Basketball words · Beginner

The words you will hear in your first match, grouped the way you meet them.

B · Beginner · 67 words · Step 1 of 2

3x3 basketball

General terms

3x3 basketball

Basketball played by two teams on one half court with one basket. A team has up to four players, three on the court and one substitute. Games are short, with a 12-second shot clock and a points limit.

Team

Not more than four players, three of them on the court and one substitute. Coaching from the court, from the seats or remotely is not allowed, and a team may not use communication equipment with people outside the court. Coaching leads first to a warning, then to a technical foul.

The court

Court

A regular 3x3 court is 15 m wide and 11 m long, with a regular basketball-sized zone containing a free-throw line (5.80 m), a two-point line (6.75 m) and a no-charge semi-circle under the one basket.

Arc

The line 6.75 m from the basket that separates the one-point and two-point shooting areas. A player is behind the arc when neither foot is inside it or on the line. Shots released from outside it are worth two points.

Also called: two-point line

Starting and ending the game

Playing time

One period of ten minutes, with the game clock stopped for free throws and dead balls. The game ends when time runs out, or earlier when a team scores 21 points or more. A last basket that takes a team from 20 to 22 points still wins it.

Scoring

Field goal value

One point for a field goal released from inside the arc and two points for one released from outside it. The value is set by where the shooter was when the ball was released, even if a defender touches the ball in the air.

Free throw

An unopposed chance to score one point from behind the free-throw line. The shooter has five seconds after being given the ball. After a foul, the player who was fouled shoots, and after a technical foul any opposing player may.

Play terms

Check-ball

How play starts or restarts after a dead ball. The attacking player stands behind the arc, in the middle of the court, with both feet on the floor, about one metre from the defender. The defender bounces the ball to them with a normal basketball pass, and play begins once the ball is in the attacker's hands.

Clearing the ball

Taking the ball behind the arc so the team with new possession can try to score. After a made basket or last free throw, the team that did not score restarts from inside the court under the basket, by dribbling or passing to a spot behind the arc. After a missed shot, an offensive rebound may be played on without clearing, but the defence must clear after a rebound, steal or block.

Live ball and dead ball

The ball becomes live when it is handed to an attacker in a check-ball, after each field goal or last free throw, or when it is handed to a free-throw shooter. It does not become dead after a made field goal, so play can resume at once.

Out of bounds

A player is out when any part of the body touches the floor or an object on or outside a boundary line. The ball is out when it touches a line, the floor or anything outside, a person outside, or the backboard support or back. The last player to touch it before it went out is responsible.

Violations

Violation

An infraction of the rules for which the penalty is a check-ball for the opponents.

Shot clock

A team in control of the ball must release a field-goal attempt within 12 seconds, and the shot must hit the ring or go in. The clock starts when a team gains control, after a check-ball or after a made basket. It resets to 12 seconds after a rebound off the ring, a foul or violation by the defence, or when the same team gets the ball again for specific reasons.

Also called: 12 seconds
See also: Check-ball, Violation

Fouls and penalties

Team fouls

Personal, technical, unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls all count as team fouls. After six, a team is in the penalty: the seventh, eighth and ninth give two free throws, and the tenth and later give two free throws and possession. A player is not out of the game for personal fouls.

The ruleWhat changes when a 3x3 team has committed a lot of fouls?

Basketball

Basic setup terms

Team

Five players from each team are on the court at a time. A team has up to 12 players entitled to play, a head coach and up to 8 other delegation members. A game cannot start unless both teams have 5 players ready.

Court

The playing surface: a flat, hard court 28 m long and 15 m wide, with a basket at each end. Its markings include the restricted area, the free-throw line, the 3-point line and the no-charge semi-circle.

Basket

The ring with a net on a backboard that players shoot at. A team attacks its opponents' basket and defends its own.

Also called: hoop, ring
See also: Backboard, Goal

Backboard

The flat rectangular board behind the hoop that the ball can bounce off during a shot.

Quarter

A FIBA game has four quarters of 10 minutes each. There are 2 minutes between quarters one and two and between three and four, and a 15-minute half-time. (The NBA plays 12-minute quarters.)

