Glossary of Basketball Terms - F

F

fast break

An offensive tactic in which a team attempts to advance the ball and score as quickly as possible, giving the other team no time to defend effectively. Often the result of a steal or blocked shot. See also secondary break.

FIBA

The International Basketball Federation, known as FIBA from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball. An association of national organizations which governs international competitions.

FIBA 33

The original name of what is now called 3x3.

field goal

A shot made from anywhere on the court, does not include free throws.

flagrant foul

An unsportsmanlike foul in which there is no serious attempt to play the ball. The NBA classifies these types of fouls as flagrant-1 and flagrant-2, with the latter resulting in the immediate ejection of the offender. FIBA does not use the term "flagrant foul", instead using unsportsmanlike foul and disqualifying foul (which roughly correspond to the two NBA subcategories).

forward

One of the three standard player positions. Forwards are primarily responsible for scoring and rebounding. See Small forward and Power forward. An individual capable of playing both types of forward is often called a cornerman.

foul

Violations of the rules other than floor violations, generally attempts to gain advantage by physical contact; penalized by a change in possession or free-throw opportunities; see personal foul, technical foul, flagrant foul, unsportsmanlike foul, and disqualifying foul.

four-point play

A rare play in which a player is fouled while making a three-point shot and then makes the resulting free throw.

free throw

An unopposed attempt to score a basket, worth one point, from the free throw line. Generally, two attempts are awarded when the player is fouled in the act of shooting (three attempts are awarded in the case of three point shot), fouled flagrantly, or when the opposing team fouls while over the foul limit. For technical fouls, one free throw is awarded under FIBA rules, and two under North American rulesets (NBA, NCAA, NFHS).