The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the most popular professional basketball league in the world. It has a lot of its own rules and regulations, to maintain a consistent level of play during every game. Let’s take a look at some of the definitions used in the NBA.
Basket/Backboard
The backboard is a panel that is located at the back of the basketball hoop and supports the metal rim. The backboard is made out of acrylic or tempered glass and has a vinyl-coated surface.
The basket is a ring that consists of a hoop and net and is located near each end of the court. Players will toss the ball into the basket in order to score points.
Dribble
Dribbles are used in the game of basketball to keep possession of the ball. The player has to bounce the ball up into their hands, then down to their feet, then back up into their hands. The player must continue this process until they are close enough to shoot the ball or pass it.
Fouls
Personal Foul
Personal fouls occur during the live ball when a player makes illegal contact with an opponent.
Technical Foul
A technical foul can be given to any team member, even those sitting on a bench, or unsportsmanlike conduct. Here are a few examples of technical fouls: delay of the game, improper number of players on the court, player hanging on a basket ring. Two technical fouls result in the player being ejected from the game.
Double Foul
A double foul occurs when two players make illegal physical contact at the same time. Doubles are often given as a result of a physical altercation between two players.
Offensive Foul
Offensive fouls are fouls committed by an offensive player, whether there is a dead ball or live ball and there is a team control.
Loose Ball Foul
Loose ball fouls occur after illegal personal contact when the ball is alive and there is no team control.
Flagrant Foul
A flagrant foul is granted after excessive illegal contact, no matter if the ball is dead or alive. Flagrant foul 1 is given for excessive contact and flagrant foul 2 for both excessive and intentional contact. Flagrant fouls are penalized by losing possession of the ball and free throw. In addition, flagrant foul 2 results in ejection of the offender from the game
Punching Foul
A punching foul occurs when a player punches another player.
Away from the Play Foul
An away from the play foul is the foul which is not committed in the proximity of the action, meaning that the defenders can also commit it.
Team Fouls
The Player’s fouls are counted and add up to the whole team’s foul. If the team reaches the penalty situation, meaning they have 5 or more team fouls in a quarter or two fouls in the last two minutes of a quarter, the opposite team is awarded two free throws. If the first free throw shot is missed, the ball is alive and it can be rebounded by both teams.
Free Throw
A free throw is given to a player when opponents commit personal fouls. It is an opportunity for the player to shoot the ball with no defenders guarding them. A player can be awarded more than one free throw, depending on a foul or violation or if the opponent is in a bonus.
Free Throw Line
A free throw line is an arc that extends out from the basket to one side of the court. The distance from the backboard to this arc is 15 feet. This is a place on the court where the free throw attempt can be made. If the free throw shot is successful, a player is awarded one point.
Frontcourt/Backcourt
The team’s frontcourt consists of the team’s basket and is located between the end line and midcourt line. It is the area in front of the team’s basket. The frontcourt has three areas in it, including the key, high post, and low post.
The backcourt is the area on the backside of the court.
Held Ball
Held Ball occurs when two players have their hands on the ball and there is no way to establish who should have it. Held Ball is resolved by an official, who stops the game and gives it to one of the players.
Pivot
Pivot occurs when a player moves around with one foot and stands on another. The foot on which he is standing is called the pivot foot.
The player has to dribble the ball prior to the pivot foot being raised from the floor.
Traveling
Traveling is a type of violation that occurs when a player has the ball in their hands and is moving without dribbling for too long. When a player is caught traveling they lose possession of the ball.
Screen
The screen is a legal type of block, which consists of the defensive player getting in front of an opposing team member. Screening players have to be directly on the path of their opponent and have to give them an opportunity to avoid being screened.
Field Goal Attempt
A field goal attempt is any attempt to score a basket by a player. A player can make a field goal attempt when driving to the hoop when making a jump shot or from being in a stationary position. Act of shooting can’t be interrupted by a player and if the ball is flying to the rim, it cannot be stopped.
Field goals can be awarded two or three points, depending on if they were made outside or inside the three-point line.
Throw-In
Throw-in has to happen when the ball is out of bounds. The player is given a ball and his goal is to pass it to one of their team members.
Throw-in violation can occur when the inbounding player steps on the court before throwing the ball.
Last Two Minutes
The last two minutes of the game are counted by the game clock. There are many regulations of what can and what can’t be done in the last two minutes of every basketball game.
Suspension of Play
NBA officials can suspend the play if the ball gets lost, there is a need for instant replay, or something unusual happens. The play is also when a player is injured and bleeding profusely and is in need of immediate medical attention. This suspension isn’t like a timeout and can’t be used as a time to regroup and substitute the players. When the situation is resolved, the game resumes at the point of interruption.
Point of Interruption
Point of Interruption is the exact moment in which the game was suspended.
Team Control
The team is in control of the ball, when the players of the said team have the ball, either passing to their team members, holding it, or dribbling it. When the opposing team steals or rebounds the ball, they are in control. Team control also ends when a player makes a field goal attempt.
Team Possession
Team possession is similar to team control, with one difference: it ends at the moment when the ball hits the rim of the offensive team.
As you can see, understanding basketball is not only about picking your favorite team. You need to know the specific terminology because otherwise, you will not be able to understand what is happening in the court. This article has helped you get started and become familiar with some of the most popular basketball terms that are used today and official definitions used in the NBA
