Outline of basketball

Basketball is a ball game and team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules. Since being developed by James Naismith as a non-contact game that almost anyone can play, basketball has undergone many different rule variations, eventually evolving into the NBA-style game known today. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world.

Definition

* Exercise – bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health or wellness.
* Game – structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more concerned with the expression of ideas. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional sports).
** Ball game – game played with a ball.
* Sport – form of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants.
** Competitive sport – sport in which one or more participants or teams compete against one another. The one that is the most successful in achieving the objective of the game or sport event is the winner.
** Team sport – sport that involves players working together towards a shared objective.
** Recreational sport – sport engaged in as a leisure time activity.
** Spectator sport – sport that is characterized by the presence of spectators, or watchers, at its matches. Spectator sports are a form of entertainment.
** Professional sport – sport in which the athletes receive payment for their performance.

Equipment of the game

* Basketball – inflated ball used in the game of basketball. Basketballs typically range in size from very small promotional items possibly only a few inches in diameter to extra large balls nearly a foot in diameter used in training exercises to increase the skill of players. The standard size of a basketball for men's competitive play is 29.5 inches in circumference; for women's competitive play, the circumference is 28.5 inches. All competitions in the halfcourt game of 3x3, whether men's, women's, or mixed-sex, use a dedicated ball with the circumference of the women's ball but the weight of the men's ball.
** Rock – the ball
* Basketball court – the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with baskets at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a hardwood, often maple, and highly polished.
** Backcourt – (1) The half of the court a team is defending. The opposite of the frontcourt. (2) A team's guards.
** Ball side – The half of the court (divided lengthwise) that the ball is on. Also called the "strong side." The opposite of the help side.
** Baseline – The line that marks the playing boundary at either end of the court. Also called the "end line."
** Block – The small painted square on the floor next to the basket just outside the lane.
** Downtown – Well outside the three-point line.
** Key – The ''free-throw lane'' and ''free-throw circle'' together (originally, the lane was narrower than the circle's diameter, giving the area the appearance of a skeleton key hole)
** Lane – The ''free-throw lane''.
** Three-point line – the line that separates the two-point area from the three-point area; any shot converted beyond this line counts as three points (except in 3x3, where shots from beyond the arc are worth two points, and free throws and shots from inside the arc worth 1 point). The distance to the three-point line from the center of the basket varies by league:
*** High school –
*** NCAA women –
*** International and NCAA men — to
*** WNBA – to
*** NBA – to
* Bench – (1) Substitutes sitting on the sideline, (2) The bench or chairs they sit on.
* Backboard – The rectangular platform to which the basket is attached, and measure 6 feet (182.9 cm) by 3.5 feet (106.7 cm). There is a backboard at each end of the court.
* Basket – steel rim 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter with an attached net affixed to a backboard. There is a basket at each end of the court.
** Breakaway rim – hoop that can bend slightly when a player dunks a basketball, and then instantly snap back into its original shape when the player releases it. It allows players to dunk the ball without shattering the backboard, and it reduces the possibility of wrist injuries.
** Hoop – another name for "basket".
* Shot clock – A timer designed to increase the pace (and subsequently, the score) by requiring the ball to either touch the rim or enter the basket before the timer expires, resulting in a loss of possession. The time limit is 12 seconds in 3x3; 24 in FIBA (fullcourt), NBA, and WNBA; and 30 in NCAA men's and women's play. See also ''airball''.

Clothing

* Basketball singlet top 
* Finger sleeve – (not compulsory)an accessory that enhances the grip on the ball during a shot and prevents the ball from rolling or slipping to the top of the fingers.

Rules of the game

Rules of basketball
* Jump ball – method used to begin or resume play in basketball. Two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after it is tossed up into the air in between them by an official(umpire).
* Official – a person who has the responsibility to enforce the rules and maintain the order of the game. Also applies to the scorers and timekeepers, as well as other personnel who have an active role in maintaining the game.
* Three-point field goal – also known as a ''three-pointer'', it is a field goal made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket. A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for shots made inside the three-point line.
* Three seconds rule – when a player stays in the lane (see above) for three seconds or more. Penalties vary on offense or defense.
* free shot this occurs when a player is fouled allowing them to gain a chance to shoot 2 shots one after another.

