Basketball: Terms To Know

Terms you should know:

 

 The "paint" is the area inside the lane lines from the baseline to the free-throw line. If your offensive player has a foot on, our inside these lines for 3 seconds or longer, he will be called for the 3-second violation. There is no restriction on the time defensive players can occupy the paint.

"Free throw line", ("charity stripe") is the line you must stand behind when shooting a free-throw.

"Low post" area is the area near the "block" on either side of the lane (or "paint" area), to about half way up the lane toward the free throw line.\
 

"High post" is that area along the free throw line, and both "elbows".

The "point" is out front, and the "wings" on either side. The "top of the key" is above the free-throw circle (many years ago, the lane was not as wide as the free-throw line and circle, and so it looked like a key, or keyhole).

The "short corner" is between the corner and the basket, about 12 feet out.

"Ball-side" refers to the side of the floor where the ball is. "Weak-side" is the opposite side away from the ball. Players cutting on the weak-side toward the hoop, are using the "back-door".