Boxing Vocabulary List

word example sentence meaning

bare-knuckled Bare-knuckled fighting was without protective gloves

popular until the nineteenth
century.

block He could block most of the use the hands, arms and shoulders to
punches, but some got through stop punches from landing on the face
and hit his face. or body

blow A blow to the stomach can strike or hit; punch with a clenched
make it difficult to breathe. fist

bout Mike had his first bout in organized fight in boxing or wrestling
professional boxing when he
was sixteen.

clinch Both fighters were tired and lean on and hold one's opponent
clinching too much, so the instead of fighting
referee told them to "break".

combination His best combination was a left series of punches thrown in sequence
jab followed by a right cross,
and then a left hook.

counterpunch After throwing a right hook, he punch thrown after an opponent has
left himself open and got hit by thrown a punch
a strong counterpunch.
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cross An orthodox boxer usually a straight power punch thrown

throws a cross with his stronger directly at the target
right arm.

fist He raised his arms and held his tightly closed hand with the fingers
fists in front of his face to bent in towards the palm
protect himself.

foul The referee warned Mike after unfair act or un-sportsmanlike

he threw another foul punch. conduct

gloves / boxing Boxing gloves help to prevent protective padded coverings for the
gloves damage to the hands, hands, usually made of leather
especially the knuckles.

head-butt The referee stopped the fight foul of hitting an opponent with the
after a head-butt opened a cut head
over Ali's left eye.

holding After warning Joe for holding foul of preventing an opponent from
several times, the referee punching by holding their arms
deducted points. against their body

hook He finished the combination short sideways inside punch delivered

with a right hook to the jaw. with the elbow bent

jab Fighters use the jab to earn quick punch with the leading hand,
points, but it's not a powerful
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punch. straight from the chin to the target

kidney punch Referees disqualify fighters who illegal blow to the lower back which
use kidney punches to hurt can damage the kidneys
their opponent.

knockdown A referee usually starts an eight occurs when a boxer is hit and any
count after a knockdown. part of his body, other than the feet,
touches the floor

knockout / KO He has won seventeen fights, occurs when a boxer is hit hard and
thirteen of them by knockout. loses consciousness

low blow The referee stopped the fight foul blow to the area below the
to let Harada recover from a stomach, including the genitals
low blow.

match Our son won his first boxing an organized contest between people
match last night, and we're or teams
very proud of him.

neutral corner He went to the neutral corner corner of the ring a boxer must go to
and waited for his opponent to after knocking down an opponent
get up off the floor.

parry He stood on the ropes with his fend off punches with the gloves
gloves up, parrying the
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punches as they came.

promoter The fighters said the promoter company or person who finances and
didn't pay them as much as he organizes a sporting or entertainment
said he would. event

punch People say he can't take a good strike with a clenched fist
punch, and is easily knocked
out.

rabbit punch Dirty fighters try to hurt their illegal punch to the back of the head
opponents with illegal blows or neck which can damage the spinal
like rabbit punches. cord

ring The fighters climbed through raised square platform on which

the ropes and into the ring. boxing matches are held

ropes Ali would stay on the ropes and lengths of strong cord enclosing a
wait for his opponent to wear boxing ring
himself out.

rounds In men's boxing rounds last for time periods in a boxing match for
three minutes, but in women's fighting, separated by one-minute
boxing they last for two breaks
minutes.

southpaw Good boxers know how to deal left handed fighter who jabs with the
with any opponent, including right hand and throws power punches
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unorthodox fighters like with the left hand

southpaws.

sparring He was one of Ali's regular when boxers make the motions of
sparring partners. boxing without landing heavy blows,
as a kind of training

split decision It was a close fight, and the occurs when two of the three judges
winner won it on a split score one boxer as the winner, while
decision. the third judge scores the other boxer
as the winner

standing eight The referee checked the fighter occurs when a boxer looks hurt and
count during the standing eight the referee stops the fight and counts
count, and then let him to eight to see if he can continue
continue.

sucker punch I was hurt by a sucker punch unexpected punch that catches a
that got me in the stomach boxer by surprise
when I wasn't looking.

technical Robert says he would have won occurs when a fighter loses because a
knockout / TKO the fight if it hadn't been legal punch causes a cut, usually on
stopped on a technical his face, that stops the fight
knockout.

