backdoor play

American  

noun

Basketball.

1. an offensive tactic whereby a player breaks away from a defender to receive a pass near the baseline in order to make a quick layup.

---

Etymology

Origin of backdoor play

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Binnington denied Brock Boeser on a backdoor play on a power play early in the period, while Martin got in front of a point shot from Alexey Toropchenko through traffic.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2022

Oscar da Silva caught it on a backdoor play, slicing through the paint for a layup that gave the Cardinal a 73-72 victory over the Bruins on Saturday at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2021

Gomez was at the right-wing boards when he spotted Jagr dashing down the left side for a backdoor play.

From Washington Times • Dec. 15, 2014

During a timeout with just over a minute left and Kansas trailing 63-57, Kansas coach Bill Self designed a beautiful backdoor play that seemed to give Tyshawn Taylor a layup.

From Time • Apr. 3, 2012

He tried to cut around the baseline looking for a backdoor play or maybe to post me up low.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers