Boxing Terms

Boxing Terms
by Scotty L of Predictem.com

Boxing has a colorful language all its own. The boxing lexicon is so replete with imagistic language that
many of its words, lingo, jargon and expressions have become a part of regular English. The next time you
wonder "What does (insert word here) in boxing mean?" You can find it here! Listed below, you'll find some
of the more commonboxing terms you will hear if you watch and follow boxing.

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Accidental Butt: When the heads of both fighters just so happen to collide during the course of a fight. No
one is ruled responsible in such a case.

Alphabet Groups: Term used to describe the numerous boxing organizations (WBA, IBF, WBC, WBO…) that
govern the sport.

Bleeder: A fighter who is vulnerable to cuts.

Bob and Weave: When a fighter moves his upper body in an up-and-down motion, making him more
difficult to time correctly.

Bolo Punch: A showy, sweeping punch that looks like a little like an uppercut. More of a showboating tactic.

Bout: Another word for a boxing match.

Brawler: An aggressive fighter who likes to fight on the inside.

Break: The moment when the fighters are separating from a clinch.

Buckle: When fighter’s legs give way, as in “that punched buckled him.”

Canvas: The floor in a boxing ring.

Card: The list of fights happening in a single boxing event.

Caught Cold: Term used to describe a fighter knocked out early in the fight who was not mentally prepared
or warmed up properly.

Chief Second: The head trainer in charge of a fighter’s corner.

Clinch: When fighters hold each other.

Combination: A seamless sequence of consecutive punches.

Contender: A fighter in a position to perhaps challenge for a championship.

Corkscrew Punch: A punch thrown in a twisting motion, which often causes cuts.
Cornerman: One of several people who work in a fighter’s corner during a fight.

Counterpunch: Punch thrown in response to another fighter’s attack.

Covering Up: Defensive tactic where a fighter goes into a shell to thwart his opponent’s offensive.

Cross: Power punch thrown straight with the rear hand.

Cutman: Cornerman responsible for tending to swelling and cuts.

Dive: When a fighter purposely loses.

Eight Count: After a fighter is knocked down, the referee must complete a count of eight even if the
opponent rises before that.

Enswell: Piece of cold metal that is pressed on swelling to prevent the eyes from closing.

Faded: Term used to describe a fighter past his peak powers.

Feint: When a fighter acts like he’s going to punch but does not in order to get his opponent to react.

Flash knockdown: When a fighter is briefly knocked down, more as a result of a surprise or happenstance
than being seriously hurt.

Fringe Contender: Low-rated contender on the cusp of the world rankings.

Gate: Total amount of money generated from ticket sales.

Gatekeeper: Term used to describe a fighter who is not a threat to be champion, but opponents can
establish themselves as a legitimate contender by beating him.

Get Off: A fighter’s ability to get his offense untracked.

Glass Jaw: A trait of a fighter with questionable punch-resistance.

Go the Distance: Lasting for the complete scheduled duration of a fight.

Go to the Body: A strategy that centers on trying to deplete an opponents’ resolve by repeatedly punching
to the body and not so much the head.

Go to the Cards: When the judges decide who won a fight that either went the distance or was stopped
prematurely.

Governing Body: An organization that sanctions fights.

Haymaker: A wild punch intended to knock out the opponent.

Infighting: Close-range boxing.

Journeyman: A skilled fighter, while not necessarily a winning one. Used as opponents and to test up and
coming boxers. They lack meaningful connections and take fights on short notice.

Kidney Punch: Illegal body punch thrown to the rear area of an opponent’s body.
Liver Shot: Legal punch when a left hook connects with the lower right side of an opponent’s body with
devastating affect.

Low Blow: Punch deemed by the referee to be below the legal level.

Main Event: The most important fight on a card.

Mauler: An inside fighter who tries to prevail by smothering his opponents.

Majority Decision: When two judges agree a certain fighter won, while the third judge scores it as a draw.

Mouse: An isolated and protruding swelling on a fighter’s face.

Neutral Corner: One of two unoccupied corners in the ring and where fighters are sent after they knock
down their opponents.

No-Decision: When a fight has no win-lose-draw result, usually from an early-rounds cut or an extenuating
circumstance that does not allow a fight to finish.

On the Ropes: Term used to describe a fighter in a dangerous situation trapped with his back against the
ropes in a boxing ring.

Orthodox: Describes a right-handed fighter.

Outside Fighter: Boxer that prefers operating from long-range.

Palooka: Term used to describe an aging, losing, or uncelebrated boxer.

Parry: Changing the trajectory of an opponent’s punch using the gloves to slap away the shot.

Paw: To meekly poke a jab out.

Play Possum: To act hurt in an effort to get an opponent to over-commit.

Plodder: A slow-footed fighter with no agility.

Point Deduction: When a foul or series of fouls warrant a one-point penalty, the equivalent of losing a
round.

Pound-for-Pound: Term created to rank fighters based on excellence and not weight.

Puncher’s Chance: When an under-skilled, but hard-hitting fighter must rely solely on his punching power
to win a fight.

Purse: The money a fighter earns for a given fight.

Queer Street: State of a fighter who does not have full control of his faculties after taking punishment.

Rabbit Punch: An illegal punch to the back of the head.

Ring Generalship: When a fighter is controlling and dictating the fight. When one fighter is imposing his
will on the fight more than his opponent.

Ringside: A position that is close to the ring.

Roll with the Punches: When an opponent bends and twists with the punch, minimizing its impact.

Rope-a-Dope: Allowing an opponent to go on the offensive while covering up on the ropes and waiting for
him to tire.

Roughhousing: When an opponent fights in an overly physical and unruly way.

Rubber Match: When opponents fight for a third time, each having won one bout apiece.

Sanctioning Body: A group that organizes world title bouts.

Saved by the Bell: When a round ends, saving a hurt fighter that was on the verge of being knocked out.

Second: A cornerman.

Shopworn: A fighter who is slowing down after a long career.

Slip: To move the head slightly to avoid a punch.

Southpaw: A left-handed fighter.

Spar: Boxing for practice.

Split Draw: When two judges disagree on who won a fight, while the third judge has it a draw.

Stablemate: Fighters who train at the same gym or under the banner of the same promoter.

Stick and Move: Technique when a fighter moves around the ring fighting only at long range.

Stylist: A fighter who relies on skills rather than brawn.

Sucker Punch: A punch thrown at a distracted or otherwise unprepared opponent.

Titlist: Fighter who holds one of the many available “world” title belts, but is not recognized as the true or
linear champion.

Technical Decision: When a bout is terminated prematurely due to a cut or some other circumstance
sending the bout to the scorecards.

Technical Draw: When a bout is ended prematurely and the scoring is even.

Technical Knockout: When a fighter is taking too much punishment and the referee stops the bout without
completing a ten-count.

Throw in the Towel: When the chief second in a fighter’s corner wants to stop the fight, he throws a towel
into the ring.

Toe-to-Toe: When both fighters stand in front of each other and engage.

Trialhorse: Capable but largely unsuccessful opponent used to gauge if other fighters are ready to make a
jump in class.

Undercard: Series of fights that take place before the main event.

Upstart: A new fighter with potential.

Walkout Bout: A low-caliber fight at the end of a fight card.

Whiskers: Chin. Used to describe a fighter’s durability, as in “he has a good set of whiskers.”

Volleyball Glossary

 Ace: A botched serve after which the opponent is awarded a point.

