Basketball Slang
Basketball and sports slang — the language of the court and the culture around it.
418 words
Dropped to the substitutes' bench.
Defenders stepping up together to catch attackers offside.
The first player off the bench
A shot that misses everything — rim, net and backboard
Double figures in two stat categories
A defense with five defensive backs.
To go for it fully with zero hesitation — commit hard, consequences be damned.
Zero, in a football score.
Double figures in three stat categories
The free-throw line
A formation where a non-QB takes the snap.
A wild shot you take when you're so hot you want to confirm you can't miss.
A tireless midfielder who covers huge distances.
A defensive rush of extra players at the QB.
A pass rusher overpowering a blocker head-on.
The Major Leagues.
A powerful, long-distance goal.
Calling a timeout to rattle a kicker before a field goal.
A pitch thrown high and inside to back a batter off.
Wearing technical hiking and outdoor gear as everyday fashion — fleeces, shell jackets, and trail shoes in the city.
A weak fly ball that drops in for a hit.
To postpone a coin-toss choice to the second half.
A defensive midfielder shielding the back line.
A player who takes bad, frequent shots
A guard who can play both point and shooting guard
A Wisconsinite, or the foam cheese-wedge hat Packers fans wear.
To perform brilliantly — usually shouted as 'let him cook' when someone's mid-flow and shouldn't be interrupted.
A deliberate foul to stop a clear scoring chance.
To thoroughly outplay an opponent
A shot struck with almost no spin so it swerves unpredictably.
A trick handoff where the QB fakes a pass then hands off behind his back.
A substitute batter sent in to hit.
From well beyond the three-point line
Completely dominating a direct opponent.
A glaring, often comical individual error.
When your shot gets violently blocked, slapped out of the air like a bug.
Dominating your opponent so thoroughly you're basically cooking them like a meal.
Past your prime — no longer skilled or relevant.
A goal scored from very close range with minimal effort.
Direct long-ball football that bypasses midfield.