Infractions

Fouls

Foul – Violation of the rules other than a ''floor violation'', generally when a player attempts to gain advantage by physical contact. Penalized by a change in possession or free-throw opportunities.
* Block – A violation in which a defender steps in front of a dribbler but is still moving when they collide. Also called a "blocking foul."
* Charge – A violation in which one player makes illegal contact with another player who has an established position. Also called a "charging foul."
* Flagrant foul – An unsportsmanlike foul in which there is no serious attempt to play the ball.
* Personal foul – a breach of the rules that concerns illegal personal contact with an opponent. It is the most common type of foul in basketball. Due to the nature of the game, personal fouls occur on occasion and are not always regarded as unsportsmanlike. However, a contact foul involving excessive or unjustified contact is classed as an unsportsmanlike foul (or in the NBA, flagrant foul).
* Offensive foul – A ''foul'' committed by a member of the team playing offense.
* Technical foul – A foul assessed for unsportsmanlike non-contact behavior and for some procedural violations (for example, having too many players on the floor or calling timeout when none remain). Penalized by loss of possession after a free throw which may be taken by any member of the opposing team. Frequently abbreviated as "technical" or "T."
* Unsportsmanlike conduct – acting inappropriately or unprofessionally, such as fighting, verbal abuse, profanity, and flagrant fouls. An offender's team can be penalized by free throws being awarded to the other team followed by loss of possession, and upon repeated transgressions an offender can be ejected from the game.

Violations

Violation  – An infraction of the rules other than a ''foul'', such as ''traveling'' or a ''three-second violation''.
* 24-second violation  – (NBAa, WNBA, FIBA) a shot-clock violation.
* Basket interference – violation involving any of the following:
:# touching the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on the rim of the basket or within the cylinder extending upwards from the rim
:# reaching up through the basket from below and touching the ball, be it inside or outside the cylinder
:# pulling down on the rim of the basket so that it contacts the ball before returning to its original position.
* Carrying – when a player momentarily stops dribbling, with the ball in one or both hands, and then resumes dribbling.
* Double dribble – Either of the following acts results in a loss of possession:
:# To dribble the ball with two hands at the same time
:# To dribble, stop, and then begin to dribble again
* Backcourt violation –
:# Touching the ball in the backcourt after it has entered the frontcourt and was not last touched by the other team.
:# Failure to bring the ball from the backcourt into the frontcourt within the allotted time of 8 seconds in the NBA (previously 10) and 10 seconds elsewhere. Note that in NCAA women's play, this violation did not exist until the 2013–14 season.
* Five-second rule – Also called the ''five-second violation'', is a rule that helps promote continuous play. The situations in which a five-second violation may occur are:
** Five-second throw-in violation – a team attempting a throw-in has a total of five seconds to release the ball towards the court.
*** Start of throw in count: When the basketball is at the disposal of the throw in team (usually bounced or handed to the throw in team by the official).
*** Penalty = Loss of ball: A throw-in is awarded to the opponent at the previous throw in spot.
** Five-second closely guarded violation – When a player with the ball is guarded closely for five seconds.
*** Penalty = Loss of ball: The opposing team gets to throw-in the ball from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation.
** Five-second back to the basket violation (NBA only) –
*** Penalty = Loss of ball: The opponent is awarded the ball at the free throw line extended.
** Five-second free throw violation – Under FIBA rules, a free throw shooter must throw the ball towards the hoop within five seconds after an official places it at his disposal.
*** Penalty = Lose the shot and possible loss of ball: A successful shot does not count. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the free throw line unless another free throw or a possession penalty is to follow.
* Goaltending – the violation of interfering with the ball when it is on its way to the basket and it is (a) in its downward flight, (b) entirely above the rim and has the possibility of entering the basket, and (c) not touching the rim. Rule 4, Section 22
* Over-and-back – See ''backcourt violation'' (1)
* Three seconds rule – requires that a player shall not remain in the opponents' restricted area for more than three consecutive seconds while his team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt and the game clock is running.Rule 5 (Violations), Article 26.
* Traveling – To move one's ''pivot foot'' illegally or to fall to the floor without maintaining a pivot foot (exact rules vary).

