BASKETBALL TERMS

Pick-and-Roll (PnR): An offensive play in which a player sets a screen for the ball handler. After making contact with the defender, the screener “rolls” toward the basket, creating a scoring opportunity for themselves or drawing defensive attention away from the ball handler.

Stretch 5: A center who can consistently shoot from three-point range, forcing defenders to leave the paint to guard them on the perimeter. Iliana Rupert is an example of a stretch 5.

1 – Point Guard (PG): The primary ball handler and playmaker responsible for organizing and facilitating the offense. Examples include Veronica Burton and Kaitlyn Chen.

2 – Shooting Guard (SG): A scoring-focused guard who can handle the ball but is often relied upon to create offense for themselves and make plays in isolation situations. Tiffany Hayes is an example.

3 – Small Forward (SF): A versatile wing player who can score from the perimeter, attack the basket, and contribute in multiple areas of the game. Cecilia Zandalasini is an example.

4 – Power Forward (PF): A forward who typically combines interior play, rebounding, and defensive responsibilities with some perimeter skills. Kayla Thornton is an example.

5 – Center (C): Usually the tallest player on the court, responsible for rebounding, rim protection, defending opposing post players, and scoring near the basket. Examples include Kiah Stokes and Iliana Rupert.

Backcourt: The half of the court containing a team’s defensive basket, usually used to refer to the guards on a team who operate offensively from the back.

Frontcourt: The half of the court containing the basket a team is attacking offensively, usually used to refer to the forwards who operate from inside the paint.

Spacing: The strategic positioning of offensive players to stretch the defense, create driving lanes, and generate open shots. Good spacing makes it difficult for defenders to help without leaving someone open.

Fast Break: A transition offense that pushes the ball quickly up the court after a turnover, rebound or steal in an attempt to score before the defense gets set.

Isolation (Iso): An offensive strategy in which teammates clear space for a player to attack their defender one-on-one, creating opportunities to score or force help defense that leads to open teammates. For example, in the Valkyries’ 90-82 win over Indiana on May 27, Juste Jocyte’s three-pointer over Caitlin Clark was taken as an iso.

Off the Dribble: Describes a shot, pass or move made while actively dribbling and in motion. For example, when Janelle Salaun takes a pass, makes a move and then fires a mid-range shot.

Five-Out: An offensive alignment in which all five players are positioned outside the three-point line, maximizing floor spacing and creating driving lanes. The Valkyries utilize a five-out offense often.

Pick-and-Pop: Similar to a pick-and-roll, except the screener moves away from the basket after setting the screen, typically positioning themselves for an open jump shot or three-pointer.

Box Out: A rebounding technique in which a player positions their body between an opponent and the basket to secure a rebound.

Closeout: A defensive movement toward a shooter, usually with an outstretched hand, designed to contest a shot while maintaining defensive balance. A closeout is often followed by a box out if the shot is taken.

Press: A defensive strategy that applies pressure on the ball handler and passing lanes, often across the full court or three-quarters of the court, to disrupt the offense. This usually includes a team sending two or three defenders up the court when the offensive team inbounds.

Switch: A defensive tactic in which defenders exchange assignments during a play, most commonly when defending a screen.

Zone Defense: A defensive system in which players guard specific areas of the court rather than matching up with individual opponents.

Transition Take Foul: An intentional foul committed to stop a fast-break opportunity without making a legitimate play on the ball, which results in free throws.

Plus/Minus (+/-): A statistic that measures a player's on-court impact by tracking the point differential while they are in the game. A positive number indicates their team outscored the opponent during their minutes; a negative number indicates the opposite.

Reset Timeout: A special timeout available in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime that allows a team to advance the ball into the frontcourt and make substitutions. Teams may not huddle with coaches during this timeout.

Commissioner’s Cup: The WNBA’s annual in-season competition. Teams play designated intraconference games during the regular season, and the top team from each conference advances to the Championship Game. The event features prize money for players and charitable contributions to local organizations.

Key pronunciations: 

Iliana Rupert: Ill-ee-ah-na Rue-pear

Janelle Salaun: Sal-on

Juste Jocyte: You-stay Yo-chee-tay

Kiah Stokes: Key-ah

Miela Sowah: Mee-la So-wah

Laeticia Amihere: La-tee-see-a Ah-mee-here

Ndjakalenga Mwenantanda: Jack-Uh-Lan-Guh, Mwen-In-Tawn-Duh

Kaila Charles: Ky-la

Cecilia Zandalasini: Chech-eel-ee-a Zand-ah-la-see-nee

Natalie Nakase: Nah-cass-ee

Nicknames

Veronica Burton: V

Tiffany Hayes: Tip

Janelle Salaun: Ja

Laeticia Amihere: LA

Cecilia Zandalasini: Ceci

Kayla Thornton: KT

Iliana Rupert: Illy