IES JORGE MANRIQUE. P.E.

BASKETBALL SPECIFIC VOCABULARY

1. Key: line where free throws are made. This line is normaly 4.6 meters from the basket .

2. Layup: the most common type of shot. A layup is to shoot while running, two steps without
bouncing and a jump at the end.

3. Man to man defence: tactic where a player is assigned to another one, he/she has the
obligation to follow, defend and stop the assigned player

4. Rebound: term referred to the ball bouncing in the board and coming back to play.

5. Personal foul: is the normative breakingwhich involves to make contact with the opponent.

6. Pivot: player(s) in a team situated at the front .This player is normally the one scoring, because
this player is the one nearer the to the opposing basket.

7. Three point shot: when the ball is shot from behind the three point line or 7 meter line into
the basket.

8. Travelling: this is a typical foul where a player makes more than two steps whithout bouncing.

9. Turnover: it is the action of losing the ball: via fouls, steals, and going out of the field.

10. Zone defence: tactic where the whole team works together to stop the other hole
team. Every player is assigned a “zone” to defend.

11. Box out: is the action of blocking a player legally, trying that he/she doesn´t obtain the
ball.

12. Double dribbling: the foul of bouncing the ball with both hands at the same time, or
picking the ball after bouncing and start to bounce again.

13. Chest pass: what we call to a direct pass from player to player which if it is well
done ,goes from hands to chest.

14. Bounce pass: a type of pass in which between thrower and the receipter the ball
gives at list one bounce.

15. Overhead pass: a special type of pass, normally for long distances, in which the
player holds the ball over his/her head to throw.

16. Assist: name given to the pass someone performs to a player who directly after scores
a basket.

Esperanza Armiñana Villegas

 IES JORGE MANRIQUE. P.E.

17. Backcourt: the half of the court where your basket is located. This zone is also called
defensive zone.

18. Baseline: border of the court where the basket is located.

19. Forward: is the player who plays in the wings and corners. There are two types: the
small forward and the power forward.

20. Free Throw: when someone in the opposing team makes a foul near the basket ,your
team has the right to throw (one or two) shots without defence 4.6 meters from the basket
(key).

21. Guard: is the player who stays outside the three point line to support or to shoot three
pointers.

22. Jump Stop: is a movement where you land on both feet at the same time leving you
free to do whatever next: like to pass, throw, dribble (only if you haven´t bounced before) or to
pivot.

23. Crossover dribble: occurs when the player changes the ball from one hand to
another, due changing direction or simpy protecting the ball.

Esperanza Armiñana Villegas