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As in many sports, basketball has its own vocabulary which is constantly evolving. Coaches, players, journalists, broadcasters and fans converse using jargon that’s uniquely theirs. Here are 10 terms often heard during a coverage of basketball games on TV.
Downhill. Refers to the pathway a player takes in aggressively attacking the basket or driving towards the hoop involving speed, dribbling and fakes.
Spray. A quick pass to a shooter in the perimeter, usually by a teammate from the interior.
Hesi. Short for hesitation, a move where a player makes a sudden stop while dribbling then continues to either change direction or take a shot. The objective is to throw off the defender and create separation.
3-and-D. A specialist who’s a designated three-point shooter and tough defender. In the PBA, an example is Converge’s Kevin Racal. In the NBA, examples are PJ Tucker, Josh Hart, Bobby Portis, PJ Washington and Mikal Bridges.
Pindown. Also known as a down screen where an offensive player without the ball sets a screen near the basket to block a defender from sticking to a teammate with the ball. The goal is to free up a player to drive to the basket or pop out for a shot.
Runout. When a player bursts from backcourt to frontcourt to receive a pass with the intention to score or pass to an open teammate in transition.
Rim-run. When a player, typically a big, runs from rim to rim, often in a straight line. On offense, it’s to score a layup or catch a lob in transition. On defense, it’s to block shots or protect the hoop.
Mismatch hunting. A strategy where an offensive team looks to create mismatches by forcing switches through picks. A mismatch involves creating an advantage in speed or height or skill or position. Sometimes, mismatch hunting jeopardizes a team’s rhythm to execute a free-flow offense.
Stretch the floor. Refers to the ability of players, usually bigs, to hit the outside shot, drawing defenders away from the interior and opening up room in the paint for cutters. In the NBA, examples are LeBron James, Brook Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis. In the PBA, examples are Bryan Santos, Christian David, Santi Santillan and Jamie Malonzo.
Five-out. An offensive tactic where five players on the court are situated in the perimeter, leaving no one at the post. It opens up space for slashers to drive quickly to the basket and puts defenders on the backfoot.
There are other basketball terms that are common in hoop conversations like rotation, physicality, possession, posterize, facial, ball reversal and pocket pass. Sunday’s column will take up more terms. Basketball has a unique lingo and it makes for a colorful description of a beautiful game.
