basketball glossary · basketball iq: a term acknowledging a person’s excellent knowledge or...

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AREASOFEMPHASISGUIDELINES FOR COACHES

dvantage play: Offensive situations(individual or team) that benefit the

attacking team.

Advance step: A step in which thedefender's lead foot steps toward theirman, and her back foot slides forward.

Agility: ability to change direct quickly in abasketball game or drill.

Ancillary Capacitates: The knowledgeand experience base of an athlete andincludes warm up and cool-downprocedures, stretching, nutrition, hydrationrest , recovery, restoration, regeneration,mental preparation and taper and peak.

Assist: A pass thrown to a player whoimmediately scores.

aby-Hook: A hook shot taken fromclose to the basket and shot over the

players own body

Backcourt: The half of the court a team isdefending. The opposite of the frontcourt.Also used to describe parts of a team:backcourt = all guards (front court= allforwards and centres)

Back cut: See cuts, Backdoor cut

Backdoor cut: See cuts

Back on the Rise (Raise): When theshooter rises on their shot and as the ball isreleased, two opposite teammates aresprinting back to half court in defensivetransition.

Backside: see Help side

Backside Help: see Help side defence

Back screen: See Screens

Ball fake: A sudden movement by theplayer with the ball intended to cause thedefender to move in one direction,allowing the passer to pass in anotherdirection. Also called "pass fake."

Ball handling (Familiarisation): Feel forthe ball stationary and on the move.

Ball quick: Moving the ball from oneposition to another while in triple threatstance

Ball reversal: Passing the ball from oneside of the court to the other.

Ball screen: See Screens

Ball side: The half of the court (if the courtis split lengthwise) that the ball is on. Alsocalled the "strong side." The opposite of thehelp side.

Ball side defence: Defence in the halfcourt on the side where the ball. This isdetermined by the split line dissecting thecourt vertically.

Banana cut: See cuts

Bank shot: A shot that hits the backboardbefore going through the net.

Baseball pass: A one-handed pass thrownover arm from the shoulder like a baseball.

Baseline: The line that marks the playingboundary at each end of the court. Alsocalled the "end line."

Baseline drive - a drive (see below) madeclose to the attacking end line of the court.

BASKETBALL GLOSSARY

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Baseline out-of-bounds play: The playused to return the ball to the court fromoutside the baseline along the opponent'sbasket.

Basket line: A direct imaginary line thatillustrates ball side and back side defence.

Basketball IQ: A term acknowledging aperson’s excellent knowledge or ‘feel’ forthe game.

Basketball position: another name for ageneral stance of feet shoulder width apartand posture in a half squat ready to playdefence or the basis of the triple threatposition.

Basket cut (Blast cut): See cuts. A hardcut to the basket.

Beat to Point: When the dribbler gets hishead and shoulder by his defender, thedefender must pick an angle and sprint tore-establish good defensive position to getthe dribbler under control.

BEEF (Balance Eyes Elbow Follow-through): an acronym used in teachingshooting.

BELIEF (Balance, Eyes, Legs, IndexFinger, Elbow, Follow-through): anacronym used in teaching shooting.

Biological Age: Is a variable thatcorresponds roughly to chronological age,determined by measures of morphological,skeletal, dental or sexual age.

Blast cut: See cuts.

Blindside screen: See Back screen.

Block: (1) A violation in which a defendersteps in front of a dribbler but is stillmoving when they collide. Alsocalled a "blocking foul."

(2) To tip or deflect a shooter's shot,altering its flight so the shot misses.

(3) The small painted square on thefloor next to the basket just outsidethe lane.

Block out: To make contact with anopposing player to establish reboundingposition between the player and the ball.Also called "box out".

Bounce pass: A pass that is made via thefloor before reaching the receiver.

Box-and-one: A combination defence inwhich four defenders play zone in a boxformation, and the fifth defender guardsone player man to- man.

Box out: See block out.

Box set: A formation in which four playersalign themselves as the four corners of abox. Often used for baseline out-of-boundsplays.

Bump & Under: defending cross-screenaction, “lock-in” to the cutter, take the cutterto the screen and “release” and go underthe screen and meet the cutter

Bump the cutter: To step in the way of acutter who is trying to cut to the ball for apass.

Buttonhook: to move in one direction, turnsharply and double back. Normally a PostUp move.

Buying Time: One defender playing twooffensive players by “stunting until ateammate can recover to his man.

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atch: the act of receiving the ball froma pass

Catch and Face: Where a player onreceipt of a pass turns fully to the basket sothat their face and shoulders point squarelyat the basket. Facing the basket in a triplethreat position.

Centre: (1) The position in which a player,usually the tallest player on theteam, stays near the basket.

(2) The player who plays thatposition.

Centre circle: The painted circle atmidcourt used for the opening jump ball.

Charge: (1) A violation when a playerwith the ball runs into a defenderwho is standing still. Also called a"charging foul."

(2) To commit that violation.

Chest pass: An air pass thrown from thepasser's chest to a teammate's chest. It canbe a one-handed or two-handed pass.

Chin the ball: To hold the ball with bothhands under the chin, elbows out, toprotect the ball.

'Choke it off' - taking away passingoptions in transition defence /defensiverotations

Chronological Age: The actual numbersof years and days since birth.

Circle the Post: the post defenderconstantly changing post position.

Clear-Out Play: A set play designed toclear an area of the court of all offensiveplayers without the ball so the player withthe ball can play 1-on-1.

Close (ing) out: A defensive techniquewhere a defender sprints to guard a playerwho has just received a pass to contain thedribbler or challenge the shot. Thishappens when the defender gives help andnow is rotating to the open shooter.

