Basketball Terminology • Bonus Free-throw: Also called "one-on-one"; a free- • Cut: A quick advance by the offense toward a position

• Air Ball: The ball misses the hoop and backboard throw awarded a team whose opponent exceeds the to shoot or receive the ball.
entirely. number of fouls allowed in a half. • Cylinder: The closely guarded circular area above the
• Alley-oop: A high arc pass to a teammate in a position • Bounce Pass: A pass is deflected off the floor before basket.
near the basket to leap and score. being received by a team player. • Dead Ball: A ball that is not "alive" or in play.
• Alternating-possession rule: A rule in which teams • Box Out: In an attempt to block an opponent and set • Defense: The team not in possession of the ball.
take turns possessing the ball after stopped plays. up rebound opportunities, a defense player gets • Defense Rebound: Rebound by the defense player.
• Assist: A pass that sets up a score. between a teammate and the basket. • Double Dribble: The illegal act of dribbling, stopping,
• Backboard: The surface to which the basket is • Carrying the Ball: Also called "palming"; an illegal then dribbling again.
mounted. dribbling of the ball with both hands at the same time, • Double Team: Two teammates move in to guard one
• Back Court: Area of the court farthest from the turning the ball over in your hands, or placing the offensive player.
offensive team's goal. hands underneath the ball as if holding or carrying it. • Down Court: Moving from the back court toward the
• Back Door Cut: A player approaches quickly from • Catch and Face: Catching a pass and turning directly offensive basket.
behind a defender toward the basket. toward the basket before taking a shot. • Down Screen: An offensive player moves toward the
• Back Screen: An offensive player moves away from • Center: In position near the basket to capture baseline to set a screen.
the basket to set a screen for teammate. rebounds and block shots. • Dribble: Bouncing the ball off the floor with one hand.
• Ball Fake: To fake a pass or shot. • Change of Pace Dribble: Slowing down and speeding • Drive: A brisk advance toward the basket with the aim
• Bang the Boards: An aggressive rebound. up dribble to get past an opponent. of shooting.
• Bank Shot: The ball bounces off the backboard and • Charging: An offensive player fouls by illegally • Dunk: Slamming the ball into the basket.
into the basket. contacting a stationary defense player. • Elbow: Illegal contact with the elbow by an opponent.
• Baselines: Also known as "end lines", the boundary • Chest Pass: A chest-to-chest pass with both hands. • End Lines: Otherwise known as "baselines"; the lines
lines extending across both ends of the court behind • Chin it: After receiving a rebound, the ball is under the that run the width of the court behind the baskets.
the baskets. chin with elbows and fingers pointing up. • Fake: A deceptive move by the offense in order to
• Baseline Pass: A player passes the ball single-handedly • Clear Out: To make room for the ball handler. offset the defense.
to a cutter advancing toward the basket. • Control Dribble: A closely guarded low dribble. • Fast Break: A rush down court to beat the opponent
• Basket: The scoring goal attached to the backboard • Controlling the Boards: Otherwise known as "banging to the basket.
and is comprised of a metal rim from which a corded the boards"; controlling most of the rebounds. • Field Goal: A basket made while the ball is in play.
net hangs. • Conversion: A dunked free-throw. • Field Goal Percentage: The number of field goals
• Behind-the-back Dribble: A dribble from one hand to • Court: The floor upon which the game of basketball is attempted.
the other behind the back. played. • Fishhook Cut: Quickly changing direction.
• Behind-the-back Pass: A pass made behind the body. • Crossover Dribble: A front-of-the-body dribble from • Five-second Violation: Taking longer than five seconds
• Between the Legs Dribble: A dribble between the legs one hand to the other. to pass the ball inbounds to a teammate.
from one hand to the other. • Cross Screen: A lateral advance to set up a screen. • Forwards: Players positioned along the free-throw
• Blocked Shot: A shot deflected on its way to the • Crossover Step: A jab step, then a step in the opposite lane and who are generally closer to the basket than
basket. direction. the guards.
• Blocking: Using the body to block an opponent. • Curl Cut: Used when the defender is behind the • Flagrant Foul: Excessive or aggressive contact with an
cutter, an offensive player cuts off a screen and heads opponent.
toward the basket. • Floor Violation: See Violation.
• Floor: The court area bordered by end-lines and • Hook Shot: While standing sideways in front of the • Live Ball: A ball in play.
sidelines. basket, the hand farthest from the net tosses the ball • Loading the Gun: Preparing to shoot with a cock of
• Foul: An illegal play other than a floor violation. above the head and toward the basket. the wrist.
• Foul Line: The line 15 feet in front of the backboard • Hoop: Another word for basket. • Low Post: The area close to the basket.
paralleling the end-line from which free-throws are • Inbounds Pass: A toss of the ball inbounds from out- • Man-to-man Defense: One-on-one guarding of
shot. of-bounds. opponents.
• Free-throw: A free shot taken from the foul line • Incidental Contact: Normal, legal contact between • Mid-court Line: The center line dividing the front from
awarded a player whose opponent committed a foul. players. the back courts.
• Free-throw Lane: Also called "the key", the area • Inside Cut: An offensive player passes the ball to a • Net: The corded mesh that hangs 15-18 inches from
designated for free-throws 12 feet wide and running teammate and then quickly advances toward the the basket's rim.
from the baseline to the free-throw line. basket in order to receive a return pass. • Offense: The team in possession of the ball.
• Free-throw Line: The foul line. • Inside Shot: A shot from beside or in front of the • Off the Dribble: Shooting the ball while advancing
• Foul Trouble: A player runs up too many fouls in one basket. toward the basket.
game. • Intentional Foul: A defense player fouls in order to • Offensive Rebound: A rebound taken by an offensive
• Front Court: The offensive area running from mid- stop the clock. player.
court to the end-line. • In the Paint: Refers to the area within the free-throw • One-and-one: A bonus free-throw is awarded when
• Full-court Press: Opponents are guarded over the full lane that is painted a different color than the rest of the opponent accumulates too many fouls in a half;
range of the court. the court. the free-thrower takes a shot and if a basket is made,
• Goal-tending: Intercepting a shot that is either in the • Jab Step: Small sharp step with the non-pivot foot gets a second free- throw.
basket, or directly above it. toward the defense player. • Open: When a defender is unguarded he is said to be
• Guard: To closely watch an opponent with intent to • Jump Ball: The ball tossed into the air by the referee "open".
keep the player from gaining possession of the ball, or between two opposing players in order to start the • Out-of-Bounds: Outside the end lines and sidelines.
from making a pass or shot. game. • Outlet Pass: A rebounder passes the ball to an
• Half Court Press: Defense pressure placed on the • Jump Shot: A shot in which an offensive player's feet offensive teammate.
opponent in the front court area. leave the floor. • Over-and-back Violation: An offensive teammate
• Hash Mark: The mid-court mark. • Jump Stop: Jumping off of one foot, and returning on returns a ball from the front court to the back court.
• Hand Check: A defender fouls by touching the both feet at the same time in a parallel or staggered • Overhand lay-up Shot: With the palm facing the
opposing ball handler with one or both hands too position. basket, the shooting hand is positioned on the back of
many times. • Key: The free-throw and foul lane area of the court. the ball.
• Held Ball: Two opposing players attempt but fail to • "L" Cut: An L-shaped cut sometimes used when a • Overhead Pass: A two-handed overhead shot.
possess the ball. defender is in the passing lane. • Overtime: Extra time given a tied regulation game.
• Help Side: Otherwise known as "weak side"; the half • Lane: Also called the "paint"; area extending from the • Paint: The free-throw lane area.
of the court absent the ball. end line to the free-throw line and 12 feet across. • Palming: Another word for "carrying the ball".
• High Post: The area near the free-throw line. • Lane Violation: Moving into the lane in an attempt to • Pass: A play from one teammate to another.
• Holding: Use of the hands to hinder an opponent's intercept a possible rebound on a foul shot before the • Period: A segment of game time; either quarter, half,
freedom of movement. ball actually hits the rim. or overtime.
• Lay-up: Advancing close to the basket in an effort to • Perimeter: The part of the court that extends beyond
bank a shot off the backboard. the foul circle.
• Personal Foul: Contacting a player in a way that may • Shot Clock: A device that keeps track of the limited • Three-second Lane: Otherwise known as the "key",
injure him. time the team in possession of the ball has to take a the area running from the baseline underneath the
• Pick: An offensive player sets up a screen. shot at the basket. basket to the free-throw lane.
• Pivot: The center position; also the foot that remains • Shooter: The ball handler who takes aim at the • Three-second Violation: An offensive player is in the
stationary until a dribbler passes the ball. basket. free-throw lane for longer than three seconds.
• Player-to-player Defense: Defense strategy in which • Shooting Guard: The player who generally takes most • Timeout: An official temporarily suspends the game
each player is assigned an opponent to guard; also of the shots from the perimeter. due to injury, or to allow the team to discuss strategy.
called "man-to-man defense". • Sidelines: The boundary lines that run the length of • Tip Off: The jump that starts the game.
• Point Guard: A strategy in which a guard advances the the court on either side. • Top-of-the-key: The arc that runs beyond the free-
ball up court to begin an offensive play. • Small Forward: The smaller of the players positioned throw lane.
• Possession: To have the ball. near the free-throw lane who moves inside and out. • Transition: A team switches from offense to defense,
• Post: The space on both sides of the free-throw lane. • Spacing: The space between offensive players, and visa versa.
• Post Up: To be in a position near, but facing away generally 15-18 feet. • Trap: Two defense players team up on the ball
from, the basket in order to receive a pass. • Squaring Up: Standing shoulder-square in front of the handler.
• Power Forward: A strong player positioned close to basket when preparing to shoot the ball. • Traveling: Also known as "walking"; a violation in
the basket. • Starting Lineup: The five players that begin the game. which the ball handler takes fewer than two steps
• Power Layup Shot: A closely-guarded layup shot. • Stride Stop: Stopping on one foot, and then the other. without dribbling, or holds the ball while changing or
• Press: Defense strategy with intent to force • Strong Side: The side of the court containing the live moving the pivot foot.
opponents into erring by guarding them too closely. ball. • Triple-double: A player achieves double figures in
• Pull-back Dribble: Pulling dribble away from the • Substitute: A player comes in to replace a teammate three out of five offensive categories.
defense as a way to avert pressure. on the court. • Turnover: The offensive team gives the ball up to
• Push Pass: A strategy used to get past a defender • Swing-man: One who plays both guard and forward. defense.
guarding too closely. • Team Fouls: The number of fouls that a team has • Underhand lay-up Shot: With the palm underneath
• Quadruple Double: A player earns two-digit figures in against it before going over the limit and its opponent and facing up, a player shoots the ball.
four out of five offensive categories during a single is awarded a free-throw. • Up-court: The offense advances from down court to
game. • Technical Foul: A foul called as a result of misconduct front court in the direction of the basket.
• Rebound: Gaining possession of the ball after it in which the opponent is awarded a free-throw. • "V"-cut: Switching quickly from one direction to the
bounces off the backboard or rim on a missed shot. • Ten-second Lane: The offensive team has 10 seconds other in order to get a shot.
• Reverse Dribble: Otherwise known as "spin dribble" to advance the ball from the back court area over the • Violation: Breaking of a rule not resulting in a free-
and is used to reverse direction of the ball. mid-court line, or "ten-second lane". throw, but rather a throw-in.
• Reverse Pivot: Turning on the pivot foot while taking a • Three-point Field Goal: A basket shot from a distance • Walking: See Traveling.
step back. of more than 19'/9" during a high school or college • Weak Side: The side of the court absent the live ball.
• Rocker Step: A jab step followed by a step back in game. • Zone Defense: A defender carefully guards an area.
preparation for shooting or driving the ball. • Three-point Play: Two points on a field goal •
• Screen: A offense player is positioned between a immediately followed by a free-throw point.
teammate and the opponent to clear the way for the • Three-point Shot: From outside the three-point line,
teammate's shot at the basket. an attempt at earning a field goal is made.
• Shot: To throw the ball toward the basket.