 Antenna: Vertical rods mounted above the sidelines and close to the edges of the
net, and usually used for indoor courts.
 Approach: Moving quickly toward the net or ball in an attempt to make a play.
 Assist: Helping a teammate set up a kill.
 Attack Block: A receiver's attempt to block a spiked ball.
 Attack Error: An attack botched in one of five ways: It lands out of bounds, the ball
goes into the net, the opponent blocks the ball, the attacker commits a center
violation, or the attacker illegally contacts the ball.
 Attack Line: Also called "the 10-foot line"; the line that divides the front row players
from the back row players.
 Attack: The offensive act of hitting the volleyball.
 Attacker: Also called "hitter" or "spiker". An offensive player who tries to hit the ball
to end a play and ultimately earn a point for his team.
 Back Court: The space from the end line to the attack line.
 Back Row Attack: A back row player attacks the ball.
 Back Set: A set delivered from behind the setter to an attacker.
 Beach Dig: Also called "deep dish", a method of receiving the ball open-handed.
 Block Assist: Two or more teammates help block a spiked ball.
 Block: A defense play by teammates intended to keep a spiked ball in the offense
court.
 Bump/Bump Pass: To pass the ball using locked forearms.
 Campfire/Campfire Defense: Two or more players surround a ball that lands on
the floor.
 Carry: A botched pass involving prolonged contact with the ball.
 Centerline Violation: Crossing the centerline and entering the opponent's half.
 Centerline: The floor line running the length of the net that divides the court in half.
 Chester: A hit to the chest.
 Closing the Block: Teammates close the space between two blockers to prevent the
ball from passing between them.
 Coach Kill: The opponent fouls immediately after the coach calls a time out or
substitution.
 Cover the Hitter: Attacking players surround a spiker to protect opponent
rebounds.
 Cross Court Shot: An attack delivered at an angle across the court from one side of
the net to the other.
 Cut Shot: A spike delivered at a sharp angle across the net.
 Decoy: An offensive play set up to disguise the receiving spiker.
 Deep Dish: Also called "beach dig"; to receive the ball open-handed.
 Deep Set: A set hit away from the net in an effort to throw off blockers.
 Dig: Diving deep to pass a spiked or fast-moving ball close to the floor.
 Dink: A one-handed move gently around blockers using the fingertips.
 Double Block: Two players working in tandem to deflect a ball hit close to the net.
 Double Hit: Two or more hits in a row by the same player.
 Double Quick: Two hitters quickly approach the setter.
 Doubles: Most commonly played on sand, a game involving two players per team.
 Down Ball: A defense call on a ball hit overhand so far from the net that the
defense choose not to block it.
 Dump: A soft hit near the net, as opposed to a spike, intended to throw off the
offense.
 Facial: Also called "six-pack"; a blocker gets hit in the head or face by the spiker.
 Fish: A player who gets hung up in the net.
 Five-one: A six-player team that involves five hitters and one setter.
 Five-set: Also called "red set"; the back row sets a play to the right front player.
 Flare: A strategic move from the inside out designed to fake the opponent. A
teammate runs a deceptive play, then the attacker quickly moves from the inside to
attack on the outside.
 Floater: A served ball with no spin.
 Forearm Pass: Or simply "pass", a play made with the inside forearms locked at the
wrists.
 Foul: Rule violation.
 Four Set: Also called "shoot set"; a set one foot from the sideline and one to two
feet from above the net for the outside hitter.
 Four Two: Six-player team using four hitters and two setters.
 Free Ball: A ball returned on a pass and not on a spike.
 Free Ball: A gentle return of the ball by the opponent.
 Free Zone: Area outside the boundaries of the court.
 Free Zone: Area outside the court boundaries.
 Friendly Fire: A light blow to the head with a serve.
 Front Slide: Sliding into position in front of the setter.
 Front: The front net position to block the attacker.
 Heat: A very hard spike.
 Held Ball: A ball resting in a player's arms or hands resulting in a foul.
 Hit: A jump strike of the ball with the palm of the hand.
 Hitter: The "spiker" or "attacker".
 Hitting Percentage: Total kills minus total attack errors divided by the number of
attempts.
 Husband-and-wife Play: Slang phrase referring to a ball that drops between two
players who fail to communicate.
 Inside Shoot: A strategic play in which the attacker feigns a quick hit for a medium-
height hit.
 Isolation Play: A play intended to pit the attacker on a specific defender.
 Jedi Defense: Slang for a surprisingly powerful pass pulled off by an immobile
defender.
 Joust: Opposing players volley the ball above the plane of the net.
 Jump Serve: A jump spike of the ball by the server.
 Jungle Ball: An informal game involving people unapprised of the rules.
 Key: Predicting the opponent's next move, based on play patterns.
 Kill: A hit immediately resulting in a point or out.
 Kong: A one-handed block so-named after the infamous King Kong's moves.
 Let Serve: A net serve. Playable if it makes it over the net, dead if not.
 Line Serve: A straight serve landing on the opponent's left sideline.
 Line Shot: A spiked shot landing on the opponent's sideline.
 Line: A straight sideline attack.
 Lollipop: A gentle serve often resulting in getting "licked".
 Middle Back: The back row middle player assigned to cover deep spikes.
 Middle Blocker: The front row middle player assigned to block close-net spikes.
 Middle Up: The back row middle player assigned to cover dinks and short shots.
 Middle: The middle front or back player.
 Mintonette: The original name for the game of volleyball, given by William G.
Morgan.
 Monument Valley: Space between two, tall, non-defending players.
 Multiple Offense: The use of multiple sets.
 Net Violation: A part of the uniform or body illegally contacts the net.
 Off-speed Hit: A low-impact spike with a spin.
 Offside Block: The net player opposite the attacker side.
 Outside Hitter: A right or left-front attacker that approaches the ball from the
outside.
 Overhand Pass: An open-handed pass made from above the forehead.
 Overhand Serve: Serving the ball with the palm of the hand above the shoulder.
 Overlap: The rotation positions of players before the serve.
 Paint Brush: A player attempts to strike the ball but instead brushes it.
 Pancake: A bounce off the back of the hand by a player who dives to the floor to
save the ball.
 Pass: Also called "forearm pass"; a play using the underside of the forearms
connected at the wrists.
 Penetration: A block in which the player reaches across and breaks the plane of the
net.
 Pepper: A drill in which two players pass, set, and volley the ball.
 Point of Service: An "ace", or point-winning serve.
 Power Alley: A powerful hit that travels across the court.
 Power Tip: A powerful push or control of the ball by the attackers.
 Power Volleyball: A competitive method originating with the Japanese.
 Prince: Also called "whale" or "Princess of Whales"; a flippant player who always hits
the ball with as much power as possible with little regard for strategy.
 Quick Set: An above-the-net strategy in which the hitter anticipates the setter's
play and is in the air before the set is executed.
 Rainbow: An arc-shaped shot.
 Ready Position: A player's neutral, alert stance prior to moving on the ball.
 Reception Error: A botched receive that could have otherwise been returned.
 Red Card: The final penalty given by an official after two yellow card warnings,
which could result in a player's or team's disqualification from the game.
 Redwood: A tall, somewhat uncoordinated blocker.
 Roll: Quick return of a close-to-the-floor ball whereby the digger or passer rolls the
ball over his arms, back or shoulders.
 Roof: A spike block that deflects the ball directly to the floor.
 Rotation: The clockwise movement of players around the court after a side out.
 Screening: Illegal obstruction of an opposing server's field of vision.
 Serve: To set the ball in play.
 Server: The player who sets the ball in play.
 Service Ace: A serve that bounces off the floor or is struck by the passer so that a
second hit is not possible.
 Service Error: A serve in which the ball hits or fails to clear the net, the ball goes
out of bounds, or the server faults.
 Service Winner: The serving team earns a point directly after having served the
ball.
  Set: Strategic passes among players intent to direct the ball to a spike.
 Setter: The second of three players in a series passes, who sets the ball up with an
overhand pass to a hitter.
 Shank: An extremely botched pass.
 Side Out: The receiving team is given the serve because the serving team commits
an error.
 Six-pack: A spiked ball hits the blocker in the face or head.
 Six-two: An offense using six players and two setters opposite each other on
rotation.
 Sizzle the Pits: A spike that whizzes past players' raised arms.
 Sky Ball: An underhand serve that sends the ball high over the net and straight
down.
 Spike: A strike with intent to kill the ball on the opponent's side.
 Strong Side: A right-handed hit from the left front row, and visa versa.
 Stuff: Slang for "block", a hit deflected by blockers back to the attacker's court.
 Tandem: A play intended to surprise blockers wherein a player directly behind
another attacks the ball.
 Tip: Control of the ball with the fingers, also called "dink" or "dump".
 Tool: A "wipe" or hit that bounces off blockers' arms and out of bounds.
 Trap Set: A low, tight set close to the net.
 Tuna: A net violation.
 Turning In: The outside blocker turns his body in toward the court in order to
deflect the ball inbounds.
 Underhand Serve: A serving style in which the ball is lightly tossed into the air and
struck with closed fist turned up.
 Weak Side: A right-handed player plays from the right front side of the court, and
visa versa.
 Whale: Also called "princess" or "prince; swinging carelessly at the ball without any
regard to strategy.
 Wipe: Also called "tool", a deliberate hit of the ball off a blocker's arms and out of
bounds.
 Yellow Card: A warning of misconduct given by an official to a player. Two yellow
cards is an automatic red card, in which a player or team is disqualified from the
game.

