It was Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education professor, who came up with the idea of nailing a peach basket on a balcony, and having the students in his class take turns throwing a ball into the "hoop.". List RulesVote up the words and phrases that are most important for understanding basketball. The ball must keep moving in basketball. Glossary of Basketball Terms, Slang & Lingo. Ball- Term used to call alert defenders of a loose or tipped ball. One and One: When a team has reached the initial foul limit, or the bonus, the next player to get fouled will receive one free throw. Defense - The team on defense is the team without possession of the basketball. Later that year he wrote the first version of the rules of wha… Basketball, it’s complicated. Dagger - A slang term that can be used to describe a clutch shot made in the final few seconds of the shot clock or the game. Alley-Oop. “The ball is in their court” In your business-to-business dealings, it’s quite common for one company … Because there are five members of a basketball team, the sixth man is the player who reliably replaces one of the starting players. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Ever seen a player who can’t miss a shot from anywhere in the court? That player is making it rain – sinking shots from seemingly out of nowhere. A buzzer beater can refer to both a shot made in the last second of a shot clock and in the last second of a game. It’s a skillful way to bypass a tricky defense from the other team. Basketball Lingo. Because life’s complicated enough. It’s similar to a double dribble, but a traveling player is in motion while holding the ball. I also need to recommend Coach Turner’s Hoops Terms Compendium where you will find nearly 500 terms and definitions — from the ‘normal’ basketball terms to the slang expressions! DUNK: A trademark basketball move where the player jumps high enough to reach above the basket, and then slams the ball into the basket with either one hand, or both hands. Players in these games are putting on a clinic, which is a learning session for basketball beginners. However, it’s often used to describe people who are very cool and wealthy, or even as an adjective for the same quality. 150+ Common Baseball Terms. If you shoot the basketball underhand versus overhand, you might hear calls of “granny shot!” across the court. Guard -Guard is a position that some players play. Start using these terms each time you talk about basketball … Knock: Another term for a hit. Basket-hanging refers to a lone player who straggles behind his teammates as they run back to play defense. Bringing out the best in each other! Deeds not words. (“That car is so baller!”). Rally your basketball team, inspire your fans and liven up the crowd with some great basketball slogans! The loser of that game can consider themselves schooled (also known as taken to school). A player who is excellent at jumping with the ball can make a name for himself with his hops (jumps). An air ball doesn’t even come close to making it inside the basket. Sometimes a player makes every shot in a row. This defense is more common when the entire team is equally talented. What Is The Definition Of 2-For-1 In Basketball? Definition: The act of a player scoring a basket and drawing a foul to get a free throw. While on defense, the team will attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring in their basket. The forwards primary task is to score as much as possible. But when they make the shot anyway, they still receive the free shot, known as and one. An expert coach uses some new term at a basketball camp, and it becomes part of the vernacular. Making it rain: When a player or team is making shots left right and centre. By Hunter Hewitt; O. Naismith wanted to come up with a healthy, fun sport where the students could burn off excess energy indoors and the game was easily playable in the confines of a small gym (which also functioned as an auditorium for plays and activities). This page will be like a basketball dictionary, defining basketball terms. If the player makes the free throw, he or she shoots an additional free throw. The game of basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Then, write each word on the blank line next to its correct definition. Phrases related to basketball can range from the basic to insider, NBA slang, but they are all things fans should know to become experts. All Rights Reserved, list of inspirational quotes about basketball, Basketball Slang Terms to Sound Like a Pro. Select from this list for shirts, banners, posters, t-shirts, jerseys, signs, warm-ups, locker room and more. Bang - To dunk hard. The students were members of the YMCA's training school. Leather: The glove. There was an initial problem with the peach basket, though: if the scorer got the ball into the basket, the game stopped until someone could free the ball. But to win, it takes a team. Wiggle: Being able to manoeuvre in and out of defenders with the basketball. The shot creates space for the shooter to make a more accurate shot while avoiding defenders. When a player makes a great fielding play, he is said to have “flashed the leather.” LOOGY: An acronym for “Lefty One Out GuY,” used to describe a left-handed relief specialist. A splash is a dramatic three-point shot from far away. Alternating-possession rule: A rule in which teams take turns possessing the ball after stopped plays. Good for both girls and boys basketball teams. Phrases related to basketball can range from the basic to insider, NBA slang, but they are all things fans should know to become experts. Airball - A basketball shot that misses everything; net, backboard, and rim. Inside-out attack – Passing the ball from the perimeter to players in the key. Definition: The stat line of a player reaching double digits in two statistical categories such as points and rebounds or points and assists, etc. Competing takes effort. Defensive players