Editing Slam dunk (section)

==Dunk types==

Dunk types reflect the various motions performed on the way to the basket. They start with the basic one- or two-hand forward-facing dunk and go on through various levels of athleticism and intricacy. Discrete dunk types can be modified by appending other moves; for example, a player who passes the ball off the backboard, catches it in the air, and executes a ''double-pump dunk'' would be said to have completed a "self-pass off the backboard, double pump".

===Tomahawk===
[[File:JuliusErvingSlamDunk1981.jpg|thumb|right|[[Julius Erving]] performing a "backscratcher" tomahawk dunk in 1981]]

One of the simplest dunk types is the "tomahawk" dunk, resembling the windup and sharp downward motion of a blow with a [[tomahawk]]. A Tomahawk dunk can be performed with one or two hands, and when two hands are used, it is called a backscratcher. Initially referred to as a gorilla dunk,<ref>{{Citation |last=EA Sports |title=Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs Electric Arts Video Game |date=1989 |url=http://archive.org/details/img-20210524-111104 |access-date=2022-03-21}}</ref> that term is uncommon now. During the jump, the ball is raised above, and often behind the player's head for a wind-up before slamming the ball down into the net at the apex of the jump. Due to the undemanding body mechanics involved in execution, the tomahawk is employed by players of all sizes and jumping abilities.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Because of the ball-security provided by the use of both hands, the two-handed tomahawk is a staple of game situations—frequently employed in alley-oops and in offense-rebound put-back dunks.

In one common variation, a 360° spin may be completed prior to or simultaneously with the tomahawk. Circa 2009, independent slam dunker [[Troy McCray]] pioneered an especially complex variant of the dunk: once the tomahawk motion is complete, instead of slamming the ball in the rim, a windmill dunk (see below) is then performed.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=101Retro - Troy McCray|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSkQptkSysc&t=1m20s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/KSkQptkSysc| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=21 May 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Windmill===
Before takeoff, or at the onset of the jump, the ball is brought to the abdomen and then the windmill motion is started by moving the ball below the waist according to the length of the player's fully extended arm. Then following the rotation of the outstretch arm, the ball is moved in a circular motion, typically moving from the front towards the back, and then slammed through the rim. Although, due to momentum, many players are unable to palm the ball through the entire windmill motion, the dunk is often completed with one-hand as [[centripetal force]] allows the player to guide the ball with only their dunking hand. In some instances sticky resins or powders may be applied to the palm, these are thought to improve grip and prevent loss of possession.<ref>{{cite web|title=JUMPUSA.com: Stickum Grip Powder|url=http://www.jumpusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=STICKUM2|access-date=21 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606224255/http://www.jumpusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=STICKUM2|archive-date=6 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Amongst players, subtle variations in the direction of the windmill depend on bodily orientation at takeoff and also jumping style (one-foot or two-feet) in relation to dominant hand.

There are a number of variations on the windmill, the most common being the aforementioned one- or two-hand variants. In these cases, the windmill motion may be performed with the previously discussed one-arm technique and finished with one- or two-hands, or the player may control the ball with two hands, with both arms performing the windmill motion, finishing with one or both hands. Additionally, the ball may be ''cuffed'' between the hand and the forearm—generally with the dominant hand. The cuff technique provides better ball security, allowing for a faster windmill motion and increased force exerted on the basket at finish, with either one or both hands. Using the cuffing method, players are also afforded the opportunity of performing the windmill motion towards the front, a technique exploited by French athlete [[Kadour Ziani]] when he pioneered his trademark double-windmill.

Occasionally in the game setting, the windmill is performed via alley-oop but is rarely seen in offense-rebound putback dunks due to the airtime required. [[Dominique Wilkins]] popularized powerful windmills—in games as well as in contests—including two-handed, self-pass, 360°, rim-hang, and combined variants thereof.

===Double Clutch===
At the onset of the jump, the ball is controlled by either one or both hands and once in the air is typically brought to chest level. The player will then quickly thrust the ball downwards and fully extend their arms, bringing the ball below the waist. Finally the ball is brought above the head and dunked with one or both hands; and the double clutch appears as one fluid motion. As a demonstration of athletic prowess, the ball may be held in the below-the-waist position for milliseconds longer, thus showcasing the player's hang time (jumping ability).