Combination defence: A defence that ispart man-to-man and part zone. Alsocalled a "junk defence."

Concept/s: the thinking framework of arelevant body of knowledge

Conditioned: Where a drill or task hasparticular elements removed or added tofocus on a particular aspect, e.g. nodribble or within a fixed time etc

Constrained: As for the meaning ofconditioned

Contain (ment): the act of slowing andstopping the ball from moving through adribble or pass to an intended area on thecourt. Staying in front of the dribbler,getting the ball handler under control.

Containing the dribbler: Slowing and/or stopping the dribbler from getting pastthe defender

Contest: No easy passes or shots, handup, always challenging.

Continuity offence: A sequence of playerand ball movement that repeats until agood shot is created.

Control dribble: A dribble manoeuvre inwhich the player keeps their body betweenthe defender's body and the ball.

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Corral the Dribbler: Nearest defender inthe middle of the floor is in position anddirecting the defender on the dribbler. Theyare in a containment mode.

Corral Stance: The on –ball defender’sbody position is influencing the dribbler toabove the elbow area.

Crossover dribble: A dribble manoeuvrein which a player dribbles the ball so theycan change the ball from one hand to the other.

Cross screen: A movement in which aplayer cuts across the lane to screen for ateammate.

Curl: see cuts

Curl pass: A low, one-handed pass madeby stepping around the defender's leg andextending the throwing arm. Also called a"hook pass."

Cut: A sudden running movement to getopen for a pass.

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Types of Cuts:

Backdoor Cut: An offensive play in which aplayer on the perimeter steps away from thebasket, drawing the defender with them, andsuddenly cuts to the basket behind thedefender for a pass. The opposite of an I-cut.

Banana Cut: A wide, curving cut, as opposedto a cut that is a straight line.

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Basket Cut (Blast Cut): A hard cut toward thebasket.

Curl Cut: A cut that takes the player around ascreen toward the basket.

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Flare Cut or Fade Cut: A cut that takes theplayer away from the ball. For example afterusing a baseline screen or on the defendershelp (like shown in the graphic.

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Flash Cut: A cut that takes the player from thelowpost to the highpost, or in the middle of thepaint from behind the defence (mostly used todescribe a cut against a zone).

Flex Cut: A cut from the weak side corner tothe ball side lowpost, using a screen at theweakside lowpost.

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I-cut: An offensive play in which a player onthe perimeter steps toward the basket,drawing the defender with them, andsuddenly cuts to the perimeter for a pass. Theopposite of a backdoor cut.

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Popout Cut: A cut taken around a screenstraight to the ball.

Shuffle Cut: A cut that takes a player arounda screen on the Highpost to the basket.

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Shallow Cut: A cut from the top of the key tothe ballside corner.

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UCLA Cut: A cut that takes the player from thetop of the key to the Lowpost over a screen atthe highpost.

V-cut (or L-Cut when 90° angle): e.g. theplayer starts at the Lowpost and cuts to thehigh post, initiates contact with the defenderand then cuts to the wing. It can also beexecuted from the wing; in this case the playercuts to the Lowpost and comes back out.

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ead: Defensive call when defendingan offensive player who has used

their dribble.

Deep catch: catch of the basketball In thekeyway close to the basket.

Deep corner: Position on court close toend line to take deep catch.

Defensive rebound: A rebound made offa missed shot at the basket a team isdefending.

Defensive slide: The quick "step-slide"movement a defender makes when closelyguarding the dribbler.

Defensive stance: The stance used to playdefence-knees bent, feet wide, arms out,etc.

Defensive stop: Gaining possession of theball before the offensive team scores.

Defensive transition: When the team onoffence suddenly gives up possession ofthe ball and has to convert from offence todefence.

Deflections: getting a hand or finger tipsto a pass to change the flight of the ball

Delay offence: An offence used to takemore time with each possession.

Denial defence: A defence in which adefender tries to prevent their man fromreceiving a pass.

Denial stance (position): The stance usedto play denial defence-body low, kneesbent, hand and foot in the passing lane.

Deny the ball: To use a denial stance tokeep the offensive player from receiving apass.

Developmental Age: Refers to the degreeof physical, mental, cognitive andemotional maturity.

Diamond-and-one: A combinationdefence in which four defenders play zonein a diamond formation and the fifthdefender guards a specific offensive playerman-to-man.

Diamond Press: A full-court press with a1-2-1-1 formation.

Dig hand: Generally the inside hand(closest to the split line) of an on balldefender defending a dribbler

Dig out in Post: Perimeter defender dropsto help, then challenges the post player’sdribble in the lane.

Dishing: A slang term for passing the ballto a player open for a shot; usually afterdribble penetration.

Distort (the Zone): Offence team tactic tochange the shape of zone

Dog: early pickup of the dribble (ball) inteams back court.

Dominant and non dominant: Mainlyused to explain which hand a player usesin a drill i.e. Right Hand is a right handedpersons dominant hand.

Double down: To drop from the perimeter,leaving your man or zone, to double-teama low post player.

Double low stack: When two offensiveplayers set up at one of the blocks to run aplay.

Double screen: See Screens.

Double-teaming: A defence in which twodefenders guard the same offensive playerat the same time.

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Down screen: See Screens

Dribble: (1) To advance the ball bybouncing it on the floor.

(2) The bounce of the ball causedby a player pushing the balldownward.

Dribble drive kick: The short abbreviatedmeaning for the game style of dribbling tobeat the defence through driving to thebasket to then force the defence to rotatebefore passing the ball to a receiver who is open.

Dribble entries: The art of dribbling theball to start an offence instead of passing.Used when a pass is not possible to aplayer in a continuity play.

Dribble exits: dribbling the ball awayfrom the baseline. normally occurs againsta zone defence to open up the baseline bitcan be used as a term when taking the ballaway from an intended play.

Dribble penetration: When a dribbler isable to drive into the lane; she "penetrates"the defence.

Drive: To attack the basket by dribblinghard at it.

Driving lane /passing lane: the conceptto help decision making by a player onoffence who is faced with a defenderahead of him/her. If no player in frontdrive all the way to basket, if player comesin front then pass the ball. Timing isimportant.

Drop step: A low post move when anoffensive player with her back to thebasket swings one leg around the defenderand uses it as a pivot foot to gain insideposition.

Drops: A method of defending ON-Ballscreens.

lbow: The corner made by theintersection of the free throw line and

the lane line. Each lane area has twoelbows.

Elbow lock: Straightening the elbow jointfrom the bent position when shooting thebasketball

Elbow lift; lifting the elbow as part of theshooting technique

End line: See baseline.

Entry: Beginning of a play. Can be usedfor Continuous-, Set- and Special plays.

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Basketball Glossary

Exchange: Where players swap positionson offensive in the front court

Euro step (move): an individual offensivemove similar to a strong side step but hasthe ball thrown to the floor earlier to avoidtravelling violations.

ace up: See Square up.

Face Guard: block out facing opponent

Fade cut: See cuts.

Fake: a movement made with the aim ofdeceiving an opponent.

Fan the ball: When the defence forces theball toward the sideline.

Fake: movement made with the aim ofdeceiving an opponent. Can be ‘HeadFake’ in shooting, ‘Pass Fake’ (Fake a passto make a pass) or any deceptive move.

Fake screen: the intention to trick thedefence into thinking a screen will be set.

Fast break: A play in which a team gainspossession of the ball (through a defensiverebound, steal, or made shot) and thenpushes the ball toward the other basket asfast as possible, hoping to catch the otherteam off guard and score an easy shot.

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Fast break lanes: sections of the court i.e.the right lane, the middle lane, and the left lane.

Feed: to pass the ball to a teammate,normally used in ‘Feed the Post’

Feeder: Player who makes the pass

Field goal: A 2-or 3-point basket.

Fill behind: Offensive player fills behindwhen the ball has been driven baseline

Filling the lanes: A fast break in whichplayers from the offensive team run up thecourt in the right lane, the middle lane, andthe left lane.

Fire: early trap before the screen is set onpick and roll coverage.

Flare cut: See cuts.

Flare Screen: See Screens

Flash: See cuts.

Flat show: a method of defending ON-Ball screens.

Flat Triangle: the positioning of adefender who is marking a playerwithout the ball. The three points beingthe ball; the offensive player and thedefender. Also referred to as ball -you –man relationship when defending a playerwithout the ball.

Flex cut: See cuts.

Flex offence: A popular continuity offensethat utilises the flex cut and downs screens.

Flexibility: The range of motion of a joint.

Floater: A high arching shot overdefenders also called a "tear drop."

Follow through: the wrist action at theend of the shot."

Foot fakes: Quick step fakes by offensiveplayers. The defensive player takes thesefakes by creating space with the back footto allow proper reaction.

Force Down: Push the dribbler to baseline.

Forward: A position usually played by atall, athletic player. A "small forward" or a"3" plays on the wing, and a powerforward or a "4" plays in the high or lowpost area.

Forward pivot: the footwork that a playeruses when the pivot foot anchors a forwardmovement where the player’s chest turns toface the basket or the ball.

Foul: A violation of the rules.

Foul line: See free throw line.

Foul shot: See free throw.

Foul trouble: (1) Player foul trouble occurswhen a player accumulatesthree or four fouls and is indanger of fouling out.

(2) Team foul trouble occurswhen a team accumulatesseven or more team fouls ina half and is "in the bonus."

Free throw: An uncontested shot takenfrom the free throw line as a result of a foul.Also called a "foul shot." A successful(made) free throw is worth 1 point.

Free throw line: The line a player standsbehind to shoot a free throw. Also calledthe "foul line."

Free throw line extended: An imaginaryline extending from one end of the freethrow line to the sidelines.

Freelance: an unstructured type of offencewhere players take advantage of whateveroffensive opportunities arise.

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Freeze dribble: A dribble whichmomentarily pauses the defender

Front: To guard a player by standingdirectly in front of him/ her and thereforebetween him/ her and the ball.

Front cut (Face Cut): Cutting in front of thedefenders face towards the ball or basket.

Frontcourt: A team's offensive half of thecourt. The opposite of the backcourt. Alsoused to describe parts of a team: frontcourt = all forwards and centres (backcourt= all guards)

Fronting the Post - guarding throughdenial the post player in close, fromreceiving the ball in the post area. Types ofFronting are ’Side Front’ (basket side orhigh side) ‘Fully Front’ and ‘Toes In’. N.B.playing behind the post is the ‘Non Denial’

Full-court press: A man-to-man or zonedefence in which the players guard theother team in the frontcourt. Also called a"press"

Funnel the ball: When the defence forcesthe ball toward the middle.

F.U.S.D.: Fake up, stay down, close-outtechnique.

ive-and-go: An offensive play inwhich the player with the ball passes

(gives) to a teammate and cuts (goes) tothe basket to receive a return pass. One ofthe game's basic plays.

General Training Age: Refers to thenumber of years in training, samplingdifferent sports.

Goaltending: A violation in which adefender touches a shot as it nears thebasket in a downward flight.

Good looks: the opportunities that aplayer has to maybe shoot or pass the ballto a player who is in a better position.

Guard: (1) A position on the perimeter.The point guard or "1" brings theball up the court and begins theoffence. The shooting guard or "2"is usually the teams best outsideshooter.

