The ABC of NBA

Confused by bank shot? Don't know a layup from an alley-oop? Never fear. In the run-up to basketball extravaganza NBA 08, there's help at hand to get you into the hoops in no time.

Basketball is coming to PlayStation like never before thanks to the arrival of NBA 08 on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, and both versions are designed to take advantage of the relevant system's strengths. On PS2, NBA 08 focuses on an in-depth story mode called The Life, which features over 45 minutes of story cinematics, gameplay scenarios and mini-games, all designed to lead you through the trials and tribulations of an NBA player. NBA 08 on PS3 comes complete with full High Definition 1080p visuals running at 60 frames per second, SIXAXIS functionality and downloadable content.

But for those new to the fast paced flash of basketball it's easy to get lost in all the rules and terminology that comes with it. So to help increase your enjoyment of not just NBA 08 but the sport in general, here's a handy guide to tip you off on some of the intricacies and jargon - and by the end of it you'll be slam-dunking any basketball questions that come your way just in time for some high vaulting action in NBA 08.

Dribbling and passing terminology

Dribbling is the only legal method of advancing the ball on your own by walking or running down the court. Once a player stops dribbling the ball and holds it, the stationary player must either pass it to another player or take a shot. To evade defenders trying to get the ball, attacking players can perform moves such as a crossover by bouncing the ball from one side of the body to the other (sometimes between the legs) or a wraparound by dribbling the ball behind his back, switching it to his other hand.

There are a number of dribbling violations in basketball to be aware of, although thankfully NBA 08 takes care of them through automatic dribbling and making sure you don't create too much of a fuss by breaking these fundamentals. However, they're worth noting for reference. If a player dribbles the ball, holds it and then proceeds to dribble again without first attempting a shot or passing to a teammate, a double dribble violation is called. This can also be applied if the player dribbles the ball with both hands.

Carrying/palming is another dribbling violation where the player continues to dribble after allowing the ball to come to rest in one or both hands. Travelling (also known as walking or steps) is when a player holding the ball takes too many steps without dribbling it. Once a player stops they're allowed to pivot on one foot - changing feet before the player releases the ball is also deemed as travelling.

Generally other fouls are committed when a player strikes, trips, blocks, charges or otherwise makes contact judged to be unnecessary with another player. Fouls are also called for rules such as when offensive players remain in their opponents' restricted area under the basket (the key/lane) for longer than three seconds (the three-second rule - this also applies for defensive players remaining in the key for the same amount of time) and violation of the shot clock, which forces the offensive team to attempt a shot before the time expires, or risk losing possession.

Passes can be made in a variety of styles, from just throwing to bouncing it across the floor to a receiver. But there are several ways to turn a standard pass into something that will have the crowd ooohing and ahhing from your sheer sense of style and chutzpah.

A no-look (blind) pass is exactly what its name suggests - passing the ball to a teammate without actually needing to look where the receiver is. Great if you pull it off, rather embarrassing if it goes wrong.

Another staple of a slick passer is the behind-the-back pass, which again is fairly self-explanatory - the player throws the ball from behind his back.

However, these swish moves leave the team more susceptible to turnovers (when a player gives possession to the other team by losing the ball) or steals (controlling the ball from the rival without touching the other player's hands).

Scoring and shooting terminology

This is where things get really special. There is a multitude of extravagant ways to score in the sport, each with their own variations, but here are some of the more prominent essentials.

Layup: A leap from below the basket, pushing or rolling the ball up and tipping it over the rim.

Bank shot: Banking the ball off the backboard into the hoop.

Slam-dunk (or dunk): The move that just about everyone has heard of. This is when a player jumps in the air and slams the ball through the basket with one or both hands. Although contrary to popular videogame belief, it's not possible for the best player to spin 50ft in the air a hundred times while ablaze before dunking.

Alley-oop: When one player throws the ball up near the basket to a teammate who jumps and catches the ball in mid-air before scoring, often by a slam-dunk. Extremely fancy (if somewhat arrogant) players can even perform this move on their own, acting as both the passer and receiver.

Fadeaway: Shooting the ball while jumping backwards away from the basket.

Hook shot: A one-handed throw that arcs the shooter's arm in a sweeping upwards motion over his head - like a hook shape, naturally.

A great move which sometimes preludes a shot is the pump fake - pretending to shoot but holding back at the last minute, forcing the defender to jump or lose balance.

So with all that in mind, you should be ready to take to the courts and show off just how much you truly know in NBA 08. You have the knowledge; now prove you have the skills...