Dictionary of Sporting Terms
This small sports dictionary gives the non-sports person some terms to help when discussing, watching or reading about sports. There are more to see for specific sports, just follow the links.
- clean sheet - when conceding no goals or points in a match or competition. In bowling if you make all your spares in the game it is called a clean sheet.
- combine: an event where potential players perform tests in front of scouts to try and impress for selection
- criterium: a bike race held on a short course, often run around city center streets.
- deckwork - The mood setting moves performed on the deck once the music starts before the swimmers enter the water. (see more in Synchronized Swimming)
- down to the wire: used in situations where the outcome may not be decided until the very last moment. From early race horse events where a wire was placed across the finish line.
- goal tending -- An illegal move by a defender of striking the ball on its downward flight to the basket. Two points are awarded. (see more in Basketball)
- hack: a foul. (see more in Ultimate Frisbee)
- hat trick: a description of three things happening in a row, such as three wickets in three balls in cricket or three goals in a game in soccer. (see more in Cricket)
- kit: the clothing used for playing a sport
- negative splits: When the second half of a race is swum faster than the first half. (see more in Swimming)
- nineteenth hole: The name of the bar in the clubhouse (see more in Golf)
- off the wood: a shot in tennis or badminton when the ball is hit by the frame of the racket (see more in Badminton)
- peloton — the main group of riders during ordinary stages (see more in Cycling)
- repechage: a rowing race in which the best-placed of those who failed to win heats compete for a place in the final.
- rally: A series of consecutive shots played by opponents before a winner (see more in Tennis)
- split decision: in boxing, a decision based on a majority of votes rather than unanimously.
- Turkey - tenpin bowling lingo for three strikes in a row. (see more in Bowling)
- wild card: such as in tennis when a player is allowed to enter the tournament without having to fulfill the qualifying requirements.
- wire to wire: meaning from start to finish, as in he led the race wire to wire. The term derives from early horse racing events where a wire was placed across the start and finish line.
- wooden spoon: in Australian Football, the unofficial title for the last place team at the end of the regular season (see more in Australian Football)
Sport Science Terms
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