at an advantage.

● Screen is another term used to describe a pick. In either, the terms mean for a player to plant

their feet in one position and hold their ground in that position in order to allow a teammate to

make a cut off of one of the screener’s shoulders in an attempt to free

up that player from their defender.

30.Shot Fake - An advanced move where the player in possession of the basketball pretends to

shoot. This move is designed to trick the defense and get them to raise out of their stance or jump

which will then put the offensive player at an advantage to dribble past them.

31.Stretch the Defense – to stretch the defense refers to players on offense spreading out to

cover more of the basketball court so that the defense has to guard more space and can’t get

away with having a defender in one position able to guard more than one player on offense at the

same time.

32.Three-Point Play - A three-point play is when a player scores a two-point basket while being

fouled. They then go to the free-throw line and if they make the bonus free-throw it's called a

three-point play.

33.Transition - The term 'transition' is used to describe the movement from offense to defense or

defense to offense after a change of possession.

34.Triangle offense - The triangle offense is a continuity basketball offense that combines

perfect spacing with a series of actions based on player decisions resulting in a beautiful

basketball offensive system.

LESSON PROPER (LECTURE)

PART I. Players’ descriptive position1 identified by a number.

1 – 1 refers to the point guard position.

1 (n.d.). Basketball positions - Wikipedia. Retrieved April 8, 2021, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_positions
2 – 2 refers to the shooting guard position3 – 3 refers to

the small forward position

4 – 4 refers to the power forward position

5 – 5 refers to the center positionPART 2. Players’ role

(job description)

1 – 1 refers to the point guard2 position.

The point guard runs the offense and usually is the team’s best dribbler
and passer. The point guard defends the opponent’s point guard and tries
to steal the ball.

https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/point-
guardrequirements/3https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-
positions/4https://www.coachesclipboard.net/PointGuard.html 5

2 – 2 refers to the shooting guard position

The shooting guard is usually the team’s best shooter. The shooting guard
can make shots from long distance and also is a good dribbler.
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-

2 (n.d.). Point guard - Wikipedia. Retrieved April 8, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_guard

3 (n.d.). The 8 Must-Have Requirements of Every Point Guard. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/point-guard-requirements/
4 (n.d.). Basketball Positions: Key Roles and Responsibilities (explained). Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-positions/
5 (n.d.). How to Become a Great Point Guard, Coach's Clipboard Basketball .... Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.coachesclipboard.net/PointGuard.html
positions/6https://basketballword.com/what-does-a-shooting-guard-do-
inbasketball-
explained/7https://www.ducksters.com/sports/basketball/shooting_guard
.ph p 8

3 – 3 refers to the small forward position

The small forward plays against small and large players. They roam all over
on the court. Small forwards can score from long shots and close ones.
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-positions/ 9

https://www.rookieroad.com/basketball/player-positions/small forward/10

https://www.active.com/basketball/articles/the-small-forward-
sresponsibilities-611https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_forward 12

4 – 4 refers to the power forward position

6 (n.d.). Basketball Positions: Key Roles and Responsibilities (explained). Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-positions/
7 (n.d.). What Does A Shooting Guard Do In Basketball? Explained .... Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://basketballword.com/what-does-a-shooting-guard-do-in-basketball-explained/
8 (n.d.). Basketball: The Shooting Guard - Ducksters. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.ducksters.com/sports/basketball/shooting_guard.php
9 (n.d.). Basketball Positions: Key Roles and Responsibilities (explained). Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-positions/
10 (n.d.). Basketball Small Forward - Rookie Road. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.rookieroad.com/basketball/player-positions/small-forward/
11 (n.d.). The Small Forward's Responsibilities | ACTIVE. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.active.com/basketball/articles/the-small-forward-s-responsibilities-6
12 "Small forward - Wikipedia." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_forward. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.
The power forward does many of the things a center does, playing near the
basket while rebounding and defending taller players. But power forwards
also take longer shots than centers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_forward_%28basketball

%29131415https://www.ducksters.com/sports/basketball/power_forward.ph

p
14

https://www.rookieroad.com/basketball/player-
positions/powerforward/16

5 – 5 refers to the center position

The center is the tallest player on each team, playing near the basket. On
offense, the center tries to score on close shots and rebound. But on
defense, the center tries to block opponents’ shots and rebound their
misses.

