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alive:     a ball is alive when it is released by a shooter or thrower, or legally tapped by a jumper during a jump ball; the game clock starts only when the ball becomes alive; compare with live. alternating-possession rule:     in college, the possession arrow changes direction after each subsequent jump ball situation, alternating which team gets possession for the throw-in. assist:     the last pass to a teammate that leads directly to a field goal; the scorer must move immediately toward the basket for the passer to be credited with an assist; only 1 assist can be credited per field goal. backboard:     the rectangular structure, 6' x 3 1/2', to which the basket is attached. backcourt:     the area from the midcourt line to the end line furthest from the offense's basket. ball handler:     the player with the ball; usually the point guard at the start of a play. bank shot:     a shot where the ball is first bounced (or banked) off the backboard at such an angle that it then drops into the basket. basket:     attached to the backboard, it consists of a metal rim 18" in diameter suspended 10' from the floor, from which a 15-18" corded net hangs, and through which points are scored; also used to refer to a successful field goal. beat the defender:     when an offensive player, with or without the ball, is able to get past an opponent who is guarding him. blind pass:     a pass from a ball handler who does not see his receiver, but is estimating where he should be. blocked shot:     the successful deflection of a shot by touching part of the ball on its way to the basket, thereby preventing a field goal. blocking:     the use of a defender's body position to illegally prevent an opponent's advance; the opposite of charging. boosters:     alumni supporters of college teams. boxing out:     a player's attempt to position his body between his opponents and the basket to get rebounds and prevent the opponents from doing so. center circle:     the circular area at midcourt from which jump balls are taken. charging:     an offensive foul which occurs when an offensive player runs into a defender who has established position. clear out:     see one-on-one showdown. Commissioner:     the president of the NBA. court:     the 94' x 50' area bounded by 2 sidelines and 2 end lines containing a basket at each end, on which a basketball game is played. court vision:     a player's ability to see everything on the court during play such as where his teammates and defenders are set up which enables him to make better choices in passing; the best point guards possess this. crossover dribble:     when a ball handler dribbles the ball across his body from one hand to the other. dead ball:     any ball that is not live; occurs after each successful field goal or free-throw attempt, after any official's whistle or if the ball leaves the court; it stops play which is then resumed by a jump ball, throw-in or free-throw. defense:     the act of preventing the offense from scoring; the team without the ball. defensive rebound:     a rebound of an opponent's missed shot. double team:     when two teammates join efforts in guarding a single opponent. downcourt or down the court:     the direction a team on offense moves, from its backcourt into its frontcourt and towards its own basket. draft:     the method by which NBA teams annually select college or foreign players to their teams, designed to promote balanced competition in the NBA. Dream Team:     the name given by the media to the U.S. basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; it was the first time non-amateurs were permitted to represent the country; the members of this team were Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton. In the 1996 Olympics, the U.S. team was called Dream Team II and in 2000, Dream Team III. dribble or dribbling:     when a player repeatedly pushes, pats, taps or bats the ball toward the floor with one hand to cause the ball to bounce back up to either of his hands; used to advance the ball or keep control of it. dribble series:     a number of consecutive dribbles which end when a player allows the ball to rest in one or both hands; a player is only permitted one dribble series before he must pass or shoot. drive to the basket:     to move rapidly toward the basket with the ball. dunk:     when a player close to the basket jumps and strongly throws the ball down into it; an athletic, creative shot used to intimidate opponents. elbowing:     it is a violation if a player vigorously or excessively swings his elbows, even if there is no contact; it is a foul if contact is made, and an automatic ejection if that contact is above shoulder level. end line:     the boundary line behind each basket; also called the baseline. established position:     when a defensive player has both feet firmly planted on the floor before an offensive player's head and shoulder get past him; the offensive player who runs into such a defender is charging. 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