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What is an air ball in basketball? Term Explained!

 

Basketball has a lot of terms and saying when it comes to the sport. From, “Brick”, “And One”, and even the Air Ball. Today we take a look at what an airball is.

What is an airball in basketball? In basketball, the term air ball is when a shot is taken, the basketball travels towards the basket and does not touch a player, the rim, the backboard, or enter the hoop. It simply travels from the player’s hand through the air at which point the ball may hit the ground or go out of bounds, which is why it is called an airball as it travels through the air.

In this article we will take a look at the different questions regarding an airball, does it count as a shot or a turnover? Does the shot clock reset? And other questions we will answer.

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More on the basketball term airball…

In basketball, airballs are actually not that uncommon and happen for all sorts of reasons. A basketball player may be coming off a long layoff and is trying to knock off the rust in their game. The player may have had a hand in their face when shooting causing them to miss completely. It could also be a shot out of a player’s range that is unfamiliar to their game.

There is actually a sound when you shoot the basketball and it airballs. That sound is usually the opposing team fans if you happen to be playing an away game, they will chant….AIRRRRR BALLLLLL ….AIRRRRRR BALLLLL. This is to further frustrate you and take you off a player’s game.

Can you rebound your own airball?

In the NBA you can not rebound your own airball until it hits either rim, backboard, or another player. Click here for more on an article I wrote “Can you rebound your own airball?”.

As for High School, College, and FIBA regulated leagues you can.

Does the Nba shot clock reset on an airball?

The shot clock does not reset on an airball, it must hit the rim if it fails to hit the rim or if it touches a player or the backboard the shot clock continues.

Is the ball still live during an airball?

Yes, the basketball is live during an airball, as long the ball in play on the court and has not touched out of bounds.

Is an airball a turnover?

No, it is not considered a turnover but a shot attempt as long as it looked like a shot. This would count against the player’s field goal attempts instead of a turnover to their stats.

Does 3 in the key reset if the shot is an airball?

Yes, the 3 seconds in the key will reset if an airball is shot, technically no team has possession of the ball when it is mid-air. The 3-second count only starts when a player from one team has possession of the basketball after entering the frontcourt.

That concludes the airball, check out some other terms below, and learn about them.