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Meaning & use

fast breaks

noun·Everydaysport

Last updated

UK/ˌfɑːst ˈbreɪks/
US/ˌfæst ˈbreɪks/

“fast breaks” is a form of “fast break”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountablesport

    Quick attacks in basketball in which a team moves the ball up the court before the defense can get set.

    Grammar: Plural of fast break: the team scored on fast breaks.

    Patterns

    • score on fast breaks
    • run fast breaks

    The team scored most of its points on fast breaks.

    Our coach loves fast breaks after a steal.

    The guards created several fast breaks in the third quarter.

  2. nouncountablesport

    Rapid counter-attacks in other team sports such as hockey or soccer after winning the ball.

    Grammar: Used more loosely outside basketball.

    Patterns

    • fast breaks against someone

    The hockey team relied on fast breaks to beat the defense.

    Their fast breaks left the other side's fullbacks behind.

    Counter-attacking fast breaks won them the match.

Word forms

singularfast break

Common combinations

run fast breaks
The team runs fast breaks whenever it can.
score on fast breaks
They scored twelve points on fast breaks.
lead fast breaks
Their point guard leads fast breaks well.
stop fast breaks
The defense could not stop fast breaks.
quick fast breaks
Quick fast breaks tired out the older team.

Synonyms and how they differ

counter-attacks
Counter-attacks is a wider word for any attack made right after defending, while fast breaks is the typical basketball phrase.
transition offense
Transition offense is the coaching term for the whole phase after a turnover, while fast breaks are the fastest plays within it.
breakaways
Breakaways describe one player escaping the defense, whereas fast breaks involve several players.
run-and-gun
Run-and-gun describes a whole playing style of fast attacking and quick shots, not one single attack.

Opposites

half-court offenseset plays

Word family

fast break noun
one quick attack
break noun
an escape from defenders
breakaway noun
an attack in which a player gets clear of defenders
transition noun
the move from defense to offense

Commonly confused: fast breaks or fast food?

fast breaks vs fast food

Fast food is quickly served meals, and has nothing to do with sport.

Practice

After winning the ball, the guard raced up the court and the team scored easily on ___.

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