A History Timeline About Basketball Formation of the American Basketball Association (ABA) 1. Serving: The serve is the first contact in a
Basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian physical volleyball game, and it's an important opportunity
education instructor James Naismith. The game quickly gained The ABA was formed as a rival league to the NBA. The league to gain an advantage over the opposing team. It is
popularity and was introduced to the Olympics in 1936. In the introduced several innovations, including the three-point line
a skill that every player must master as it’s the
1950s and 60s, the NBA was formed and players like Wilt and a red, white, and blue basketball.
first move that can give your team momentum
Chamberlain and Bill Russell became household names. 1979 and shut down your opponent’s momentum.
Michael Jordan dominated the 90s, leading the Chicago Bulls to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Join the NBA
six championships. Today, basketball is one of the most popular
There are different types of serves, such as the
sports in the world, with stars like LeBron James and Steph Magic Johnson and Larry Bird joined the NBA, bringing new underhand serve, the overhand serve, and the
Curry captivating audiences around the globe. excitement to the league. The two players would go on to have jump serve. Some more advanced serves include
a fierce rivalry and help popularize the sport in the 1980s.
01/12/1891 the floater and the topspin. No matter which type
Invention of Basketball 1992 of serve you decide to do, the key to a good serve
Formation of the Dream Team is accuracy and consistency, which requires
Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, practice to master.
invented basketball while trying to create a new game to keep The United States assembled a team of NBA stars for the 1992
his students active during the winter months. The game was Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The team, known as the Dream
Team, included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird,
Underhand Serve
initially played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets as
goals. among others, and won the gold medal.
This serve is used mainly in recreational
1932 2006 volleyball. It does not require the level of skill or
First Olympic Basketball Tournament Introduction of the Instant Replay System
coordination that the other types of serves do.
The NBA introduced an instant replay system to help referees With one foot stepped back, you hold the ball in
Basketball was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1932 your opposite hand. Then with your other hand
Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. The United States won make more accurate calls. The system allows referees to review
footage of certain plays to ensure they made the correct call. fisted, shift your weight forward and hit the ball
the gold medal.
just below the center (or equator) of the ball.
1949 The 6 Basic Fundamentals in Volleyball
Formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Overhand Serves
Volleyball is an action-packed sport that rewards
The NBA was formed by merging two professional basketball strategy, athleticism, and teamwork, as each player must
constantly anticipate their opponent’s next move and be In high school and college competitive volleyball,
leagues, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the
National Basketball League (NBL). The league started with 17 ready to react in an instant. Although it can seem the overhand serves are most common, and the
teams. complicated with all the different movements that each two main overhand, or overhead, serves are the
player is doing, volleyball can be broken down into 6 topspin and the float.
1950
Introduction of the 24-Second Shot Clock fundamental actions that are constantly repeated
throughout the match. For all overhand serves, you start with your
The 24-second shot clock was introduced to speed up the game dominant-side foot back and the ball held
and prevent teams from stalling. The first game to use the shot Those actions are serving, passing, setting, spiking, extended in your non-dominant hand. Then you
clock was played between the New York Knicks and the Boston blocking, and digging. toss the ball up in front of you hitting hand. How
Celtics. you hit it depends on the type of overhand serve
1967
you want to create. The biggest difference
between the types of overhand serves is the Jump Serve
server's body position, where contact is made on
the ball, and the follow-through. The jump serve is more advanced and utilizes an
even higher toss that should be several feet in
Floater front of the server. You uses more of an attack
A float serve or a floater is a serve that does not approach, jumping and striking the ball with the
spin. It is called a floater because it moves in heel of your hand while you're in the air. With
unpredictable ways, making it difficult to pass. A this serve, your wrist remains stiff, then you hold
float serve catches the air and can move (stop) your palm in position facing the target.
unexpectedly to the right or the left or it can drop
suddenly. The extra motion of jumping allows you to put
To hit a floater, you make contact in front of your even more power on the ball, making this serve
body with your hand hitting behind the middle of very difficult to handle. The drawback is that all
the ball. The arm follows through but only that extra motion can lead to a higher incidence
partway. By hitting directly behind the ball, you of serving errors. Most jump serves have topspin
ensure there's no spin. on them, but it is possible to jump-serve a floater.

