Basketball Encyclopedia

The Complete Basketball
Knowledge Hub

Browse 67 basketball concepts across 10 skill categories — from Pick & Roll to Zone Defense. Every concept links to a dedicated page with tactical breakdowns, coaching cues, and related concepts.

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Ball Handling

Dribble moves, combo patterns, and handling under pressure

4 concepts
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Shooting

Shot mechanics, catch-and-shoot, step-back, and three-point range

1 concept
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Pick & Roll

Ball screens, rolls, pops, slips, and DHO actions

5 concepts
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Basketball IQ

Court vision, decision-making, film study, and situational reads

41 concepts
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Back Cut

Basketball IQ

An offensive cut toward the basket made when a defender denies the passing lane, taking advantage of the overp

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Ball Reception

Basketball IQ

Ball reception is the moment a player catches a pass. Good reception means positioning correctly, receiving in

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Ball Screen Defense

Basketball IQ

Ball screen defense encompasses various strategies to defend pick-and-roll actions, including going over/under

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Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ

The ability to read and react to game situations, make correct decisions under pressure, and understand offens

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Catch and Shoot

Basketball IQ

El catch and shoot es la acción de recibir el balón y tirar de inmediato sin bote previo. Requiere preparación

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Close-Out

Basketball IQ

The technique used by a defender to quickly close distance to an open shooter, contesting their shot while con

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Closeout

Basketball IQ

The closeout is the defensive movement where a player sprints toward a ball handler to close the shooting wind

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Closeouts

Basketball IQ

Closeouts are defensive movements where a help defender quickly approaches an offensive player to contest a po

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Corner Three

Basketball IQ

The three-point shot taken from the corner of the court — statistically the highest-value shot in basketball p

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Decision Making

Basketball IQ

Decision making in basketball is the ability to read the game situation and choose the most effective action i

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Defensive Slide

Basketball IQ

The lateral footwork technique used to stay in front of a ball handler, moving horizontally without crossing t

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Drive and Kick

Basketball IQ

An offensive action where a player drives to the basket to collapse the defense, then passes out to open shoot

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Driving

Basketball IQ

La penetración o drive es el movimiento ofensivo en el que el jugador ataca el aro con el bote. Puede surgir d

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Drop Coverage

Basketball IQ

Drop coverage is a pick-and-roll defensive scheme where the big man drops below the level of the screen to pro

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Drop Coverage

Basketball IQ

A ball screen coverage where the big drops back toward the paint instead of hedging, protecting the rim and da

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Drop Step

Basketball IQ

A post move where the player spins into the lane using one foot as a pivot while the other steps (drops) towar

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Fast Break

Basketball IQ

Fast break offense focuses on scoring quickly in transition before the defense can set up. It emphasizes outle

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Floor Spacing

Basketball IQ

The strategic positioning of offensive players to create driving lanes, passing windows, and open shot opportu

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Handoff Actions

Basketball IQ

Handoff actions are offensive plays where one player hands the ball to a teammate, often creating screening ac

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Hard Closeout

Basketball IQ

Un hard closeout es una variante agresiva del closeout donde el defensor corre a máxima velocidad hacia el tir

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Help Defense

Basketball IQ

Help defense is a defensive principle where players away from the ball rotate to stop dribble penetration or c

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Ice Coverage

Basketball IQ

A ball screen coverage where the on-ball defender forces the ball handler away from the screen, preventing the

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Jab Step

Basketball IQ

A short, quick step with the non-pivot foot used to probe the defender's reaction and create space for a shot,

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Off-Ball Movement

Basketball IQ

Off-ball movement describes the actions of players who do not have the basketball. Cuts, screens, and relocati

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Passing

Basketball IQ

The skill of delivering the ball to a teammate in a position to be received and acted on, including chest pass

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Perimeter Play

Basketball IQ

Perimeter play encompasses all offensive and defensive actions that occur outside the paint: shots, drives, pa

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Pick and Roll

Basketball IQ

The pick and roll is one of the most fundamental two-man actions in basketball. A screener sets a screen for t

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Post Play

Basketball IQ

Post play involves offensive and defensive actions in the low post area near the basket. It includes post move

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Rebounding

Basketball IQ

The skill and strategy of securing possession of the ball after a missed shot, including both offensive and de

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Screen Navigation

Basketball IQ

Screen navigation refers to offensive techniques for using screens effectively, including proper angles, timin

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Shooting Mechanics

Basketball IQ

The technical components of an effective basketball shot: grip, stance, alignment, release point, arc, and fol

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Shot Selection

Basketball IQ

The decision-making process of choosing when and from where to shoot based on shot quality, game situation, an

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Spacing

Basketball IQ

Spacing refers to the offensive positioning of players on the court to stretch the defense and create driving

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Switch Defense

Basketball IQ

Switch defense is a defensive strategy where defenders exchange assignments when facing screens, rather than f

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Transition Defense

Basketball IQ

The principles and responsibilities players follow to get back and protect the basket when the opponent has an

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Transition Offense

Basketball IQ

Transition offense refers to attacking the basket quickly after a defensive rebound or turnover before the opp

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Triple Threat Position

Basketball IQ

The offensive stance from which a player can immediately shoot, pass, or dribble — posing three simultaneous t

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UCLA Cut

Basketball IQ

A cut action where the ball handler passes to a high post and immediately cuts off the big for a layup, named

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Weak Side

Basketball IQ

The weak side refers to the side of the court opposite the ball. Weak-side players must be ready to cut, reloc

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Weak-Side Awareness

Basketball IQ

The ability to read and react to off-ball situations on the weak side of the court, both offensively (cutting,

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Zone Defense

Basketball IQ

Zone defense is a defensive scheme where players guard areas of the court rather than specific opponents. Comm

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Deep Dive Into Any Concept

Each concept page includes tactical breakdowns, coaching cues, and concept relationships — all built to improve basketball IQ from beginner to advanced.