Today’s expression: “To be in the same boat.”

Meaning: In the same situation, experiencing similar circumstances

Court: the rectangular playing area with one goal at each end

Goal / hoop / basket / basketball goal: the place where the basketball goes in order for a team to score points

To hoop / to ball / to ball out: to play basketball

Game: a competition between two teams to see who can score the most points

Street ball: a basketball game organized by people, often strangers, on an outdoor court

the basketball / the ball / the rock: these are ways to refer to the ball used in basketball. For example, a player can say to their teammate, “Pass me the rock!”

to play pick-up: to join a game with strangers. If there are more than 10 people, you’ll have substitutes.

Jerseys / pennies: Jerseys are uniforms worn during competitive / professional / club / school games. Pennies are informal jerseys worn during practice.

To dunk (slam dunk): when someone jumps and puts the ball through the hoop

To be in shape: to exercise often and be at the top of your form. To feel energized on the court.

To improve one’s game: to get better at basketball. For example, I might say, “I want to get really good at basketball, so I’ll have to practice daily. I need to improve my game if I want to play in the NBA.”

To dribble: to bounce the ball on the ground. This is how you move on the court when you have possession of the ball.

Bounce pass: when the ball bounces (usually once) on the floor before reaching another teammate

Chest pass: when the ball is thrown from chest level (or lower) and travels through the air to another teammate

Overhead pass: when the ball is thrown from above the head (usually with two hands) through the air to another teammate

Hook shot: when you shoot from the side of your body up and over your head

Floater: when you’re running toward the goal, jump, and shoot while you’re in the air (usually only using one hand to shoot)

Three / three-pointer / tre (pronounced “tray”): a shot from behind the 3-point line worth 3 points

Half-court shot: a shot from far away, at or behind the middle of the court

Buzzer beater: when you make a shot right before time expires. If you release the ball before the time runs out, and if the time runs out while the ball is travelling through the air, causing the buzzer to sound, and if your shot goes in, this is a true buzzer beater.

Clutch (to come in clutch) / ice in veins: someone who “comes in clutch” is someone who performs well under a lot of pressure. Someone with ice in their veins doesn’t seem to get nervous. They can perform just as well in games as in practice.

4 quarters: each game consists of 4 quarters, or sections into which the game is divided. (Some games are played in 2 halves.)

Time out: a team can call a time out to stop the clock and have a minute to rest and discuss strategies. Each team has a certain number of timeouts to use per half.

And-one (“And 1”): when you are fouled while shooting and your shot goes in. you get one free throw afterwards for the chance to add 1 point to your team’s score.

Alley oop: when one person passes or tosses the ball to a teammate who catches it mid-air and dunks the ball.

Backboard / Glass: the part of the goal that is flat, rectangular, and usually made of glass

Backcourt (violation): when a team has possession of the ball and dribbles past the half-court line, they are not allowed to cross back to the other side of the court.

Pass fake: when you pretend to pass the ball to a teammate

Turnover: when a team on offense loses possession of the ball. In other words, the defense can force a turnover by stealing the ball from the offense. 

Out-of-bounds: the area outside the four outer lines that make up the border of the basketball court.

Baseline(s): the lines that make up the short sides of the rectangular out-of-bounds lines

Free throw: an opportunity to score extra points for your team, usually following a foul committed against you or your teammates.

BEEF (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow Through): great tips for beginners to practice correct shooting form

Post: a position usually played by the tallest players. The post typically stands near the goal on offense.

Point Guard: a position played by a player with great awareness and control. The point guard often starts offensive plays and determines strategies for their team. They should be a leader skilled in dribbling, passing, and shooting

Ball handling: dribbling abilities. For example, players should practice to enhance their ball handling skills.

Shooting Guard: a position played by a player who has a high shooting percentage. They should be quick and able to score in high-pressure situations.

Center: a position quite similar to post, played by taller players who often stand near the goal on offense. 

Forward: another position somewhere between a center and guard.

Box out: a type of maneuver through which a player pushes another. To “box out,” one typically faces the goal, bends their knees, puts their butt and back to a player on the opposing team, and pushes them back to increase their chances of obtaining a rebound.

Rebound (Board): when someone shoots and misses, the person who catches the ball gets a rebound.

Brick: a “brick” is a term for a horribly missed shot

Air ball: when someone shoots and the ball doesn’t touch any part of the goal

Charge: an offensive foul on a person who runs into a defensive player who is set standing still 

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Riddle:

A man was to be sentenced. The judge told him, “You may make a statement. If you tell the truth, I will sentence you to 4 years. However, if you lie, I will sentence you to 6 years.” After the man’s statement the judge let the man go. What was the man’s statement?

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A+