Topspin 2. Passing: Also known as the bump, is used to

receive the ball from the opposing team's serve
A topspin serve does exactly that—spins rapidly or hit. The goal of passing is to keep the ball in
forward from the top. This serve has a much play and set up an offensive play. To pass
more predictable movement than a floater, but effectively, the player should get in position, keep
can be difficult to handle because of its quick their arms straight and feet parallel, extend their
speed and difficult to pass because it drops knees forward, and make contact with the ball
rapidly. using their forearms

To serve a topspin, you toss the ball a little Ideally, the ball should be passed high toward
higher, step under the toss, and strike the ball your setter so that they can facilitate offensive The setter must have good hand-eye coordination and
underneath, toward the top of the back in a down plays for your team. This is the first step in the the ability to make quick decisions to determine who to
and outward motion. The arm follows all the way basic pass-set-spike sequence that makes up the pass to. Setters must also have good spatial awareness to
through with a wrist snap. foundation of volleyball offense and is arguably know where their teammates are, as well as where the
the most important skill to have in volleyball. opponent’s defenses are the weakest.

3. Setting: Setting or overhead passing is the 4. Attacking: Attacking, also known as hitting, is the final
most important step in an offensive play as it step in the pass-set-spike sequence and is used to score
determines which player gets to spike or attack. points. There are a variety of different ways to attack a
This is normally done by the team’s setter and is ball, but the most common and consistently effective
the second step in the pass-set-spike sequence. way to do so is by spiking. Spiking is a combination of
jumping with powerful arm swings in order to smash important for blockers to be able to react to an attack Players who are digging must have good reflexes,
the ball onto the opponent’s side of the court.As you quickly and be in position before the attack is completed. footwork, and body control. To dig effectively, the player
get more advanced in volleyball, there many different should get into position to receive the ball before the
types of spikes you can do: In order to block, blockers should stand readily with their attack is finished. This requires good ball-tracking skills,
Cross-court spike: A cross-court spike is an attack that elbows in front of them, and palms facing forward. When as well as a good awareness of your blockers. Players
goes diagonally across the court, from one corner to the the opposing hitter is about to attack, blockers should be who are digging must use their blockers as a wall and
opposite corner. This type of spike is often used to avoid in a position to jump in front of their attack and then be cover the area that the blockers can’t defend. They must
the opposing team's blockers and to target an open area able to explosively jump and raise their arms to create a also be able to control the ball and create a clean pass to
of the court. wall against the attacker. a teammate.
Line spike: A line spike is an attack that goes straight
down the line ahead of the hitter, either on the left or Blockers must have good timing, vertical height,
right side of the court. This type of spike is difficult to and hand positioning in order to effectively stop the
block, but also difficult to land as it is treading near the opposing team’s attack. An amazing blocker will be able
out-of-bounds line. to predict where the ball is going to be and already be in
Tool spike: A tool spike is an attack that intentionally hits a position to block immediately after the ball is set. They
off the opposing team's blockers, deflecting the ball out will also be studying the hitter’s habits throughout the
of bounds. This type of spike is often used when the match and how they like to hit to improve their own
opposing team's blockers are positioned close to the net blocks as well.
and the attacker has limited options.
6. Digging: Digging is a defensive skill used to save the
These are just some of the most popular spiking ball from hitting the ground. It is often done when the
techniques, however, there are more than the ones ball does not come directly at the player, and a standard
listed above. underhand pass would be impossible or extremely
To be a good spiker, the player must have good timing, difficult to get. To get into a digging position, the player
jumping power, and overall athleticism. To spike must sink their hips low to the floor with their heels
effectively, the player should approach the ball with a slightly raised in order to be light on their feet. They
quick three-step approach, jump high, and hit the ball must then stretch out their arms into the underhand
with force and accuracy. pass position. In order to dig for the ball, the player must
push off their toes and use their lower body to move
their upper body. Players must also be ready to dive for
the ball, but that’s often not necessary if you’re already
5. Blocking: Blocking is a defensive skill used to stop the positioned to where the ball might be going.
opposing team's attack and can also be used to
potentially score points. Blockers must focus on stopping Liberos are often the position that digs the most as they
the opposing team’s offensive attacks, while also paying are the core of a team’s defense. To learn more about
attention to the opposing setter so that they can better liberos and their unique role in volleyball, check out our
predict the opposing team’s attack strategy. It is blog here.