Important Terminologies in Sports

Important Terminologies in Sports – Key Notes for Competitive Exams

Sports terminology is an important part of General Knowledge sections in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defense, and various State PSCs. Understanding common sports terminologies can help you score well, especially in questions related to sports events, sports personalities, and rules. Below are key sports terminologies, categorized for easy reference:

1. Athletics Terminology

Hurdles: A race where participants must jump over obstacles (hurdles) on the track.
Decathlon: A track and field event consisting of 10 events, including running, jumping, and throwing disciplines.
Heptathlon: A track and field event consisting of 7 events, mainly focused on running, jumping, and throwing.
Relay Race: A race where each team member runs a section of the race and then passes a baton to the next member.
Pole Vault: An event where athletes use a pole to clear a high bar set at varying heights.
Long Jump: An event in which athletes jump as far as possible from a take-off point into a sandpit.
Triple Jump: An event in which athletes make three hops (hop, step, and jump) in a single leap.

2. Football (Soccer) Terminology

Goalkeeper: The player responsible for protecting the goalpost and preventing the opposing team from scoring.
Offside: A rule violation where a player is closer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is passed to them.
Hat-trick: When a player scores three goals in a single match.
Free Kick: A method of restarting play after a foul has been committed. It can be direct (can be shot at goal) or indirect (must be passed to another player before a goal can be scored).
Corner Kick: A kick taken from the corner of the field after the ball has gone over the goal line, last touched by a player from the defending team.
Penalty Kick: A direct free kick taken from the penalty spot, awarded when a foul is committed inside the penalty area.
Dribbling: The act of controlling and moving the ball while running.
Yellow Card: A cautionary card given by the referee for minor fouls.
Red Card: A card shown to a player who has committed a serious foul or received two yellow cards, resulting in their ejection from the game.

3. Cricket Terminology

Bowler: A player who delivers the ball to the batsman in an attempt to get them out.
Batsman: A player who hits the ball with a bat to score runs.
Wicket: Refers to both the physical stumps and bails at either end of the pitch, and the act of dismissing a batsman.
Duck: A term for a player who is dismissed without scoring any runs.
Century: When a batsman scores 100 runs in a single innings.
Hat-trick: A bowler taking three wickets in three consecutive balls.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket): A dismissal in which the batsman is out if the ball hits their leg and would have gone on to hit the stumps.
Over: A set of six legal balls delivered by a bowler.
Run Out: A way of dismissing a batsman when the fielding side hits the stumps with the ball while the batsman is out of his crease.

4. Tennis Terminology

Ace: A serve that the opponent is unable to touch or return, winning the point.
Deuce: A tied score of 40-40 in a game, from which one player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
Break Point: The point at which the receiver can win the game by breaking the server's serve.
Set: A collection of games, usually won by the player who first wins 6 games with a 2-game margin.
Love: A score of zero in tennis.
Double Fault: When a server misses both their first and second serve attempts, resulting in the loss of a point.
Grand Slam: A tennis tournament that includes the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

5. Basketball Terminology

Dribbling: The act of bouncing the ball while running or moving.
Dunk: A shot in which a player jumps and forces the ball down into the hoop with one or both hands.
Rebound: The act of gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw attempt.
Assist: A pass made to a teammate who then scores a field goal.
Field Goal: Any basket made during play, either a two-point or three-point shot.
Free Throw: An uncontested shot taken from the free-throw line, awarded after certain fouls.
Foul: A violation of the game’s rules, typically involving illegal physical contact with an opponent.

6. Badminton Terminology

Shuttlecock (Birdie): The object hit back and forth across the net in badminton.
Smash: A fast and forceful shot that is hit downward into the opponent’s court.
Clear: A shot that is hit high and deep into the opponent's side of the court.
Drop Shot: A soft shot that just crosses the net, making it difficult for the opponent to reach.
Rally: A series of shots between the players until a point is won.
Love: A score of zero in badminton.
Side-out: A situation where the serving team loses the serve.

