Shots & moves
Slam dunk
A basketball shot where a player jumps and pushes the ball directly down through the hoop with one or both hands.
Shots & moves
Definition
A slam dunk, often just called a dunk, is a high-percentage basketball shot in which a player leaps up close to the basket and forces the ball down through the rim from above. Because the hand is at or above the level of the hoop, the shot is very difficult to defend.
As well as scoring two points, a slam dunk is often seen as an emphatic, crowd-pleasing play. It requires enough jumping reach to get a hand to the rim, so it is more common among taller players or those with a strong vertical leap.
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Equipment
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- VolleyballA soft, inflated ball struck with the hands and arms in volleyball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
Rules
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
Scoring systems
- Basketball scoringBasketball is scored by shooting the ball through the hoop, with baskets worth one, two or three points depending on where the shot is taken.
- Tennis scoringTennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.
Skills
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- JumpingThe skill of leaping powerfully and with timing to reach or contest the ball in the air.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- CatchingThe skill of cleanly securing a ball travelling through the air or off the ground.
Techniques
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- Crossover DribbleA basketball dribbling move that switches the ball quickly from one hand to the other to change direction and get past a defender.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
Tactics
- Pick and rollA two-player basketball action where one player screens for the ball-handler, then rolls to the basket.
- Fast breakPushing the ball up court at speed after a turnover or rebound to score before the defence sets up.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.
- Court coverage and rotationVolleyball positioning where players rotate through positions and cover the court as one coordinated unit.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.