Penalties and bonuses

Penalties – For infractions of the rules, a team is penalized by bonuses being rewarded to the opposing team.
* And one – The free throw awarded to a shooter who is fouled while scoring.
* Bonus – After a team has accumulated a set number of fouls in a period of play (either half or quarter), the player fouled receives a set number of free throws on each non-shooting foul by the defense. The number varies by league as follows:
** NCAA men's and NFHS: All team fouls after the sixth in a half are considered to be "bonus" free throws in both rule sets. However, in popular usage, the "bonus" refers to the situation when the fouling team has seven, eight, or nine fouls in a half. In this situation, the team fouled is said to be "in the bonus" and so gains a ''one and one'' opportunity on each non-shooting foul by the defense. The opposing team is "over the limit." See also ''double bonus'' and ''penalty''.
** FIBA, NCAA women's: All team fouls after the fourth in a quarter are "bonus" fouls, with the non-fouling team receiving two free throws on non-shooting fouls by the defense. All overtime periods are considered an extension of the fourth quarter for purposes of accumulated team fouls.
** NBA and WNBA: Same as FIBA and NCAA women's, except that overtime is not considered an extension of any quarter. The bonus is triggered on the fourth team foul in an overtime period. Additionally, if a team has committed fewer than 4 fouls before the 2-minute mark of any period (including an overtime), its foul count is reset, and the bonus is triggered on the second team foul in the final 2 minutes.
* Double bonus – (NCAA men's and NFHS) when a team accumulates 10 or more fouls in a half, the other team is "in the double bonus", earning two free throws on each subsequent non-shooting foul by the defense. See also ''bonus'' and ''penalty''.
* Free throw – a bonus awarded upon being fouled by a member of the opposing team, in which a player gets to stand at the free throw line unopposed and attempt to make a basket while everyone else is required to stand aside until the shot is over. In cases where more than one free throw is awarded, the other players must wait until after the last shot is executed before play resumes.
* Penalty – once a team reaches a set number of team fouls in a playing period, varying by governing body, the fouled team gets free throws instead of possession of the ball. The fouling team is "over the limit". See also ''bonus'' and ''double bonus''.
* One-and-one – (NCAA men's and NFHS) A free-throw attempt which, if made, allows the player a second free-throw attempt. See also ''bonus''. This rule also applied in NCAA women's play before the 2015–16 season.
* Turnover – A loss of possession.

Game play

Participants

Players

* Ball hog – A player who does not pass the ball, and takes more shots than everyone else.
* Bricklayer – One who repeatedly shoots bricks (Misses).
* Sixth man (or sixth woman) – A player who does not start, but is generally the first person off the bench, and often has statistics comparable to those of starters.

= Positions

=

Basketball position – general location on the court which each player is responsible for. Players are generally described by the position (or positions) played, though the rules do not specify any positions. Positions are part of the strategy that has evolved for playing the game, and terminology for describing game play.

Primary positions

* Backcourt positions:
** Guard – One of the three standard player positions. Today, guards are typically classified in two broad categories:
*** Point guard – has strong ballhandling and passing skills and is typically used to run the offense.
*** Shooting guard – as the name implies, are generally the team's best shooters, and are very often the leading scorers on their teams.
* Frontcourt positions:
** Center – One of the three standard player positions. Centers are generally the tallest players on the floor, responsible mainly for scoring, rebounding, and defense near the basket.
*** Pivot – Another name for ''center''
** Forward – One of the three standard player positions. Forwards are primarily responsible for scoring and rebounding.
*** Power forward – position that plays a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low blocks". Power forwards typically play offensively with their backs to the basket and position themselves defensively under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward in man-to-man defense.
*** Small forward – Typically smaller and quicker than power forwards, these players generally play on offense facing the basket, and very often attack the basket on offense. As with shooting guards, small forwards are often among their teams' leading scorers. Defensively, they will play on the perimeter of a zone defense, or against a physically similar opponent in a man-to-man.