unanimous He won the fight easily and got occurs when all three judges agree on
decision a unanimous decision from the who is the winner of a fight
judges.
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upper cut My best punch was an upper upward punch aimed at the jaw or the
cut that hit him on the jaw and stomach
nearly knocked him out.

weight classes Boxers sometimes move to a competition divisions based on

different weight class, often to weight, such as "heavyweight"
a heavier one.

weigh-in The boxers tried to upset each pre-fight meeting for boxers to be
other with insults at the weigh- weighed to make sure they are within
in before the fight. their weight class limits

Basketball Vocabulary List

word example sentence meaning

assist James won the MVP award with a pass to a teammate that leads
28 points, nine assists and eight directly to a goal
rebounds.

backboard My shot came off the backboard a board behind the basket, off which
and down through the hoop for a the ball may rebound
3-point goal.

basket In the early days, peach baskets 1. a container used to hold or carry
were nailed to the walls and used things
as goals. 2. a net fixed on a hoop used as the
goal
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block He stepped in front of our player to stop the movement of an opponent,

to block his run, and the referee or stop an opponent's pass or shot
ruled it a foul.

bounce Players must bounce the ball on to rebound after hitting a surface
the floor as they run.

bounce The crowd cheered when Mario a pass that bounces off the floor
pass threw a perfect no-look bounce before it reaches the receiver
pass.

chest pass Michael threw a quick chest pass, a two-handed pass thrown from chest
ran forward, and received a height
bounce pass back.

double- Young players still learning the violation of dribbling the ball with two
dribbling game often get fouled for double- hands, or stopping and restarting the
dribbling. dribble

draft Every team studies the players in the annual process by which NBA
the draft and decides which ones teams select local or foreign players for
they'll try to recruit. their teams

dribble He dribbled past two defenders To bounce the ball repeatedly with one
and then shot for goal. hand while running or walking

drive Yao Ming is very difficult to stop A fast, strong dribble directly to the
word example sentence meaning

when he drives to the basket. basket in an effort to score

exceed A team that exceeds the time-limit to go beyond what is allowed

on the shot clock loses possession
of the ball.

foul Larry's already had four fouls, so if a violation resulting from illegal contact
he commits another one he'll be with an opposing player
out of the game.

free throw Rodney practises his free throws a free shot taken from the free throw
for an hour every day. line as the result of a foul

game clock The coach called a time-out, and a scoreboard clock that shows the time
the game clock stopped while he remaining in each period of a game
talked to his players.

guarding Guarding is a man-on-man following an opponent to stop him

defensive tactic used to counter from driving, shooting or passing easily
dangerous players.

hoop The ball has to go through the the round metal rim from which a
hoop from above to score a goal. basketball net is suspended

jump shot A jump shot is much harder to a shot taken while a player is jumping
block than a set shot. through the air
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lay up The best players spend a lot of a shot taken close to the basket that is
time working on skills to improve usually banked off the backboard and
their lay ups. into the basket

MVP Michael was awarded MVP many 'most valuable player' award, given to
times during his career. the best player in a game

no-look Crowds love the no-look pass, but a pass thrown without looking towards
pass coaches warn players not to use it the receiver
just to show off.

overhead An overhead pass can get the ball a pass thrown from over the head, to
pass to a teammate who's behind some clear a defender or for added power
opponents.

overtime We won the game by outscoring a five-minute extra period that is

our opponents in overtime. played when the game is tied after
four quarters

personal Younger players often get over- a foul that involves illegal physical
foul excited and too aggressive and contact such as blocking, charging,
commit many personal fouls. elbowing or holding

possession The team whose player commits a to be holding, or be in control of, the
violation loses possession of the ball
ball.

rebound A lot of goals are scored from get control of a ball that has come off
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rebounds after an opponent's shot the rim or backboard after a failed shot
misses. attempt

referees How many referees are usually on officials who call violations and fouls,
court during a game of basketball? give penalties, signal field goals, and
stop and start play

set shot Practising set shots is important a shot taken with both feet on the floor
because they are used to score in a set position
from free throws.

shoot Players earn more points if they to throw the ball in an attempt to score
shoot from outside the three-point a goal
line.

shot clock Players have to keep an eye on a clock that shows the amount of time
the shot clock while they are a team has left to take a shot
playing.

slam dunk Matt drove towards the basket, a high jump shot in which the ball is
jumped high into the air and thrust down through the hoop
scored with a huge slam dunk.

