Basketball words, in the order you need them
Start with the beginner words and you can follow a match. Each level builds on the one before.
Already know some? Search all 122 words and 53 rules
Words
- 3x3 basketball
- Team
- Court
- Arc
- Free-throw line
- No-charge semi-circle
- Restricted area
- Playing time
- Overtime
- Coin flip
- Forfeit
- Field goal value
- Free throw
- Foul on a shooter
- Check-ball
- Clearing the ball
- Live ball and dead ball
- Out of bounds
- Delay of game warning
- Jump ball situation
- Dribbling
- Challenge
- Violation
- Shot clock
- Three seconds
- Five seconds
- Back to the basket
- No-clear violation
- Goaltending and interference
- Team fouls
- Offensive foul
- Technical foul
- Unsportsmanlike foul
- Disqualifying foul
- Double foul
- Time-out
- Substitution
- Team
- Court
- Basket
- Backboard
- Quarter
- Referee
- Goal
- Two-pointer
- Three-pointer
- Free throw
- Dunk
- Layup
- Rebound
- Assist
- Turnover
- Steal
- Double-double
- Foul
- Personal foul
- Technical foul
- Travelling
- Double dribble
- Shot clock violation
- Goaltending
- Violation
- Disruptive foul
- Flagrant foul
- Disqualifying foul
- Cylinder principle
- Legal guarding position
- No-charge semi-circle
- Basket interference
- Fake being fouled
- Jump ball and alternating possession
- 3 seconds
- 8 seconds
- Backcourt violation
- Frontcourt and backcourt
- Throw-in
- Substitution
- 5 seconds
- Last two minutes
- Forfeit and default
- Correctable error
- Dribble
- Pass
- Shot
- Block
- Screen
- Fast break
- Post up
- Free-throw line
- Three-point line
- Point guard
- Shooting guard
- Small forward
- Power forward
- Centre
- Overtime
- Time-out
- Possession
- Man-to-man defence
- Zone defence
- Bench
- Buzzer-beater
- Pick and roll
- Isolation
- Spacing
- Backdoor cut
- Fadeaway
- Alley-oop
- Help defence
- Full court press
- Box out
- Switch
- Charge
- Field goal percentage
- Plus-minus
- Efficiency rating
- Pace
- Usage rate
- Team foul penalty
- And-one
- Garbage time
- Fast break points
Rules
- How do you win a game of 3x3 basketball?
- How many points is a basket worth in 3x3?
- How big is a 3x3 basketball court?
- How many players are in a 3x3 team, and is there a coach?
- How does a 3x3 game start, and what is a check-ball?
- Why do 3x3 players run out behind the arc before they shoot?
- How long does a 3x3 team have to shoot?
- How many time-outs does a 3x3 team get?
- What are the violations in 3x3, and what do they cost?
- Can a 3x3 player back a defender down towards the basket?
- Two players are both holding the ball. Who gets it in 3x3?
- When is it illegal to touch a shot on its way to the basket?
- What happens when a shooter is fouled in 3x3?
- What changes when a 3x3 team has committed a lot of fouls?
- What is a technical foul in 3x3?
- What gets a player thrown out of a 3x3 game?
- Can a 3x3 team challenge a referee's call?
- What happens if a 3x3 team does not turn up, or wants to protest a result?
- How are teams ranked in a 3x3 pool?
- Is 3x3 the same as half-court basketball?
- How many points is a basket worth?
- How long is a basketball game?
- What is the 24-second rule?
- How many time-outs does a basketball team get?
- What is the possession arrow in basketball?
- How are basketball league tables decided?
- What is a double dribble in basketball?
- How many steps can you take in basketball?
- When is the ball out in basketball, and can you kick it?
- What are the rules for a throw-in (inbounds pass)?
- What is the 3-second rule in basketball?
- What is the 5-second rule in basketball?
- What are the backcourt rules in basketball?
- What is goaltending in basketball?
- What is a foul in basketball?
- Is it a charge or a block?
- What is an illegal screen in basketball?
- How many free throws do you get for a foul?
- What is the bonus in basketball?
- How many fouls before a player is out?
- What are the rules for a free throw?
- What happens when two players foul each other at the same time?
- What is a technical foul in basketball?
- What is a disruptive foul in basketball?
- What is a flagrant foul in basketball?
- What gets a player thrown out of a basketball game?
- How many players are in a basketball team?
- How do substitutions work in basketball?
- What happens when a basketball player is injured?
- What can a basketball coach do during a game?
- Who are the officials in a basketball game?
- What can be reviewed on video in basketball?
- How big is a basketball court?