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Basketball Rules and Terms
Positions, violations, scoring and basketball words.
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70 cards
- Players per team on courtTerm5
- Point guardTermThe ball handler who runs the offense
- Shooting guardTermA guard who scores, especially from outside
- Small forwardTermA versatile player who scores and defends
- Power forwardTermA strong player who plays near the basket
- CenterTermThe tallest player, who plays near the basket
- Field goalTermA shot made during play
- Free throwTermAn uncontested shot from the foul line, worth 1 point
- Two-pointerTermA basket made inside the three-point line
- Three-pointerTermA basket made from behind the three-point line
- LayupTermA shot made close to the basket off the backboard or rim
- DunkTermPutting the ball directly through the hoop from above
- Jump shotTermA shot taken while jumping
- Hook shotTermA shot made with a sweeping arm motion over the head
- Bank shotTermA shot that bounces off the backboard into the basket
- Alley-oopTermA pass thrown near the rim for a teammate to catch and score
- ReboundTermGetting the ball after a missed shot
- Offensive reboundTermA rebound taken by the team that shot
- Defensive reboundTermA rebound taken by the defending team
- AssistTermA pass that leads straight to a score
- StealTermTaking the ball from an opponent
- BlockTermStopping a shot by hitting the ball
- TurnoverTermLosing the ball to the other team without a shot
- Double-dribbleTermDribbling with two hands or stopping and starting again
- TravelingTermTaking too many steps without dribbling
- Carrying (palming)TermTurning the hand under the ball while dribbling
- Three-second violationTermAn offensive player stays in the lane for over three seconds
- Five-second violationTermHolding the ball closely guarded without moving it for five seconds
- Shot clock violationTermThe team fails to shoot within the shot clock time
- Backcourt violationTermTaking the ball back over the midcourt line after crossing it
- Out of boundsTermOutside the court lines
- FoulTermAn illegal contact with an opponent
- Personal foulTermA foul for illegal contact
- Technical foulTermA foul for bad conduct, not for contact
- Flagrant foulTermA hard, unnecessary foul
- ChargingTermAn offensive player runs into a set defender
- Blocking foulTermA defender moves into a player's path illegally
- Fouling outTermBeing removed after too many fouls (6 in the NBA, 5 in many other leagues)
- Bonus (one-and-one)TermFree throws awarded after a team has too many fouls
- Jump ballTermA toss between two players to start or decide possession
- Tip-offTermThe jump ball that begins the game
- TimeoutTermA short stop to rest or plan
- OvertimeTermExtra time when the score is tied
- Quarter length (NBA)Term12 minutes
- Half length (college men)Term20 minutes
- Shot clock (NBA)Term24 seconds
- Rim heightTerm10 feet above the floor
- Free throw line distanceTerm15 feet from the backboard
- BackboardTermThe board behind the hoop
- Key (lane)TermThe painted area under the basket
- PaintTermThe painted lane area
- PerimeterTermArea away from the basket, outside the key
- PostTermThe area near the basket
- Fast breakTermA quick attack before the defense sets
- Pick and rollTermA screen set for the ball handler, then a roll to the basket
- Screen (pick)TermA player blocks a defender to free a teammate
- Man-to-man defenseTermEach defender guards a specific opponent
- Zone defenseTermDefenders guard areas of the court
- Full-court pressTermDefense that pressures the ball over the whole court
- DribbleTermBouncing the ball while moving
- CrossoverTermA quick change of dribbling hand to fool a defender
- PivotTermTurning on one foot while keeping the other planted
- Double-doubleTermDouble-digit totals in two stats, like points and rebounds
- Triple-doubleTermDouble-digit totals in three stats
- James NaismithTermInvented basketball in 1891 in Massachusetts
- NBATermNational Basketball Association, founded 1946
- WNBATermWomen's National Basketball Association, began in 1997
- March MadnessTermThe NCAA college basketball tournament
- Michael JordanTermHall of Famer who won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls
- Sue BirdTermHall of Fame point guard who won four Olympic gold medals
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