Basketball Flashcards
A move by an offensive player away from the basket to set a screen for a teammate
Back screen
A pass that sets up a teammate to score
Assist
The half of the court that is away from the teams offensive basket
Backcourt
A cut behind the defensive player toward the basket when the defender overplays
Back door cut
The side of the court where the ball is
Ball side/strong side
The out of bounds line under each basket at each end of the floor
Baseline
A defensive move in rebounding where you make contact and stay between the basket and your opponent
Block out
A technique where you receive a pass and square up to the basket in the triple threat position
Catch and face
Usually the tallest player on the team who normally plays close to the basket and is responsible for rebounding and blocking shots “Bill Russell”
Center
An offensive tactic where the offensive player leaves an area so that the ball handler has more room to maneuver
Clear out
An offensive move used to create an advantage, usually made toward the basket or ball
Cut
The act of attempting to prevent your opponent from scoring
Defense
A move by an offensive player toward the baseline to set a screen for a teammate
Down screen
When the offensive player jumps above the rim of the basket and forcefully jams the ball down
Dunk
The area of the court where the free throw line and the lane intersect
Elbow
An offensive strategy where the team tries to score quickly by advancing the ball down the floor before the defensive team get the opportunity to set up
Fast break
An offensive move with the intent of deception to keep the defensive player off balance
Fake
A basket made while the ball is in play
Field goal
A statistical analysis of the number of shots made compared to the number of shots attempted
Field goal percentage
Two players who play closer to the basket than guards and maneuver both underneath the basket and out on the perimeter
Forwards
An unguarded attempt to score from a line 15 feet from the basket after some sort of violation
Free throw/ foul shot
The number of free throws made in comparison to the number of free throws attempted
Free throw percentage
The offensive side of the court where the offense gets to score
Front court
A play where you pass to a teammate, make a cry with the intent that the teammate will pass it back to you, usually to the bucket
Give and go
The two players who usually bring the ball up the court and position themselves the farthest from the basket
Guards
The side of the court opposite the ball where the defense will try to overplay to the strong side
Help side
An area of the court located near the free throw line
High post
A shot made close to the basket when moving toward the rim
Lay up
An area located near the basket
Low post
The line that separates the front court from the back court, also called the 10 second line
Mid court line
The team who has possession of the ball whose primary goal is to find ways to make a basket
Offense
A pass made from a rebounder to an offensive teammate for the purpose of making the transition from defense to offense
Outlet pass
The area inside the free throw lane
Paint
The area between two offensive players where a pass could be made
Passing lane
When an offensive player attempts to move toward the baskets amongst the defensive players with the intention of scoring himself or drawing the defense to him to get a teammate open
Penetration
When an offensive player screens for the ball handler and then rolls toward the basket
Pick and roll
The rotation of the body around one stationary foot
Pivot
When the offensive player stands close to but faces away from their basket with the hopes of receiving the ball in order to score
Post up
Usually the bigger of the two forwards who plays close to the basket to rebound and score inside
Power forward
Securing the ball after a missed shot off the rim or backboard
Rebound
When a defense plays off the offensive player and therefore does not apply pressure
Sagging defense
An offensive technique used to block or delay a defender from reaching a certain position on the floor
Screen/pick
An offensive player whose main responsibility is to shoot from 3 point range
Shooting guard
Bigger than the guards, smaller than the center who can move freely both out on the perimeter and down the post
Small forward
An offensive strategy of spreading your teammates 15 to 18 feet apart so that they are move difficult for the defensive to defend
Spacing
A defensive tactic where two defensive players will change who they are responsible to cover to counter the offensive play of screening
Switch
A basket made outside the arc
Three point shot
Changing from offense to defense or defense to offense
Transition
An offensive position where the ball handler can shoot, pass, or dribble
Triple threat position
When the offensive player makes an error that gives the ball position to the defense
Turnover
A perimeter position to the sides of the basket outside the free line
Wing
An infraction because of some behavioral issues resulting in foul shots and possession
Technical foul
An infraction because an offensive player stays in the paint too long. It is a turnover resulting in a change of possession
Lane violation: 3 second violation
A defensive strategy where each team member guards an area as opposed to a particular player
Zone defense
A defensive strategy where each defender is assigned a specific player to cover
Man to man defense
A turnover where the offensive player runs into the defensive player who has established position. The ball goes over to the defense
Charge
The amount of time that the offensive team has to shoot the ball. When the ball touches the rim or on a change of possession, the shot clock is reset
Shot clock
When a defensive player touches the ball on the downward arc of a shot
Goal tending
A violation where the offensive player takes too many steps or picks up his pivot foot. It is a turnover and the ball goes to the defensive team
Traveling
An offensive violation where a player dribbles stop, and dribbles again. The ball is awarded to the defensive team
Double dribble
The area along the sideline where the coach is allowed to stand during the game
Coach’s box
When a defensive player fouls an offensive player and makes no attempt to play the ball. The offensive player is rewarded fouls shots and possession of the ball
Flagrant foul
At the beginning of the game both teams will vie for a jump ball to decide who has possession
Tip off
During play the referee will by arrows on a score board determine who will receive possession of the ball after a held ball
Change of possession
When the offensive player is fouled but still makes the shot, the player is awarded the points plus 1 foul shot
3 point play
A defensive strategy where the defensive team applies pressure as soon as the offensive team takes possession of the ball in the back court
Full court press
A statistical term for when the defensive team intercepts a pass of the offensive team
Steal
A statistical term for a player who has 10 or more rebounds, points, and assists
Triple double
What is the foul line distance
15 feet
The historic basketball coach of UCLA. Probably the most famous coach in the game. Developed a coaching philosophy in the pyramid of success
John Wooden
Mike Krzyzewski the legendary coach of the Duke Blue Devils.
Coach K
The legendary coach from the North Carolina Tar Heels
Dean Smith
The legendary coach from Kentucky
Adolph Rupp
The legendary coach for the Tennessee Lady Vol’s
Pat Head Summit
The legendary coach for the U Conn Huskies women’s basketball team
Gino Auriemma
The nickname for the NCAA D1 college basketball championships. The top 65 teams are awarded a bid.
March Madness
Basketball hall of fame
Springfield, Massachusetts
Height of the basket
10 feet
How many fouls does a player get in high school or college
5
The inventor of the game of basketball. He was a YMCA director in Springfield, mass
James Naismith
