Basketball Terminology

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Instructions: Dribble your way through this quiz about basketball terms!

1.
In basketball, what is a 'triple-double'?
A
Scoring thirty points
B
Three double-fouls in a game
C
Accumulating double-digit totals in three statistical categories in one game
D
Making three consecutive three-pointers
2.
What is a 'pick and roll' in basketball?
A
A bakery play
B
A defensive strategy to steal the ball
C
Rolling the ball on the court to start play
D
An offensive play where one player sets a screen and then moves toward the basket
3.
In basketball, what does 'traveling' mean?
A
Running the fast break
B
Taking the team on a road trip
C
Moving illegally with the ball without dribbling
D
Passing to a teammate down the court
4.
What is a 'fast break' in basketball?
A
A halftime break that is shorter than usual
B
A broken play that results in a turnover
C
A quick offensive transition to score before the defense is set
D
A quick timeout
5.
In basketball, what is the 'paint' (or 'the key')?
A
The line marking three-point range
B
The center circle
C
The colored area on the court near each basket
D
The bench area
6.
What is a 'sixth man' in basketball?
A
A player who plays all six positions
B
The referee
C
The best substitute player who comes off the bench first
D
An illegal extra player on the court
7.
In basketball, what is an 'alley-oop'?
A
A behind-the-back dribble
B
A shot from halfcourt
C
A defensive block
D
A pass near the basket that a teammate catches in mid-air and scores
8.
What does 'double dribble' mean in basketball?
A
Bouncing the ball twice on one dribble
B
Dribbling with both hands simultaneously
C
Picking up the ball then dribbling again, or dribbling with both hands
D
Dribbling past two defenders
9.
In basketball, what is a 'flagrant foul'?
A
A minor reaching foul
B
A foul at the end of the game
C
An unnecessarily excessive or violent contact foul
D
A foul committed while waving a flag
10.
What is a 'box out' in basketball?
A
A defensive formation resembling a box
B
Passing to a player outside the three-point line
C
Positioning oneself between an opponent and the basket to gain a rebounding advantage
D
Checking out of the game
11.
In basketball, what is a 'crossover' dribble?
A
Quickly switching the ball from one hand to the other to change direction
B
Passing the ball over a defender
C
Dribbling across the halfcourt line
D
A dribble that crosses the free-throw line
12.
What does 'and-one' mean in basketball?
A
Making a basket while being fouled, earning a free throw attempt
B
Adding one minute to the game clock
C
A one-on-one challenge
D
The first overtime period
13.
In basketball, what is the 'shot clock'?
A
A clock that shows how much time remains in the game
B
A device that measures shot speed
C
A buzzer that sounds when a shot is made
D
A timer that limits how long a team can possess the ball before shooting
14.
What is a 'Euro step' in basketball?
A
A dance move performed during celebrations
B
A step used only by European players
C
A two-step move where the player steps one direction then quickly the other to evade a defender
D
A step-back three-pointer
15.
In basketball, what is a 'technical foul'?
A
A foul during a free throw
B
A foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as arguing with officials
C
A foul committed in the technical area
D
A foul for improper technique

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Accumulating double-digit totals in three statistical categories in one game

A triple-double occurs when a player accumulates double-digit numbers (10+) in three of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks in a single game.

Question 2

D. An offensive play where one player sets a screen and then moves toward the basket

The pick and roll is a fundamental offensive play where one player sets a screen (pick) for the ball handler, then rolls toward the basket to receive a pass.

Question 3

C. Moving illegally with the ball without dribbling

Traveling is a violation where a player moves one or both feet illegally while holding the ball, typically by taking too many steps without dribbling.

Question 4

C. A quick offensive transition to score before the defense is set

A fast break is a quick offensive attack where a team pushes the ball up the court rapidly to score before the opposing defense has time to set up.

Question 5

C. The colored area on the court near each basket

The paint (also called the key or lane) is the rectangular area on the court extending from the free-throw line to the baseline, typically painted a different color.

Question 6

C. The best substitute player who comes off the bench first

The sixth man is the first substitute to enter the game off the bench, often a key player who provides energy and scoring. The NBA even awards a Sixth Man of the Year award.

Question 7

D. A pass near the basket that a teammate catches in mid-air and scores

An alley-oop is a play where one player throws the ball near the basket and a teammate leaps, catches it in mid-air, and immediately scores, usually with a dunk.

Question 8

C. Picking up the ball then dribbling again, or dribbling with both hands

A double dribble is a violation that occurs when a player dribbles with both hands simultaneously or stops dribbling and then starts again.

Question 9

C. An unnecessarily excessive or violent contact foul

A flagrant foul involves unnecessary and/or excessive contact with an opponent, penalized with free throws and possession of the ball, or even ejection for severe cases.

Question 10

C. Positioning oneself between an opponent and the basket to gain a rebounding advantage

Boxing out is a rebounding technique where a player positions their body between an opponent and the basket after a shot, using their back and legs to maintain position for the rebound.

Question 11

A. Quickly switching the ball from one hand to the other to change direction

A crossover is a dribbling move where the ball handler quickly bounces the ball from one hand to the other in front of the body, changing direction to beat a defender.

Question 12

A. Making a basket while being fouled, earning a free throw attempt

An and-one occurs when a player makes a basket while being fouled, earning the points for the basket plus one free throw attempt for a potential three-point play.

Question 13

D. A timer that limits how long a team can possess the ball before shooting

The shot clock is a timer (24 seconds in the NBA) that limits how long the offensive team can possess the ball before attempting a shot, promoting faster play.

Question 14

C. A two-step move where the player steps one direction then quickly the other to evade a defender

The Euro step is a move where the ball handler takes a step in one direction and then quickly takes a second step in the opposite direction to evade a defender on the way to the basket.

Question 15

B. A foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as arguing with officials

A technical foul is assessed for unsportsmanlike behavior such as arguing with referees, taunting, or other conduct violations, resulting in free throws for the opposing team.

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