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You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘A’ / Air Ball

Air Ball

air ballAir Ball Definition

What Is The Definition Of An Air Ball?

1. This refers to when a shot attempted by an offensive player, that is not blocked by a defender, fails to at least hit the rim or the backboard. This shot attempt does not reset the shot clock, as the ball must at least hit the rim.

What Are The Rules For An Air Ball?

Some air ball rules are confusing to fans. If a player shoots the ball and misses the rim completely, the ball is considered loose and no team has clear possession; the player can regain possession of his/her shot without violation as long as it was an intentional shot. This does not count as a travel or a double dribble and resets the shot clock. 

What Happens When A Player Is Fouled On An Air Ball?

If a player is fouled during the act of shooting the basketball and air balls, the shot does not count as a shot attempt. The player would be awarded free throw shots as a result of the foul. 

Examples Of How Air Ball Is Used In Commentary

1. With that air ball, the offense is charged with a 24-second violation.

2. With the game tied and time winding down, the guard tosses up a shot at half-court for the win, but instead it’s an air ball, therefore sending the game into overtime.

SportsLingo Goes The Extra-Inch With The Meaning Of Air Ball

Although there are no hard facts on when this term was first created, the Oxford Dictionary cited this term being used in a Daily Review article in January 29, 1967 in reference to a game that involved a Cal State. It appears since then, the term “air ball” has become a popular chant among fans whenever an opponent shoots an air ball. By chanting this, the fans hope to get into the psyche of their opponent to make him take more poor and unsuccessful shots.

Sport The Term Is Used

1. Basketball

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