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Air ball
A missed attempt at shooting a basket that fails to touch the rim or backboard
Alley-oop pass
When the ball is passed to a team member who then scores in a flamboyant style
Assist
A pass that leads to a team-mate scoring
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Backboard
The rectangle behind the basket which the ball can rebound from
Back court
The half of the court from which a team is defending
Bank shot
When the ball rebounds off the backboard into the net
Baseball pass
A one-handed overhead pass
Basket
The hoop and net through which the ball goes through to score. Also the name for a score
Bench
This is on the sidelines of the court and is where the substitutes sit during a game
Blocking
An illegal move by a defender who tries to stop the player with the ball by making contact
Bounce pass
A pass to a team-mate where the ball is bounced off the ground
Boxing out
Where a defensive player is positioned between the attacker and the basket to prevent them from winning a rebound
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Charity stripe
Another name for the free-throw line
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Dead ball
The description of action when the referee whistles for when play has stopped
Double foul
When two players commit a foul at the same time, resulting in a jump ball
Downtown
The name sometimes given to the area outside the 3-point arc
Dribbling
Moving around the court whilst bouncing the ball with one hand
Drive
An aggressive move towards the basket with the ball
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Fake
When a player pretends to move or throw the ball one way, but actually makes another move to trick an opponent
Fast break
This is a counter-attack move when the ball is passed out quickly to team-mates who then sprint to the basket and shoot before their opponents can catch up to stop them
Field goal
Any basket scored that is not a free-throw
Four-point play
A 3-point shot followed by a successful free-throw
Free-throw
An unchallenged shot at the basket and is awarded after a technical foul, or a personal foul on a player in the act of shooting
Front court
The half of the court a team is attacking
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Goaltending
When a shot on its way down to the basket is blocked by a defensive player, or when a defensive player touches the ball as it is directly above the basket or on the rim
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H |
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Hook shot
The player starts with their back to the basket and pivots round before shooting with the ball played over their head
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Jump ball
Used to start and re-start the game, with two opposing players jumping against each other to win a ball thrown by the official
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Key
The key-hole shaped area extending from the baseline under the basket
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M |
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Man-to-man
A defensive strategy in which a player marks an opposing player
MVP
An award given to the "most valuable player"
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NBA
National Basketball Association - basketball's governing body in America
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Offence
When a team is in possession of the ball and trying to score
One-on-one
A single offensive player taking on a single defender during play
Overhead pass
A pass to a team-mate played over the head
Overtime
Five minutes of extra play are added on when the game ends with the scores tied
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Pivot
When a player with the ball moves in any direction while still keeping one foot in contact with the floor
Playmaker
Another name for the ball-handling guard, also known as the point guard
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Rebound
When a player gains control of the ball after a missed shot bounces off the backboard or the hoop
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Slam dunk
When a player jumps to reach the level of the ring and slams the ball into the basket
Steal
Gaining possession of the ball from a dribbler or passer
Swing man
A player who can play both the guard and forward positions
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Throw-in
A free throw from the side-line
Time-out
A one-minute break called by the coach
Tip in
A shot into the basket after the ball rebounds off the backboard
Travelling
When a player carries the ball rather then dribbling it correctly
Triple threat position
The standard position to protect the ball from an opponent, adopted after receiving the ball
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X |
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Y |
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Zone
Used as a defensive strategy to cover areas of the court rather than marking individual players
