Dunkings

Dunkings describe the act of thrusting a ball downward through the rim from above, most commonly in basketball. In this sport, players typically leap toward the basket and drive the ball through the hoop with one or both hands, scoring two points. Dunkings are valued for their power, scoring efficiency, and ability to change momentum, and they are frequently featured in highlight reels, games, and the sport’s culture.

In basketball, dunks can occur on a fast break, following a rebound, or as part of an alley-oop play. Common variations include the one-handed dunk, two-handed dunk, reverse dunk, and windmill or tomahawk dunks, as well as more complex gyrations designed to avoid defenders. The slam dunk helped reshape offensive play in the late 20th century and remains a signature event in the sport.

Historically, dunking has had periods of regulation. The NCAA banned dunking from 1967 to 1976, a restriction tied to the dominance of Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar); the ban was lifted in 1976. The NBA and international leagues generally allowed dunking, and the annual NBA dunk contest has become a staple of the All-Star weekend. Safety and officiating considerations include fouls for dangerous dunks or goaltending rules when the ball is not through the rim.

Dunkings also appear in other contexts, such as dunking food (cookies in milk) or entertainment (dunk tanks), but in sport it refers primarily to the above-basketball scoring move.