Basketball Tactics Terms

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The following claims were verified through Perplexity Sonar before the questions were finalised. The host can reference any of them during play:

• A fast break is an offensive tactic where a team advances the ball and scores as quickly as possible to prevent the defense from setting up.[2]
• Pick-and-roll is a tactic where an offensive player sets a screen for the ball handler and then moves (rolls) toward the basket to receive a pass.[1]
• Box out is a defensive technique where players create a box-shaped space between the basket and the offensive player to secure the rebound.[1]
• Traveling is a violation that occurs when a player with the ball takes too many steps without dribbling, also known as walking.[1]
• An alley-oop is an offensive play where a player throws the ball up near the basket to a teammate who catches it in mid-air and scores immediately, often with a dunk.[2]
• A fadeaway is a jump shot taken while the player jumps backward, away from the basket, to create space from the defender.[2]
• An assist is a pass that leads directly to a basket by a teammate.[8]
• Goaltending occurs when a defensive player blocks a shot as it descends toward the basket, resulting in the shot being considered good.[8]
• Cherry picking is a strategy where one player stays near the opponent's goal instead of playing defense to receive easier points.[2]
• A triple is a shot taken from behind the three-point line, also called a three-pointer or from downtown.[3]
• Run and Gun is an offensive strategy that revolves around causing turnovers and generating fast breaks.[4]
• A bank shot is aimed at the backboard so that it caroms or banks into the basket.[8]