Why is everyone claiming that they “know ball” on TikTok? This phrase has gone viral — and even if you think you know what it means, it’s taken on a new life now that Gen Z has gotten ahold of it. We’ll break it down for you, below!

What Does ‘I Know Ball’ Mean?

If you are a parent of an athlete, you’ve probably been hearing your kids talk about other players who “know ball” for years. It literally means that they are good at their sport. Think of it as a simplified version of a famous line from Taylor Swift’s “So High School,” which is “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.”

However, outside of the original definition of excelling at sports, the term has expanded to mean being good or an expert at anything.

The first entry for this slang term on Urban Dictionary came in 2020, which was simply, “someone that is knowledgeable about a specific topic.”

So, it’s been around for a while. But thanks to Gen Z’s penchant for dark humor, it has pivoted in TikTok videos.

How Are People Using ‘I Know Ball’ Now?

According to The Tab, Gen Z are using “I know ball” for sillier things that they are experts in.  You may not know complicated basketball techniques, but you’ve never been wrong at predicting which Love Island couples will break up after the finale. Teens are experts at bed rotting.

Another way they are using this term? Posting videos of themselves breaking expectations. Like this girl, who wrote, “When I walk into the yarn store and they look at me like I don’t know ball…”  followed by videos of her modeling gorgeous outfits she made with yarn, showing she does “know ball.”

Others twist the narrative, joking about things they don’t know about. Like this girl, who says, “When I walk into a tattoo shop and they think I don’t know ball.” But instead of revealing an expert tattoo, she pulls up a sleeve to show a tiny tattoo of a heart-shaped lock.

Self-depreciating humor is such a Gen Z trait, and even the comments are funny. One person quipped, “I was expecting something small not a dang sleeve.” Another joked, “There goes college… and a future job…😞”

Emotional Twist

When they aren’t making jokes, though, many Gen Zers are taking this in a more emotional direction. Like this one, who says, “When someone mentions getting their spark back and thinks I don’t know ball,” followed by video clips of them glowing with happiness. “Trust me. I know ball,” she added, writing in the caption, “POV me senior year.”

Many girls have followed this format to show their trend of healing and finding happiness after trauma, and it’s actually so beautiful.

In summary, whether it’s being used in a funny, vulnerable, or creative way, the “I know ball” trend is totally Gen Z. If you’ve ever tried to use emojis around teens, then you know they hardly take anything at face value. And hopefully this guide will help you understand it a bit more. Check out our guide of teen slang HERE.

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