Baseball Glossary

 Ace: A team's best pitcher, usually the first pitcher in starting rotation.
 Alley: Also called "gap"; the outfield area between the outfielders.
 Around the Horn: A play run from third, to second, to first base.
 Assist: An outfielder helps put an offensive player out, crediting the outfielder with
an "assist".
 At Bat: An offensive player is up to bat. The batter is allowed three outs.
 Backdoor Slider: A pitch thought to be out of strike zone crosses the plate.
 Backstop: The barrier behind the home plate.
 Bag: The base.
 Balk: An illegal motion made by the pitcher intended to deceive runners at base, to
the runners' credit who then get to advance to the next base.
 Ball: A call made by the umpire when a pitch goes outside the strike zone.
 Ballist: A vintage baseball term for "ballplayer".
 Baltimore Chop: A hitting technique used by batters during the "dead-ball" period
and named after the Baltimore Orioles. The batter strikes the ball downward toward
 home plate, causing it to bounce off the ground and fly high enough for the batter to
flee to first base.
 Base Coach: A coach that stands on bases and signals the players.
 Base Hit: A hit that reaches at least first base without error.
 Base Line: A white chalk line drawn on the field to designate fair from foul territory.
 Base on Balls: Also called "walk"; an advance awarded a batter against a pitcher.
The batter is delivered four pitches declared "ball" by the umpire for going outside
the strike zone. The batter gets to walk to first base.
 Base-tender: A vintage baseball term referring to a baseman.
 Base: One of four points on the baseball diamond that players must run through to
reach the home plate.
 Baseball: The official ball used in the sport of baseball.
 Bases Empty: Bases contain no runners.
 Bases Loaded: Bases contain runners.
 Bat: Equipment the batter uses to strike the ball.
 Batter: Offensive player in the batting box who will attempt to strike the ball.
 Battery: A pitcher-catcher combination.
 Batter's Box: Area next to home plate designated for the batter.
 Batting Order: The official order, as determined by the umpire, of players who will
step up to bat.
 Behind: The catcher.
 Bottom: The second half of the inning.
 Box Score: Important inning information an official keeps track of by checking a
series of boxes.
 Breaking Ball: A curve ball that breaks speed.
 Bronx Cheer: The sound of "boos" from the crowd during a game.
 Brush-back: A pitched ball comes close to hitting the batter.
 Bull Pen: Also called "the pen"; warm-up area for relief pitchers before entering the
game.
 Bunt: The ball is not swung at, but contacts the bat within the infield.
 Called Game: The umpire temporarily stops the game.
 Can of Corn: An easy fly-ball catch by an outfielder.
 Catch: An outfielder captures the ball with his hand or glove.
 Catcher: The player poised behind home plate to catch balls missed by the batter.
 Catcher's Box: Space designated behind home plate for the catcher in between
pitches.
 Caught Looking: The batter does not swing at a pitch but a third strike is called.
 Cellar: A team is in last place.
 Change Up: A slow-ball pitch intended to deceive the batter into thinking it is a
fastball.
 Checked Swing: A swing by the pitcher that rotates halfway around or less.
 Cheese: A great fastball pitch.
 Chin Music: A pitch that comes close to a batter's face.
 Choke-up: A batter grips the bat too far up from the knob.
 Circus Catch: A great catch by an outfielder.
 Clean-up Hitter: The fourth player up to bat.
 Closer: Relief pitcher who finishes out the game.
 Complete Game: The starting pitcher pitches the whole game.
 Count: The total balls and strikes tallied on a batter.
 Crank: An old-time term referring to a serious baseball fan.
 Curveball: A pitch that angles to the left when delivered with the right hand, and
visa versa.
 Cutter: Also called "cut fastball"; a kind of fastball that breaks slightly before
reaching home plate.
 Cycle: Also called "natural cycle"; a batter achieves a single, double, triple, and a
home run in one game.
 Daisy Cutter: A vintage term for ground ball.
 Dead: A ball that is out.
 Defense: The team out on the field.
 Designated Hitter: Non-field player designated to bat in the pitcher's position.
 Diamond: The baseball field.
 Dinger: Homerun.
 Donut: Circular weight attached to the bat and used in warm-up.
 Double Header: A team plays two games in a row.
 Double Play: A defense play resulting in two outs.
 Double: A second-base hitter.
 Dugout: Holding area for baseball officials and uniformed teammates not in play.
 Earned Run: A home run scored with no errors against defense.
 Error: A defense foul.
 Fair Ball: A hit that stays within "fair territory".
 Fair Territory: The field that is within playing boundaries.
 Fast Ball: A ball pitched straight and fast.
 Fielder: One of nine defensive team players.
 Fielder's Choice: A fielder opts to throw the ball to a base other than the one the
batter is running toward.
 Fireman: The relief pitcher that closes out the game.
 Fly Ball: A bat results in a high-flying ball.
 Force Out: An out recorded when a runner is forced to advance to the next base
because there is a runner behind him.
 Force Play: A batter becomes a runner forcing a baseman to lose his position.
 Forfeited Game: A game is ended and the opponent is awarded because of a foul
committed by defense.
 Fork Ball: A ball pitched between the index and middle fingers resulting in a slower,
and often ground ball.
 Foul Ball: A ball that settles outside the foul line.
 Foul Line: Line drawn from home base through the first and third bases, and
perpendicularly upward from the outfield fence.
 Foul Territory: Area outside the foul line.
 Foul Tick: An old-time term for foul ball.
 Fungo Bat: A type of bat, generally thinner and longer, used to hit a fungo.
 Fungo: A ball hit by a fungo bat to a fielder during practice.
 Gap: Area between outfielders.
 Gopher: A homerun hit.
 Grand Slam: A homerun hit while all bases are loaded.
 Green Light: The coach signals a good move to a batter or runner.
 Ground Rule Double: A double base advance awarded runners on bases usually as
a result of a batted ball bouncing off the ground and flying high over the wall or
fence.
 Grounder: Also called "ground ball", a hit that bounces off, or ends up rolling on,
the infield.
 Hit and Run: The players on base begin to run before the batter hits the ball.
 Hit: The batter advances to a base without any field errors.
 Home Plate: Home base where the batter takes a swing; the final point to be
reached by runners on the course of four bases of the baseball diamond.
 Home Point: A vintage term for home base.
 Home Run: After striking the ball, the batter is able to pass through all four plates
and return to home with no errors on the part of defense.
 Home Team: The team whose field the game is being played on. If the field is
neither team's, both will mutually decide which one to call home team.
 Hot Corner: Third base.
 Hurler: A vintage word for pitcher.
 Huzzah!: An old-time baseball cheer from the crowd, meaning "Hurrah!" or
"Hurray!"
 Infield Fly: A fly ball in the infield that can easily be caught by an infielder.
 Infield: The portion of the baseball field bordered by three bases and home plate.
 Infielder: A player positioned on the infield.
 Inning: One of nine periods of playtime in an ordinary regulation game.
 Intentional Walk: A set-up for forced play in which the batter is delivered four
pitches in order to advance to first base.
 Knuckle Ball: A method of holding the ball with the knuckles in order to prevent a
spin on the ball.
 Left On Base: Three outs and bases are still loaded.
 Leg it: Run!
 Line Drive: A ball hit in a straight line directly to a fielder.
 Line-up: A team's batting order.
 Mascot: The batboy, in old-time baseball.
 Mendoza Line: So-named after the legendary shortstop Mario Mendoza, and refers
to having a batting average of around 200.
 Mound: The pitching hill.
 Muff: An error, in the early baseball era.
 No Hitter: Also called "no-hit game" and "no-no"; refers to a game resulting in a
team having no hits.
 Offense: The team at bat.
 On Deck: The next batter in the line-up.
 Out In Order: The first three batters are called out in one inning.
 Out: What the umpire calls when a batter or base runner for whatever reason cannot
advance to the next base; such a player is said to be "retired".
 Outfield: The area of the playing field that is outside the boundaries of the four-
pointed baseball diamond.
 Outfielder: A player in an outfield position.
 Passed Ball: The ball escapes the catcher and runners get to advance to next base.
 Perfect Game: The pitcher prevents every batter from the opposing team from
getting to first base.
 Pick Off: The pitcher throws the ball to a fielder who can then tag a base runner,
preventing the runner from stealing or advancing to next base.
 Pinch Hitter: A hitter replaces the starting player in the line-up.
 Pinch Runner: A player replaces a runner already on base.
 Pitch: Delivery of the baseball to the batter.
 Pitcher: The offensive player that delivers the ball to the batter.
 Pitching Rotation: The pitching order.
 Pitchout: A deliberate wide pitch.
 Pull Hitter: Hitting the ball toward the same side of the field from which he bats.
 Putout: A fielder earns credit for receiving the ball to put out a base runner or
hitter.
 Quick Return Pitch: A pitch with intent to throw off the batter.
 Relief Pitcher: The replacement for the starting pitcher.
 Retire: The umpire calls an out, and a batter or base runner cannot advance to the
next base.
 Rubber: The pitching plate.
 Run Batter In: Also known as "RBI", a record of points earned by a player for
assisting his teammates in scoring points while up to bat.
 Run Down: Fielders tag a runner between bases.
 Run: A runner crosses home plate without any errors.
 Runner: The player or batter advancing from one base to another.
 Sacrifice Bunt: A bunt intended to advance a runner, to the batter's discredit.
 Sacrifice Fly: A fly ball out and a runner scores a point.
 Safe: Runner arrives safely at base, as called by the umpire.
 Save: Credit given a relief pitcher for keeping the team in the lead despite that the
opponent's tying or winning runs are on base, or if three or more innings are pitched
without a tie game.
 Scoring Position: Runner is on second or third base.
 Scout: Vintage for outfielder.
 Short Scout: Old-time term for shortstop.
 Shortstop: Fielder positioned in between second and third bases.
 Shut Out: A team fails to score any runs in a game.
 Signs: Hand or body signals given by the coach or key players.
 Single: A batter arrives safely to first base.
 Sinker: A pitched fastball aimed downward.
 Sky Ball: Vintage term for pop-up ball.
 Slider: A pitch similar to a curveball but made with a straight wrist, resulting in what
appears to be a fastball, but breaks when it reaches home plate.
 Spit Ball: Unlawful pitch in which the ball is coated with saliva, grease, or other such
substance, causing the ball to react unpredictably.
 Starter: The pitcher who starts the game.
 Steal: An offensive runner tries to advance to the next base during a pitch without
the batter hitting the ball, or any assists.
 Stolen Base: The recorded number of steals by a runner.
 Strike Out: Three strikes by the batter.
 Strike Zone: The area over home plate the ball must pass into to qualify as a strike.
 Strike: A pitch is missed, or not swung at by the batter, and the ball crosses into the
strike zone. Also, balls that foul but are not caught may qualify as first or second
strike but not a third.
 Striker: Vintage term for batter.
 Suicide Squeeze: The batter bunts the ball attempting to throw first baseman off,
but instead allows third base runner, as soon as the ball is pitched but released, to
flee to home plate.
 Switch-Hitter: A batter able to alternate batting with right or left hand.
 Tag: A runner must touch his occupied base after the ball is caught, and before
advancing to the next base. Also refers to a defense player who touches a runner
with the ball in an effort to put them out.
 Tater: Colloquial term for homerun.
 Texas Leaguer: A hit that falls to the ground between the infielder and outfielder.
 Throw: Different than a pitch; use of the hand to drive the ball toward a teammate
or intended goal.
 Top: First half of the inning.
 Triple Play: Three players are taken out in the course of one play.
 Triple: The batter makes it to third base without any errors or stopping.
 Two-base Hit: Also called "double"; a batter is able to safely reach second base in
one hit.
  Umpire: The official person in charge of the game.
 Uncle Charlie: Curve ball.
 Utility Player: A person who can fill any position.
 Walk: Also called "base on balls"; after four pitches are delivered the batter is
allowed advance to first base, forcing other runners on base to advance as well.
 Wheelhouse: A hitter's "sweet spot"; in other words their power zone.
 Whiff: To strike out.
 Wild Pitch: A pitch so wide that the catcher is unable to catch or block it, allowing
runners to advance.
 Yakker: Curve ball.

Football Glossary

The Ball

 Live: Ball in play.
 Dead: Ball not in play.
 Loose: Live ball not in possession.
 Ready for Play: Dead ball becomes ready for play.
 In Possession: Player or team holds or controls a live ball or ball to be free-kicked.
 Belongs to: Team has custody of a dead ball.
 Catch: Player gains possession of a ball in flight.
 Interception: Catch an opponent's pass or fumble.
 Recovery: Catching a ball that is still alive after it hits the ground.
 Simultaneous catch or recovery: Joint possession of a live ball by opposing
inbounds players.
 Blocking: Bodily contact obstructs an opponent.
 Below Waist: Blocking an opponent below the waist.
 Chop Block: A high-low, low-high combination block against an opponent by two
players.
 Block-in-the-back: Initial, above-the-waist contact against an opponent from
behind.
 Frame of the body: Front shoulders and below.
 Blocking zone: Rectangle centered on the snapper and extending five yards
laterally, and three yards longitudinally in each direction.
 Clipping: Initial contact against an opponent from behind and below the waist.
 Deliberate dead-ball advance: Attempt to advance the ball after any body part
other than the hand or foot has touched the ground, or after the ball is declared
dead.
 Down: Unit of the game beginning with legal snap or free kick after ball is ready for
play, ending when ball becomes dead.
 Between downs: Interval of time when ball is dead.
 Fair catch: A valid catch of a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone by team B
player
 Valid signal: A valid signal given by team B player by extending one hand above his
head and waving his hand side to side.
 Invalid signal: Signal given by team B player does not meet criteria for being valid.
 Forward beyond: The direction toward opponent's end line.
 Forward progress: End of advancement of ball by ball carrier or receiver of either
team, as it applies to position of ball when it became dead.
 Foul: Rule infraction resulting in a penalty.
 Violation: Rule infraction not resulting in a penalty.
  Fumble: An act of passing, kicking, or handling of ball resulting in loss of
possession.
 Muff: Unsuccessful attempt to recover the ball.
 Batting: Willfully striking ball or changing its direction with hands or arms.
 Touching: Any contact with the ball.
 Blocking a scrimmage kick: Opponent of the kicking team touches the ball to try
and prevent the ball from advancing beyond the neutral zone.