Whether the result of a 180° spin or body angle at takeoff, the double clutch is generally performed with the player's back toward the rim. While this orientation is rather conducive to the double clutch motion, [[Spud Webb]] was known to perform this dunk while facing the basket. Additionally, [[Kenny "Sky" Walker]], [[Tracy McGrady]]—in the 1989 and 2000 NBA Contests, respectively—and others, have performed 360° variation of the double clutch (McGrady completed a lob self-pass before the dunk). Circa 2007, independent slam dunker T-Dub performed the double clutch with a 540° spin which he concluded by hanging on the rim.<ref>{{cite web |title=YouTube: T-Dub Dunks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPFfSO8xozI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/BPFfSO8xozI |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=22 May 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}} Fast-forward to 00:09 in the video.</ref>

===Between the Legs===
For one-footed jumpers, the ball is generally transferred to the non-dominant hand just before or upon take-off; for two-footers, this transfer is often delayed for milliseconds as both hands control the ball to prevent dropping it. Once airborne, the dunker generally transfers the ball from non-dominant to dominant hand beneath a raised leg. Finally, the ball is brought upwards by the dominant hand and slammed through the rim.

The between-the-legs dunk was popularized by [[Isaiah Rider]] in the 1994 NBA slam dunk contest, who called it "The East Bay Funk Dunk,"<ref>{{cite web|title=Isiah Rider's Between-the-Legs Dunk|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEhVqvi7V2w |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605050128/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEhVqvi7V2w |archive-date=2010-06-05 |url-status=dead|access-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> so much so that the dunk is often colloquially referred to as a "Rider dunk"—notwithstanding [[Orlando Woolridge]]'s own such dunk in the NBA contest a decade earlier.<ref>{{cite web|title=Orlando Woolride :: 1984 between-the-legs dunk|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnWfCOpkAKw| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601183421/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnWfCOpkAKw&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=2012-06-01 |url-status=dead|access-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> Since then, the under-the-leg has been attempted in the NBA contest by a number of participants, and has been a staple of other contests as well. Its difficulty—due to the required hand-eye coordination, flexibility, and hang-time—keeps it generally reserved for exhibitions and contests, not competitive games. [[Ricky Davis]] has managed to complete the dunk in an NBA game,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Davis between the legs|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TE9Xv7zSig |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/9TE9Xv7zSig |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> but both he<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Davis failed dunk|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lwssbS3Io |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/m3lwssbS3Io |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Josh Smith]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Smith misses between the legs dunk|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EprveDGVBA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/7EprveDGVBA |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> have botched at least one in-game attempt as well.

Because of the possible combinations of starting and finishing hands, and raised-legs, there are many variations on the basic under-the-legs dunk—more so than any other.<ref>For both one- and two-footed jumper there are four possible between-the-legs and finishing-hand combinations.</ref> For example, in a 1997 French Dunk contest, [[Dali Taamallah]] leapt with his right leg while controlling the ball with his left hand, and once airborne he transferred the ball from his left hand, underneath his right leg to his right hand before completing the dunk.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flying 101 :: Dunk Encyclopedia -- Taamallah|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08uOXR302RU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/08uOXR302RU |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> NBA star [[Jason Richardson]] has also pioneered several notable variations of the between-the-legs including a lob-pass to himself<ref>{{cite web|title=Jason Richardson Lob reverse BTL|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PejeH1uzDJs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/PejeH1uzDJs |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and a pass off of the backboard to himself.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jason Richardson|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSS9RJnZ4Ok |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/hSS9RJnZ4Ok |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Independent athlete [[Shane Wise|Shane 'Slam' Wise]] introduced a cuffed-cradle of the ball prior to initiating the under the leg transfer and finishing with two-hands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flying 101 :: Dunk Encyclopedia :: Cradle BTL|publisher=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW9W7nshA3s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/lW9W7nshA3s |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> While a number of players have finished the dunk using one- or two-hands with their backs to the rim, perhaps the most renowned variant of the dunk is the combination with a 360°, or simply stated: a 360-between-the-legs. Due to the athleticism and hang-time required, the dunk is a crowd favorite and is heralded by players as the preeminent of all dunks. The dunk was once done by [[Zach LaVine]] during the 2015 [[Slam Dunk Contest]], which he called the “Space Jam Dunk”.

