Basketball Glossary

Key basketball terms, statistics, and concepts explained for coaches at every level.

Fundamentals

Screen (Pick)

An offensive player positioning their body to block a defender and free a teammate.

Turnover

Any play that results in the offensive team losing possession without attempting a shot.

Rebound

Gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal attempt or free throw.

Outlet Pass

The first pass made after a defensive rebound to initiate a fast break or transition offense.

Ball Handler

The player who dribbles and controls the basketball, typically the point guard.

Steal (STL)

A steal is credited to a player who legally causes a turnover by their positive, aggressive action on the ball, disrupting the opponent.

Double Dribble

A violation where a player dribbles the ball, stops, then dribbles again, or dribbles with both hands at the same time.

And One

An 'and one' occurs when a player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, awarding them one free throw.

Alley Oop

An offensive play where a player throws the ball near the basket and a teammate jumps, catches the ball in the air, and scores before landing.

Crossover

A dribbling move where the ball is quickly transferred from one hand to the other, changing direction, to elude a defender.

Behind-the-back Dribble

A dribbling move where the ball is passed behind the player's back from one hand to the other to evade a defender.

Between-the-legs Dribble

A dribbling move where the ball is passed through the player's legs from one hand to the other to change direction or maintain possession.

Jab Step

A quick, short step in a specific direction to create space or assess the defender's reaction.

Pump Fake

A deceptive movement simulating a shot attempt, designed to make the defender jump or react.

Chest Pass

A two-handed pass thrown from the chest, providing a direct and accurate delivery over short to medium distances.

Bounce Pass

A pass that strikes the floor before reaching the receiver, useful for passing around defenders or into tight spaces.

Overhead Pass

A two-handed pass thrown from above the head, used for long-distance passes or initiating fast breaks.

Pivot

A movement where a player keeps one foot stationary (pivot foot) while moving the other foot to change direction or create space.

Euro Step

An offensive move where a player takes a sideways step to avoid a defender while driving to the basket.

Hook Shot

A shot thrown with one arm extended away from the body, using a sweeping, arcing motion to release the ball.

Bank Shot

A shot that is intentionally bounced off the backboard and into the basket.

Layup

A close-range shot taken while running towards the basket, typically using one hand to gently place the ball off the backboard or directly into the hoop.

Dunk

A shot where a player jumps high enough to slam the ball down through the basket with force.

Box Out

A technique used to establish rebounding position by creating space between a player and their opponent near the basket.

Offense

Pick and Roll

An offensive play where a player sets a screen and then moves toward the basket for a pass.

Pick and Pop

A variation of the pick and roll where the screener steps out for a jump shot instead of rolling to the basket.

Fast Break

A quick transition from defense to offense, pushing the ball up the court before the defense can set up.

Spacing

The positioning of offensive players on the court to maximize distance between defenders and create driving lanes.

Isolation (Iso)

A play where one offensive player, typically a strong scorer, is given space to attack a defender one-on-one.

Backdoor Cut

An offensive move where a player cuts behind the defender toward the basket, usually when the defender is overplaying the passing lane.

Give and Go

An offensive play where a player passes the ball to a teammate and then cuts towards the basket, expecting a return pass.

Drive

An aggressive move by an offensive player to dribble the ball towards the basket, aiming to score or create scoring opportunities.

Kick Out

Passing the ball from the paint, after a drive or post move, to an open teammate on the perimeter for a shot.

Post Up

An offensive tactic where a player establishes position near the basket, typically with their back to the defender, to receive a pass.

Motion Offense

A free-flowing offensive system emphasizing constant player and ball movement, reads, and screens to create scoring chances.

Triangle Offense

A structured offensive system involving a triangle formation between three players, emphasizing spacing, passing, and post play.

High Post

The area on the court near the free-throw line extended, often used for passing, screening, and initiating offensive plays.

Low Post

The area on the court close to the basket, inside the free-throw lane, used for scoring, rebounding, and drawing fouls.

Secondary Break

The offensive transition phase after the initial fast break, focusing on quick ball movement and early scoring opportunities.

Dribble Handoff (DHO)

A play where one player dribbles towards a teammate and hands them the ball, often followed by a screen from the passer.