TERMINOLOGIES related to players

1. Alive: Offensive player who has the ball and has not dribbled.

13 (n.d.).Power forward (basketball) - Wikipedia. Retrieved April 19,

14 , from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_forward_(basketball)
15 (n.d.). Basketball: The Power Forward - Ducksters. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.ducksters.com/sports/basketball/power_forward.php
16 (n.d.). Basketball Power Forward - Rookie Road. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://www.rookieroad.com/basketball/player-positions/power-forward/
2. Ball Handler: The player with the ball. Usually, the guard at the start of the
play; Any player dribbling the basketball can be referred to as the ball-
handler. Although many coaches will use this term when referring to the
point guard.
3. Back Court: Area of the court farthest from the offensive team's goal. If referring to
an area of the court, the backcourt is the half of the court that a team is
defending.
4. Backcourt (players) - The term backcourt can also be used to refer to the two
guards on a team. The point guard and the shooting guard.
5. Bench - The sitting area for the coaches and players who aren't currently on the
court. Both team's benches are located on the sideline at opposite ends of the
court.
6. Bench Points - The number of points scored by all players on a team who started
the game on the bench.
7. Big Man - A coach will often use the term 'big man' when referring to one of the
taller players on the team. Usually the center or the power forward.
8. Court vision: A player’s ability to see everything on the court during play. The
term 'court vision is used when a player has a great ability to read the play.
Usually goes hand-in-hand with basketball IQ.
9. Flagrant Foul - A foul involving contact that the referee deems to be
intentional, excessive, or unnecessary. The team who draws the flagrant foul
will receive two free throws and possession of the basketball.
10. Floor Violation: A player’s action that violates rules but does not prevent an
opponent’s movement (traveling, double dribble, etc.). They are penalized by
a loss in possession.
11. Foul: Actions by players, which break the rules but are not floor violations.
They are penalized by a change in possession or free throw opportunities.
12. Fouled Out: A player having to leave the game because they have
committed five fouls.
 13. Front Court: The offensive area running from mid-court to the end-line. If referring to
an area of the court, the frontcourt is the half of the court in which a team
attempts to score.
14. Frontcourt (players) - The term frontcourt can also be used to refer to the two
forwards and the center on a team. The small forward, power forward, and
center.
15. High post: A player who is stationed in or near the free-throw semicircle on
offense.
16. Live Ball: A ball in play.
17. Possession: To have the ball.
18. Personal Foul: Contact between players, which may result in excessive physical
contact or provide one team with an unfair advantage. Players may not push,
hold, trip, hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an opponent. These are also
counted as team fouls.
19. Playmaker - A player is referred to as a 'playmaker' when they can create open
shots for their teammates or give them an advantage on offense to score.
Usually the point guard.
20. Substitute: A player who comes into the game to replace a player on the
court.
21. Starting Lineup: The five players that begin the game.
22. Strong Side: The side of the court containing the live ball.
23. Sixth Man - A player who starts the game on the bench but is the first player to
substitute on the court and replace a starter.
24. Substitution - When a player who was off the court swaps with a player on the
court, it's called substitution. A 'sub' for short.
25. Trailer: An offensive player that follows behind the ball-handler.
26. Technical Foul: A special violation called at the discretion of the referee
towards players, coaches, or the team. Infractions include an intentional or
flagrant contact foul, unsportsmanlike conduct, or other actions detrimental
to the spirit of the game.17
17 (n.d.). Basketball Terminology - Maryborough Basketball. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from
https://www.maryboroughbasketball.com/basketball-terminology/
 27. Weak Side: The side of the court absent the live ball. 18
28. Wing - An area of the court located at the intersection of free-throw line extended
and the three-point line.19

FINAL – BASKETBALL TERMINOLOGIES

3-Second Violation – An offensive player will be called for a 3-second violation when they
spend more than three seconds in the key while the basketball is in live play.

5-Second Violation (inbound) – Once a player inbounding the basketball has taken possession
from the referee, they then have 5 seconds to inbound the basketball to a teammate or they’ll be
whistled for a 5-second violation.

5-Second Violation (closely guarded) – An offensive player in the frontcourt with possession of
the basketball can be called for a 5-second violation if they’re being guarded within 6 feet and
fail to pass, shoot, or dribble within 5 seconds.

8-Second Backcourt Violation – After a team gains possession in the backcourt, they then have 8
seconds to advance the basketball over the halfway line. If they fail to do so, a violation will be
called.
18 (n.d.). Basketball Glossary and Terms | Epic Sports. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from
https://basketball.epicsports.com/basketball-glossary.html
19 (n.d.). 250+ Basketball Terms all Coaches and Players Must Know. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from
https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/basketball-terms/
Airball – A shot attempt that doesn’t hit the rim or the backboard.

Baseline – The line separating the playing area from out-of-bounds four feet behind the
backboard. Also known as the ‘endline’.

Cross-Court Violation – When the offensive team establishes possession of the basketball in the
frontcourt, they are then not allowed to return to the backcourt while still in possession of the
basketball. If they do, a cross-court violation will be called.

Double Dribble – This is a dribbling violation that occurs when a player dribbles the basketball
with two hands simultaneously or terminates their dribble and then begins to dribble again.

Euro Step – The euro step is an advanced move used when attacking the basket. It involves a
player taking a step in one direction and then taking a step in another direction for their second
step before finishing at the rim.

Flagrant Foul – A foul involving contact that the referee deems to be intentional, excessive, or
unnecessary. The team who draws the flagrant foul will receive two free throws and possession
of the basketball.

Flop – When a player intentionally falls or stumbles to appear to have been fouled by an
opponent, we call it a ‘flop’. This can be done by both defensive and offensive players.

Foul – A violation of the rules usually involving illegal contact with a player of the opposition.

Illegal Screen – Any player who sets a screen must be stationary when the defender they’re
screening makes contact with them. If they’re not, an illegal screen will be called.

Paint – The rectangular area located below the hoop extends to the free-throw line. This area is
usually painted a different color to the rest of the basketball court which is where it gets its name.

Possession Arrow – Usually a wooden or plastic arrow that sits on the scorer’s table. Many
leagues use a possession arrow to determine who starts each quarter with the basketball and who
takes possession when a jump ball is called.

Restricted Area – A semi-circle inside the paint and four feet around the basket. A defensive
player cannot take a charge while their feet are inside this area. Its purpose is to ensure that the
offensive player has somewhere to land when attacking the basket.

Scrimmage – The term used for an unofficial game of 5-on-5. Scrimmages are most often ran
towards the end of practices and involve players on the same team competing against each other.

Substitution – When a player who was off the court swaps with a player on the court, it’s called
substitution. A ‘sub’ for short.
Technical Foul – A technical foul is called when a coach or player brings the game of basketball
into disrepute and is not made in relation to contact. This could be actions like yelling at a
referee, flopping, kicking a basketball, using inappropriate language, holding onto the rim after a
dunk, etc

Turnover – A turnover occurs when a player loses possession of the basketball before a shot
attempt. This most often occurs due to a poor pass or a violation.

Violation – An infraction of the rules that isn’t a foul. This will usually be called against the team
on offense and results in a loss of possession. For example, a double-dribble violation or a 5-
second violation.