Lines

 Sidelines: Line running end line to end line on each side of the field separating the
field of play from the out of bounds area.
 Goal lines: Lines at the end of the playing field extending between sidelines; part of
the vertical plane that separates end zone from the playing field.
 End lines: Line running between side lines ten yards between each goal line
separating the end zone from the out of bounds area.
 Boundary lines: Side and end lines separating in, from out of bounds.
 Restraining lines: Part of the vertical plane limiting a team's alignment for free
kicks.
 Yard lines: Line on the playing field parallel to the end lines numbered consecutively
from the goal to the 50-yard-line.
 Inbounds lines: Also known as "hash marks", 24-inch lines 60 feet from the
sidelines.
 Nine-yard marks: 12-inch marks set 10 yards apart, and nine yards from the
sidelines.

Handling the Ball

 Huddle: Two or more players grouped together after the ball is made ready for play.
 Hurdling: Player tries to jump with feet or knees over an opponent.

Kicks

 Legal: Legitimate kick of the ball with knee, lower leg, or foot by a team A player
before possessing the ball.
 Illegal: Non-legitimate kick of the ball.
 Punt: After kicking, player drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground.
 Drop kick: A kick made after dropping the ball on the ground.
 Place kick: A kick of the ball placed on a tee or the ground by a player in
possession.
 Free kick: A free punt, drop kick, or place kick.
 Kickoff: A free kick starting each half or following each try or field goal.
 Scrimmage kick: Kick made by team A during a scrimmage before changing
possession.
 Return kick: A kick by team in possession during a down.
 Field goal attempt: Scrimmage kick.
 Scrimmage kick formation: Formation with one player at least seven yards behind
the neutral zone and no player is positioned to receive a hand-to-hand snap before
attempting a kick.
 Loss of a down: Loss of the right to repeat a down.
 The neutral zone: Space between the two lines of scrimmage extended to the side
lines running the length of the ball.
  Encroachment: An offensive player is either in or beyond the neutral zone after the
snapper touches or simulates touching the ball before the snap.
 Offside: Defensive player position assumed after the ball is made ready for play.

Passes

 Passing: Throwing the ball.

 Forward and backward pass: The point where the ball first strikes the ground in
or behind the neutral zone beyond the point of the pass is a forward pass. All other
passes are backward passes.
 Crosses neutral zone: A forward pass strikes the ground or anything beyond the
neutral zone inbounds.
 Catchable forward pass: An untouched legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone
to a player positioned to catch the ball.
 Penalty: The result of committing a foul.
 Scrimmage: Two teams take action during a down beginning with a snap.
 Scrimmage line: The yard line and its vertical plane passing through the point of
the ball nearest its own goal line extending to the sidelines.
 Shift: Simultaneous change of position by at least two offensive players after the
ball is ready for play.
 Snapping the ball: Passing the ball with the snap of the hands backward from its
position on the ground.
 Series: Four consecutive downs, each beginning with a snap.
 Possession series: Team continually possesses the ball in an extra period.

Spots

 Enforcement: Point of enforceable violation.

 Previous: Where the ball was last put in play.
 Succeeding: Where the ball will be put in play.
 Dead-ball: Where the ball became dead.
 Spot of the foul: Where the foul occurred.
 Out of bounds: Where the ball went out of bounds and became dead.
 Inbounds: Intersection of the nearer inbounds line and the yard line passing
through the dead ball spot, or a spot where the dead ball is left between inbounds
and side line by a penalty.
 Spot where run ends: Where ball is declared dead in player possession; player
possession is lost on a fumble; handling of ball occurs; illegal forward or backward
pass is thrown; where illegal scrimmage, or return kick is made.
 Spot where kick ends: Scrimmage that crosses the neutral zone ends at the spot
ball is caught or recovered or declared dead.
 Basic spot: Benchmark for locating enforcement spot for penalties governed by the
3-and-1 principle.
 Post-scrimmage kick spot: Spot when post-scrimmage kick enforcement applies.
 Tackling: Grasping or enveloping an opponent with hands or arms.

Team and Player Designations

 Teams A and B: Team A is team designated to put ball in play; team B is the
opponent.
 Offensive and Defensive Teams: Offensive is team with the ball, defensive is
opponent.
  Kicker and Holder: Kicker is any player who punts, drop kicks, or places the kicks.
Holder is the player who controls the ball on the ground or tee.
 Lineman and Back: Team A player on the scrimmage line when the ball is snapped;
or on his scrimmage line and positioned between the end team A players also on the
line of scrimmage at the snap. A lineman becomes a back before the snap when he
moves to a position as a back and then stops.
 Passer: Thrower of a legal forward pass.
 Player: A team participant other than a replacement.
 Runner and ball carrier: Player in possession of a live ball.
 Snapper: Player who snaps the ball.
 Substitute: A replacement for a player between downs.
 Player vacancy: A team has fewer than 11 players.
 Disqualified Player: Player declared ineligible for remainder of game.
 Squad member: A potential player in uniform.
 Tripping: Use of the leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knees.

Timing Equipment

 Game clock: Device used to time the game.

 Play clock: Visual clock used for count downs.

Plays

 Forward pass: Interval between snap and completion, incompletion, or interception

of the forward pass.
 Free kick: Interval from when the ball is kicked until it is in possession or declared
dead.
 Scrimmage kick: Interval between the snap and when a scrimmage kick comes into
possession or declared dead.
 Running: Any play during a live ball, other than a free kick, a scrimmage kick, or
forward pass play.

Field Areas

 Field: Area of play within boundary lines.

 Field of play: Area within sidelines and goal lines.
 End zones: Areas at either ends of the field defined by the goal lines, side lines, and
end lines.
 Playing surface: Surface of the playing field.
 Playing enclosure: Play area bounded by the stadium and other structures
surrounding it.
 Fighting: An attempt by a player, squad member, or coach to strike another in a
manner not related to football.
 Three-in-one principle: Applies when the penalty statement for a foul does not
specify the enforcement spot.
 Tackle box: Rectangular area bound by the neutral zone, lines parallel to the
sidelines 5 years from the snapper, and team A's end line.