===Elbow Hang===

The player approaches the basket and leaps as they would for a generic dunk. Instead of simply dunking the ball with one or two hands, the player allows their forearm(s) to pass through the basket, hooking their [[elbow pit]] on the rim before hanging for a short period of time. Although the dunk was introduced by Vince Carter in the [[2000 NBA All-Star Game|2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest]], [[Kobe Bryant]] was filmed performing the dunk two years earlier in 1998 at an exhibition in the Philippines<ref>{{cite web|title=Kobe Bryant Elbow hang dunk|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLK0rz9pqDc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/WLK0rz9pqDc| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and during the 1997 offseason at Magic Johnson's A Midsummer Night's Magic charity event as well as [[Roy Hinson]] who performed the dunk during warm-ups for the [[1986 NBA All-Star Game|1986 NBA Slam Dunk contest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=_f85kIpiJOA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_f85kIpiJOA| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Roy Hinson - Elbow Dunk Pioneer (1986 Dunk Contest Warmups)|website=[[YouTube]]|date=February 16, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Colloquially, the dunk has a variety of names including 'honey dip', 'cookie jar', and 'elbow hook'.

In the 2011 NBA contest, [[Los Angeles Clippers]] power-forward [[Blake Griffin]] completed a self-pass off of the backboard prior to elbow-hanging on the rim. A number of other variants of the elbow hang have been executed, including a lob self-pass, hanging by the [[arm pit]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Armpit hanging on the rim dunk|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qCTrqVScY|access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> a windmill,<ref>{{cite web|title=Haneef Munir Windmill Elbow hang|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsRyCtzGD18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/dsRyCtzGD18| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and over a person.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kenny Dobbs Slam Interview (half way down page)|url=http://ballislifeent.com/2011/08/12/slam-magazine-interviews-kenny-dobbs-aka-the-dunk-inventor/|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009020307/http://ballislifeent.com/2011/08/12/slam-magazine-interviews-kenny-dobbs-aka-the-dunk-inventor/|archive-date=9 October 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Most notable are two variations which as of July 2012, have yet to be duplicated. In 2008, Canadian athlete [[Justin Darlington]] introduced an iteration aptly entitled a 'double-elbow hang', in which the player inserts both forearms through the rim and subsequently hangs on both elbows pits.<ref>{{cite web|title=2008 City Slam High lights @ 04:24|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbBOv-UTlDA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/xbBOv-UTlDA| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Circa 2009, French athlete [[Guy Dupuy]] demonstrated the ability to perform a between-the-legs elbow hang; however, Guy opted not to hang on the rim by his elbow, likely because the downward moment could have resulted in injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=TFB :: Guy Dupuy dunks (@ 02:00)|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=673NlDNQcBE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/673NlDNQcBE| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Alley-oop===
{{Main|Alley-oop}}
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An [[alley-oop (basketball)|alley-oop]] dunk, as it is colloquially known, is performed when a pass is caught in the air and then dunked. The application of an alley-oop to a slam dunk occurs in both games and contests. In games, when only fractions of a second remain on the game or [[shot clock]], an alley-oop may be attempted on in-bound pass because neither clock resumes counting down until an in-bounds player touches the ball. The images to the right depict an interval spanning 1/5 of a second.

=== Other ===
[[James White (basketball)|James White]] in the 2006 NCAA Slam Dunk Contest successfully performed tomahawk and windmill variations of the foul-line dunk.<ref>{{cite web |title=James White 06 NCAA Slam Dunk Contest |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZtyZWmOLOQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/5ZtyZWmOLOQ |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Though he was unable to complete a between-the-legs from the foul line at that contest, he has been known to execute it on other occasions.<ref>{{cite web |title=James White free-throw line between the legs @ 04:50 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR2XFpaoOxo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/vR2XFpaoOxo |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, [[Jamario Moon]] leaped from the foul-line then, using his non-dominant hand, caught and dunked a bounce-pass from teammate [[Jason Kapono]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamario Moon @ 03:01 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrp-VRA6Cpo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201151522/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrp-VRA6Cpo |archive-date=2014-02-01 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

Independent 6'2" North American athlete Eric Bishop introduced a dunk entitled the 'Paint Job'. The title is in reference to the [[key (basketball)|key]] on a basketball court, often known as 'paint' in common parlance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunk Encyclopedia :: Paint Job |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjPnd5Uzgyk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/LjPnd5Uzgyk |archive-date=2021-12-11 |access-date=31 December 2012 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Approaching along the baseline with a running dribble, Bishop jumped with one-foot at the border of the key, dunked with one-hand while gliding over the key and landed just beyond the border on the side opposite his take-off—a 16-foot flight.

At least one player has performed a 720 degree dunk (that is, two full turns in the air): [[Taurian Fontenette]] also known as ''Air Up There'' during a [[Streetball]] game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Video |first=Dunk |title=720 Dunk by "The Air Up There" |url=http://dunkvideo.com/streetball/720-dunk-by-the-air-up-there |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102052313/http://dunkvideo.com/streetball/720-dunk-by-the-air-up-there |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2 November 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |work=Notable Dunks}}</ref>