7. Table Tennis Terminology

Serve: The act of putting the ball into play by hitting it from one side of the table to the other.
Spin: The rotation of the ball that affects its trajectory and bounce.
Rally: A series of exchanges between players, where the ball is hit back and forth.
Smash: A powerful shot played when the ball is high in the air.
Backspin: When the ball rotates backward, causing it to drop faster.
Forehand: A stroke played with the front of the racket (on the player's dominant side).
Backhand: A stroke played with the back of the racket (on the non-dominant side).

8. Hockey Terminology

Hat-trick: A player scoring three goals in a single game.
Penalty Corner: A set play where the attacking team is awarded a corner after a defensive foul within the shooting circle.
Dribbling: The act of maneuvering the ball while running to evade opponents.
Offside: A violation that occurs when a player is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is passed to them.
Goalkeeper: The player whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by guarding the goal.
Green Card: A card issued by the umpire as a warning for a minor foul.
Yellow Card: A card issued for a serious foul, leading to temporary suspension.

9. Rugby Terminology

Try: A way of scoring in rugby by carrying the ball over the opponent’s goal line and touching it to the ground.
Conversion: A kick at goal following a try, worth 2 points.
Scrum: A method of restarting play where players from both teams bind together and attempt to win possession of the ball.
Line-out: A method of restarting play when the ball has gone over the sideline, where players jump to catch the ball.
Ruck: A phase of play where the ball is on the ground, and players try to win possession.
Maul: When the player carrying the ball is held up by opponents but is not brought to the ground.
Penalty Kick: A kick awarded for a serious foul or infraction.

10. Swimming Terminology

Freestyle: A swimming event where the swimmer can use any stroke, although the front crawl is most commonly used.
Backstroke: A stroke swum on the back, with alternating arm strokes.
Breaststroke: A stroke in which both arms move in a half-circle while the legs perform a frog kick.
Butterfly: A swimming stroke where both arms move simultaneously in a windmill motion.
Relay: A swimming race in which team members swim sequentially.
Turn: The action of changing direction at the end of the pool during a race.

11. Chess Terminology

Check: A situation where the king is under direct threat of capture.
Checkmate: A situation where the opponent's king is in check and cannot escape capture.
Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the opponent’s back rank, it can be promoted to any other piece (usually a queen).
En passant: A special pawn capture made right after an opponent moves their pawn two squares forward from its starting position, passing through an attacked square.
Castling: A special move involving the king and a rook

for the purpose of safety and development.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many sports terminologies that you may encounter in competitive exams. Understanding and memorizing these terms will help you answer questions related to various sports and games more effectively. Whether it's football, cricket, hockey, or athletics, having a good grasp of these terms is essential for your general awareness section.

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ONE LINERS ABOUT IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here are some One-liners on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

1. Offside (Football): A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent at the moment the ball is played to them.

2. Love (Tennis): A score of zero in tennis is called "love."

3. Hat-trick (Cricket): When a bowler takes three wickets in three consecutive deliveries.

4. Tackle (Football): A defensive move to take the ball away from an opponent.

5. Eagle (Golf): A score of two strokes under par on a hole.

6. Dribbling (Basketball): The act of bouncing the ball while moving to advance it.

7. Off the Mark (Cricket): A batsman is said to be "off the mark" when they score their first run.

8. Double Fault (Tennis): Two consecutive faults committed by a player during a serve, resulting in the loss of the point.

9. Alley (Badminton): The side area of the court used for doubles play.

10. Bullseye (Archery/Darts): The center of the target, worth the highest score.

11. Free Kick (Football): A kick awarded to a team after a foul is committed by the opposing team.

12. Ruck (Rugby): A phase of play where the ball is on the ground and players contest for possession.

13. Chukker (Polo): A period of play in polo, usually lasting 7 minutes.

14. Kneeing (Wrestling): An illegal move where a wrestler strikes their opponent with their knee.

15. Yellow Card (Football): A caution issued to a player for unsporting behavior.

These one-liners can help you quickly recall important sports terminologies during competitive exams. Let me know if you need more!