Soccer Glossary
 Advantage Clause: Also called "Advantage Rule"; after a foul is committed, the
referee is allowed to continue a play to avoid unfairly punishing the fouled team, and
to prevent the foul from benefiting the team that committed the foul.
 Advantages: When a team possesses the ball and outnumbers the opponent near
the opponent's goal.
 American Football: Non-Americans use this term to distinguish the common U.S.
sport from another country's sport of soccer, which they also call "football".
 APSL: American Professional Soccer League ? The original A-League, APSL was the
nation's professional men's outdoor soccer league from 1990 to 1994. It was formed
as a merger between the American Soccer League and the Western Soccer League,
and consisted of American and Canadian teams. It was renamed "A-League" in 1995.
 Attacking Midfielder: The midfielder that plays directly behind the forward players,
and sets up goals by passing the ball to forwards, and in this way, supports the
offense.
 Attacker: The player that possesses the ball.
 Attacking Team: The team that possesses the ball.
 AYSO: American Youth Soccer Organization. An administrative entity, which sets
rules and provides resources and information to youth soccer leagues around the
country.
 Aggressive Soccer Receiving: Receivers are alert with every pass, no matter how
imperfect it is, in an effort to prevent a pass from getting away from them.
 Air Ball: Also called "Lofted Ball" or "Lifted Ball"; when the ball is airborne.
 Arc: Also called "Penalty Box Arc"; the arc at the top of the penalty box.
 Assist: A pass that ends in a goal.
 Assistant Referee: Also called "Linesman"; a person positioned on either side of
the field who basically "calls the line", among other things, to assist the referee.
 Attack Staller: An attacker who slows an attack unnecessarily.
 Attacking: Also called "Offense", when a team possesses the ball. There are two
basic kinds of attacks; direct (passing the ball directly and rapidly toward the goal),
and indirect (passing the ball sideways and backwards in search of weaknesses in
the defense).
 Attacking Half: The one-half of the field containing the other team's goal.
 Attacking Plan: A plan for how a team will execute a play.
 Attacking Third: The one-third of the field containing the other team's goal.
 Back Header: A player uses his head to pass a ball backwards.
 Back Tackle: A defender tries to seize the ball from the carrier by the defender
swinging his leg from behind to the front of the ball.
 Ball Carrier: The player who possesses the ball.
 Banana Kick: A strategic kick used to angle the ball around an obstacle.
 Break: Also called "Advantage", players quickly advance the ball down the field
toward the opponent's goal before defenders can get the ball.
 Breakaway: Also called "Fast Break" or "Counterattack"; an attacker quickly moves
in behind defenders leaving only the goalie between the attacker and the goal.
 Carrying the Ball: A foul is called on the goalkeeper for taking more than 4 steps
while bouncing or holding the ball.
 Caution: Also called "Yellow Card", a card the referee holds up to warn player of un-
sportsmanlike behavior. Two cards may result in the removal from a game.
 Center: A pass from the sidelines to a player in the center of the field.
 Center Circle: Also called "Center Spot", the marked, center of the field where
kickoffs are made.
 Center Line: Also called "Midfield Line", this is the line that divides the field in half.
 Central Defender: The player who guards the field directly in front of the goal.
 Charge: A player runs into an opponent, either legally or illegally.
 Chest Trap: To use the chest to control or slow the ball while in the air.
 Chip Pass: Passing the ball into the air using the chest in order to evade an
opponent.
 Chip Shot: A pass lofted into the air and over the goalie's head in an attempt to
make it under the crossbar and into the goal.
 Clear: Kicking the ball away from the goal.
 CONCACAF: Norte-Centroamericana Del Caribe de Footbal. North and Central
American regional soccer organization where the World Cup qualifying matches are
played and includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
 Consolation Match: A tournament between losers of the two semifinal games to
determine the third-place team.
 Corner Flags: Flags that mark the corners of the playing field.
 Corner Kick: The restart a play when the ball goes out of bounds, the attacking
team kicks it inbound from the nearest corner.
 Counterattack: Also called "Fast Break", and "Breakaway", a play begun when the
ball is obtained on a turnover from the other team. There are two kinds: A slow,
controlled attack that involves many short passes in all directions; the other is
moving the ball directly forward into the other team's "danger zone" as quickly as
possible.
 Coverage: Defense players are covering important areas of their "danger zone" and
in front of their goal.
 Create: To create scoring opportunities.
 Creating Space: A player creates space around the ball carrier by moving without
the ball in order to draw defenders away from him.
 Cross: Also called "Crossing Pass", "Crossed Ball", or "Center the Ball"; to set up a
scoring opportunity, a player near the sideline kicks the ball to a player in the middle
or opposite side of the field.
 Cushioning the Ball: When a player catches a pass, he relaxes his body in a way
that absorbs the impact in order to control the ball.
 Cut Down the Angle: The goalie moves out in front of the goal closer to an attacker
to widen the barrier and create less net to shoot at.
 Cut Off: A player positions himself between an attacker and the player's goal,
forcing the attacker toward the sidelines.
 Danger Zone: The goal area where most shots are scored.
 Defend Deep: Keeping defense deep in the defense half of the field.
 Defenders: Team players not in possession of the ball who are defending their goal.
 Defense: The object of keeping the other team from scoring.
 Defensemen: Also called "Fullbacks", the players whose main objective is to
prevent the other team from scoring.
 Defensive Half: The one-half of the field that contains the goal.
 Defensive Third: The one-third of the field that contains the goal.
 Deflection: The ball bounces off of a player.
 Deliver the Ball: A pass that generally results in a scoring opportunity.
 Direct Free Kick: After the opposition fouls, a team is given a free kick which may
be made directly into the goal without it touching another player.
 Diving Header: A player dives toward the ground to strike the ball with his head.
 Drag the Ball: A strategy that involves moving the ball slowly along the ground with
one foot in an effort to protect the ball from a defender.
 Draw: The game ends in a tie.
 The Draw: Selecting and placing qualifying World Cup teams into groups.
 Dribbling: Moving the ball carefully forward by controlling it with the feet.
 Drive: Also called "Power Shot"; to strike the ball with the top of the foot, or "laces".
 Drop Ball: The referee drops the ball between two players in order to restart the
game.
 Drop Kick: The goalkeeper drops and then kicks the ball after it bounces off the
ground.
 Eighteen: The "Penalty Box Line", which runs 18 yards out from the goal line into
the field.
 Endline: Also called "Goal Line"; the line, which runs along its width directly in front
of the goal, that defines the end of the playing field and which the ball must cross in
order to score a goal.
 English Football Association: An association of British soccer teams formed in
1863 to establish the sport's rules and regulations.
 European Cup: Final tournament played among Europe's top teams.
 F.A.: Football Association; in cooperation with FIFA and other leading soccer
organizations, F.A. helps maintain soccer rules and regulations.
 Fair Charging: Also called "Shoulder Charging", a legitimate tackle that can be used
to gain possession of the ball.
 Fake: Also called "Feint"; a deceptive move made by a ball carrier to fake the
opponent into thinking the carrier is going to make a pass in another direction.
 Far Forward: The player positioned ahead of teammates who is farthest from the
ball.
 Far Fullback: The fullback, or defenseman, farthest from the ball.
 Far Midfielder: The midfielder (positioned between the fullbacks and the forwards)
farthest from the ball.
 Far Post: Also called "Back Post", the vertical beam (there are two beams that form
either side of the goal) that is farthest from the ball.
 Far Stopper: The farthest stopper (a center fullback who stops attacks in the center
of the field) from the ball.
 Fast Break: Also called "Breakaway", and "Counterattack", an attacker gets behind
defenders and advances to the goal, undefended.
 FIFA: Federation International Football Association; the international governing body
that publishes official soccer rules, called "Laws of the Game".
 First Attacker: The player in who possesses the ball.
 First Defender: A player is strategically positioned near the ball.
 Flick Header: A player redirects the ball by ricocheting it off the top or side of the
head.
 Flick Pass: A quick, strategic pass using the outside of the foot, usually close to the
goal.
 Floor: The ground, on the soccer field.
 Foot Trap: A player controls a ground ball with his use of the foot.
 Football: What soccer is referred to as, in other countries. In the U.S., the popular
sport that evolved out of soccer and rugby.
 Formation: Players form positions on the field.
 Forward Line: Forwards consisting mainly of "strikers" and "wingers" who work
cooperatively on the field to try and score goals.
 Forward Pass: The ball is passed in the direction of the opponent's goal.
 Forwards: Players positioned ahead of teammates whose main job is to score the
goals.
 Foul: The referee determines a rule has been broken and awards a free kick to the
other team.
 Free Kick: Kick awarded by a referee to a team whose opponent has broken a rule.
 Friendly: A purely recreational game, such as an exhibition or scrimmage.
 Front Header: To strike the ball in the air using the forehead.
 Front Tackle: A defender approaches an attacker head on with intent to kick the
ball away from the attacker.
 Fullbacks: Also called "Defensemen", players who are not in possession of the ball.
 Funnel: The strategic manner in which players concentrate their efforts on achieving
the goal as they advance from their field positions closer toward the goal.
 Goal: The designated area, between the "goal line", the "goal posts", and the "cross
bar", that team players must pass the ball into in order to score points.
 Goal Area: The designated area in front of the goal, 20 yards wide by 6 yards deep,
where goal kicks are made.
 Goal Kick: A restart kick from the goal area given to the defending team as a result
of the attacking team contacting the ball just before it crossed the "goal line".
 Goal Line: Also called "End Line", the boundary line that runs just in front of, and
parallel to the goal at each end, which the ball must cross in order to score points.
 Goalie: Also called a "Goal Keeper"; the player positioned in front of the goal whose
job is to defend the goal.
 Goal Mouth: The goal's entrance.
 Goal Posts: The vertical beams on either side of the goal.
 Hacking: To kick an opponent's legs.
 Halfback: Also called "Midfielder", the player positioned between the fullbacks and
the forwards.
 Half Volley: Kicking the ball on a drop kick as soon as it touches the ground.
 Halves: Also called "Periods"; the game is split into two 45-minute segments, or
"halves".
 Handball: A player fouls by touching the ball.
 Hat Trick: A player scores three or more goals in one game.
 Header: A player strikes the ball in the air with his head.
 Hook: A curve ball caused by a kick that "spins" it.
 Hopped Pass: A pass made high enough in the air to clear players' ability to catch
it.
 IFAB: International Football Association Board; an entity comprised of FIFA and
British soccer organizations that officially approves changes in international soccer
rules.
 Indirect Free Kick: A kick given to a player in response to a minor foul committed
by the opponent.
 Injury time: Also called "Stoppage Time"; time is added to a game to make up for
time lost due to an injury during a game.
 Instep Drive: A straight shot taken with the instep of the foot.
 Juggle: To keep the ball above the ground using any part of the body except the
arms and hands.
 Keeper: Refers to "Goalkeeper".
 Kickoff: A player starts or restarts the game by kicking the ball from the "center
circle" to a teammate.
 Kill the Ball: To stop the ball "dead" with the foot.
 Killer Ball: A pass, usually a "through" or "long" pass, which sets up a goal.
 Last Defender: The last field player nearest to the goal.
 Late Tackle: Delayed tackle; player contacts the ball carrier after the carrier has
passed the ball.
 Laws of the Game: The 17 official soccer rules as determined and published by
FIFA.
 LDMF: Left Defensive Midfielder.
 Lead Pass: A pass made ahead of a receiver.
 Linesmen: Referee assistants who monitor the goal lines and sidelines for out-of-
bounds foul plays.
 Linkmen: Also called "Midfielders" or "Halfbacks"; players positioned between the
Fullbacks and the Forwards. They "link" the two positions by supporting them both.
 Loft: Also called "Lob"; a foot pass that sends the ball into the air.
 Long Ball: A long pass, such as one made from the Fullbacks to the Goalkeeper.
 Long Corner: A long "cross" or corner kick of the ball toward the goal.
 Man-to-Man: A one-on-one defense strategy in which a defender is assigned to