Referee

The officials who run the game, with the table officials (scorer, timer, shot clock operator) and sometimes a commissioner. The crew chief leads the referees.

Scoring terms

Goal

A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and stays in or passes through. It counts 2 points from inside the 3-point line, 3 points from beyond it, and 1 point for a free throw.

Also called: field goal, basket
See also: Basket, Free throw

Two-pointer

A goal released from the 2-point goal area, which is everything inside the 3-point line. It counts 2 points.

Three-pointer

A goal released from the 3-point goal area, beyond the 3-point line. The line is an arc of 6.75 m from the basket and two parallel lines near the sidelines. A shooter standing on the line is not in the 3-point goal area. It counts 3 points.

Free throw

An unopposed attempt to score 1 point from behind the free-throw line, awarded after certain fouls. The shooter must release the ball within 5 seconds and must not touch the line or enter the restricted area before the ball touches the ring or goes in.

See also: Basket, 5 seconds, Free-throw line

Dunk

A goal in which the ball is forced downwards into the basket with one or both hands.

Also called: slam dunk
See also: Basket, Goal

Layup

A close-range shot where the player drives to the basket and gently shoots the ball off the backboard or directly into the hoop.

Rebound

Grabbing the ball after a missed shot, can be offensive (by the shooting team) or defensive (by the other team).

Assist

A pass that directly leads to a teammate scoring.

Turnover

Losing possession of the ball to the other team without taking a shot (e.g., a bad pass or steal).

Steal

Legally taking the ball away from an opponent.

Double-double

When a player records double-digit numbers (10+) in two or three statistical categories (like points, rebounds and assists) in one game, a sign of an all-around great performance.

Also called: triple-double

Fouls and violations

Foul

An infraction of the rules about illegal personal contact with an opponent or unsportsmanlike behaviour. Any number of fouls can be called, each is charged to the offender on the scoresheet, and they are penalised according to their type.

Personal foul

Illegal contact with an opponent, such as holding, blocking, pushing, charging, tripping or impeding with the hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, leg, knee or foot. A player who commits five fouls must leave the game. (The NBA allows six.)

Technical foul

A foul for behaviour or an administrative infraction, not for contact in play. There are two categories: category 1 fouls, such as disrespect to officials or taunting, count toward a game disqualification, and category 2, such as delaying the game or hanging on the ring, do not. The opponents get 1 free throw.

Travelling

The illegal movement of one or both feet beyond the limits of the rules while holding a live ball. A player who stops can pivot on one foot, and one who catches the ball while moving may take two steps. A player who catches the ball standing may not lift the pivot foot before releasing the ball to start a dribble.

Also called: traveling, pivot
See also: Dribble

The ruleHow many steps can you take in basketball?

Double dribble

Dribbling a second time after the first dribble has ended. A dribble ends when the player touches the ball with both hands at the same time, or lets it come to rest in a hand. FIBA's rules do not use the name double dribble. A player may dribble again only after losing control through a shot, an opponent's touch, or a pass or fumble touching another player.

Shot clock violation

A team must attempt a shot within 24 seconds of gaining control. The ball must leave the shooter's hand before the signal and then touch the ring or go in. A violation gives the ball to the opponents. In FIBA the clock resets to 14 seconds after certain stoppages in the frontcourt and after a shot hits the ring.

Also called: shot clock
See also: Basket, Violation

The ruleWhat is the 24-second rule?

Goaltending

Touching a shot for a goal while it is completely above the level of the ring and on its way down, or after it has touched the backboard. If the defensive player does it, the shooting team is awarded the points as if the ball had gone in. Touching the ball or basket while it is on the ring is basket interference.

Violation

An infraction of the rules that is not a foul, such as travelling, a 3-second or 8-second violation, or going out of bounds. The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the place nearest.

Time and possession rules

Jump ball and alternating possession

The first quarter starts with a jump ball in the centre circle. After that, in jump ball situations, such as a held ball, teams take turns to get the ball for a throw-in, and an arrow at the scorer's table shows whose turn it is.

