Man-to-man defense: the defensive style where each defensive player is responsible for guarding one opponent
Off the dribble: a shot taken while driving to the basket
Offense: the team with possession of the ball
Offensive rebound: a rebound by a player on offense
Officials: the people on the court wearing black and white striped shirts who control the game
One-and-One or One-plus-One: a free-throw attempt awarded for certain violations that earns the shooter a 2nd attempt only if the first is successful
Open: when a player is unguarded by a defender
Out of bounds: the area outside of and including the end lines and sidelines
Overtime or OT: the extra period(s) played after a regulation game ends tied
Pass: when a player throws the ball to a teammate
Period: any quarter, half or overtime segment
Perimeter: the area beyond the foul circle away from the basket, including 3-point line
Personal foul: contact (including a push, hold, trip, hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an opponent) between players that may result in injury
Pivot: the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped dribbling is ready to pass or shoot
Possession: to be holding the ball or be in control of the ball
Rebound: when a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard after a shot attempt
Screen: when an offensive player stands between a teammate and a defender to gives his teammate the chance to take an open shot
Shot clock: a clock that limits the time a team with the ball has to shoot it
Shooter: a player who takes a shot at the basket
Sidelines: 2 boundary lines that run the length of the court
Squaring up: when a player´s shoulders are facing the basket as he releases the ball for a shot
Starting lineup: the five players who begin a game for one team
Substitute: a player who comes into the game to replace a player on the court
Swing man: a player who can play both the guard and forward positions
Team fouls: each personal foul committed by a player is also counted against his team; when a team goes over the limit, its opponent is awarded free-throw opportunities
Technical fouls or Ts: misconduct that officials believe are detrimental to the game; penalized by a free-throw opportunity to the non-offending team
Three-point play: a 2-point field goal followed by a successful free-throw
Three-point shot: a field goal worth 3 points because the shooter was standing behind the 3-point line when he released the ball
Throw-in: inbounding the ball
Timeout: when play is temporarily suspended by an official or at the request of a team to discuss strategy or respond to an injured player
Tip-off: the initial jump ball that starts the game
Traveling: when the ball handler takes too many steps without dribbling; also called walking
Triple double: when a player scores double-digits in 3 categories during one game (points, assists and rebounds -also can be blocks or steals)
Turnover: when the offense loses possession through its own fault by passing the ball out of bounds or committing a floor violation
Zone defense: a defense where each defender is responsible for an area of the court and must guard any player who enters that area