Tapping or patting heads in basketball is a common sight you must have noticed. Players often do this on and off the court. Sometimes, they do it after scoring, sometimes after conceding. For many fans, it is a mysterious behavior of the players.
What does tapping your head mean in basketball? It can express different meanings based on the situation. It can be a signal to repeat the same tactics, warn an opponent player, or let the referee know that the player got hit. The signal is also used to celebrate and taunt, while sometimes, it only means that the player is tired.
Debunking the mystery of the behavior made the game more entertaining for me, and it will do the same for you. Let’s explore the sign in detail.
6 Reasons Why Players Tap Their Heads in Basketball
As I was saying, the gesture of tapping heads can express different meanings. You need to notice the context for that. Here are the common reasons for which players do it:
1. Celebration and Taunt
A common reason for tapping the head is to celebrate after scoring points. Basketball is an intense sport that requires extreme physicality. And the players often show some great athleticism in every match. They express their joy through different celebrations; patting the head is one of them. Sometimes, the players off the court also do the same. Here is a video example of such an incident:
I have noticed Carmelo Anthony numerous times tapping his head with three fingers after scoring three points. It has become his signature celebration. If you are a hardcore fan of basketball, then you must have noticed other players doing the same to taunt him.
This celebration expresses both confidence and acknowledgment of the brilliance shown by the player. It is like being patted for doing something in the right way.
Players also do this sometimes to taunt the opponent players. This is part of their mind game.
2. Tactics and Strategies
Sometimes, this can be a part of their strategies. You do not get long breaks during points to make plans and strategies. Everything in basketball needs to be done in a rush. Therefore, players make various strategies before the game. Tapping the head can signal to follow or perform a certain tactic.
For example, a point guard may tap his head before an inbound pass to alert his teammates of his movement. I hope you remember Chris Paul “the point god?” He uses such gestures in the court to communicate with his teammates.
Effective communication is vital in this sport. The more players get used to such gestures, the better they can maintain teamwork and increase their winning chances.
Besides, teams can also have customized meanings of the gesture. For some teams, it can signal to play defense or attack. This customization allows the team to keep their strategies secret from their opponents. However, if the opponent can decipher the signal, they can counter the plan efficiently.
3. And 1
In basketball, when a player scores even after being fouled, can appeal and get a bonus throw. This rule is known as and 1.
The team gets the points for the basket and one extra free throw as a bonus. It’s like a special chance to get an extra point.
Players tap their heads to gesture to the referee that they were fouled and demand for an and 1. You will understand this sign as it happens immediately after scoring, and the gesture is signaled to the referee. If the referee is convinced about the foul play, he will reward the team with a free throw.
4. Watch Your Head
Basketball players jump much higher from the ground. The defenders sometimes try to surround a player in mid-air, and this often leads to bumping at each other. If you notice players doing head tapping in such situations, then it means a player is signaling the other player to “watch your head.” This is a common incident in basketball.
Players often get aggressive on the court, influenced by the match condition and intensity. Though bumping into each other is a common incident, it can make the players angry, and they can express nonverbal aggression with gestures.
5. The Player Is Tired
Sometimes, the signal can be quite simple. A player can tap his head to signal his coach that he is tired. You have to admit the game is energy-demanding. Players can often get tired and signal for a substitution by tapping their heads. It gives the player on the bench some time to warm up before coming to the court.
If the player is substituted soon after making the gesture, then you can be sure of the meaning of the gesture. However, players can also use the gesture as an appreciation towards the coach for the specific strategy. This all depends on what the player chooses to express on a particular day.
6. Repeat the Game
You can count it as a part of the team strategy. If players think the strategy is going well, they signal their teammates by tapping heads to repeat the play again from the top. Gesturing saves them from speaking out loud, and the opponents cannot know about their plans.
Origin of the Head Pat in Basketball
Now that you know why players tap their heads, you might be curious about its origin. The origin of the head-tapping gesture can be traced back to the Harlem Globetrotters. The team became very popular in the 60s for their flashy and entertaining playing.
The Globetrotters introduced and popularized head tapping as their signature celebration after a dunk. They used to do this as a symbol of their dominance. Players from other teams began to do the act as part of their celebration, and it became a common sign.
However, head tapping did not remain just a celebratory act. Players began to use it as a gesture and a way of communication. You will now see players often tapping their heads even after conceding points. Are they celebrating? Not actually. I hope you will not get confused about it.