Tweeners

Tweener – a player who is able to play two positions, but is not ideally suited to play either position exclusively, so he/she is said to be in between. A tweener has a set of skills that do not match the traditional position of his or her physical stature. Tweeners include:
* Combo guard – Combines the features of both ''point guard'' and ''shooting guard''.
* Forward-center – position for players who play or have played both forward and center on a consistent basis. Typically, this means power forward and center, since these are usually the two biggest player positions on any basketball team, and therefore more often overlap each other.
* Point forward – A forward with strong ballhandling and passing skills who can be called on to direct the team's offense.
* Stretch four  – A player capable of playing either forward position. Term derived from the concept of a power forward ("4") capable of "stretching" a defense with outside shooting ability.
* Swingman – A player capable of playing either shooting guard or small forward.

Coaches

Coach –
* Basketball coach –

Strategy

* Princeton offense – an offensive strategy which emphasizes constant motion, passing, back-door cuts, and disciplined teamwork. It was used and perfected at Princeton University by Pete Carril, though its roots may be traced back to Franklin "Cappy" Cappon, who coached Princeton Tigers men's basketball in the late 1930s.
* 1-3-1 defense/offense –
* Box-and-one defense – A combination defense in which four defenders play zone in a box formation and the fifth defender guards one player man-to-man.
* Continuity offense – pattern of movement, cuts, screens and passes that eventually leads back to the starting formation, and repeats.
** Flex offense –
** Shuffle offense –
* Hack-a-Shaq – The strategy of intentionally and repeatedly committing a personal foul against an otherwise skilled player who shoots free throws poorly. "Shaq" refers to Shaquille O'Neal.
* Jordan Rules –
* Man-to-man defense – A defense in which each player guards a single opposing player. See also ''zone defense''.
* Motion offense – Category of offense involving a series of cuts and screens to create the best possible shot, with most or all offensive players moving simultaneously.
* Nellie ball – a fast-paced offense relying on smaller, more athletic players who can outrun their opponents and make more three-point attempts. Developed by NBA head coach Don Nelson. This offense is most effective against teams that do not have the athleticism or shooting ability to keep up with the fast pace.
* Pack-line defense – A man-to-man defensive system in which one player pressures the ball and the other four players "pack" down within a "line" about 2 feet (0.6 m) inside the three-point arc, with the intent of stopping dribble penetration.
* Run and gun – combined offense and defense in which the team applies constant full-court pressure, while moving the ball forward as quickly as possible and taking the first available shot, often a three-pointer.
** Grinnell System – A further development of this style, created by Grinnell College head coach David Arseneault. The most striking feature of this system is that entire five-player units are usually substituted every 45 to 90 seconds, in a manner similar to an ice hockey shift.
* Shuffle offense –
* Small Ball – A strategy based in putting shorter players on the playing court, generally non-interior (positions 4 and 5) players
* Triangle offense – An offensive strategy with the goal of exchanging three (sometimes all five) positions, creating spacing among players and allowing each one to pass to four teammates. Originally established by University of Southern California head coach Sam Barry, this offense was later refined and perfected by one of Barry's former players, prominent college and NBA coach Tex Winter.
* Triangle and Two Defense – Similar to a box-and-one, except that in this variation, three defenders (usually the frontcourt players) play zone in a triangular formation and the other two defenders (usually the guards) play man-to-man.
* UCLA High Post Offense –
* Zone defense –
** 2-3 Zone Defense –