"mark" or guard a player from the other team.
 Mark: A player guards an opponent one-on-one to keep him from moving toward the
goal.
 Mark the Ball: Instead of marking an opponent, a player marks or defends the
multiples zones, or spaces, between the ball and the net.
 Match: A game.
 Midfield: Area between the Forwards and the Fullbacks.
 Midfield Anchor: Also called "Defensive Midfielder"; the player situated near the
center line just in front of his team's defense, and who is assigned to mark the
toughest offensive player.
 Midfield Line: Also called or "Center Line"; the line at the center of the field that
divides the playing field in half.
 Midfielders: Players positioned behind the forwards who make passes between the
fullbacks and the forwards.
 MISL: Major Indoor Soccer League. Predecessor to the MSL, a U.S. indoor league
begun in 1977. Games consisted of 6 players on each side, and played on hockey
rinks converted into soccer fields.
 Mismatch: Man-to-man markers are mismatched, skill-wise.
 MLS: Major League Soccer; outdoor league begun in 1995.
 MSL: Major Soccer League; a U.S. indoor soccer league existing from 1990-1992,
and formerly the MISL.
 Movement Off the Ball: A concept referring to strategies of teammates not in
possession of the ball, and critical to both offensive and defensive teamwork.
 NASL: North American Soccer League; a major U.S. outdoor soccer league existing
from 1967-1985, which attracted international players and large audiences.
 Near Post: The goal post nearest to the ball.
 Near Stopper: The stopper, or center fullback who stops attacks at the center, who
is closest to the ball.
 Net: Often used interchangeably with "Goal", literally refers to the corded material
attached to the goal frame which captures the ball.
 Nutmeg: To pass the ball between a player's legs.
 NPSL: National Professional Soccer League: Originally the American Indoor Soccer
Association, an indoor soccer league (1984-2001) in which games were played
indoors on converted hockey rinks, and by non-traditional rules. May also refer to a
league (1967) that merged with the United Soccer Association to create the North
American Soccer League.
 Obstruction: A player uses his body to block an opponent from getting the ball.
 Off His Line: The Goalie is off the goal line, or out from between the two goalposts.
 Off the Ball: Offense players not in possession of the ball.
 Off the Play: Offense or defense players not immediately involved in a pass.
 Offense: Also called "Attacking"; when a team has the ball.
 Offensive player: Also called "Attacker"; a player who is in possession of the ball.
Offensive team
 Offside: A player in an offside position receives a pass from an attacker resulting in
a foul.
 Offside Line: The farthest point down the field that an attacker may be before being
considered offside.
 Offside Offense: Also called "Offside Infraction"; receiving or making a pass from
the offside position.
 Offside Position: A position in which a player is closer to the opponent's goal fewer
than two defensemen are between an attacker and the goal.
 On His Line: Opposite "Off His Line", the Goalie is on the goal line, or between the
two goalposts.
 On Ball: When a player has the ball, he is said to be "on ball".
 On Ball Attacking: A ball handler strategy to create space for scoring opportunities.
 One Touch: A ball is shot or passed from one player to another with one touch, and
without stopping. In this case it is said to be a "one touch" shot or "one touch" pass.
 Open: An unmarked defensive player.
 Open Space: Playing field space devoid of defenders, particularly between the ball
and goal.
 Outlet Pass: Often used to start a counterattack, a defender or goalkeeper kicks the
ball from near his team's goal close to the opposing goal.
 Out of Bounds: The ball is out of the playing field boundaries.
 Out of Play: A play is stopped usually because the ball is out of bounds or a foul has
been called.
 Overlap: An outside Forward advances toward the center of the field to allow space
for his teammate to move the ball toward the sideline.
 Overtime: Time is added to an intercollegiate or championship "Regulation Game"
that ends in a tie, to determine the winner.
 Pass: A play, kick, or strike of the ball with head, chest, or thighs, to a teammate.
 Penalty: A referee call to a player who breaks a rule.
 Penalty Arc: The arc adjoining the penalty area, extending 10 yards from the
penalty spot.
 Penalty area: Also called "the 18-Yard Box", or simply "the Box"; the 44-yard x18-
yard area surrounding the penalty spot (center), and situated alongside the goal line.
 Penalty Kick: Also called "Penalty Shot", or "Spot Kick"; a direct free kick made by
a player from the penalty spot against his opponent's goalie.
 Penalty Shot: Kick made from the penalty spot.
 Penalty Spot: The small marked spot from which penalty shots are made,
extending 12 yards out from the center of the goal line.
 Penetrate: To advance the ball from behind defending opponents.
 Period: A segment of game time. For example, a standard regulation game consist
of two, 45-minute halves, or periods.
 Pinnie: A mesh or nylon training vest used in practice.
 Pitch: An English word referring to the playing field.
 Play: A strategic pass or kick of the ball to a teammate.
 Play On: A referee has determined that no foul or reason to stop a game has been
committed.
 Playoff: An end-of-the-season game that determines the champion.
 Pop-It: To pass the ball to yourself.
 Possession: To have control of the ball.
 Post: Goalpost.
 Professional foul: Also called "Tactical Foul"; a deliberate foul played to prevent
the opponent from scoring a goal without being awarded a free kick; is considered an
act of misconduct and player is given a yellow warning card.
 Push Pass: An advance of the ball using the inside of the foot, which appears as if
the player is pushing the ball.
 Qualifying Draw: Two years before "The Draw", teams are divided into groups to
ultimately determine World Cup qualifiers.
 Qualifying Matches: Two years prior to the "World Cup", teams hold games to
determine World Cup qualifiers.
 Receiver: Player who receives a pass from his teammate.
 Red Card: Final card issued a player by the referee removing him from the game,
after receiving two yellow cards for misconduct, leaving his team short a player for
the remainder of the game.
 Regulation Game: Game consisting of two, 45-minute periods.
 Rounds: Segments that the competition stage of a tournament in divided into. In a
World Cup soccer tournament, five Rounds are played.
 Rugby: Predecessor to American football, but still existing as a form of the popular
sport, derived from English soccer in the 1800s. Differs from soccer, but similar to
American football, in that players can receive, pass, and carry the ball with their
hands, and contact each other.
 Save: The goalie intercepts a shot that would have otherwise entered the net and
scored a goal.
 Scorebox: Also called "Danger Zone", refers to the area where goals are scored.
 Send Off: A player is removed from the game for earning two caution cards, or
committing a serious foul during a game, leaving his team short handed.
 Serious Foul Play: A player commits a serious act of misconduct and earns a "red
card", removing him from the game.
 Service: To pass the ball.
 Set play: A game restarts with a pre-planned play.
 Settle: A player is able to control the ball after receiving it.
 Shadow Marking: A defender is assigned to keep a watchful eye on an attacker.
 Shepherding: Also called "Jockeying", "Steering", and "Channeling"; a kind of one-
on-one strategy used by the "first defender" to control the "first attacker".
 Shielding: Also called "Screening"; the ball carrier protects the ball from an
opponent by positioning himself between his opponent and the ball.
 Shot: The ball is passed directly toward the net in an effort to score a goal.
 Show: The ball carrier lets a receiver know with clear body communication that he
intends to pass the ball, or a receiver communicates to the carrier that he is open to
receiving the ball.
 Shoulder charge: Legal shoulder tackle between a defender and the attacker to
gain possession of the ball.
 Shut out: The goalie prevented any shots from entering the net during a game,
resulting in 0 points scored by the opposing team.
 Side Tackle: One of the most effective tackles in which a defender moving in the
same direction as an attacker tries to redirect the ball using the foot nearest to the
attacker, or using a shoulder charge, in order to gain possession of it.
 Sideline: Also called "Touchline", the line that runs the length of the field along
either side.
 Single Elimination: One loss eliminates a team from the tournament.
 Sliding tackle: A player tries to gain possession of the ball by sliding into the ball
feet first.
 Six: Also called "Goal Area" or "Goal Box"; the six-yard box in front of the goal line.
 Slot: Space between defenders.
 Small-Sided Game: A game with fewer than 11 players per team, usually in youth
leagues.
 Soft Pass: A light, ground pass with a spin.
 Square pass: Also called "Flat Pass"; a pass made across the field, parallel to the
end line.
 Starters: Players positioned on the field at the start of the game.
 Steal: A defensemen seizes the ball from an opponent.
 Stoppage Time: Game time added at the end to make up for stoppages.
 Stopper: Players who stop attacks at the center of the field.
 Strength on Ball: It is difficult to "steal" the ball from the carrier.
 Stretched Defense: There is too much space between defensemen.
 Striker: A strong forward positioned toward the center of the field.
 Substitution: A non-player replaces a player on the field.
 Sudden Death: In the case of overtime, a first strike goal ends the game, resulting
in a win.
 Sweeper: The defender closest to his team's goalie.
 Tackling: Use of the feet or shoulder in an attempt to get the ball away from the
carrier.
 Tactical Foul: Also called "Professional Foul"; a deliberate foul that prevents the
opponent from scoring but not being awarded a free kick, and is considered an act of
misconduct.
 Takeover: An advanced strategy in which a ball carrier moving in one direction
"drops" or abandons the ball so a teammate behind him can carry it in another
direction.
 Target Player: A player targeted for a specific receiving position whose job is to
follow through or create scoring opportunities.
 Thigh Trap: A ball handler uses his thigh to slow or control the ball.
 Three-on-one Break: Three strikers versus one defensive player.
 Three-on-two Break: Three strikers versus two defensive players.
 Through Ball: Also called "Through Pass"; a penetration through defenders into
space between the defense and the goalie.
 Throw-in: A technique for restarting the game when the ball crosses the sideline
and goes out of bounds; a select player throws the ball back inbounds from overhead
and from behind the sideline using both hands.
 Tie game: A match is completed with the same number of goals scored.
 Tie-breaker: A method of determining the winner of a "tie game" using a series of
penalty kicks.
 Timeout: A break in the game.
 Toe Kick: Kicking the ball using the front or toe end of the foot, but should be
avoided because of its difficulty to control.
 Toe Poke: Poking the ball with the front foot, as opposed to the "toe kick"; the
preferred method because of a player's ability to control it, and should generally be
used by a player in a position to "steal" the ball, or a pass the ball into the goal.
 Total Soccer: A rarely used method today, but popular with the Dutch in the 1970s,
that encourages continuous movement of the ball by adding more defense to the
field in order to maximize scoring opportunities.
 Touchline: Also called "Sideline"; the line running the length of the field on either
side.
 Track: To "mark", or keep a watchful eye on an opposing player.
 Trap: Controlling or slowing the ball with the feet, thighs, or chest.
 Travel Soccer: Also known as "Select Soccer"; competitive youth soccer so called
because it involves traveling to other cities.
 Tripping: To trip an opponent, which is a foul.
 Turnover: Another player gains possession of the ball.
 Two-way midfielder: A strong and versatile player that direct plays in the midfield
area.
 Under the Ball: To keep the ball aloft using head, feet or chest.
 Un-sportsmanlike Behavior: Conduct on the field that warrants a yellow or red
card, as outlined in the referee's official Rulebook.
  USSF: United States Soccer Federation founded in 1913 to administrate American
soccer.
 USYSA: United States Youth Soccer Association; self-governing youth soccer
organization officially accepted by the USSF in 1974.
 Vision: A player foresees possible passes in order to create scoring opportunities.
 Volley: To kick the ball before it hits the ground.
 Wall: Defenders form a wall between themselves and the goal to prevent a free kick
from entering the goal.
 Width-in-Attack: Creating space between attackers.
 Width-in-Defense: Creating space between defenders.
 Win the Ball: To possess of the ball.
 Win-draw-loss record: A record of a team's game results.
 Wings or wingers: Outside Forwards positioned near the Strikers in order to create
scoring opportunities.
 World Cup: The official international soccer tournament held every four years
among the world's top professional teams.
 Worry the Goalkeeper: To harass the goalie, a foul punishable by a yellow card
warning.
 Yellow card: Warning or caution card displayed by the referee for player
misconduct.
 Zone: Area surrounding the goal that player's are assigned to mark or defend.

