NFHS BASKETBALL PART II EXAM 2026
ACTUAL PAPER WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⫸ on ball defender (primary). Answer: player on the court who is
guarding the ball
⫸ off ball defender (secondary). Answer: player on the court who is
guarding a player without the ball
⫸ help defense. Answer: a player who steps in to help a teammate who
has been beaten by their opponent off the dribble
⫸ ball side defense (strong side). Answer: defensive positioning on the
side of the floor from the helpline/midline: where the ball is at!
⫸ help side defense (weak side). Answer: defensive positioning on the
side of the court from the helpline/midline: opposite of where the ball is!
⫸ gap. Answer: space between 2 offensive players that a defender can
use to position themselves (usually to help in dribble penetration)
⫸ deny. Answer: a defensive technique where a defender tries to
prevent their assigned player from receiving a pass
,⫸ closeout. Answer: when a defender closes the space between
themselves and an offensive player to stop a shot
⫸ contest a shot. Answer: when a defender challenges or disrupts a
shooters attempt to score without fouling by raising their arms, jumping,
or getting close enough to make a shot more difficult
⫸ stunting. Answer: a quick fake movement by a defender toward the
ball or the driving lane (meant to disrupt offense without full commit to
help defense)
⫸ switching. Answer: a defensive tactic where 2 defenders exchange
who they're guarding (to avoid being screened)
⫸ let through. Answer: when a defender guarding a screener backs up
and lets their teammate get under the screen
⫸ chasing. Answer: when the defender gets on the hip of the offensive
player using the screen and follows them over the screen
⫸ walling up. Answer: a defensive technique where a defender
positions themselves between their player and the basket on a drive. they
use their body w arms straight up, force the driver to make tough shot
, ⫸ box out. Answer: defensive rebounding technique where a defender
positions their body between their player and the basket after a shot to
secure a rebound
⫸ taking a charge. Answer: when a defensive player intentionally
positions themselves in the path of an offensive player driving to the
basket and absorbing contact, resulting in offensive foul
⫸ lock + under (jam). Answer: where the ball screen defender uses their
body to lock onto the screen preventing them from easily rolling or
slipping to the basket after the screen. on ball defender goes under the
ball screen
⫸ switching. Answer: when the 2 defenders involved in a ball screen
switch who they were guarding
⫸ gap + recover. Answer: a defensive technique where the player
defending the ball screen backs up and cheats in the direction the ball
handler, trying to buy time for their teammate guarding the ball to get
over/under the ball screen
⫸ hard hedge. Answer: defender guarding the screener aggressively
steps out and forces the ball handler to change direction while the on ball
defender can get over the ball screen --> meant to slow/stop ball
handler's progress
ACTUAL PAPER WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⫸ on ball defender (primary). Answer: player on the court who is
guarding the ball
⫸ off ball defender (secondary). Answer: player on the court who is
guarding a player without the ball
⫸ help defense. Answer: a player who steps in to help a teammate who
has been beaten by their opponent off the dribble
⫸ ball side defense (strong side). Answer: defensive positioning on the
side of the floor from the helpline/midline: where the ball is at!
⫸ help side defense (weak side). Answer: defensive positioning on the
side of the court from the helpline/midline: opposite of where the ball is!
⫸ gap. Answer: space between 2 offensive players that a defender can
use to position themselves (usually to help in dribble penetration)
⫸ deny. Answer: a defensive technique where a defender tries to
prevent their assigned player from receiving a pass
,⫸ closeout. Answer: when a defender closes the space between
themselves and an offensive player to stop a shot
⫸ contest a shot. Answer: when a defender challenges or disrupts a
shooters attempt to score without fouling by raising their arms, jumping,
or getting close enough to make a shot more difficult
⫸ stunting. Answer: a quick fake movement by a defender toward the
ball or the driving lane (meant to disrupt offense without full commit to
help defense)
⫸ switching. Answer: a defensive tactic where 2 defenders exchange
who they're guarding (to avoid being screened)
⫸ let through. Answer: when a defender guarding a screener backs up
and lets their teammate get under the screen
⫸ chasing. Answer: when the defender gets on the hip of the offensive
player using the screen and follows them over the screen
⫸ walling up. Answer: a defensive technique where a defender
positions themselves between their player and the basket on a drive. they
use their body w arms straight up, force the driver to make tough shot
, ⫸ box out. Answer: defensive rebounding technique where a defender
positions their body between their player and the basket after a shot to
secure a rebound
⫸ taking a charge. Answer: when a defensive player intentionally
positions themselves in the path of an offensive player driving to the
basket and absorbing contact, resulting in offensive foul
⫸ lock + under (jam). Answer: where the ball screen defender uses their
body to lock onto the screen preventing them from easily rolling or
slipping to the basket after the screen. on ball defender goes under the
ball screen
⫸ switching. Answer: when the 2 defenders involved in a ball screen
switch who they were guarding
⫸ gap + recover. Answer: a defensive technique where the player
defending the ball screen backs up and cheats in the direction the ball
handler, trying to buy time for their teammate guarding the ball to get
over/under the ball screen
⫸ hard hedge. Answer: defender guarding the screener aggressively
steps out and forces the ball handler to change direction while the on ball
defender can get over the ball screen --> meant to slow/stop ball
handler's progress
