General
air ball
What does air ball mean?
A shot attempt that fails to touch the rim, net, or backboard at all. Crowds famously chant 'air ball' in unison.
"He airballed the free throw and the whole gym chanted."
Origin
Descriptive — the ball hits nothing but air.
Frequently asked questions
What is an air ball in basketball?
It's a shot that completely misses the basket, failing to touch the rim, net, or backboard.
Why do crowds chant 'air ball'?
Fans chant it in unison to mock the shooter after an especially embarrassing miss that hits nothing.
Is an air ball worse than a brick?
Generally yes; a brick at least hits the rim, while an air ball misses everything and is considered more humiliating.
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