Entertainment / Basketball Glossary

Dead Ball: Any ball that is not live; occurs after a successful field goal or free-throw attempt, after the whistle is blown, and if the ball leaves the court.

Defense: The team without the ball; also the act of trying to stop the opponent from scoring.

Defensive Rebound: A rebound by a player on defense.

Disqualification: A player is disqualified after reaching five personal fouls in high school and college and six fouls in the NBA. Both players and coaches can also be kicked out of a game for many offenses s . . . View Full Definition

Double Pivot: The double pivot is faking twice on one direction with the ball and going opposite direction thinking twice is the way to go .

Double Team: When two players from the same team move up to guard one offensive player it's called a double team. When two players cover an offensive player in a corner it's also known as a 'trap'.

Down Screen: A move by an offensive player toward the baseline to set a screen for a teammate.

Downcourt: Moving from the backcourt toward the frontcourt, or toward the offensive basket.

Drawing Contact: An offensive move intended to produce a foul call on the defensive player. A typical strategy is to drive into a defensive player whose feet are not stationary. When the two players make bod . . . View Full Definition

Dribble: The act of bouncing the ball up and down. The offensive player with the ball uses the dribble to move around the court.

Drive To The Basket: To move rapidly with purpose and authority toward the basket with the ball with the intention of scoring.

Drop Step: Also called a 'reverse pivot', the drop step is a move in which the player posting up takes a back step on the side of a defender behind him and spins to that side to gain leverage.

Dunk: Score a basket by driving or stuffing the ball into the basket from above the rim.

Dunkadelic: (adj.) The fusion of basketball and hip-hop inspired by the cultural aestetics of urban style, fashion, and attitude. Highlight dunks or dunkers to music or rap lyrics. A very powerful or th . . . View Full Definition

Early Offense: The period just after a team has crossed over the midcourt line and set up its half-court offensive.

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 pas . . . View Full Definition

Elbowing: Throwing your elbows during play in order to hit another player or push him away; it's a foul if contact is made.

End Line: Also caled the baseline. This line extends across both ends of the court behind the baskets.

Fade Away: A fade away shot is variation on a set jump shot in which the shooter attempts his shot leaning backward, creating the effect of 'fading away' from his defender. This makes it more difficult . . . View Full Definition

Fade Cut: A cut used by an offensive player coming off a screen when the defender is is a sagging position.

Fake: A technique used to get a defensive player off balance or out of position.

Fast Break: Also called the run-and-shoot or run-and-gun offense, it begins with a defensive rebound by a player who immediately sends an outlet pass toward midcourt to his waiting teammates; these team . . . View Full Definition

Field Goal: A basket made while the ball is in play.

Field Goal Percentage: The percentage of converted field goal attempts.

Finger Roll: A finger roll is performed when a player shoots the ball with one hand during a layup and then lifts his fingers, rolling the ball into the basket. The rotation produced provides the ball wi . . . View Full Definition

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