MARCH MADNESS GLOSSARY
AB - CD - EF - GHIJKL - MNO - PQR - S - TUVWZ
pass:
when a passer throws the ball to a teammate; used to start plays, move the ball downcourt, keep it away from defenders and get it to a shooter.
passer:
the player who passes 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, from which players take long-range shots.
personal foul:
contact between players that may result in injury or provide one team with an unfair advantage; players may not push, hold, trip, hack, elbow, restrain or charge into an opponent; these are also counted as team fouls.
picked off:
refers to a defender who has been successfully prevented from reaching the ball handler by an offensive screen.
pick-up games:
impromptu games played among players who just met.
pivot:
a center; also the foot that must remain touching the floor until a ball handler who has stopped dribbling is ready to pass or shoot.
playmaker:
the point guard who generally sets up plays for his teammates.
point-shaving:
an illegal practice where players intentionally win a game, but by fewer points than the point spread; led to 2 major college scandals (involved 32 of the biggest stars in the 1950s, then 22 colleges in 1961).
point spread:
a device established by bookmakers to equalize 2 teams for betting purposes; e.g., if a team is considered to be 4 points better than another, the spread is 4 points; to win a bet on the favorite, that team would need to win by more than the spread (in this case, by more than 4 points); the margin of victory can be more important than whether a team wins or loses.
possession:
to be holding or in control of the ball.
possession arrow:
in college, used to determine which team's turn it is to inbounds the ball to begin a period or in a jump ball situation.
post position:
the position of a player standing in the low post or high post.
quadruple double:
a triple double with double-digits scored in 4 categories.
rebound:
when a player grabs a ball that is coming off the rim or backboard after a shot attempt; see offensive rebound and defensive rebound.
receiver:
the player who receives a pass from the ball handler.
regulation game:
four 12-minute quarters in the NBA or two 20-minute halves in college; a game that ends without overtime periods.
release:
the moment that the ball leaves a shooter's hands.
rookie:
a player in his first NBA season.
roster:
the list of players on a team.
run:
occurs when one team scores several field goals in quick succession while its opponents score few or none.