guard an area of the court, or “zone,” rather than individual players. However, you’ll usually hear this term when the shot in question is the winning shot of the game. The best game ever invented. Afterwards, they also soon realized that people watching the game from the balcony were unwitting targets in case the ball flew past the basket. Hoops – Slang for the game of basketball. Very talented players may master the fadeaway, where one makes a jump shot while falling backward through the air. Alley-oop : A lob from one offensive player to a leaping teammate where the latter immediately dunks the ball. But a brick shot bounces haphazardly off the rim or the backboard, prompting calls of “Brick!” from fans of the opposing team. Vote up the words and phrases that are most important for understanding basketball. Here are some examples of basketball (or b-ball) slang terms. Players in a basketball game are intent on throwing the ball through the basket by all the legal means necessary. Big Ballin. Each shot in a hot streak is often called an automatic, meaning that the player’s success seems inevitable. A basketball player who catches the ball mid-dribble and continues to dribble – or who dribbles with both hands at the same time – is double dribbling. Teams who choose not to practice man-to-man defense may choose a zone defense. Believe in basketball. He experimented with a team game in which players threw a soccer ball to each other and scored by throwing it into a peach basket nailed high on a wall. Naismith came up with the idea of using a board behind the basket to protect spectators. If the defense collapses and closes down the inside, the ball is passed back out to the wing player who should be open. Print the pdf: Basketball Vocabulary Sheet. Believe & Achieve. Assist - A pass to another basketball player that leads directly to a made basket. This is a list of common basketball lingo, terminology and jargon terms. Alley-Oop: When one... B. Backboard: The rectangular piece of wood or fiberglass the rim is attached to. Some NBA slang will extend beyond just knowing the positions played by LeBron James or Stephen Curry or the names of the stats they accumulate. It comes from the phrase “dropping a dime,” referring to dropping 10 cents into a pay phone to help someone out. Everything you need to know about the fastest 48 minutes in sports. B-Ball is another term for basketball. Definition: A missed shot that does not touch the rim or any part of the basket, Definition: A shot that goes in the net without touching the rim or basket, thus making a "swish" sound. Its popularity has even led to basketball slang found in everyday vocabulary. Basketball terms and phrases can be hard to understand when casually watching a game or in the early stages of one’s fandom. You may also hear this term in the context of a basketball team’s fans who call themselves “Sixth Man.”. Even though players want to get the ball down the court as quickly as possible, they can’t travel to do it. Putting ‘em on skates: When you dribble past a defender, making him look like he’s on skates (falling). Some basketball games are so good that they feel more like a basketball lesson. Basketball terms = the name of this section, made you look =P Bench warmer = a player who hardly ever plays, sits on the bench Brick = a missed shot, usually a jumpshot 33 Basketball Terms Every Kid Should Know. A player who makes a series of successful assists or sets up other players for key shots is dropping dimes. An alley-oop is a type of assist in which one player throws the ball toward the basket, and another player... And One. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors have the nickname “Splash Brothers” due to their ability to sink three-pointers. Blacks dunk, whites shoot. If you’re preparing an offensive play to make a basket, most of it needs to happen outside the key. Three in the key refers to a rule violation when an offensive player spends more than three seconds inside the key, usually while preparing to receive a ball to make a basket. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor at YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, decided to create a new indoor game to keep his students fit during the cold winter months. Basketball Terms and Phrases to Know. Traveling involves a player carrying a ball without dribbling for more than three steps. Court is in session. Be prepared! Slang Terms Used in Basketball Air Ball. The basket, nailed high off the floor, still had the bottom intact! A very talented basketball player may show off a bit when they’re winning a game. block out (or box out): Using the body to block or shield an opponent in order to gain better position … This occurs in youth, high school and college basketball only. Basketball Terms I. Inbounds pass – A pass that's thrown in from out of bounds. That describes a swish shot that doesn’t touch the backboard or rim as it goes through the basket. Now that you know the basic slang used in basketball, you’re sure to sound like a pro on the court – as long as you’ve got the skills to back it up! This practice is known as a flop, and players who fall to the floor with exaggerated drama are known as floppers. Boards: Slang for rebound, which is the retrieval of a missed shot. Knowing some basketball lingo will help you to enjoy the game more while you play or watch from courtside seats — or your sofa. Ideally, a player with a lot of hops can make more baskets. The game is a team sport with limited contact, that is typically places two teams consisting of five players against each other. A man-to-man defensive strategy puts each player against another player of similar size and ability. A colorful TV commentator (Al McGuire and his "aircraft carrier", Dick Vitale, etc) come up with very colorful expressions, and it becomes part of the game. Michael Jordan had an especially impressive fadeaway shot. Born to great things. You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With