Plays

* Backdoor cut – offensive play in which a player on the perimeter steps away from the basket, drawing the defender along, then suddenly cuts to the basket behind the defender for a pass. The opposite of a ''V cut''.
* Back screen – offensive play in which a player comes from the ''low post'' to set a screen for a player on the perimeter.
* Ball screen – offensive play in which a player sets a screen on the defender guarding the player with the ball.
* Baseline out-of-bounds play – the play used to return the ball to the court from outside the baseline along the opponent's basket.
* Box set – a formation in which four players align themselves as the four corners of a box. Often used for baseline out-of-bounds plays.
* Dribble drive motion – an offense that spreads the players to open up the lane for driving player to make a ''layup'' or ''kick out'' for a three-pointer.
* Fast break – an offensive tactic in which a team attempts to advance the ball and score as quickly as possible, giving the other team no time to defend effectively. Often the result of a steal or blocked shot.
** Fly fast break – after a shot is attempted, the player who is guarding the shooter does not box out or rebounds, but runs down the court looking for a pass from a rebounding team mate for a quick score.
* Four-point play – rare play in which a player is fouled but completes a three-point shot and then makes the resulting free throw.
* Halfcourt defense – portion of a team's defensive play conducted with both teams having established positions. See also ''transition defense''.
* Halfcourt offense – portion of a team's offensive play conducted with both teams having established positions. See also ''transition offense''.
* Memphis Attack – another name for dribble drive motion the offense was popularized in the early 2000s at the University of Memphis.
* Pick and pop – offensive play that is a derivative of the classic pick and roll. Instead of rolling toward the basket, however, the player setting the pick moves to an open area of the court to receive a pass from the ballhandler and "pops" a jump shot.
* Pick and roll – A play in which a player who is not the point guard sets a pick for the point guard, and rolls to the hoop.
* Three-point play
:# A play in which a shooter is fouled while making a two-point shot and then makes the resulting free throw. See also ''and one''.
:# When a shooter is fouled while taking but missing a three-point shot and then makes all three free throws. This is rare.
* Transition defense – portion of a team's defensive play conducted when the other team has first gained possession and is moving up the court, before both teams have established positions. Includes defense against ''fast breaks''. See also ''halfcourt defense''.
* Transition offense – portion of a team's offensive play conducted when first obtaining possession from the other team and moving up the court, before both teams have established positions. Includes ''fast breaks''. See also ''halfcourt offense''.

Moves

Basketball moves – individual actions used by players in basketball to pass by defenders to gain access to the basket or to get a clean pass to a teammate.
* Free throw –
* Advance step – A step in which the defender's lead foot steps toward their man and the back foot slides forward.
* Air ball – An unblocked shot that fails to hit the rim or backboard. Does not reset the shot clock.
* Air pass – A pass that goes straight through the air to the receiver. See also ''bounce pass''.
* Alley oop – An offensive play in which a player throws the ball up near the basket to a teammate (or, more rarely, to himself) who jumps, catches the ball in mid air and immediately scores a basket, usually with a slam dunk.
* Euro step – An offensive move in which a player, after picking up the dribble, takes a step in one direction and the second allowed step in a different direction while driving to the rim.
* Field goal – A shot made from anywhere on the court, does not include free throws.
* Over the back – a foul committed by a player who tries to rebound the ball by pushing, moving or climbing on a player's back who is already in position to rebound the ball.
* Rebound – To obtain the ball after a missed field goal attempt.

Blocking and footwork

* Banana cut – A wide, curving cut, as opposed to a cut that is a straight line.
* Basket cut – A cut toward the basket.
* Blindside screen – A screen set directly behind a defender where the player can't see it.
* Block – To tip or deflect a shooter's shot, altering its flight so the shot misses.* Block out – To make contact with an opposing player to establish rebounding position between the player and the ball. Also called "box out."
* Box out – See block out.
* Bump the cutter – To step in the way of a player who is trying to cut to the ball for a pass.
* Dingle – A steal that leads quickly to a score.
* Rip a C – A motion used while chinning the ball to create space during a pivot between an offensive player and a defensive player. Pivot towards the defender and rips the ball in a C-shape away from the pressure to create a passing lane.
* screen, set a screen – (v) To attempt to prevent a defender from guarding a teammate by standing in the defender's way. The screening player must remain stationary: a moving screen is an offensive foul. (n) The tactic of setting a screen. Also called a "pick".
* Stutter step – a common warm-up drill where you shuffle and scuff your feet in a quick moving motion across a length of flooring. This warm-up is supposed to keep the players alert and help them prepare to defend players in a real game, since the stutter step is a smaller version of shuffling.

