General
swat
What does swat mean?
To deflect an opposing player's shot off course so it misses, often dramatically.
"The center swatted the layup into the third row."
Origin
Descriptive; the swatting motion of a blocked shot.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'swat' mean in basketball?
It means to block a shot cleanly out of the air, knocking it off course so it misses, often dramatically.
Is 'swat' the same as a block?
Yes, a swat is a block, with the word emphasizing the forceful swatting motion of the defender.
Where does the term 'swat' come from?
It's descriptive, borrowing from the swatting motion a defender makes when they slap a shot away.
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