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS ON IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here are some Objective Questions on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

1. In football, what is a ‘hat-trick’?

a) A type of goal kick

b) A player scores three goals in a match

c) A penalty kick

d) A defensive strategy

Answer: b) A player scores three goals in a match

2. What does the term ‘love’ mean in tennis?

a) Winning a game

b) A score of zero

c) A tiebreaker point

d) A serving error

Answer: b) A score of zero

3. In cricket, a 'duck' refers to:

a) A player scoring a boundary

b) A bowler taking five wickets

c) A batsman getting out without scoring a run

d) A type of bowling action

Answer: c) A batsman getting out without scoring a run

4. What is the term used for the act of dribbling the ball in basketball?

a) Passing

b) Shooting

c) Bouncing

d) Traveling

Answer: c) Bouncing

5. In golf, a score of two strokes under par on a hole is called:

a) Birdie

b) Eagle

c) Par

d) Bogey

Answer: b) Eagle

6. What is the term used for a short strike in cricket that is caught by the fielder?

a) Catch

b) Boundary

c) LBW

d) Six

Answer: a) Catch

7. In rugby, what does the term ‘scrum’ refer to?

a) A method of scoring

b) A restart of play involving the forwards from both teams binding together

c) A defensive technique

d) A type of pass

Answer: b) A restart of play involving the forwards from both teams binding together

8. In badminton, the area of the court used for doubles play is called:

a) Net

b) Alley

c) Service Box

d) Court Line

Answer: b) Alley

9. Which of the following is the meaning of ‘free kick’ in football?

a) A kick taken after a goal is scored

b) A kick awarded to the opposing team for an offside

c) A kick awarded to a team after a foul by the opponent

d) A penalty kick for a handball

Answer: c) A kick awarded to a team after a foul by the opponent

10. In polo, a period of play is called:

a) Chukker

b) Quarter

c) Set

d) Round

Answer: a) Chukker

These objective questions cover important sports terminologies and will help enhance your knowledge for competitive exams. Let me know if you'd like more questions!

FILL IN THE BLANKS ON IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here are Fill in the Blanks questions on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

1. In cricket, a player who is dismissed without scoring any runs is said to be out for a __________.

Answer: Duck

2. In tennis, when the score is tied at 40-40, it is referred to as __________.

Answer: Deuce

3. A score of one stroke under par on a golf hole is called a __________.

Answer: Birdie

4. In football, a player who scores three goals in a match is said to have scored a

__________.

Answer: Hat-trick

5. In rugby, the method of restarting play with the forwards from both teams binding together is called a __________.

Answer: Scrum

6. In badminton, the side area of the court used for doubles play is known as the __________.

Answer: Alley

7. In basketball, the action of bouncing the ball while moving is called __________.

Answer: Dribbling

8. A shot that goes through the center of the target in archery or darts is called a __________.

Answer: Bullseye

9. In football, when a player is given a warning for a foul or misconduct, they are shown a __________.

Answer: Yellow Card

10. In cricket, the action of hitting the ball after it has pitched outside the off-stump and is judged as hitting the stumps is called __________.

Answer: LBW (Leg Before Wicket)

These Fill in the Blanks will help improve your recall of sports terminologies for competitive exams. Let me know if you need more questions!

ASSERTION AND REASON ON IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here are Assertion and Reason questions on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

1. Assertion: In football, a player who is offside is penalized.

Reason: A player is offside if they are positioned closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent when the ball is passed to them.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

2. Assertion: A "duck" in cricket refers to a batsman getting out without scoring any runs.

Reason: A duck occurs when a batsman is out on the first ball they face in the match.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

3. Assertion: A "tackle" in football is a defensive action where a player takes the ball from an opponent.

Reason: A tackle can be made by any player, including the goalkeeper, to regain possession of the ball.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

4. Assertion: "Birdie" is a golf term for scoring one stroke less than par on a hole.

Reason: In golf, a player who scores one stroke less than par on a hole is called an "eagle."