Defense

Man-to-Man Defense

A defensive strategy where each defender is responsible for guarding a specific offensive player.

Zone Defense

A defensive strategy where each defender guards a specific area of the court rather than a specific player.

Help Defense

Defensive positioning and rotation to assist a teammate who has been beaten by the ball handler.

Transition Defense

The defensive effort to get back and set up after losing possession of the ball.

Double Team

When two defenders immediately guard one offensive player, aiming to force a turnover or bad pass.

Full Court Press

Applying defensive pressure to the opposing team across the entire length of the court.

Half Court Press

Defensive pressure applied to the opposing team starting at the half-court line.

Trap

A defensive tactic where two defenders converge on the ball handler, usually near a boundary.

Hedge

A defensive technique used in pick-and-roll coverage where the defender guarding the screener briefly steps out.

Switch

A defensive tactic where two defenders exchange assignments, usually during a screen or pick-and-roll.

Closeout

The action of a defender quickly approaching an offensive player with the ball, contesting a potential shot or drive.

Shot Contest

A defender's attempt to disrupt a shot by raising a hand near the shooter, making it more difficult to score.

Box-and-One Defense

A hybrid defense where four players form a box zone and one player plays man-to-man defense.

Triangle-and-Two Defense

A hybrid defense where three players form a triangle zone and two players play man-to-man defense.

Strategy

2-3 Zone

A defensive formation with two players at the top guarding the perimeter and three players positioned across the free-throw line area.

3-2 Zone

A defensive setup with three players on the perimeter and two inside, emphasizing perimeter defense and quick rotations to the corners.

1-3-1 Zone

A defensive formation featuring one player at the top, three in the middle, and one at the baseline, designed to trap and disrupt.

Small Ball

An offensive strategy using a lineup without traditional post players, emphasizing speed, shooting, and versatility.

Pace and Space

An offensive philosophy emphasizing a fast tempo and strategic floor spacing to create scoring opportunities.

Offensive Set

A pre-planned sequence of player movements and passes designed to create specific scoring opportunities.

Defensive Scheme

An organized strategy for defending against the opposing team, dictating player positioning, responsibilities, and rotations.

Rotation

The movement of players within a defensive or offensive system, often in response to the ball or opponent's movement.

Mismatch

A situation where a player has a distinct advantage over their defender, often in size, speed, or skill.

Tempo

The pace at which a team plays, measured by the number of possessions per game.

Statistics

Points Per Game (PPG)

A player's average points scored each game, reflecting their scoring contribution and offensive impact during games played.

Rebounds Per Game (RPG)

A player's average number of rebounds per game, showing their rebounding prowess and contribution to possession.

Assists Per Game (APG)

A player's average assists per game, measuring playmaking and contribution to team scoring.

Steals Per Game (SPG)

A player's average number of steals per game, demonstrating defensive disruptiveness and ability to create turnovers.

Blocks Per Game (BPG)

A player's average number of blocks per game, showing shot-blocking ability and rim protection.

Usage Rate (USG%)

Estimate of possessions a player uses while on the court, reflecting their involvement in the offense.

Offensive Rating (ORtg)

Points scored per 100 possessions, showing efficiency separate from pace.

Defensive Rating (DRtg)

Points allowed per 100 possessions, showing defensive efficiency separate from pace.

Net Rating

The difference between a team's offensive and defensive ratings, showing overall performance.

Turnover Percentage (TOV%)

Estimated percentage of team possessions ending in a turnover when a player is on the court.

Field Goal Percentage (FG%)

The ratio of successful field goals to total attempts, expressed as a percentage.

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)

An adjusted shooting percentage that accounts for the extra value of three-point shots.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%)

A shooting efficiency metric that includes two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws.

Player Efficiency Rating (PER / EFF)

A single number that summarizes a player's overall statistical contributions per game.

Plus/Minus (+/-)

The point differential when a specific player is on the court.

Two-Point Percentage (2P%)

The percentage of two-point field goal attempts that are successfully made.

Three-Point Percentage (3P%)

The percentage of three-point field goal attempts that are successfully converted.

Free Throw Percentage (FT%)

The percentage of free throw attempts that are successfully made.

Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (AST/TO)

The number of assists a player records for every turnover committed.