Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
tap-off

tap-off

7.4
The jump ball that starts a basketball game
  • noun
  • /ˈtæpˌɔf/
  • Jargon
translation icon : salto inicial
  • At the tap-off, both centers jumped high to gain possession for their team.

Examples

  • The referee signaled for the tap-off to begin the game.

  • The crowd cheered as the tap-off signaled the beginning of the championship game.

  • He missed the tap-off, but quickly recovered the ball on defense.

  • After the tap-off, the home team took control of the ball.

  • At the tap-off, both centers jumped high to gain possession for their team.

  • The crowd cheered as the tap-off signaled the beginning of the championship game.

  • After the tap-off, the home team took control of the ball.

Synonyms

jump ball
vstap-off
  • Specialized
3 4.1

A basketball way where the referee tosses the ball between two players who jump to tap it to a teammate

is specifically the game start version not just any restart
tip-off
vstap-off
  • Jargon
3 4.6

The start of a basketball game when players jump for the ball

has the same meaning but is a different term for it

Surface Forms

tap-off singular
tap-offs plural

Etymology

Tap-off comes from tap ('to touch lightly') and off, used like in kick-off to mean the start of play. So a tap-off is the quick touch or jump that starts a basketball game.