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

5. Assertion: A "free throw" in basketball is awarded to a player for a foul committed by the opposing team.

Reason: A free throw is taken from the free-throw line and is an uncontested shot.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

6. Assertion: "Dribbling" is the act of bouncing the ball in basketball while moving to advance it.

Reason: Dribbling is illegal in basketball if the player takes more than two steps without bouncing the ball.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

7. Assertion: A "scrum" in rugby involves both teams' forwards binding together to contest possession of the ball.

Reason: A scrum is formed when the ball is out of play and can only be used to restart the game after a knock-on or forward pass.

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Answer: a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.

These Assertion and Reason questions will help assess your understanding of sports terminologies and their application. Let me know if you'd like more questions or need further clarification!

MATCH THE FOLLOWING – IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here is a Match the Following exercise on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

Term	Definition
1. Hat-trick	a) A player scores three goals in a single match.
2. Eagle	b) A score of one stroke under par on a golf hole.
3. Love	c) A score of zero in tennis.
4. Dribbling	d) Bouncing the ball while moving in basketball.
5. Duck	e) A batsman is dismissed without scoring any runs in cricket.
6. Scrimmage	f) A method of restarting play in American Football where the ball is snapped between the teams' players.
7. LBW	g) A dismissal in cricket where the ball hits the batsman's legs and the umpire believes the ball would have hit the stumps.
8. Ruck	h) A phase of play in rugby, where players bind together and attempt to win the ball while it is on the ground.

Answers:

Term	Definition
1. Hat-trick	a) A player scores three goals in a single match.
2. Eagle	b) A score of one stroke under par on a golf hole.
3. Love	c) A score of zero in tennis.
4. Dribbling	d) Bouncing the ball while moving in basketball.
5. Duck	e) A batsman is dismissed without scoring any runs in cricket.
6. Scrimmage	f) A method of restarting play in American Football where the ball is snapped between the teams' players.
7. LBW	g) A dismissal in cricket where the ball hits the batsman's legs and the umpire believes the ball would have hit the stumps.
8. Ruck	h) A phase of play in rugby, where players bind together and attempt to win the ball while it is on the ground.

This Match the Following exercise will help test your understanding of important sports terminologies. Let me know if you'd like more questions or need further clarification!

MCQ’s ON IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES IN SPORTS

Here are MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) on Important Terminologies in Sports for competitive exams:

1. What is a 'duck' in cricket?

a) A bowler taking 5 wickets

b) A player who scores a century

c) A batsman dismissed without scoring any runs

d) A type of delivery

Answer: c) A batsman dismissed without scoring any runs

2. In tennis, a score of zero is called:

a) Love

b) Ace

c) Deuce

d) Fault

Answer: a) Love

3. What does 'dribbling' mean in basketball?

a) The act of shooting the ball

b) The act of passing the ball

c) The act of bouncing the ball while moving

d) The act of blocking the ball

Answer: c) The act of bouncing the ball while moving

4. In football, a player who scores three goals in a single match is said to have scored a:

a) Double

b) Triple

c) Hat-trick

d) Tackle

Answer: c) Hat-trick

5. In rugby, a 'scrum' refers to:

a) A method of scoring

b) A type of penalty kick

c) A way to restart the game with the forwards binding together

d) A throw-in from the touchline

Answer: c) A way to restart the game with the forwards binding together

6. In golf, a score of two strokes under par is called a:

a) Par

b) Birdie

c) Eagle

d) Bogey

Answer: c) Eagle

7. What is 'LBW' in cricket?

a) A method of dismissal where the ball hits the batsman’s legs

b) A way of scoring runs

c) A technique used for bowling

d) A type of cricket shot

Answer: a) A method of dismissal where the ball hits the batsman’s legs

8. Which of the following terms refers to the side area of a badminton court used for doubles play?

a) Net

b) Service box

c) Alley

d) Court line

Answer: c) Alley

9. In polo, a period of play is called a:

a) Quarter

b) Set c) Chukker

d) Round

Answer: c) Chukker

10. In basketball, a 'free throw' is awarded for:

a) A foul committed by the opposing team

b) A successful basket

c) A timeout

d) A successful dribble

Answer: a) A foul committed by the opposing team

These MCQs will help you test your knowledge of important sports terminologies and prepare for competitive exams. Let me know if you need further questions or clarifications!