Basketball is a sport which can seem to the outsider as though it is just two teams marching up and down the court scoring baskets, with the winner being the side who miss less often. While some games may occasionally get like this, a really competitive game will involve more action and set-pieces than just about any other sport. One of the classic sights from a basketball game is the “alley-oop” slam dunk, which is received with rapturous applause and cheers by fans for its sheer exuberance.

The “alley-oop” is like a typical slam dunk with the subtle difference that the player does not carry the ball to the hoop, but rather has it passed to them by a team mate, catches the ball as it is just next to the rim and plants it through the net for two points. For the best effect this should be done with shuddering force, and if done properly it is one of the moves that never fails to get fans on their feet cheering and hollering. If done incorrectly it’s just embarrassing.

The alley-oop is one of the best photo opportunities in all of sport. As you watch the shooter make his break to get in position underneath the basket, and the tem-mate throwing him the ball, you know that in less than a second the player will be in mid-air with arms raised high, about to ram that ball through the hoop for one of the coolest moves in any sport. And for two points, of course.