(2) To defend an offensive playerclosely.

Guide hand: The shooter's non-shootinghand. See also shooting hand.

alf-court line: The line at the centreof the court parallel to the sidelines

that divides the court in half. Also calledthe "midcourt line."

Hallo: the movement of hands on defencearound the defenders head in anticipationof a pass past the defenders ears

Hand-check: To make hand contact with adribbler while guarding them.

Handler: Player dribbling the ball.

Hand in the lane: an off ball defensivedenial position where the defenders handis in the likely passing lane to the player

Hand off: A pass to a player cuttingtowards the ball where the cutter takes theball out of the passers hands.

Hand pressure (on defence): the abilityto generate pressure with the use of thehands (delaying the offence or workingtowards a steal) on the offence

Hands up: keeping players hands up inthe air to be ready to rebound, defend orcatch

Hard show: A method of defending ON-Ball screens.

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Head in the lane: when denying a pass to a player the defender stands in thepassing lane with their head directly in thepassing lane.

Hedge: In a pick-and-roll, when thescreener's defender steps into the path ofthe dribbler so the dribbler has to hesitate,giving their defender time to get around the screen.

Help: When a defensive player moves tohelp another defensive player to stoppenetration or challenge a shot.

Help and recover: A defensive move inwhich a defender leaves her assignedplayer to guard a teammate's assignedplayer and then goes back to guard theirown player.

Help side: The half of the court (if the courtis divided lengthwise) that the ball in noton. Also called the "weak side" or”backside” The opposite of the ball side.

Help side defence: the side of the temdefence on the opposite side to where theball is. Players in this position are helpdefenders to the person marking the ball

Help-side stance: The stance used toguard a help-side offensive player. Seealso pistol stance.

Help the Helper: The secondary helpdefender gives support and “stunts up” tocontain the offensive player of the primaryhelp defender until they can recover back.

Hesitation dribble: A dribble manoeuvrein which the dribbler hesitates, pretendingto pick up their dribble, but suddenlycontinues to the basket. Also called a "stop-and-go dribble."

High hand: where the players shootinghand finishes as high as possible in theirshooting action.

High post: The area around the free throwline.

Hit: aggressive double team on thedribbler both in the front court andbackcourt.

Hook shot: A one-handed shot taken witha sweeping, windmill motion.

nbound: To pass the ball to a teammateon the court from out-of-bounds.

In-bounder: The player who inbounds theball.

Inside-out dribble: An advanceddribbling move, a fake crossover dribble.

Inverted: Regardless of defensive position,keep “Bigs” guarding basket area and‘Smalls” out on the perimeter.

Investment Stage: The stage or phase ofa player or coaches involvement withbasketball where they decide to spend agreater amount of time in the pursuit ofbecoming the best they can become Canoccur at any time but normally is occursaround 17 to 23 years of age for a playerand at any age for a coach.

Isolation play: An offensive playdesigned to have a specific player attackthe basket 1-on-1. Also called "iso play."

ab-and-cross: A play in which theoffensive player makes a jab step in

one direction and then follows it by drivingby the defender in that direction.

Jab step: A short (6 to 8 inches) out-and-back step by an offensive player to seehow the defender reacts.

Jam Point: Forcing the outlet receiver togo back for the ball.

Jam the outlet: On rebounds the nearestplayer pressures outlet pass to delaybreak.

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Jam the cutter: When a defender steps inthe way of a cutter to prevent them fromcutting to the ball.

Jump ball: A procedure used to begin agame. The referee tosses up the ball in thecentre circle between two opposingplayers, who jump up and try to tip it to ateammate. Also called the "opening tip."

Jump hook: A variation of the traditionalhook shot in which the shooter takes theshot with both feet in the air.

Jump shot: A shot in which the shooterfaces the basket and releases the ball afterjumping into the air.

Jump stop: The action of coming to acomplete stop, legs apart and knees bent,when dribbling or running; can be a one-foot or two-foot jump stop.

Jump to the ball: When a defender, afterher man passes the ball, changing to adenial position so their man can't cutbetween her and the ball.

Junk defence: See combination defence.

eeping hand high (shooting): whenshooting the basketball ensuring that

the shooters hand is held high as possibleto encourage a better arc in the flight ofthe ball once its shot.

Kick ahead pass: Passing the ball to aplayer ahead on the break.

Kick-back pass: A pass back or behind toa perimeter player after dribblepenetration from on ON-Ball screen.

K.B.I.F.: Keep Ball In Front

Knock Off (Bump Off or Bump): A bigdefender bumping out a small defender onperimeter after a Big/Little Mismatchinside. Also used as a principle in Zone D.

ane: The rectangular painted areabetween the baseline, the lane lines,

and the free throw line. Also called the"Paint."

Lane line extended: An imaginary linefrom the junction baseline and lane line tothe same junction on the other half of thecourt. (Used to describe a proper spacingin a four out offence). Sometimes called acorridor.

Layup: A shot taken next to the basket inwhich the shooter extends their arm, liftstheir same-side knee, and aims the ball atthe upper corner of the painted square onthe backboard.

Lead Pass: A pass thrown ahead of theintended receiver so that they can catchthe ball on the move and maintain theirspeed.

Leading for the Ball: The movement of areceiver, when getting open away from adefender to receive the ball, in anappropriate attacking position on the court.Can be from a man ahead or L cuts, V cutsetc.

Level of Ball: In transition, all defensiveplayers must get below the ball in order tobe in the “Corral Position”.

Line: Imaginary line drawn between theoffensive player you are guarding and theball.