substitute The substitutes sat on the bench a player who comes into the game to
and watched as their teammates replace a player on the court
on the court kept playing.

technical Their coach got a technical foul for a foul called against a player or coach
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foul arguing with a referee. for unsportsmanlike conduct such as

arguing with a referee

three-point In the NBA, the three-point line is a semi-circle painted on the court,
line 23 feet 9 inches from the basket. from outside of which a successful shot
earns three points

time-out Their coach indicated that he clock stoppage requested by a coach

wanted a time-out, and the for a short meeting with the players
referee stopped the game.

travelling Even professional players the violation of moving with the ball
sometimes get penalized for without dribbling correctly
travelling.

turnover Good players protect the ball to a player loses the ball to a member of
stop opposition players from the other team without taking a shot
making a turnover.

violation Two of the most common an infraction of the rules

violations in junior basketball are
double-dribbling and travelling.

Football Vocabulary List

word example sentence meaning

assistant Assistant referees used to be official who runs one of two touchlines
referee called 'linesmen', but the term was and advises the referee, esp. on
changed in 1996. offside decisions
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corner kick The referee awarded a corner kick a free kick taken from one of the
after the goalkeeper tipped the corners of the pitch
ball over the bar.

defender Defenders include left backs, right a player whose main role is to prevent
backs and central defenders. the opposition from scoring

dive Many people see diving as a form to deliberately fall over when tackled
of cheating and think players who in order to deceive the referee into
dive should be sent off. awarding a free kick

draw The game ended in a draw, with finish a game with an even score; tie
each team having scored two
goals.

extra time We won the game by scoring the two periods of 15 minutes each played
only goal in extra time. when a game ends in a draw after
normal time

foul The referee blew his whistle and an illegal action punishable by a free
gave a penalty kick for a foul in kick
the penalty area.

goal Manchester United beat Chelsea an instance of kicking or heading the

by three goals to one. ball into the goal

goalkeeper The goalkeeper tried to stop the player whose role is to stop the ball
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penalty kick by diving to his left, from entering the goal, and the only
but the penalty taker kicked the player who can handle the ball in
ball past him and scored. general play

goal line The referee thought a defender the two shorter boundaries, one at
was the last player to touch the each end of the pitch, on which the
ball before it went over the goal goals are placed
line, and awarded a corner kick.

handball The ball hit Mark on the arm and a foul committed by touching the ball
the referee awarded a free kick to with a hand or an arm
his opponents for handball.

league The Spanish Football League, a group of sports clubs that play each
known as 'La Liga', includes other over a period for a
famous clubs like Real Madrid and championship e.g. English Premiership
Barcelona. League

offside The assistant referee raised his law requiring at least two defenders to
flag to indicate to the referee that be between an attacker and the goal
one of the forward players was in line when the ball is passed to the
an offside position. attacker

pass David saw a teammate and passed to kick or head the ball to another
the ball to him. player on one's own team.

penalty Our defender tackled their striker a free kick from the penalty spot; see
in the penalty box, but the referee also penalty kick
thought it was a foul and gave
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them a penalty.

penalty area The tackle was just outside the area near each goal in which the
penalty area, but the referee goalkeeper may handle the ball, and a
thought it was inside the area and foul is punished by a penalty
gave them a penalty. kick (also; penalty box)

penalty kick Their best striker took the penalty a direct free kick taken from the
kick, but our goalkeeper blocked penalty spot, awarded for a foul
his shot and they didn't score the committed in the penalty area
goal.

penalty Our team won the penalty a best-of-five penalty kick contest held
shootout shootout by four goals to three, to find a winner when a game is still
and we were the new champions. tied after extra time

penalty spot I felt very nervous as I put the ball a white mark in the penalty area from
on the penalty spot and stepped which penalty kicks are taken
back to take the kick.

pitch It had rained all morning, so the the playing field

pitch was soft and muddy and
difficult to run on.

professional David Beckham became a doing something, like playing sport or

professional player at 17 when he music, as a career or occupation
signed a contract with Manchester
United.
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red card The referee had already given Lee the most severe punishment given by
a yellow card, so when he a referee, in which the player is sent
committed another foul he was off the pitch
given a red card and sent off.

shoot Ronaldo took the free kick and to try to score a goal
scored a great goal by shooting
over the wall.

