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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