Basketball Terms for Following Your First Game

Start a basketball game by tracking who has the ball and how each possession ends. A field goal is worth two or three points according to its location; a free throw is worth one. FIBA's rules overview also notes differences from NBA, WNBA and NCAA rules, so identify the competition before comparing details.

Four useful box-score terms

• A rebound is controlled recovery after an unsuccessful scoring attempt. It is offensive when the shooting team retains the ball and defensive when the opposition gains it.
• An assist is a pass directly contributing to a score under the statistical criteria. Not every pass before a basket automatically qualifies.
• A turnover records possession lost through a mistake or violation attributed to a player or team.
• A block is a legal interception of a scoring attempt. Not every touch of the ball becomes a recorded block.

The FIBA Statisticians' Manual explains recording decisions. Broadcast figures can be corrected, so a difference between two statistical displays does not necessarily mean the match score is wrong.

Two clocks serve different purposes

The game clock belongs to the current period. The shot clock limits the available time for an attempt. Watch both near the end: a team may have less time remaining in the period than a normal possession allows.

Follow one complete sequence

Imagine a missed shot, an offensive rebound and a pass leading to a basket. The miss did not transfer possession to the opponent. The rebounder helped sustain the opportunity even without scoring. Read points, attempts and rebounds together, then look beyond the figures at the movement that opened the shot.