Team Swimming Glossary

The following are terms commonly used in official team swimming competitions. While this
list is not complete, familiarity with these swim terms should help the layman gain a general
knowledge of the language used in competition swimming in the US and abroad. For a
detailed look at terms and definitions put forth by the governing body for team swim in the
US, check out the USA Swimming Website.

 Abandonment: Open water event ends before it is completed.

 Aggregate time: The sum of four individual starts to determine a relay time.
 Approval: Permit given by a local swim committee to conduct official meets in which
members and non-members can compete.
 Arm: Part of the body extending from shoulder to wrist.
 Attached: The status of a team swim athlete who represents a club after having met
certain requirements.
 Block: Starting platform.
 Body: Torso.
 Bonus, or C Final: Third fastest heat of swimmers in the finals.
 Bulkhead: Wall that divides a pool into courses.
 Championship, or A Final: The fastest heat of swimmers in the finals.
 Circle swimming: Swimming to the right of the black line in a lane to make room
for other swimmers.
 Closed competition: Exclusive race.
 Club: A USA Swimming-approved organization.
 Consolation, or B Final: The second fastest heat of swimmers in the finals.
 Course: Set distance of the competition.
 Cut: The qualifying time for being able to participate in an event.
 Drafting or slipstreaming: Swimming close to or behind another open water
swimmer in order to gain from less water resistance created by the other swimmer.
 Distance event: Swim events over 400 meters, or 500 yards, long.
 Disqualified (DQ): A swimmer becomes ineligible to receive an award or a final
time due to an infraction.
 Drill: Practicing a stroke or movement in order to reinforce a certain technique.
 Dual competition: A race between two teams.
 End of course: The wall contacted by the swimmer when turning and finishing.
 Escort craft: Floatation units available for use by swimmers during open water
races.
 Escorted swim: Athletes are accompanied by floatation units during open water
races.
 Event: A swim race or series of races in a given stroke or distance.
 False Start: A team swim contestant moves before the signal is given.
 Feed pole: A device used in the water to deliver food or liquid to open swimmers.
 Finals: The last heat of an event comprised of top placers from the preliminaries.
 Finish: The moment a competing swimmer contacts the wall.
 Flags: Markers placed five meters from the end of the pool to allow backstrokers to
gauge the end of the course in order to execute a turn.
 Foreign swimmer: A swim contestant belonging to a FINA-member confederation
other than USA Swimming, or a member of USA Swimming but ineligible to
represent the US during international swim competitions.
 Forward start: Entering the water while facing the course.
 Foul: Anything preventing completion of a race, such as an interference, obstruction,
collision, or equipment malfunction.
 Goal: The time a team swimmer hopes to achieve.
 Headquarters: The official USA Swimming office located in Colorado Springs,
Colorado.
 Heats: Smaller divisions of an event when there are too many athletes to compete
at the same time.
 Horizontal: Parallel to the water's surface.
 Individual Medley (IM): A race in which the swimmer uses all four of the swim
strokes in the order of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
 International competition: A race between USA Swimming athletes and/or its
organizations, and those of a foreign country.
 Junior Olympic: A type of annual team swim competition for youth.
 Lane line: A line of floating markers extending from start to finish designating lanes.
 Lap counter: Display numbers used to track laps completed during a distance race.
 Lead boat: Guide boat used to lead open water swimmers.
 Length: Complete extent of the swim course.
 Long course: 50 meters.
 LSC: Stands for Local Swim Committee, and is a division of USA Swimming
responsible for supervising certain areas.
 Manual start: Individual start of a timing device concurrent with the starting signal
given to swimmers.
 Meet: Swim competition.
 Middle distance: A swim event 200 to 500 yards long.
 Negative split: The second half of the race is swum faster than the first.
 Official: Judge on deck at a sanctioned swim event that follows USA Swimming
rules.
 Open competition: An event in which an individual swimmer, or approved club or
organization may participate.
 Open water swimming: A swim event taking place in an ocean, lake, or river.
 Outreach membership: A program that allows qualifying swimmers to participate
in a race at a reduced fee.
 Pace: A determined speed at which a swimmer should complete a lap or part of a
race.
 Pace clock: A timing device used to check the pace.
 Pacing: A non-participant of an open water event entering the water to provide
moral support to participants, and to set the pace.
 Paddler: Person on a craft or floating device supporting athletes at an open water
event.
 Place judge: Official who records the finish order by lane of each heat.
 Preliminaries: Initial competition by heat to determine qualifiers of the finals.
 Propulsive: The power to propel.
 Qualifying time: Time necessary to compete in a swim event.
 Reinstatement: Return of rights to membership of USA Swimming.
 Relay: An event involving four swimmers on a team, each swimming a designated
leg of the course in order to achieve a single time.
 Relay leg: Portion of the relay swum by a single team member.
 Sanctioned meet: A USA Swimming-approved competition where official times may
be obtained.
 Scissor kick: A type of kick using a scissors-like movement of the legs to help
propel a swimmer through the water.
 Scratch: Withdraw from the competition.
 Seed: Entrants are distributed among heats or lanes according to their preliminary
times.
 Seed time: A contestant's best time is used to place him or her in a heat.
 Short course: 25 meters or yards.
 Split: Intermediate times in a race, and taken every 25 to 50 yards, to determine a
swimmer's pace.
 Sports citizen: A swim athlete formerly representing a non-US nation in an
international competition and who must meet FINA requirements in order to
represent the US.
 Sprint: A training event in which short distances (50 to 100 yards) are swum as fast
as possible.
 Streamline: To straighten or stiffen the body at entry or after a push-off in order to
gain the longest starting distance.
 SWIMS: Stands for Swimming Web-based Interactive Membership System, and is
an interactive computer databank of USA Swimming members and their official
times.
 Suspension: Removal of USA Swimming membership rights.
 Taper: A swimmer shaves entire body before a competition to lessen water
resistance.
 Timed finals: Final places are determined by the results of timed heats.
 Time trial: A practice race.
 Time standard: The time a swimmer must achieve in order to qualify for an event.
 Touch: Contact the end of the course.
 Touch pad: A large board at the end of the lane the swimmer contacts at the finish
to achieve his or her time.
 Tryout: Participation in a USA Swimming club to gauge interest in becoming a USA
Swimming member.
 Turn: The moment a swimmer changes or reverses his or her direction on a course.
 Unattached: An independent swim participant; unattached to a club or
membership.
 Unescorted team: An open swim event without a designated support craft.
  USA Swimming: National corporate governing body for competition swimming in
the US headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Duties include selecting US
Olympic Swimming team, and other swim teams representing the US.
 Venue: Area where swim meet or event is conducted.
 Vertical: Perpendicular to water surface.
 Wave: A second or consecutive group of swimmers formed when there are too many
swimmers to compete in an open water event all at once.

Basketball Glossary

 Air Ball: The ball misses the hoop and backboard entirely.