Also called: jump ball
See also: Quarter, Throw-in, Centre

3 seconds

A player may not stay in the opponents' restricted area for more than 3 consecutive seconds while their team controls a live ball in the frontcourt.

8 seconds

A team that gains control in its backcourt must get the ball into its frontcourt within 8 seconds.

Backcourt violation

A team in control of the ball in its frontcourt may not cause it to return to its backcourt. The ball is awarded to the opponents.

Also called: ball returned to the backcourt

The ruleWhat are the backcourt rules in basketball?

Frontcourt and backcourt

A team's backcourt is its own basket's half up to the centre line, and its frontcourt is the half with the opponents' basket. The centre line is part of the backcourt, not the frontcourt.

Also called: backcourt, frontcourt
See also: Basket, Goal, Centre

Throw-in

The way play restarts after the ball goes out of bounds or a violation. The thrower-in has 5 seconds, may not move more than 1 m sideways, and may not touch the ball again before another player does. After a goal the other team throws in from behind the endline.

Substitution

A substitute requests it at the scorer's table during a substitution opportunity. A substitute and the player they replace cannot go back in or out until the ball has been dead after a clock running period, with exceptions.

Playing terms

Dribble

The movement of a live ball caused by a player in control who throws, taps, rolls or bounces it on the court. A player may not carry the ball by placing a hand under it, and has no limit on steps when the ball is not in contact with the hand.

Pass

Throwing the ball to a teammate.

Shot

An attempt to score. A shot for a goal occurs when the ball is held in a player's hands and thrown into the air towards the opponents' basket. The act of shooting has a defined start and end that decide how many free throws a fouled player gets.

Also called: shooting
See also: Basket, Goal

Block

Legally deflecting or stopping an opponent's shot attempt.

Screen

An attempt to delay or prevent an opponent without the ball from reaching a position. It is legal if the screener is stationary and has both feet on the court when contact occurs, and illegal if moving or too close to an opponent in motion.

Also called: pick

Fast break

A quick offensive play where a team rushes the ball down the court before the defence can get organised.

Post up

When a player (usually a taller one) positions themselves with their back to the basket, close to the hoop, to receive the ball and shoot or drive.

Free-throw line

The line from which free throws are taken. Its furthest edge is 5.80 m from the inner edge of the endline, and it is 3.60 m long.

Three-point line

The line marking the 3-point goal area. It is an arc of radius 6.75 m from the point beneath the centre of the basket, joined to two parallel lines 0.90 m from the sidelines. The line itself is not part of the 3-point goal area.

Positions

Point guard

Usually the primary ball-handler and playmaker, responsible for setting up plays and passing.

Also called: PG

Shooting guard

Typically a strong outside shooter and scorer.

Also called: SG

Small forward

A versatile player who can score, defend and rebound, often both inside and outside.

Also called: SF
See also: Rebound

Power forward

A stronger, often taller player who plays close to the basket, focused on rebounding and inside scoring.

Also called: PF
See also: Basket, Goal

Centre

Usually the tallest player, positioned closest to the hoop, focused on rebounding, shot-blocking and close-range scoring.

Also called: c
See also: Basket

Match format and miscellaneous terms

Overtime

If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the game continues with as many overtimes of 5 minutes as needed. A team has 1 time-out in each overtime.

Time-out

A one-minute interruption requested by the head coach or first assistant coach. A team gets 2 in the first half, 3 in the second half (at most 2 of them in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter) and 1 in each overtime. Unused time-outs do not carry over.

Also called: timeout
See also: Quarter, Last two minutes, Overtime

Possession

Team control: it starts when a player holds or dribbles a live ball, or has it at their disposal for a throw-in, and ends when an opponent gains control, the ball becomes dead, or the ball leaves the hand on a shot.

Man-to-man defence

A defensive strategy where each defender is responsible for guarding one specific opponent.

Zone defence

A defensive strategy where each defender is responsible for guarding an area of the court rather than a specific player.

Bench

The team bench area, where the head coach, substitutes, excluded players and delegation members sit. It has 16 seats.

Buzzer-beater

A shot made right as time expires at the end of a quarter, half or game, often dramatic and game-deciding.