noth*ing but net
What is the definition of nothing but net in basketball?
1. Nothing but net is the term used to describe when a player makes a field goal and the ball goes through the basket without hitting the backboard or rim, therefore hitting “nothing but net” on the way down.
What does it mean to say “I’m going for nothing but net”?
When a player says they are aiming for nothing but net, they’re indicating that they hope to make a perfectly aimed shot that falls smoothly through the net without touching any part of the rim or backboard. This can occur in a regular shot during the course of the game or when taking a shot from the free throw line after a foul.
The phrase “nothing but” is common in English grammar when referring to a desire to only attain the word following the phrase. In this case, that word is “net,” so the player is saying the only thing they want the ball to touch is the net.
What is nothing but net called?
Nothing but net is typically called a basketball idiom or slang term. Although it’s not an official phrase in the game’s rulebook, it is used frequently by basketball players, coaches, commentators and fans.
What are some synonyms for nothing but net?
The most common thesaurus synonyms for nothing but net are swish and all net. Both of these terms are frequently used to describe the same thing as the nothing but net meaning: the ball going into the net without making contact with the backboard or rim.
What does swish mean?
The term swish comes from the sound that a ball makes when it moves smoothly through the net without touching anything else. The sound of the leather basketball against the fabric net creates a swish sound as it goes through.
What does all net mean?
All net refers to the fact that the ball doesn’t touch any part of the backboard or rim as the field goal is scored. By saying that a shot is all net, it means that this is the only thing it comes into contact with once it leaves the shooting player’s hands.
Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports
What is the opposite of nothing but net?
The following basketball terms demonstrate various scenarios which can be considered as the opposite of nothing but net:
- Air ball: An air ball occurs when an offensive player attempts to make a field goal, but their shot is not blocked by a defender on the opposing team, fails to hit the rim or backboard, and does not go in the basket.
- In-n-out: The term in-n-out (or in and out) refers to a shot which looks like it’s going into the basket for a successful field goal, but it ends up rattling out of the rim instead and the team does not score a point.
- Bank shot: A bank shot occurs when an offensive player takes a shot and the ball bounces off the backboard and into the basket without hitting the rim of the hoop.
- Alley oop: An alley oop involves one player tossing the ball up near the basket where their teammate can grab it in mid-air before scoring, usually with a dunk and often bypassing the use of the backboard.
Where does the phrase nothing but net come from?
The phrase nothing but net was widely popularized by a McDonald’s commercial that first aired in 1993. In the ad, NBA stars Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics challenges Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls to a game of H-O-R-S-E, with the winner getting a McDonald’s lunch. The shot challenges become increasingly complicated, and many involve the shot being nothing but net.
What is the origin of the phrase nothing but net?
The actual origin of the phrase nothing but net is unknown. It likely developed naturally among players and fans in describing how certain shots went into the basket without touching anything but the net.
What does nothing but net mean in soccer?
Nothing but net is the name of a practice drill in soccer. Players start near the goal take turns taking shots. The goal is to strike the ball so that it hits nothing but the back of the net.
If a player fails to do this, they must retake the shot on their next turn until they hit nothing but net. Once a player makes the shot successfully, they move to a shooting position that is farther away from the goal and try again with a longer-distance shot.
This continues with players taking turns in rounds. There are several shooting positions marked by cones, and with each successful shot, a player moves to the next cone back. The first player to successfully make nothing but net shots from each of the shooting positions, ending with the one that is further from the goal, wins.
Examples of how nothing but net is used in commentary
1. Redick dribbles up to the three-point line and hits nothing but net, securing a game-winning lead right before the buzzer.
Sport the term is used
1. Basketball
Also known as
1. Swish
