Basketball is a dynamic sport full of emotion, enjoyed by millions of people around the world. With all its excitement and the athletic skills of its players, the sport is also full of rules and, consequently, many terms.
That’s why we’ve created a basketball glossary, with the main terms used in the sport. This guide will help you understand the athletes’ vocabularies, from the broadest to the most specific.
This material will offer a clearer and more direct understanding of the fundamental terms of the sport, from basic concepts such as drible and cesta to more advanced terms such as pick and roll.
By dedicating part of their time to learning and understanding these key terms, players and fans of the sport end up investing not only in their ability to practice, but also in their passion and connection with basketball, this sport that is so popular and important all over the world.
Get ready to learn more than ever about basketball by understanding the most commonly used words and their meanings. Get your notes together because the knowledge has only just begun!
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Basketball glossary: complete list
Check out the complete list of topics that will be covered in the basketball glossary. You’ll learn more about throw, dead ball, basket, dunk, technical foul, dribble, pick and roll, pivot and much more!
- Shooting;
- Assist;
- Dead ball;
- Blocking;
- Basket;
- Cutting;
- Dribbling;
- Dunk;
- Foul;
- Technical foul;
- Foul;
- Free throw;
- Pick and roll;
- Pivot;
- Ball possession;
- Rebound.
Basketball glossary: learn more about the terms
Now it’s time to take a brief look at the basketball glossary and find out what each of the terms mentioned above means.
Shot
A shot is made when the player throws the ball towards the basket. It can be made from different distances and with different techniques, such as the three-point shot, the mid-range shot and more.
Assist
In basketball, an assist is the pass that leads a teammate to score a basket.
Dead ball
The term dead ball in basketball is used when play is temporarily interrupted and the ball is not in play. This usually happens after a basket, foul, violation or time-out.
Blocking
In basketball, blocking is a defensive technique when a player positions his body or hands to stop an opponent’s shot or dribble.
Basket
The basketball basket is the combination of the hoop and the net, where the ball is thrown.
Cut
In basketball, a cut is the quick, directional movement of a player who doesn’t have the ball, used to break free from a defensive marker and receive a pass.
Dribbling
A dribble is when a basketball player hits the ball against the floor repeatedly while moving forward. It is used to advance up the court while keeping possession of the ball.
Dunk
Dunk is a name used in basketball as an alternative to dunk, a shot where the player puts the ball directly into the hoop with his hands, often performing a jump.
Dunk
A dunk is a type of shot in which the player jumps close to the basket and puts the ball directly into the hoop with his hands.
Foul
A foul, in basketball, is an infraction committed by a player, resulting in an advantage for the opposing team, yielding free throws or possession.
Technical foul
In basketball, a technical foul is an infraction committed by a player or coach without involving physical contact with an opponent, usually resulting in free throws or possession for the opposing team.
Fake
The feint is a move used in basketball to dribble around a defending athlete, creating space for a shot or pass.
Free Throw
In basketball, the free throw is an opportunity to score points without defensive resistance, which is awarded after fouls. To make a free throw, the player stands on the correct line and tries to hit the basket.
Pick and roll
The pick and roll, in basketball, is an attacking move that happens when a player positions himself to block the defender. This happens when his teammate has the ball.
Pivot
The term pivot is used for a position in the game of basketball, usually occupied by a taller, stronger player. He stands closest to the basket and makes the most important saves.
Ball possession
Possession happens in basketball when a basketball team is controlling the ball and has the opportunity to score points.
Rebound
In basketball, a rebound occurs when the ball is recovered after a missed shot, whether defensive or offensive.
Basketball glossary
- Shot;
- Assist;
- Dead ball;
- Blocking;
- Basket;
- Cutting;
- Dribbling;
- Dunk;
- Foul;
- Technical foul;
- Foul;
- Free throw;
- Pick and roll;
- Pivot;
- Ball possession;
- Rebounds.
Now that you know the main terms of basketball, you’re sure to have a better experience when watching a game of the sport, whether in person, on the courts, or on TV, in the comfort of your own home.
Understanding these terms is crucial to specializing in the sport, whether as a player or a mere spectator. So don’t forget to take notes and always seek knowledge about the basketball glossary, rules, history, players, teams and much more!
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