Dribbling

Dribble – to bounce the ball continuously. Required in order to take steps with the ball.
* Wraparound – In the wraparound, the ballhandler dribbles the ball behind his/her back, switching it to his/her other hand. This move can be used when the defender attempts a steal, allowing the ballhandler to begin moving forward as the defense moves in. A streetball move with the same name involves swinging the ball around the opponent's body.
* Spin move – In a spin move, the ballhandler spins his/her body to change the direction and put his body between the ball and the defender. The spin move can be used while dribbling (when it is also called a reverse pivot) or in a post position, where it is often used many times during a game. The move can also leave the ballhandler somewhat disoriented, or to be surprised by a defender after losing eye contact.
* Crossover dribble – In a crossover dribble, the ballhandler changes pace to confuse or freeze a defender. It is also used to put the defender off balance to make it easier for the player handling the ball to dribble past the defender. The move is often performed by street players. In the professional league, players like Allen Iverson, Jason Williams, and Tim Hardaway were known to use this move in order to generate an easy layup or jump shot. This move is most effective in open-court situations, where it is easy to shake or "juke" the defender with a simple crossover. If done properly, the defender will be caught off guard, being unable to change directions. Sometimes, the defender falls down; this is called an ankle breaker.
* Behind-the-back dribble – A basic move in which the ballhandler simply bounces the ball behind the back to the opposite hand, but note that the ball is not intended to go around the body as in the basic 'wraparound'. This move is used to avoid an easy strip, to 'stall', or to 'pick'. It can be used to avoid an easy strip as an alternative to bouncing the ball in front of the dribbler for a tricky crossover. To stall means to overlook what can be set up on the court while still maintaining control over the ball. A pick is virtually the same as a stall but a pick is continuous, meaning that the ball is bounced back and forth behind the back; a pick may also be performed between the legs. The best choice of when to use this move would be in the case of a teammate's unavailability, to outrun a defender, or to drive the ball closer to the hoop due to the lack of space between the ballhandler and defender.

Passes

Pass – (v) To throw the ball to a teammate. (n) The act of passing.
* Assist – A pass to a teammate who scores a basket immediately or after one dribble.
* Ball fake – A sudden movement by the player with the ball intended to cause the defender to move in one direction, allowing the passer to pass in another direction. Also called "pass fake."
* Ball reversal – Passing of the ball from one side of the court to the other.
* Baseball pass – Also called the ''lance pass'', this is a long pass in which the passer throws the ball with one hand, as if it were a baseball or a football. It is infrequently used, mainly to set up last-second plays off a baseline inbounding situation.
* Behind-the-back – Dealt to a target behind the passer's back. Usually done to confuse the defender, behind the back passes can either be bounced off the floor or passed directly to a teammate's chest. However, most behind-the-back passes are direct. Earl Monroe was famous for this move. Steve Nash uses this move often, and Chris Webber is famed for using this move down in the paint.
* Blind pass – Also known as a no-look pass, the blind pass is performed when a player looks in one direction but passes the ball to his target in another direction. Blind passes are risky and infrequently attempted, but when done correctly, can confuse the defense. The no-look pass has been popularized by players such as Pete Maravich, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash.
* Bounce pass – A fundamental passing technique that consists of one player passing the ball to a teammate by bouncing the ball off the floor with great energy. Because the ball will be at ground level as it passes a defender, a successful bounce pass can easily result in a scoring assist because a bounce pass is harder for defenders to intercept. Still, a bounce pass may be intercepted due to its slower speed. Thus, a player must use his best judgment when he decides whether to make such a pass. The move has to be executed perfectly because a bounce pass may be kicked by rapidly shifting players and might be a difficult catch for the intended receiver.
* Chest pass – This pass is performed best by stepping towards your target with one foot, then throwing the ball out towards their chest with two hands while turning the hands over, ending with the thumbs pointing down. It is best used in the open court and on the perimeter.
* Dime – See ''drop a dime''.
* Dish – An assist.
* Drop a dime – To make an ''assist''
* Elbow pass – Introduced with much hype by Jason Williams, the Elbow Pass is one of the most difficult trick passes to execute. The Elbow Pass serves as a devastating complement to the Behind-the-Back pass and can be used with various no-look elements. Most effective on a fast-break, the Elbow Pass entails what appears to the defender to be a simple Behind-the-Back pass, but as the ball crosses the passer's back, the passer hits it with his elbow, redirecting the ball back toward the side it started on and hopefully leaving the defender(s) amazed and out of position. Williams was able to pull off this pass at a full sprint during a Rookie All-Star game, but most players have trouble hitting the ball with their elbow while standing still.
* Jump pass – A pass performed while the passing player's feet are off the floor. When done intentionally, usually when a teammate gets open during the shot, it can sometimes confuse the defender, causing him to believe that the passer is shooting instead of passing. However, it at times is done as a result of the player having their shooting lane blocked and often leads to the player turning the ball over to the opposing team. This kind of pass is strongly discouraged in all levels of basketball, as it leaves the offensive player very vulnerable to turnovers.
* Outlet pass – A pass thrown by a rebounder to start a ''fast break''.
* Overhead pass – another fundamental passing technique, used by snapping the ball over the head, like a soccer throw-in. This pass is especially effective in helping to initiate a fast break. After a defensive rebound, a well-thrown overhead, or outlet, pass can allow a breaking offensive player to quickly score without even dribbling by catching the ball near the basket.