Line of shot: The line of sight betweenreleases of the ball from a players shootingstance to the basket

Line of sight (shooting): The line for theshooters vision from the players shootingstance to the ring

Load to the Ball: All help defenders are inposition on the strong side and forming adefensive wall.

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Lob pass: A pass that is passed in an arcin the air over a defender

Long close outs: Closing out to an offenceplayer from a relatively longer way away.(The player normally has time to set for theperimeter shot

Long Show (by the screen defender ina pick and roll situation): Where thescreen defender hedges or helpsaggressively out wide in the dribblers laneaway from the screener.

Loose-ball foul: A foul committed whenneither team has possession of the ball.

Low post: The area on one side of thebasket around the block.

an ahead: A principle of advancingthe ball to a teammate in an

advanced position on court.

Man offence: See man-to-man offence.

Man-to-man defence: A team defence inwhich each defender guards a specificplayer or man. Also called "player-to-player defence."

Man-to-man offence: A team offenceused against man-to-man defence. Alsocalled "man offence."

Midcourt: Area on court between thebaskets.

Midcourt line: See half-court line.

Middle on ball (screen): a screen on theball set in the middle of the court above thefree throw line

Mirror the ball: To follow the movement ofthe ball with your hands when closelyguarding a player who is pivoting.

Motion Offence: a style of attacking playwith no predetermined order of movementof players or the ball. The attack is basedupon constant movement of all five players.Players look to use basic individual andteam plays to take advantage of defensiveerrors. Some order may be given to themovements by the Coach introducing rulesof action, for example every time a pass ismade the passer looks to cut to the basketor set a screen away from the ball.

Moving pick: A violation that happenswhen a screener leans or moves aftersetting a screen.

Muscle Memory (Movement Patterns):The learning of an appropriate sequence.

eurological Fitness: Movementpattern repetition within the brain.

Non-shooting foul: A foul committedagainst a player who is not in the act ofshooting.

FF-Ball screen: See Screens

Offensive rebound: A rebound atthe basket a team is attacking.

Offensive transition: When the team ondefence suddenly gives up possession ofthe ball and has to convert from defence tooffence.

On-Ball defence: Defence that occurswhen a defender guards the player withthe ball.

On-Ball screen: See Screens

ONE and DONE: Restricting theopposition to one shot only per possession.That is playing effective team defence withgood block out of offensive rebounders.No second shot opportunities.

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One-and-one: Free throws awarded to ateam once its opponent has committedseven personal fouls. If the shooter's firstfree throw is successful, they shoot asecond free throw.

One-Guard Offence: A team offenceused against zones with two-guard fronts(2-3 and 2-1-2 zones).

One pass away: The number of passes(distance) a player is away from the ball.

Open stance: The stance used to playhelp-side defence-feet apart, bodybalanced, knees bent, and arms out.

Options: Alternative attacking manoeuvresthat can occur in a game situation.

Out of Bounds: the area outside the legalplaying court, i.e. on or outside theboundary lines of the court. N.B. SOB =Sideline Out of Bounds; BOB = BaselineOut of Bounds are important in offensiveand defensive team play.

Outlet: (1) To pass the ball after adefensive rebound to start the fastbreak.

(2) The player who stays in thebackcourt to receive an outletpass.

Outlet pass: An overhead pass thrown bya defender that starts the fast break.

Over Dribble: Where a player continuesto dribble without a purpose.

Overhead pass: A two-handed passthrown from above the player's head.

Overload: Outnumbering the defence.Mainly used as a Zone Offence term.

Overtime: A 5-minute extra period playedwhen the game is tied at the end ofregulation play.

aint: See lane.

Palming: See carrying the ball.

Pass fake: See ball fake.

Passing game: A Motion Offence with theemphasis on passing the ball with little orno use of the dribble.

Passing lane: An imaginary line from theplayer with the ball to a teammate. If adefender is in the way, the passing lane isclosed.

Passing technique: Power and accuracyin passing comes from the players’ stance,hand positioning and the stepping/pivotingto pass culminating with a wrist rotationand snap.

Penetrate: Attacking the basket with apass or a dribble

Personal foul: A penalty assessed on aplayer who commits an illegal action.

Periodisation: Time management appliedto training; used to optimise child’simprovement by providing a logicaltraining schedule that respects each stageof development.

Physical components: See screen.

Physical fitness: See screen.

Physical literacy: The mastering offundamental motor skills and / orfundamental sport skills (agility balance,co-ordination or run, throw, jump etc).

Pick: See screen.

Pick-and-roll: A two-person play in whichon offensive player sets a screen (pick) onthe ball handler's defender and cuts (rolls)to the basket after the ball handler drivesby the screen. Also know as a "screen androll".

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Pistol stance: When a help-side defenderis guarding their man, they point one handat their man and one hand at the ball (as ifthey're holding a pistol).

Pivot: The action when the player with theball spins on one foot and steps with theirother foot to protect the ball from adefender.

Pivot foot: The foot that the offensiveplayer spins on while pivoting.

Play/s: a term used to describe a series ofmovements of players and/or the ball oncourt, mainly used for attackingmanoeuvres.

Playmaker: A player who is adept atsetting up situations that enable team-matesto have scoring opportunities. See alsoGuard.

Player-control foul: A non-shootingoffensive foul.

Player screen: See OFF-Ball screen.

Player-to-player defence: See man-to-man defence.

Pocket (ball in the): Position of the ball inwhen player is in stance on offence (intriple threat) holds the ball on their hip oron their pocket.

Pocket to pocket: Action of ball beingmoved from one side of body to otherwhilst in stance on offence. From onepocket to the other side pocket

Point guard: (1) A position played by ateam's primary ball handler,the player who brings the ballup the court and begins theoffence. Also called the "1."