A Number (#) / 2-For-1. Whether it's professional, college, or one-on-one in your backyard, basketball is one of the most popular games in the world. A huge collection of basketball slogans, phrases, sayings, mottos, and quotes. The term baller originally referred to basketball players. Championships are won at practice. An alley-oop is a type of assist in which one player throws the ball toward the basket, and another player jumps up to dunk the ball. So pass the rock and give yourself a triple double by voting up the terms related to basketball that will be most useful for people just getting to know the sport or for basketball fans who need a primer. Now that you know some common basketball terms, phrases, and slang, you'll have an easier time communicating about the game. Example: If you score and are fouled, scream, "And One!" That wooden contrivance, now known as the backboard in basketball, is still in use today. Well, we’ve put together this extensive list of some commonly used baseball terms and jargon you may come across when watching a baseball game or talking with a player, coach or baseball fan! Black and whites excel at thy sport. A brick is related to an air ball in that the ball doesn’t make it into the basket. Your best bet is to go on the court and learn the different lingo. 2-For-1. 1. This glossary of basketball terms is a list of definitions of terms used in the game of basketball. When discussing teams, there are a load of statistics, terms, and acronyms thrown out. As with any sport, basketball has its own terms and phrases to describe game moves, plays, positions, and more. When a player goes for a shot and is fouled, they earn a foul shot. And One - Scoring a basket while getting fouled. A “dime” is an assist. Some NBA slang will extend beyond just knowing the positions played by LeBron James or Stephen Curry or the names of the stats they accumulate. The guard's job is to inbound and bring the ball … Even though there are other sports that begin with the same letter (such as baseball), b-ball always refers to basketball. Key - (aka the paint) painted rectangular area directly under the basket and extending out towards the free throw line. End of story. Backdoor: An offensive action in … Use a dictionary or the Internet to look up each of the terms on the basketball vocabulary sheet. Ally-oop - A pass high above the basketball rim that allows a player to catch and slam dunk or drop in the ball in one motion. The Madness of March isn’t just confined to what happens on the basketball court. For more basketball resources and information, check out a list of inspirational quotes about basketball from some of the most famous players in history. Basketball terms and phrases can be hard to understand when casually watching a game or in the early stages of one’s fandom. Naismith and his "basket ball" recruits, though, quickly figured out that knocking the bottom out of the basket, and allowing the ball to be returned, bouncing, to the players made the game a lot more interesting. FORWARD: This is also one of the 3 standard player positions. 2 for 1. You can also view specific baseball slang , golf slang , and fantasy football slang . The following list is a good reference to help you understand the meaning of all the slang terms used during sporting events and in the post-game analysis. If a player is throwing the ball and it flies the length of the court but still misses, it's an air ball. If you make a three-point shot from the foul line, you’ve made it from “downtown.” You’ll often hear this term when someone makes a very unlikely shot regardless of the distance. Check out a list of popular slang words you might hear around the court, and soon you’ll sound like a pro yourself! Whether you're using these terms on the court, at home with your friends, or just listening to a game on TV or the radio, all the NBA jargon below will be helpful in keeping your conversation flowing. Have you ever been watching a baseball game and overheard some words or phrases that you didn’t understand? A Dictionary for Common Sports Slang & Jargon. Lay-Up - shot taken by a driving ball handler very close to the basket, with the shooter’s momentum leaving them somewhere behind the basket. In the process, they might shout terms to their teammates about different strategies or techniques to try. Meatball: An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate. If you are looking for a term that’s not here, contact us and let us know. If a player is throwing the ball and it flies the length of the court but still misses, it's an air ball. Like any other major sport, basketball features its own extensive vocabulary of unique words and phrases used by players, coaches, sports journalists, commentators, and fans. Boom goes the Dynamite. Nothing but net! Each spot as their on terms, you will probably catch them very fast since most of them are very intuitive. And of course, they may also engage in a little trash talk to the other team! It was Naismith who named his new game "basket (for the peach basket) ball.” The game was an immediate hit with the students, and quickly spread to other schools. You may hear excited fans shout “automatic!” when their favorite player sinks several shots. Have you ever seen a player act like a minor touch is a terrible injury in hopes of earning a foul shot? Hops - Describes somebody's superb jumping ability. Use this resource to learn Basketball Rules, Terminology and Definitions categorized in alphabetical order. Common Basketball Terms Airball: A shot attempt where the ball fails to make contact with any part of the basket. In this activity, students will be introduced to the terminology associated with basketball. However, for professional basketball players like Rick Barry, the so-called granny shot makes for a pretty good free-throw percentage. 33 Basketball Terms Every Kid Should Know A. 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