The Hooper's Dictionary

A free online resource that can instantly make you a more knowledgable hooper

Pick and Roll Terminology

Snake Dribble - A dribble move where the ball handler crosses back across the screen to shield the defender.

Flip Screen - The screener quickly changes the angle of the screen.

Ghost Screen - A fake screen where the screener slips to the perimeter without making contact.

Slip Screen - When the screener rolls early before the defense can set coverage.

Short Roll - The screener rolls only to the mid-paint area to create a passing advantage.

Deep Roll - A full roll directly to the front of the rim.

Pocket Pass - A pass thrown between defenders to the rolling big.

Tag Defender - The weak-side defender responsible for briefly helping on the roll.

Nail Help - Defensive help positioned at the free throw line area.

Low Man - The help defender responsible for protecting the rim against the roller.

Reject the Screen -
When the ball handler drives opposite the screen before it is used.

Re Screen -
A second screen set immediately after the first one.

Pick and Roll Coverage

Drop Coverage - The big defender stays near the paint to protect the rim during pick-and-roll.

Ice Coverage - A defensive strategy forcing the ball handler toward the sideline instead of using the screen.

Blitz - Two defenders aggressively trap the ball handler.

Hedge - The big defender steps out to stop the ball handler before recovering.

Soft Hedge - A less aggressive hedge used to contain penetration.

Switch Coverage - Defenders switch assignments on the screen.

Show and Recover - The big briefly shows help before recovering to their original matchup.

Peel Switch - A defender rotates to pick up the ball handler after another defender gets beat.

Scram Switch - A quick off-ball switch used to remove a small defender from a mismatch.

Off-Ball Actions

Iverson Cut
A guard cuts across the top of the key using two screens from bigs.

Chicago Action
A pin-down screen followed by a dribble handoff.

Zoom Action
A dribble handoff immediately after an off-ball screen.

Pistol Action
A quick dribble handoff on the wing followed by a ball screen.

Hammer Action
A baseline drive paired with a weak-side backscreen for a corner three.

Spain Pick and Roll
A backscreen is set on the roller’s defender during pick and roll.

Stack Pick and Roll
Two screeners are stacked to create layered pick-and-roll actions.

Delay Action
Offense initiated through a big man at the top of the key.

Spacing and Movement

45 Cut
A cut from the wing toward the rim during dribble penetration.

Corner Drift
The shooter in the corner slides along the sideline during penetration.

Corner Lift
The corner player lifts toward the wing when the ball is driven baseline.

Shake Cut
A perimeter player lifts behind a driving teammate for a kick-out three.

Slot Relocation
Moving along the perimeter to maintain spacing after passing.

Empty Corner
When the corner is cleared to create driving space.