(2) The player who playsthat position.

Pop out cut: See cuts.

Post: (1) A player who plays in andaround the lane area. A centre orforward (a "4" or a "5").

(2) An area of the court, as in thelow post or the high post.

Post dribble: A dribble by the playerplaying the post position.

Post entry (pass): A pass to teammate inthe post area

Post moves: Back-to-the-basket scoringmoves made by players near the basket.

Post-up (cut): (1) An offensive move inwhich an offensive player(usually a forward or acentre) positions themselvesclose to the basket with theirback toward the basket andthe defender behind them sothe offensive player canreceive a pass.

(2) To make that move.

Post trace: Post player moves from oneblock and looks to seal at the oppositeblock.

Post Triangle: The relationship andspacing by three players to pass andreceive the ball in the post position. i.e. Postand two passers

Power: A combination of speed andstrength and ability to exert quickly.

Power dribble: A. strong dribble(normally only one) by the post player inthe keyway.

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Power forward: (1) A position played bythe larger of theforwards on the floor,usually a good scorerand rebounder. Alsocalled the "4."

(2) The player who playsthat position.

Power layup: A two-footed layup.

Press(ing): A defensive attempt to forcethe opposing team into making some kindof error and thus lose possession of theball. It is accomplished usually byaggressive defence, double teaming (seeabove) or harassing the ball handler withattempts to tie-up the ball. The press can beapplied full court, half court or any otherfractional part of the playing area and canbe based on either man-to-man or zone(see below) principles. Can be used todescribe the amount of pressure (press) onthe ball in a man to man context.

Press break(er): A team offence usedagainst a press defence. Also called "pressoffence."

Press offence: See press break.

Pressure man-to-man defence:Aggressive defence where defenders staybetween their man and the ball.

Principle/s; the knowledge of someassociated actions combined as a group inorder to give meaning and understanding.

Primary break: A fast break that involvesonly a few players from each team.

Pump fake: See shot fake.

Push pass: A one-handed air pass.

ead and react: Half court offencebased on assessing what the defence

is doing

Ready position: the general positiongiven to beginners and juniors to get readyto play basketball offence or defence. Ageneral teaching position and stancetechnique for beginners to introduce themto the triple threat position

Ready stance: The balanced position fromwhich a player is ready to run, jump, slide,or pivot. Their knees are bent, feet arebeyond shoulder width facing ahead,hands are up and out, back is straight, andhead is up.

Rebound: (1) A missed shot that comes offthe backboard or rim.

(2) To fight for and gain controlof a missed shot that comes offthe backboard or rim.

Rebound triangle - a term used todescribe the positioning of a group of threedefenders who form a triangle around thebasket after a shot has been attempted.The aim is to cover the probable positionsof the ball should a rebound occur andprevent an opponent from gaining a goodposition from which to collect the rebound.

Recovery: Process of return to normalstatus after physical exercise.

Receiver spots: Positions on the courtwhere offensive players get to after dribblepenetration.

Receiving technique: The culmination ofbeing on balance, stopping if required,hand position and the gather of the ballinto a triple threat position, for preparationto shoot, dribble or pass.

Basketball Glossary

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178


Rejection: A blocked shot.

Release: When the big man rotates backto the basket, he releases the protector torecover back to his own man.

Replace self: Where a player cuts towardsthe basket and returns to where theystarted from. Also known as ‘Pop back’.

Rescreen: a screen that is set once at oneangle and then is set again on the sameplayer from a second different angle.

Retreat step: A step in which thedefender's back foot steps toward thebaseline, and the lead foot slides in place.

Retreat dribble: a control dribble awayfrom the defender

Reverse: (1) A change of direction in theflow of attacking movement, forexample a change from passingdown the right hand side of thecourt to a quick movement of theball to the left side.

(2) A change of direction inwhich the attacking playersendeavour to free themselvesfrom a close marking defender.The change of direction isexecuted after a move towardsthe defender and a pivot so thatthe attacking player turns theirback on their opponent and thenmoves off In the new direction.Also called a Roll or Spin move.

(3) When the ball is directedback to where it came = BallReversal.

Reverse layup: the movement of a playerwith a pivot or anchor foot when the playerturns their back away from the basket orthe ball.

Reverse pivot: the movement of a playerwith a pivot or anchor foot when the playerturns their back away from the basket orthe ball.

Rim run: A move made at speed where onreceipt of a pass the ball is moved acrossthe body straight into a speed dribble.

Rotation (Rotating): The movement ofdefensive players who leave their playerand rotate to another player who may beof more threat.

Run and jump defence: A form ofpressure man-to-man defence that relies onsurprising the ball carrier and OFF-Ballrotations.

Run–slide–run: A defensive footworktechnique.

Runner: A shot that the player shoots whileon the run.

Running clock: When the clock in a gameisn't stopped every time the referee blowsthe whistle to ensure that the game ends ontime and the next game can begin whenscheduled.

afety: The offensive player at the topof the circle. Responsible for covering

back after possession changes.

Sag: A tactic in which a defender leavestheir man or zone and drops into the laneto help protect the basket.

Sagging man-to-man defence: Aconservative defence in which thedefenders stay between their man and thebasket by moving away from their playerand more to cover the basket.

Screen: A play in which an offensiveplayer runs over and stands in a stationaryposition next to a teammate's defender tofree up the teammate to dribble or toreceive a pass. Also called a pick.

