Unit 1 Vocabulary: English for Basketball

Noun (thing)
Block
To stop a shot by touching the ball while it’s in the air.
He jumped high and blocked the shot with his hand.
Noun (thing)
Buzzer
A sound that tells when the time is finished.
He made a "buzzer beater" which won the game just before the game ended.
Noun (thing)
Coach
The person who trains and gives instructions to the team.
The coach told us to play faster in the second half.
Noun (thing)
Court
The flat area where basketball is played.
The players ran up and down the court during the game.
Noun (thing)
Defense
The team trying to stop the other team from scoring.
Their defense was strong and didn’t let the other team score.
Noun (thing)
Dribble
To bounce the ball while moving.
You must dribble the ball when you walk or run in basketball.
Noun (thing)
Foul
A rule break, usually involving illegal contact.
He got a foul for pushing the other player.
Noun (thing)
Free throw
A shot from the free-throw line after a foul.
She made both free throws and scored two points.
Noun (thing)
Hoop
The metal ring with a net where players try to score points.
He threw the ball and it went through the hoop!
Noun (thing)
Jump shot
A shot taken while jumping in the air.
He made a perfect jump shot from the corner.
Noun (thing)
Layup
A short shot near the basket, often off the backboard.
She ran toward the basket and made a layup.
Noun (thing)
Offense
The team with the ball, trying to score points.
Our offense played well and made many baskets.
Noun (thing)
Pass
To throw the ball to a teammate.
She passed the ball to her friend under the hoop.
Noun (thing)
Rebound
To get the ball after a missed shot.
After the ball hit the rim, he jumped up and grabbed the rebound.
Noun (thing)
Referee
The person who makes sure players follow the rules.
The referee blew the whistle and called a foul
Noun (thing)
Score
To get points by putting the ball in the hoop.
She scored 12 points in the first half.
Noun (thing)
Shoot
To throw the ball toward the hoop to try to score.
He shot the ball from far away and scored three points.
Noun (thing)
Steal
To take the ball from the other team while they are playing.
She stole the ball and ran to the other side of the court.
Noun (thing)
Teammate
A person who is on the same team as you.
He passed the ball to his teammate for an easy shot.
Noun (thing)
Time-out
A short break in the game called by the coach.
The team called a time-out to make a new plan.
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