 Alley-oop: A high arc pass to a teammate in a position near the basket to leap and
score.
 Alternating-possession rule: A rule in which teams take turns possessing the ball
after stopped plays.
 Assist: A pass that sets up a score.
 Backboard: The surface to which the basket is mounted.
 Back Court: Area of the court farthest from the offensive team's goal.
 Back Door Cut: A player approaches quickly from behind a defender toward the
basket.
 Back Screen: An offensive player moves away from the basket to set a screen for
teammate.
 Ball Fake: To fake a pass or shot.
 Bang the Boards: An aggressive rebound.
 Bank Shot: The ball bounces off the backboard and into the basket.
 Baselines: Also known as "end lines", the boundary lines extending across both
ends of the court behind the baskets.
 Baseline Pass: A player passes the ball single-handedly to a cutter advancing
toward the basket.
 Basket: The scoring goal attached to the backboard and is comprised of a metal rim
from which a corded net hangs.
 Behind-the-back Dribble: A dribble from one hand to the other behind the back.
 Behind-the-back Pass: A pass made behind the body.
 Between the Legs Dribble: A dribble between the legs from one hand to the other.
 Blocked Shot: A shot deflected on its way to the basket.
 Blocking: Using the body to block an opponent.
 Bonus Free-throw: Also called "one-on-one"; a free-throw awarded a team whose
opponent exceeds the number of fouls allowed in a half.
 Bounce Pass: A pass is deflected off the floor before being received by a team
player.
 Box Out: In an attempt to block an opponent and set up rebound opportunities, a
defense player gets between a teammate and the basket.
 Carrying the Ball: Also called "palming"; an illegal dribbling of the ball with both
hands at the same time, turning the ball over in your hands, or placing the hands
underneath the ball as if holding or carrying it.
 Catch and Face: Catching a pass and turning directly toward the basket before
taking a shot.
 Center: In position near the basket to capture rebounds and block shots.
 Change of Pace Dribble: Slowing down and speeding up dribble to get past an
opponent.
 Charging: An offensive player fouls by illegally contacting a stationary defense
player.
 Chest Pass: A chest-to-chest pass with both hands.
 Chin it: After receiving a rebound, the ball is under the chin with elbows and fingers
pointing up.
 Clear Out: To make room for the ball handler.
 Control Dribble: A closely guarded low dribble.
 Controlling the Boards: Otherwise known as "banging the boards"; controlling
most of the rebounds.
 Conversion: A dunked free-throw.
 Court: The floor upon which the game of basketball is played.
 Crossover Dribble: A front-of-the-body dribble from one hand to the other.
 Cross Screen: A lateral advance to set up a screen.
 Crossover Step: A jab step, then a step in the opposite direction.
 Curl Cut: Used when the defender is behind the cutter, an offensive player cuts off a
screen and heads toward the basket.
 Cut: A quick advance by the offense toward a position to shoot or receive the ball.
 Cylinder: The closely guarded circular area above the basket.
 Dead Ball: A ball that is not "alive" or in play.
 Defense: The team not in possession of the ball.
 Defense Rebound: Rebound by the defense player.
 Double Dribble: The illegal act of dribbling, stopping, then dribbling again.
 Double Team: Two teammates move in to guard one offensive player.
 Down Court: Moving from the back court toward the offensive basket.
 Down Screen: An offensive player moves toward the baseline to set a screen.
 Dribble: Bouncing the ball off the floor with one hand.
 Drive: A brisk advance toward the basket with the aim of shooting.
 Dunk: Slamming the ball into the basket.
 Elbow: Illegal contact with the elbow by an opponent.
 End Lines: Otherwise known as "baselines"; the lines that run the width of the court
behind the baskets.
 Fake: A deceptive move by the offense in order to offset the defense.
 Fast Break: A rush down court to beat the opponent to the basket.
 Field Goal: A basket made while the ball is in play.
 Field Goal Percentage: The number of field goals attempted.
 Fishhook Cut: Quickly changing direction.
 Five-second Violation: Taking longer than five seconds to pass the ball inbounds to
a teammate.
 Forwards: Players positioned along the free-throw lane and who are generally closer
to the basket than the guards.
 Flagrant Foul: Excessive or aggressive contact with an opponent.
 Floor Violation: See Violation.
 Floor: The court area bordered by end-lines and sidelines.
 Foul: An illegal play other than a floor violation.
 Foul Line: The line 15 feet in front of the backboard paralleling the end-line from
which free-throws are shot.
 Free-throw: A free shot taken from the foul line awarded a player whose opponent
committed a foul.
 Free-throw Lane: Also called "the key", the area designated for free-throws 12 feet
wide and running from the baseline to the free-throw line.
 Free-throw Line: The foul line.
 Foul Trouble: A player runs up too many fouls in one game.
 Front Court: The offensive area running from mid-court to the end-line.
 Full-court Press: Opponents are guarded over the full range of the court.
 Goal-tending: Intercepting a shot that is either in the basket, or directly above it.
 Guard: To closely watch an opponent with intent to keep the player from gaining
possession of the ball, or from making a pass or shot.
 Half Court Press: Defense pressure placed on the opponent in the front court area.
 Hash Mark: The mid-court mark.
 Hand Check: A defender fouls by touching the opposing ball handler with one or
both hands too many times.
 Held Ball: Two opposing players attempt but fail to possess the ball.
 Help Side: Otherwise known as "weak side"; the half of the court absent the ball.
 High Post: The area near the free-throw line.
 Holding: Use of the hands to hinder an opponent's freedom of movement.
 Hook Shot: While standing sideways in front of the basket, the hand farthest from
the net tosses the ball above the head and toward the basket.
 Hoop: Another word for basket.
 Inbounds Pass: A toss of the ball inbounds from out-of-bounds.
 Incidental Contact: Normal, legal contact between players.
 Inside Cut: An offensive player passes the ball to a teammate and then quickly
advances toward the basket in order to receive a return pass.
 Inside Shot: A shot from beside or in front of the basket.
 Intentional Foul: A defense player fouls in order to stop the clock.
 In the Paint: Refers to the area within the free-throw lane that is painted a different
color than the rest of the court.
 Jab Step: Small sharp step with the non-pivot foot toward the defense player.
 Jump Ball: The ball tossed into the air by the referee between two opposing players
in order to start the game.
 Jump Shot: A shot in which an offensive player's feet leave the floor.
 Jump Stop: Jumping off of one foot, and returning on both feet at the same time in
a parallel or staggered position.
 Key: The free-throw and foul lane area of the court.
 "L" Cut: An L-shaped cut sometimes used when a defender is in the passing lane.
 Lane: Also called the "paint"; area extending from the end line to the free-throw line
and 12 feet across.
 Lane Violation: Moving into the lane in an attempt to intercept a possible rebound
on a foul shot before the ball actually hits the rim.
 Lay-up: Advancing close to the basket in an effort to bank a shot off the backboard.
 Live Ball: A ball in play.
 Loading the Gun: Preparing to shoot with a cock of the wrist.
 Low Post: The area close to the basket.
 Man-to-man Defense: One-on-one guarding of opponents.
 Mid-court Line: The center line dividing the front from the back courts.
 Net: The corded mesh that hangs 15-18 inches from the basket's rim.
 Offense: The team in possession of the ball.
 Off the Dribble: Shooting the ball while advancing toward the basket.
 Offensive Rebound: A rebound taken by an offensive player.
 One-and-one: A bonus free-throw is awarded when the opponent accumulates too
many fouls in a half; the free-thrower takes a shot and if a basket is made, gets a
second free- throw.
 Open: When a defender is unguarded he is said to be "open".
 Out-of-Bounds: Outside the end lines and sidelines.
 Outlet Pass: A rebounder passes the ball to an offensive teammate.
 Over-and-back Violation: An offensive teammate returns a ball from the front
court to the back court.
 Overhand lay-up Shot: With the palm facing the basket, the shooting hand is
positioned on the back of the ball.
 Overhead Pass: A two-handed overhead shot.
 Overtime: Extra time given a tied regulation game.
 Paint: The free-throw lane area.
 Palming: Another word for "carrying the ball".
 Pass: A play from one teammate to another.
 Period: A segment of game time; either quarter, half, or overtime.
 Perimeter: The part of the court that extends beyond the foul circle.
 Personal Foul: Contacting a player in a way that may injure him.
 Pick: An offensive player sets up a screen.
 Pivot: The center position; also the foot that remains stationary until a dribbler
passes the ball.
 Player-to-player Defense: Defense strategy in which each player is assigned an
opponent to guard; also called "man-to-man defense".
 Point Guard: A strategy in which a guard advances the ball up court to begin an
offensive play.
 Possession: To have the ball.
 Post: The space on both sides of the free-throw lane.
 Post Up: To be in a position near, but facing away from, the basket in order to
receive a pass.
 Power Forward: A strong player positioned close to the basket.
 Power Layup Shot: A closely-guarded layup shot.
 Press: Defense strategy with intent to force opponents into erring by guarding them
too closely.
 Pull-back Dribble: Pulling dribble away from the defense as a way to avert
pressure.
 Push Pass: A strategy used to get past a defender guarding too closely.
 Quadruple Double: A player earns two-digit figures in four out of five offensive
categories during a single game.
 Rebound: Gaining possession of the ball after it bounces off the backboard or rim on
a missed shot.
 Reverse Dribble: Otherwise known as "spin dribble" and is used to reverse direction
of the ball.
 Reverse Pivot: Turning on the pivot foot while taking a step back.
 Rocker Step: A jab step followed by a step back in preparation for shooting or
driving the ball.
 Screen: A offense player is positioned between a teammate and the opponent to
clear the way for the teammate's shot at the basket.
 Shot: To throw the ball toward the basket.
 Shot Clock: A device that keeps track of the limited time the team in possession of
the ball has to take a shot at the basket.
 Shooter: The ball handler who takes aim at the basket.
 Shooting Guard: The player who generally takes most of the shots from the
perimeter.
 Sidelines: The boundary lines that run the length of the court on either side.
 Small Forward: The smaller of the players positioned near the free-throw lane who
moves inside and out.
 Spacing: The space between offensive players, generally 15-18 feet.
 Squaring Up: Standing shoulder-square in front of the basket when preparing to
shoot the ball.
 Starting Lineup: The five players that begin the game.
 Stride Stop: Stopping on one foot, and then the other.
 Strong Side: The side of the court containing the live ball.
 Substitute: A player comes in to replace a teammate on the court.
 Swing-man: One who plays both guard and forward.
 Team Fouls: The number of fouls that a team has against it before going over the
limit and its opponent is awarded a free-throw.
 Technical Foul: A foul called as a result of misconduct in which the opponent is
awarded a free-throw.
 Ten-second Lane: The offensive team has 10 seconds to advance the ball from the
back court area over the mid-court line, or "ten-second lane".
 Three-point Field Goal: A basket shot from a distance of more than 19'/9" during a
high school or college game.
 Three-point Play: Two points on a field goal immediately followed by a free-throw
point.
 Three-point Shot: From outside the three-point line, an attempt at earning a field
goal is made.
 Three-second Lane: Otherwise known as the "key", the area running from the
baseline underneath the basket to the free-throw lane.
 Three-second Violation: An offensive player is in the free-throw lane for longer
than three seconds.
 Timeout: An official temporarily suspends the game due to injury, or to allow the
team to discuss strategy.
 Tip Off: The jump that starts the game.
 Top-of-the-key: The arc that runs beyond the free-throw lane.
 Transition: A team switches from offense to defense, and visa versa.
 Trap: Two defense players team up on the ball handler.
 Traveling: Also known as "walking"; a violation in which the ball handler takes
fewer than two steps without dribbling, or holds the ball while changing or moving
the pivot foot.
 Triple-double: A player achieves double figures in three out of five offensive
categories.
 Turnover: The offensive team gives the ball up to defense.
 Underhand lay-up Shot: With the palm underneath and facing up, a player shoots
the ball.
 Up-court: The offense advances from down court to front court in the direction of
the basket.
 "V"-cut: Switching quickly from one direction to the other in order to get a shot.
 Violation: Breaking of a rule not resulting in a free-throw, but rather a throw-in.
 Walking: See Traveling.
 Weak Side: The side of the court absent the live ball.
 Zone Defense: A defender carefully guards an area.

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