Basketball has many types of passes, shots, and plays. Read about a few used in the story!
Double team — when two players temporarily guard one opponent
Fast break — a type of play where a defensive player grabs a rebound, then passes the ball down the court to a teammate for a quick shot before the other team has a chance to defend their basket
Guarding — when a player tries to keep an opponent from receiving the ball, making a shot, or passing to another player
Inbound pass — a pass that puts the ball back inbounds and starts play again
Layup — a shot taken close to the basket after dribbling, usually shot with one hand and with one foot in the air
Rebound — when a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard after an unsuccessful shot
There are no regulated positions in basketball, and the terms have changed over the years. Here are some of the more common terms:
The point guard directs the team on the court and sets up plays, usually staying farther from the basket. She has excellent ball handling and passing skills.
When a team needs to score a lot of points, they rely on their shooting guard. Like the point guard, a shooting guard plays away from the basket but is more focused on offense and scoring.
The power forward plays close to the basket and isn’t afraid to go in for rebounds or block her opponent’s shots. She also scores close to the basket.
One of the most versatile players on the team is the small forward. She can shoot and defend really well, and she can play next to the basket or farther back.
The center is often the tallest player. On defense, she uses her height to block shots and grab rebounds. On offense, she makes shots close to the basket.
A post player stays close to the basket. She plays with her back to the net as she defends or as she waits for a pass from a guard. Both centers and power forwards are sometimes called post players.