A double-double is when a player reaches double digits, 10 or more, in two stat categories in the same game. Points and rebounds are the most common combo: score 14 points and grab 11 rebounds, that’s a double-double. You’ll hear the term in almost every broadcast and it’s basketball’s basic unit of “this player had a big night.”
Foul out and your night is over. In the NBA, a player who commits six personal fouls is disqualified and they leave the game and can’t come back, no matter how important they are or how much time is left. In college and high school it’s five fouls. A substitute takes their place, so the team still plays five-on-five, it just loses that player for good.
A free throw is a free, undefended shot from the foul line and it happens because somebody broke a rule. Most often, a defender fouled the shooter while they were taking a shot, so the shooter gets to try the points they were denied. The other common cause is the bonus: once a team has committed enough fouls in a period, every foul after that sends the other team to the line, even if nobody was shooting.
A triple-double is when a player reaches double digits in three stat categories in a single game that are usually points, rebounds, and assists, like 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. It’s the badge of a do-it-all player: scoring, setting up teammates, and cleaning the glass in the same night.
Traveling is taking too many steps without dribbling (bouncing) the basketball. Once you pick up your dribble (hold the ball), you’re allowed two steps and a third step is a violation.
The shot clock gives the offense a fixed number of seconds to attempt a shot= 24 in the NBA, 30 in men’s college ball. If they don’t get a shot off that hits the rim in time, it’s a violation and the other team gets the ball. It exists for one reason: to stop teams from holding the ball forever to protect a lead.