striker We're not scoring enough goals, a player whose role is to score goals
so our manager wants to get a
new striker.

substitute They were losing by a goal with to replace one player with another
ten minutes to go, so the manager player; also a player used to replace
decided to substitute one of his another
defenders with a forward.

tackle One of the defenders tackled to challenge a player for the ball
David and kicked the ball out of
play.

tactical They were losing, so the manager relating to a carefully planned strategy
made tactical substitutions and to win
replaced two defenders with more
attacking players.

throw in After Joe kicked the ball out, one to put the ball back into play after it
of the other team's players threw has crossed the touchline by throwing
it in with a long throw into the it, usually to a teammate
 word example sentence meaning

penalty box.

touchline The manager stood on the the two long boundaries along each
touchline shouting instructions to side of the pitch; also sideline
his players.

wall The defenders formed a wall to a line of players forming a barrier to

block the free kick, and the block a free kick taken near the
referee pushed them back ten penalty area
metres.

yellow card If Jose gets another yellow card, a warning issued to a player for a
he'll miss the next match. serious foul, two of which result in a
red card and sending off

Badminton Vocabulary List

word example sentence meaning

ace Jenny's accuracy means she a serve that the opponent fails to hit
serves lots of aces.
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backcourt I ran to the backcourt to return back third of the court (same as
his lob. "rearcourt")

backhand If his backhand is weak, play a stroke made on the side of the body
more to his left side. opposite the racket side

baseline The shuttlecock landed just back line of the court

inside the baseline.

bird / birdie The U.S. players say birdie shuttlecock (mostly used in North
instead of shuttlecock. America)

carry The umpire called my shot a an illegal stroke in which the shuttle is
carry, so I lost the point. caught and held on the racket before
being released; also called a "sling" or
"throw"

centre line The centre line divides the court a line that separates the left and right
into two service courts. service courts

clear She hit a clear high and to the a shot hit deep into the opponent's
back of her opponent's court. court

doubles Why don't you ask her to be a game between teams of two players
your partner in mixed doubles?
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drop shot He was at the back of the court, a shot that just clears the net and
so I played a drop shot and he then drops sharply
couldn't reach it.

drive She played a forehand drive a fast hard shot

straight down the line and won
the point.

fault It is also a fault if the a foul shot, such as one that hits the
shuttlecock hits the ceiling net or lands outside the court
during a rally.

forecourt If you play from the forecourt, the front third of the court
you'll have a better chance of
hitting a winner.

home position Players in singles matches try to central position on court which is
get back to the home position halfway between the baseline and net,
whenever they can during a and the two sidelines
game.

kill / kill shot You can hit a net kill if the fast downward shot that cannot be
shuttlecock comes high over the returned
net.

let Unlike in tennis, if a serve hits a minor violation of the rules requiring
the top of the net and then a rally to be replayed
goes over it isn't called a let.
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lob Her lob flew high into the air a shot that is hit in a high arc, usually
and dropped into the back of over the opponent's head
the court, just inside the
baseline.

net The shuttlecock hit the top of the length of meshed material
the net and just went over, so supported on a cord between two
she won the point. posts that divides the court

net shot Net shots are good to play if a shot hit from the forecourt that just
your opponent is in his or her clears the net and drops sharply
rearcourt.

passing shot She beat her opponent with a a shot which passes the opponent
strong passing shot down the
line.

push shot He tried to play a push shot, a soft shot played by pushing the
but it was too soft and it went shuttlecock with a little wrist motion
into the net.

racket A badminton racket is smaller the instrument used by players to hit

(also racquet) and lighter than a tennis racket. the shuttlecock

rally The crowd applauded after a series of shots hit back and forth
watching another long, exciting across the net
rally.
word example sentence meaning

rearcourt Players try not to get caught in rear third of the court (same as
the rearcourt if possible. "backcourt")

serve In tennis players use overhead a shot which begins play

serves, but in badminton they
use underarm serves.

service court You have to serve from inside the area into which a serve must be
your own service court. hit

short serve A good player can surprise his a serve that barely clears the net and
or her opponent by disguising a lands just inside the receiver's service
short serve. court

smash Dan jumped high in the air and a powerful overhead shot
hit a powerful smash to win the
rally.

wood shot He was lucky when he hit a a legal shot in which the shuttlecock
wood shot and the shuttlecock hits the frame of the racket
still went over the net.