Moreover, if you have ever watched a game from the arena, then you must have noticed that the court becomes very noisy. Players find it difficult to maintain communication during crucial moments. This led them to use various gestures to their advantage. Anyway, the Harlem Globetrotters should get credit for introducing the gesture in the game.
Is Tapping The Head Only Done by Players on The Court?
No, tapping the head is not only performed by the players on the court. Players on the bench often do it to participate in scoring celebrations. However, the gesture is more common on the court. Still, I have seen many players do it to show support and appreciation to their teammates.
The gesture is not limited to players only. Even coaches are sometimes seen to signal their players with gestures like eye contact and head tapping. In most cases, you do not get to see them doing this as the camera focus remains on the court.
Does Tapping the Head Have Any Psychological Benefits?
Being a nonverbal communication, tapping the head also provides psychological benefits. The effect and benefits depend on how and when it has been done.
Taunting and sledging are common in almost every competitive sport. If a player head taps after scoring to taunt the opposition, it can provide them a psychological advantage. As by human nature, the opponent team can get aggressive and make mistakes in the game.
Besides, players or coaches often use this signal to gesture a player to focus on the game. Players can establish a mental connection with the gestures and the play. It requires them to give more effort to concentrate on the game.
Can Opponents Decipher the Meaning Behind the Head Tap?
Since we, the fans, know the meaning of the taps, can’t the opponents also read the meaning of the taps? Not actually. Sometimes, the players only tap their heads for celebration, which everyone can understand. If it is done to taunt the opponent, that is an open message, too.
However, when it comes to strategies, it is challenging for the opponents to decipher the code. It can mean anything. There is no universal rule for this. You can use it to signal your player for an inbound pass. You can also use the same sign to tell your player not to give the ball to you as you are surrounded.
Some teams may use the sign to tell the players to play defensively; other teams may use it the other way around. Therefore, opponents can only guess based on the situation of the game. They cannot decipher the meaning with confidence. This is a primary reason for using the signal for non-verbal communication as it remains coded.
Some Common Basketball Celebration Gestures
Basketball players often have unique and creative gestures for celebration. They use these gestures to express their excitement, joy, confidence, and sometimes dominance. Here are the common celebration gestures used by the players.
- Flexing Muscles: Players flex their muscles to display strength and confidence. I have often noticed players doing this after making a powerful move or scoring inside the paint.
- Pointing to the Sky: Some players point to the sky to dedicate their performance to a special person.
- Three-Point Goggles: This is my favorite celebration. After hitting a three-point shot, players often form circles with their hands around their eyes to signify accuracy from long range.
- Dancing: Players often break into dance moves, showcasing their rhythm and enthusiasm. This enlightens their mood and wears off the pressure and intensity of the game.
- High-Fives: The most common gesture of excitement and joy. Players give each other high-fives to share their joy after winning a game or scoring points. The gesture is common in almost every sport.
- Fist Pump: A classic and simple gesture between the players. Players use the gesture to express unity, triumph, and excitement.
- Ear-Cupping: Cupping one or both ears with hands is a gesture to listen to the fans after scoring. Players often use the gesture to taunt the opposition team fans when they get silenced because of conceding points.
- Chest Pound: Players may pound their chest as a display of intensity, passion, and determination.
- Hanging on the Rim: Dunking the ball and then holding onto the rim for a brief moment is a dramatic and iconic celebration. Players demonstrate their athleticism and dominance through this gesture.
- Shooting Arrow: After a successful jump shot, players might mimic shooting an arrow into the air. It is a symbolic representation of a precise and accurate shot. Such cinematic and group celebration helps the players lighten up and focus on the game with refueled energy.
FAQ
Is tapping heads a common practice in basketball?
Tapping the head is not a universal gesture used by all basketball teams or players. Some players use this gesture for celebration, while some teams use this for communication. However, not all teams use the gesture as they have other non-verbal communication gestures.
What is the significance of tapping heads in basketball celebrations?
Tapping your head in basketball celebrations can signify a smart play or recognition of a strategic move. This can also be a coded gesture used by a player to signal his teammates to play a certain game.
Do fans tap heads in basketball?
Fans usually do not participate in head-tapping gestures in basketball. The gesture is mostly used by the players both on and off the court as a nonverbal communication sign. However, if a player uses the gesture as a celebration, fans might join them.
Conclusion
Tapping the head is a common gesture used by basketball players to celebrate and communicate with their team members. It is an effective nonverbal communication method that the opposition cannot decipher.
The use of such gestures and celebrations makes the game more enjoyable for fans. It adds versatility and often lifts the intensity and pressure off the players.