S

179

AREASOFEMPHASISGUIDELINES FOR COACHESBasketball Glossary

Types of Screens:

1

4x1

4

1x1

(On)Ball Screen: Screen on a defender, whois defending the ball carrier

Back Screen: Screen in the back of thedefender

4 5

1Cross (Across) Screen: Screen from oneLowpost to the opposite Lowpost

180


2

4

x23

45

1

2

Dive Cut or/Slip screen: The action of thescreener in moving directly to the basketbefore they set a screen. As in fake on ballscreen and cut to the basket.

Double Screen or Parallel Screen: Screenset by two players next to each other.

x2

1

2

4 Down Screen: Screen from the wing to theLowpost

181


1

3

2

4

1x2

2

UCLA Screen or Up Screen: Screen fromthe Lowpost to the Top of the Key

Flare Screen: Screen for a player movingaway from the ball

2 4

1Off-Ball Screen: A screen set on a defenderguarding an offensive player who doesn'thave the ball.

182


2

4x2

1

3

4

1

2

Shot Screen: A screen set for a player toshoot the ball, mostly on the weakside

Staggered Screen: Two Screens not next toeach other set simultaneous for the samecutter.

x1

1

4 (On)Ball Screen: Screen on a defender, whois defending the ball carrier

183


Screen away: To pass in one directionand set a screen for a teammate in theopposite direction.

Screener: A player who sets a screen.

Set position: The stance a player beginstheir shooting movement from.

Seam: in a zone defence refers to the areaof the court where the zones ofresponsibility of two individual defendersmeet. Also called ‘Gap’. Used mainly onoffence against a zone in “attack orpenetrate the seams”.

Sealing the defender: After setting ascreen, the screener reverse pivots to "seal"the defender putting the defender on theirback.

Secondary break: A fast break thatinvolves most of the players from eachteam.

Set play: A sequence of player and ballmovement that has an end.

Shallow cut: See cuts.

Shell drills: Defensive drills designed towork on all aspects of defence.

Shift: Movement up or down an imaginaryline in relation to the ball.

Shift the Zone: Move the defenders fromone side of the key to the other – thuscreating space

Shooter's roll: When a shot doesn't gothrough the basket cleanly, but bouncesaround softly before dropping through.

Shooting foul: When a defender fouls theattacker with the ball in the act of shooting.

Shooting the gap: The movement of adefensive player who anticipates a passwhilst in an OFF-Ball position and rotates tothe gap where they think the ball is to bepassed.

Shooting guard: (1) A position played bya perimeter player whois usually the team's bestoutside shooter. Alsocalled the "2."

(2) The person playingthis position.

Shooting hand: The hand used to shootthe ball. See also guide hand.

Short closeouts: closeout to a player froma shorter distance to minimise the offensiveplayer’s threat.

Short Show (by the screen defender ina pick and roll situation): Where thescreen defender hedges quickly in thedribblers lane but still remains close to thescreener.

Shot clock: The clock used to limit the timeallowed for a team to attempt a shot. Shotclocks are used in pro and college games,in some high school leagues, but not inmiddle school and youth leagues.

Shot clock violation: A violation thatoccurs when the team with the ball doesn'tget a shot off during the allotted time. Itresults in a change of possession.

Shot fake: A movement in which theplayer with the ball acts as if they areabout to shoot. It is designed to trick thedefender into straightening up, allowingthe player with the ball to dribble pastthem. Also called a "pump fake."

Shuffle offence: A popular continuityoffence.

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184


Sideline: The line at each side of the courtthat marks the boundary of the playingsurface.

Sideline play: A play used by theoffensive team to put the ball back in playfrom the sideline.

Sink: Help defender drops below the levelof the ball to pick up a new offensiveplayer

Sixth man: The first substitute who comesoff the bench to replace a starter.

Skip pass: An overhead pass from oneside of the court to the other over thedefence.

Slash arm: an action whereby a playerraises one arm and hand and then quicklymoves the arm over and onto the other sideof a player to gain a better position todefend or receive the ball

Slide: the defensive movement where aplayer from a defensive stance moveslaterally to a new position to defend thedribbler

Slide run slide: the sequence on defencewhich requires a defender to slide ondefence then run to recover position beforegetting into a stance and then slide again.

Slip the screen: the movement by theoffensive team player who goes to screenbut then decides to slip of the screen andgo in another direction.

Snuggle (on defence): the close and tightdenial position of a player who doesn’thave the ball and who wants to be denied.

Speed dribble: A dribble manoeuvre inwhich the player pushes the ball ahead ofher and bounces it at chest height.

Special plays: a play for a specificsituation and/or a specific player.

Specialising Stage: The stage or phase ofa player or coaches involvement withbasketball when they decide to only ormainly play basketball and not othersports.

Spin dribble: A dribble manoeuvre inwhich the player does a reverse pivot whilebringing the ball around them so it ends upin their other hand.

Spin move: A dribble manoeuvre in whichthe player does a reverse pivot whilebringing the ball around them so it ends upin their other hand.

Split Defender: When doubling the post,this perimeter defender takes the first passopposite.

Split line: the imaginary line that dividesthe court vertically form baseline tobaseline

Splitting the Post - occurs when twoattacking players cross in front of a postplayer, cutting on opposite sides of the postplayer to basket, in an attempt to lose theirdefenders on the post player.

Splitting the screen: When the screener,seeing their defender hedging, gets out oftheir screening stance and cuts to thebasket for a pass.

Splitting the trap: When a trapped playersteps in between the defenders to pass theball.

Square up: To pivot so the shoulders andfeet face the basket. Also called "face up."

Squeeze: A method of defending ON-Ballscreens.

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185


Stack - a situation where two or moreattacking players stand close together verynear to the restricted area (see above)usually in a low (see above) position.

Staggered feet: the stance of a playerwhere one foot is in front of the other foot.

Staggered screen: When two players notnext to each other set simultaneous screensfor the same cutter.

Stance: The balanced position from whicha player is ready to run, jump, slide, orpivot. Their knees are bent, hands are upand out, back is straight, and head is up.

Stance Slide run: same as slide/run/slide

Steal: (1) To intercept a pass and gainpossession of the ball.

(2) The name for the action.

Stop-and-go dribble: See hesitationdribble.

Stop and pop: An offensive move inwhich a player comes to a sudden stop,picks up her dribble, and shoots the ball.

Strength: The ability to exert force.

Stride stops: Stopping in a 1 – 2 or leftfoot then right foot (right foot then left foot)

Strong side: See ball side. The opposite of"weak side."

Substitute: A player who comes in thegame to replace another player. Alsocalled a "sub."

Swarm: Intense body pressure with activehands going after the ball is picked up.

Swing step: A defensive step in which thedefender does a reverse pivot with onefoot and stays in her on-ball stance.

Swing wings: The exchange of a team’swing players from one side to other

Switch: A movement in which twodefenders change the offensive playereach is playing.

Swim stroke (Swim move): Action of aplayers arm movement to remove theirdefenders hand in the lane to ‘seal’ theirdefender. Raising the hand elbow and thenreplacing it beyond the other side of adefender.

Swipe: Hand movement attacking the ballusually in pick and roll defence or as ahelp defender in the post.

ag: Help defender steps acrosschucking/swiping at the cutter usually

entering the paint.

Tandem: In transition the two defendersare back in recovery. The top defenderstops the ball and the back defender takesthe first pass out in a close-out position

Tear drop: see Floater.

Technical foul: A violation, such as aplayer or coach using profanity, whichresults in the other team getting free throwsand possession of the ball. Also called a"T," as in "T him up."

Timing a lead: the combination ofmovement by a receiver to move to receivethe pass at the right time (against adefender)

Tip-off: The opening jump ball at thecentre circle that begins a game.

Trace the ball: as in hand pressure the useof the hands to follow the movement of thebasketball when held by the offensiveplayer

Trail: Defender who follows cutters offbaseline screens then recovers

Basketball Glossary

T

186


Trailer: An offensive player, usually acentre or a power forward, who trails thefirst wave of players on the fast break.

Training Intensity: The amount of physicalactivity undertaken within a session or drill.

Trainability: The genetic endowment ofplayers as they respond individually tospecific stimuli and adapt to it accordingly.

Transition: A movement that occurs whena team changes from offence to defence(defensive transition) or from defence tooffence (offensive transition).

Transition defence: the phase for teamdefence when the ball is moving from oneend of the court to the other as a result of ashot or turnover.

Transition offence: the phase for theoffence when the team is required toconvert from defending to attacking as aresult of a missed shot or turnover

Trap: A defensive move in which twodefenders guard the player with the ball byforming a V with their bodies.

Trapping: Sending a second defender totrap the ball out on perimeter.

Travelling: A violation that occurs whenthe player with the ball takes too manysteps without dribbling. This is a commonoccurrence with young players.

Triangle-and-two: A combination defencein which three defenders play zone in atriangle formation and two defendersguard specific players man-to-man.

Triangle offence: A popular continuityoffence.

Triple threat position: The bent kneesstance that allows the player three options:shoot dribble, or pass.

Turnaround jump shot: A shot by aplayer in the low post in which they catchthe ball with their back to the basket,makes a forward pivot so they face thebasket, and shoots a jump shot.

Turnouts: the lead by an offensive playerwhen they run away from the basket inleading for the ball.

Turnover: A loss of possession of the ballcaused by a steal, an offensive foul, a heldball, or a poor pass.

Two guard offence: A team offencemostly used against zones with one-guardfronts (1-2-2 and 1-3-1).

Two-passes away Offence: A teamoffence mostly used against zones withone-guard fronts (1-2-2 and 1-3-1).

CLA screen: See Screens

UCLA cut: See cuts. A cutting manoeuvre,running a defender into the high postoffensive teammate.

Unsportsmanlike Foul: A foul that occurswhen a player makes illegal contact withan opposing player without intending toget the ball.

Up-and-under move: An advanced postmove that starts out like a turnaround jumpshot, but instead of shooting, the postplayer "pump fakes," causing the defenderto rise out of their defensive stance. Thepost player steps by the defender andfinishes with a layup.

Up screen: See UCLA Screen

-cut: See cuts.

Basketball Glossary

U

V

187


eak side: See help side.

Weak side back cut: A back cut (seecuts) performed on the side away from theball (strong side).

Weighting a pass: the timing and strengthof a pass to a team mate to suit aparticular situation

Wing: (1) The area on the court where the3-point arc meets the free throw lineextended.

(2) The offensive player who playsin that area.

Wrist snap: the final action of the handwhen shooting the ball.

one defence: A team defence in whichplayers are assigned to guard specific

areas of the court, rather than layers.

Basketball Glossary

W

Z

Most popular zone alignments:

x2x1

x3 x4x5

x3 x4x5

x1

x2

2-3

1-1-3

188


x2x1

x3 x4

x5

x2x1x3

x4x5

2-1-2

3-2

x2

x1

x3

x4

x5

1-3-1

189


Zone offence: A team offence usedagainst a zone defence.

Zone press defence: Full court zonedefence, mostly used to trap the ball.

Basketball Glossary

Most popular alignments:

x2

x1

x3x4

x5

1-3-1

190


x2

x1

x3

x4 x5

1-2-2

1-2-1-1 (diamond) x2

x1

x3

x4

x5

191


Zoning: The help defender is protectingagainst penetration by staying in a directline between the dribbler and the basket.

Basketball Glossary

2-2-1

x2x1

x3 x4

x5

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