Mars Attacks

Basketball Glossary

The Basketball Glossary gives an overview of terms used in and around Basketball, especially in terms of coaching.

You can download the whole Glossary as a .pdf-file with additional explanations and illustrations here.

A

Advance step: A step in which the defender's lead foot steps toward their man, and her back foot slides forward.

Assist: A pass thrown to a player who immediately scores.

B

Backcourt: The half of the court a team is defending. The opposite of the frontcourt. Also used to describe parts of a team: backcourt = all guards (front court= all forwards and centers)

Back cut: See cuts, Backdoor cut

Backdoor cut: See cuts

Back screen: See Screens

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 the ball from one side of the court to the other.

Ball screen: See Screens

Ball side: The half of the court (if the court is divided lengthwise) that the ball is on. Also called the "strong side." The opposite of the help side.

Banana cut: See cuts

Bank shot: A shot that hits the backboard before hitting the rim or going through the net.

Baseball pass: A one-handed pass thrown like a baseball.

Baseline: The line that marks the playing boundary at each end of the court. Also called the "end line."

Baseline out-of-bounds play: The play used to return the ball to the court from outside the baseline along the opponent's basket.

Basket cut: See cuts.

Blindside screen: See Backscreen

Block: (1) A violation in which a defender steps in front of a dribbler but is still moving when they collide. Also called a "blocking foul." (2) To tip or deflect a shooter's shot, altering its flight so the shot misses. (3) The small painted square on the floor next to the basket just outside the lane.

Block out: To make contact with an opposing player to establish...