If you’ve ever been to a basketball game, you may have heard people talking about basketball players “dropping dimes”. If you have absolutely no idea, let’s take a look at this basketball terminology, what it means, and when to use it.
A Look at the Lingo of Basketball
In basketball, there is a unique language that players use to talk about their performance and strategy on the court. These terms can range from simple words like “dribble” or “change directions” to more complex phrases like “in-and-out fake dribble move”, "break some ankles", or “pick-and-roll”. Many of these terms are specific to basketball, making it difficult for newcomers to understand what players are talking about. The term "dime" is one such term that has gained popularity in recent years.
What is a Dime in basketball?
A “dime” in basketball refers to an assist—a pass to a teammate that leads directly to a basket being scored. In other words, it’s when one player sets up another player for a successful shot.
This pass can be made from one end of the basketball court to another, as well as from inside the paint all the way out beyond the 3-point line. The beauty of a dime lies in its accuracy; when thrown correctly. It can lead directly to an easy score for whoever receives it.
When should you use the term 'Dime'?
It should go without saying that you should only use this slang when referring to an actual basketball assist—not just any pass that happens during gameplay. When used correctly, the phrase will let your teammates know how awesome their pass was and make them feel recognized for their efforts.
You can also use this term as motivation; if someone passes you the ball with perfect timing for an easy shot, tell them they threw you a great “dime!” This can be great encouragement to help play good team basketball.
As you can see, a “dime” is a precise pass thrown by one player that leads directly towards another player on their team scoring points. It's an essential part of basketball lingo and understanding this term will help you better appreciate all those amazing successful pass plays.
Now that you know what a dime is, why not go out there and practice your passing skills help make your teammates have fun playing together.
Go out there and Drop some Dimes
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