Entertainment / Basketball Glossary

Blocked Shot: Deflection of a shot by touching part of the ball on its way to the basket.

Blocking: The use of a defender's body position to legally prevent an opponent's advance; the opposite of charging.

Blocks: The square markings six feet from the baseline on each side of the lane.

Bounce Pass: The bounce pass is a fundamental and very effective passing technique. This pass consists of one player passing the ball to a teammate by bouncing the ball off the floor with great energy. B . . . View Full Definition

Box Out: Establish and maintain a rebounding position between the basket and your opponent.

Boxing Out: A player's attempt to position his body between his opponents and the basket to get rebounds and prevent the opponents from doing so.

Carrying: You may not dribble the ball with both hands at once or turn the ball over in your hands. You'll be called for carrying if you do. This is also called 'palming'. To avoid this offense, be su . . . View Full Definition

Catch and Face: Technique for receiving a pass and squaring up to the basket; similar to the triple-threat position.

Catch and Shoot: A play in which a player receives a pass and shoots it immediately without squaring up so that the defender cannot react in time. Used by teams with great perimeter shooters, such as the Ind . . . View Full Definition

Center: Often the tallest player on the team. Normally plays close to the basket and is responsible for getting rebounds and blocking shots.

Change of Pace Dribble: Alternately slowing down and speeding up in order to penetrate past a defender.

Charging: An offensive foul which occurs when an offensive player runs into a defender who has established position.

Chest Pass: This pass is performed best by stepping towards your target with one foot, then pushing the ball out towards their chest with two hands while turning the hands over, ending with the thumbs p . . . View Full Definition

Chin It: The position of the ball after a rebound: directly under the chin with the elbows and fingers up.

Clear Out: When an offensive player leaves an area so the ball handler has more room to maneuver.

Clock-Down Cut: A cut toward the baseline by a helpside forward.

Control Dribble: A low dribble used when closely guarded.

Court: The area on which a basketball game is played; bounded by 2 sidelines and 2 end lines, containing a basket at each end.

Court Vision: A player's ability to see everything on the court during play ‹ such as where his teammates and defenders are set up ‹ which enables him to make better choices in passing; a highly desirable . . . View Full Definition

Cross Screen: A lateral move by an offensive player to set a screen for a teammate.

Crossover Dribble: When a ball handler dribbles the ball across his body from one hand to the other. Also called 'rocking the baby.'

Crossover Step: An offensive move consisting of a jab step followed with a step in the opposite direction.

Curl Cut: A cut off a screen toward the basket; is used when the defender is trailing the cutter.

Cut: An offensive move to elude a defender or drive to the basket.

Cylinder: The imaginary area directly above the basket where goaltending or basket interference can occur.

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