Shots

* Bank shot – A shot that hits the backboard before hitting the rim or going through the net.
* Board – A shot resulting in a ''rebound''.
* Brick – A bad shot that bounces off the backboard or rim without a chance of going in.
* Buzzer beater – A basket in the final seconds of a game (right before the buzzer sounds) that in itself results in a win or overtime.
* Dunk – (v) To score by putting the ball directly through the basket with one or both hands. (n) A shot made by dunking.
* Fadeaway – A jump shot taken while jumping backwards, away from the basket.
* Free throw – An unopposed attempt to score a basket, worth one point, from the free throw line. Generally, two attempts are awarded when the player is fouled in the act of shooting (three attempts are awarded in the case of three-point shot), fouled flagrantly, or when the opposing team fouls while over the foul limit. Depending on the specifics of the foul and the rule set, one or two attempts may be awarded for technical fouls.
* Hook shot – A shot in which the offensive player arcs the ball over his head using the farthest hand from the basket, while moving perpendicular to the basket.
* In-n-out – A shot that appears to be going in, but instead goes back out.
* Jump shot – A shot taken while jumping
* Lay-in – A close-range shot using one hand to tip the ball over the rim
* Layup – A close-range shot using one hand to bank the ball off the backboard
* Points in the paint – Field goals made in the painted area below the free-throw line
* Prayer – A shot that has very little probability of being made.
* Set shot – A shot taken without leaving the floor.
* Slam dunk – A shot performed with the player jumping in air and forces the ball into the rim with one or both hands.
* Swish – (n) A shot which goes through the net without hitting the backboard or rim. (v) To make a swish.
* Three-ball – A ''three-point field goal''
* Three-point field goal – A shot, worth three points, attempted with both feet behind the three-point line.
* Three-pointer – A ''three-point field goal''
* Toilet bowl – When the ball hits the rim on a certain angle and then circles around it, can go in or out.
* Trey – A ''three-point field goal''

History of basketball

History of basketball
* James Naismith – invented basketball in 1891
** Ullamaliztli – basketball was in part based on the ancient Aztec ballgame.
** Pok-a-tok – James Naismith also based basketball on the ancient Mayan ballgame.
* Six-on-six basketball – largely archaic variant of women's basketball, with six players on each team instead of five, and in which only forwards are allowed to shoot the ball and must stay in their team's frontcourt, while guards must stay in their team's backcourt.
* Continental Basketball Association – was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, affiliated with ''USA Basketball''.
* Four corners offense – an offensive strategy for stalling that was rendered obsolete by the introduction of the shot clock and the three-point line.

