Air Ball: The ball court behind the as if holding or

misses the hoop and baskets. carrying it.

backboard entirely. Blocked Shot: A shot
Alley-oop: A high arc deflected on its way
pass to a teammate to the basket.
in a position near the Blocking: Using the
basket to leap and body to block an
score. opponent.
Assist: A pass that Box Out: In an
sets up a score. attempt to block an
Backboard: The opponent and set up
surface to which the rebound
basket is mounted. opportunities, a ball.
Back Court: Area of defense player gets
the court farthest between a guarded circular area
from the offensive teammate and the
team's goal. basket.
Back Door Cut: A Carrying the Ball:
player approaches Also called
quickly from behind "palming"; illegal
dribbling of the ball
a defender toward
the basket. with both hands at
the same time,
Baselines: Also turning the ball over
known as "end in your hands, or
lines", the boundary placing the hands
lines extend across underneath the ball
both ends of the
Clear Out: To make
room for the ball
handler.
Control Dribble: A
closely guarded low
dribble.
Cut: A quick advance
by the offense
toward a position to
shoot or receive the
Cylinder: The closely
above the basket.
Dead Ball: A ball that
is not "alive" or in
play.
Defense: The team is
not in possession of
the ball.
Double Team: Two
teammates move in
to guard one
offensive player.
Down Court: Moving Field Goal: A basket Hand Check: A
from the backcourt made while the ball defender fouls by
toward the offensive is in play. touching the
basket. Flagrant Foul: opposing ball
Down Screen: An Excessive or handler with one or
offensive player aggressive contact both hands too
moves toward the with an opponent. many times.
baseline to set a Free-throw: A free Held Ball: Two
screen. shot taken from the opposing players
Drive: A brisk foul line awarded a attempt but fail to
advance toward the player whose possess the ball.
basket with the aim opponent committed High Post: The area
of shooting. a foul. near the free-throw
End Lines: Otherwise Free-throw Lane: line.
known as Also called "the key", Hoop: Another word
"baselines"; the lines the area designated for basket.
that run the width of for free-throws 12 Inbounds Pass: A
the court behind the feet wide and toss of the ball
baskets. running from the inbounds from out-
Fake: A deceptive baseline to the free- of-bounds.
move by the offense throw line.
In the Paint: Refers
in order to offset the Free-throw Line: The to the area within
defense. foul line. the free-throw lane
Fast Break: A rush Goal-tending: that is painted a
down court to beat Intercepting a shot different color than
the opponent to the that is either in the the rest of the court.
basket. basket or directly Jab Step: Small sharp
above it. step with the non-
pivot foot toward with a cock of the extends beyond the
the defensive player. wrist. foul circle.
Jump Ball: The ball is Low Post: The area Personal Foul:
tossed into the air by close to the basket. Contacting a player
the referee between Man-to-man in a way that may
two opposing Defense: One-on- injure him.
players in order to one guarding of Pick: An offensive
start the game. opponents. player sets up a
Jump Shot: A shot in Mid-court Line: The screen.
which an offensive center line dividing Pivot: The center
player's feet leave the front from the position; also, the
the floor. back courts. foot that remains
Lane Violation: Offense: The team in stationary until a
Moving into the lane possession of the dribbler passes the
in an attempt to ball. ball.
intercept a possible Possession: To have
rebound on a foul Off the Dribble:
Shooting the ball the ball.
shot before the ball
actually hits the rim. while advancing Post Up: To be in a
toward the basket. position near, but
Lay-up: Advancing facing away from,
close to the basket in Offensive Rebound:
A rebound taken by the basket in order
an effort to bank a to receive a pass.
shot off the an offensive player.
backboard. Out-of-Bounds: Power Layup Shot: A
Outside the end lines closely-guarded
Live Ball: A ball in layup shot.
play. and sidelines.
Perimeter: The part Press: Defense
Loading the Gun: strategy with intent
Preparing to shoot of the court that
to force opponents
into erring by Starting Lineup: The Trap: Two defense
guarding them too five players that players team up on
closely. begin the game. the ball handler.
Rebound: Gaining Strong Side: The side Traveling: Also
possession of the of the court known as "walking";
ball after it bounces containing the live is a violation in
off the backboard or ball. which the ball
rim on a missed Substitute: A player handler takes fewer
shot. comes in to replace a than two steps
Screen: A offense teammate on the without dribbling, or
player is positioned court. holding the ball
between a while changing or
Team Fouls: The moving the pivot
teammate and the number of fouls that
opponent to clear foot.
a team has against it
the way for the before going over Turnover: The
teammate's shot at the limit and its offensive team gives
the basket. opponent is awarded the ball up to the
Shot: To throw the a free-throw. defense.
ball toward the Tip Off: The jump "V"-cut: Switching
basket. that starts the game. quickly from one
Shot Clock: A device direction to the
Top-of-the-key: The other in order to get
that keeps track of arc that runs beyond
the limited time the a shot.
the free-throw lane.
team in possession Violation: Breaking
of the ball has to Transition: A team of a rule not
take a shot at the switches from resulting in a free-
basket. offense to defense, throw, but rather a
and vice versa. throw-in.
Weak Side: The side Zone Defense: A
of the court is absent defender carefully
from the live ball. guards an area.