My name is Nathan Lefevre, and I am in my first year of the Arts, letters and communication program at Cégep. As a basketball player, I created this glossary to help students, athletes and fans to understand basketball terms. This glossary includes 20 terms with clear définitions. Enjoy.
Air ball
Noun
A shot that completely misses the hoop and backboard.
Example: He shot an air ball from the free-throw line.
en: Tir manqué.
Alley hoop
noun
A high arc pass to a teammate near the basket for an easy score.
Example: The point guard threw a perfect alley-oop to the center.
en: Passe lobée
Assist
Noun
A pass that directly leads to a basket.
Example: He recorded 10 assists in the game.
en: Passe décisive
Back court
noun
The half of the court farthest from the offensive team’s goal.
Example: The point guard brought the ball up from the back court.
en: Arrière du terrain
Back door cut
noun
A player moves behind a defender toward the basket for a pass.
Example: He made a quick back door cut for an easy layup.
en: coupe dans le dos
Back screen
noun
An offensive player sets a screen away from the basket.
Example: The back screen freed up the shooter for a three-pointer.
en: Écran arrière
Backboard
The surface to which the basket is mounted.
He banked the shot off the backboard.
en: Panneau
Charge
noun
A foul committed when an offensive player runs into a stationary defender.
Example: The defender took a charge and got possession for his team.
en: Charge offensive
Crossover
noun
A dribbling move where a player quickly switches the ball from one hand to the other to evade a defender.
Example: He used a crossover to get past his defender.
en: dribble croisé
Double Double
noun
When a player records double digits in two statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, etc.).
Example: She finished the game with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
en: double double
Dunk
noun and verb
A powerful shot where a player jumps and slams the ball directly into the basket.
Example: He threw down an impressive dunk over his defender.
en: Dunk
Fadeaway
noun
A jump shot where the shooter leans backward to create space from the defender.
Example: He hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer.
en: Tir en déséquilibre
Fast break
noun
A quick offensive play where a team advances the ball rapidly to score before the defense sets up.
Example: The team scored on a fast break after the steal.
en: Contre attaque
Overtime
Noun
time in addition to what is normal, as time worked beyond one's scheduled working hours.
Example: The match between Real Madrid and Paris will go into overtime.
en: Temps supplémentaires.
Paint.
Noun
Points made on the key are termed as points in the paint or inside points.
Example: I attack the paint.
en: Bouteille.
Pass.
Noun
The act of throwing the ball to a teammate.
Example: I pass the ball to my teammate.
en: Passe
Press
Noun
Basketball. a tactic of harassing, close-guarding defense in which the team without the ball pressures the opponent man-to-man the entire length of the court in order to disrupt dribbling or passing and force a turnover: Suddenly behind by eighteen points, they went to a full-court press.
Example: Coach: let's play defense with press full court.
en: pressé
Shot.
Noun
a hit, stroke, or kick of the ball in sports such as basketball, tennis, or golf.
Example: Luka Doncic make 5 shot at 3 points in this game.
en: tir
Triple double
noun
When a player records double digits in three statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, etc.).
Example: He achieved a triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists, and 12 rebounds.
en: triple double
Turnover
noun
When a team loses possession of the ball due to a mistake or a steal.
Example: The team had too many turnovers in the first half.