History of the NBA

: ''Main articles: History of the National Basketball Association and List of National Basketball Association seasons''

Basketball Association of America (BAA)
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National Basketball Association (NBA)

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NBA seasons by team

* List of Atlanta Hawks seasons
* List of Boston Celtics seasons
* List of Brooklyn Nets seasons
* List of Charlotte Hornets seasons
* List of Chicago Bulls seasons
* List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons
* List of Dallas Mavericks seasons
* List of Denver Nuggets seasons
* List of Detroit Pistons seasons
* List of Golden State Warriors seasons
* List of Houston Rockets seasons
* List of Indiana Pacers seasons
* List of Los Angeles Clippers seasons
* List of Los Angeles Lakers seasons
* List of Memphis Grizzlies seasons
* List of Miami Heat seasons
* List of Milwaukee Bucks seasons
* List of Minnesota Timberwolves seasons
* List of New Orleans Pelicans seasons
* List of New York Knicks seasons
* List of Oklahoma City Thunder seasons
* List of Orlando Magic seasons
* List of Philadelphia 76ers seasons
* List of Phoenix Suns seasons
* List of Portland Trail Blazers seasons
* List of Sacramento Kings seasons
* List of San Antonio Spurs seasons
* List of Toronto Raptors seasons
* List of Utah Jazz seasons
* List of Washington Wizards seasons

Miscellaneous terms

* End of quarter – when a quarter ends
* Halftime – (1) The end of the first half of play. (2) The interval between the two halves.
* Pivot – (1) A ''center'' (2) The ''pivot foot''.
* Pivot foot – The foot that must remain touching the floor to avoid ''traveling''
* Run – An interval in which one team heavily outscores the other.
* Hot hand fallacy – Is the notion that a streak of positive successes are likely to continue, but statistics show that the probability of a streak continuing actually goes down as the length increases.http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2010/06/ssw_20100626.mp3
* 5 man weave – drill consisting of 5 players spaced evenly along the baseline, with the middle player holding the ball. On the smack of the ball players pass the ball repeatedly to the nearest player, while traveling up the court. They then run behind two players. Upon reaching the end of the court the drill turns into a 3 on 2 drill, with the person who shot the layup and the last passer returning to play defense. The ballhandler amongst the group of the 3 retreats to the other end after attacking the goal. The 2 defenders attack the single defender resulting in a 2 on 1 to the other side. These remaining 3 players then execute a 3-man weave to the far baseline.
* Three-peat – winning three consecutive championships.

Organized basketball

Leagues and governing bodies

* ACB – The top professional league in Spain, often regarded as the second-strongest domestic league in the world behind the ''NBA''. Initialism for the Spanish ''Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto'' ("Association of Basketball Clubs").
* EuroCup – Europe's second-level transnational club competition, operated by Euroleague Basketball, a joint venture of 11 top European clubs. Analogous to the ''UEFA Europa League'' in association football (soccer).
* EuroLeague – Europe's top transnational club competition, also operated by Euroleague Basketball. Analogous to the UEFA Champions League in football (soccer).
* FIBA – The ''International Basketball Federation'', an association of national organizations which governs international competitions.
** Basketball at the Summer Olympics  – Basketball has been an Olympic sport since 1936.
** FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup  – The world championships for national teams.
* NBA – The ''National Basketball Association'', the largest professional league in the United States, also with one team in Canada.
** NBA G League – the minor league for players trying to make it to the NBA
* NCAA – The ''National Collegiate Athletic Association'', the primary governing body for intercollegiate sports in the United States. Also, national tournaments operated by this body, especially the Division I men's and women's tournaments. An unrelated body with the same name exists in the Philippines.
* NFHS – The ''National Federation of State High School Associations'', the body that sets rules for high school sports in the U.S., including basketball.
* ULEB

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