Badminton Terms

These are the common Badminton Terms used in Badminton.

Attacking clear : An offensive stroke hit deep into the opponent's court.

Backcourt : Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines.

Backhand : The stroke used to return balls hit to the left of a right-handed player and to the right of a
left-handed player.

Base position : The location in the centre of the court to which a singles player tries to return after
each shot; also called "centre position".

Baseline : The back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.

Carry : An illegal stroke in which the shuttle is not hit, but caught and held on the racket before being
released; also called a "sling" or "throw".

Centre line : A line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service courts.

Clear : A shot hit deep into the opponent's court.

Doubles : A game where a team of two players play against another team of two.

Doubles sideline : The side boundary of a doubles court.

Drive : A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net.

Drop shot : A shot hit softly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net in the opponent's
court.

Fault : A violation of the playing rules.

Feint : Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the serve; also called
a "balk".

Flick : A quick wrist-and-forearm rotation used to surprise an opponent by changing an apparently

soft shot into a faster passing shot.

Forecourt : The front third of the court, between the net and the short service line.

Forehand : The stroke used to return a ball hit to the right of a right-handed player and to the left of a
left-handed player.

Game : The part of a set completed when one player or side has scored enough points to win a
single contest.

Hairpin net shot : A shot made from below and very close to the net and causing the shuttle to rise,
just clear the net, then drop sharply down the other side so that the flight of the shuttlecock
resembles the shape of a hairpin.

Halfcourt shot : A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles play against the up-and-
back formation.

High clear : A defensive shot hit deep into the opponent's court.

Kill : Fast downward shot that cannot be returned.

Let : A minor violation of the rules allowing a rally to be replayed.

Long Service Line : In singles, the back boundary line. In doubles a line 2-1/2 feet inside the back
boundary line. The serve may not go past this line.

Match : A series of games to determine a winner.

Midcourt : The middle third of the court, halfway between the net and the back boundary line.

Net shot : A shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and drops sharply.

Passing shot : A shot which passes the opposing player or team.

Push shot : A gentle shot played by pushing the shuttlecock with a little wrist motion.

Rally : The exchange of shots that decides each point.

Serve : The stroke used to put the shuttlecock into play at the start of each rally; also called a
"service".

Service court : The area into which a service must be delivered. Different for singles and doubles.

Set : To choose to extend a game beyond its normal ending score if the score is tied with one point to
go.

Short service line : The front line of the service courts 1.98 metres from the net. Singles : A game
where one player plays against another player.

Singles sideline : The side boundary of a singles court.

Smash : A hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downwards into the opponent's
court.

Wood shot : A legal shot in which the shuttle hits the frame of the racket.

Basketball Game Terms: P

Paint: the free throw lane.

Palming: act of securing the ball in the palm of a hand resulting in a violation if performed during dribbling.

Passing Lane: refers to passing area between defenders in order to move the ball to a teammate.

Period: portion of playing time to complete a game, example=NBA rules allow for four 12 minute periods.

Perimeter & Perimeter Shot: term for location behind free throw circle in the forecourt used to put outside shots in
play.

Personal Foul: when there is physical contact between challengers, a foul is sure to follow.

Pick and Roll: jargon for this player movement=set screen, pivot, move towards basket to receive pass.

Picked Off: term for a successful screen that prohibited a defender from reaching the opposing player in control of the
ball.

Pick-up Games: basketball game terms for 'let's play' among a group of amateur players.

Pivot Foot: refers to either the right or left foot that is stationary on the floor when a player has ball possession. When
'doing the pivot dance', be sure the pivot foot remains stationary while 'step dancing' with the other foot. If a player
moves the pivot foot, then he/she is considered to be traveling and a foul called that results in lost ball possession.

Pivot Man: basketball game terms that refer to the team's center. Can also be Pivot Woman, yes?

Playmaker: jargon for player who is a huge asset to the team in that he/she sets up and plans the strategic moves of the
team.
Point: refers to either the point guard playing position or points scored. Foul shots put 1 point on the scoreboard; field
goals inside the three-point line=2 points and outside the three point boundary=3 points.

Point Guard: player whose duties are moving the ball up the court and running offense.

Post: term for location either near the basket or foul line, but outside the free throw lane.

Power Forward: skillful player who can ably score and grab rebounds.

Press: the pressure is on the ball carrier by the opposing defense team.

Basketball Game Terms: R

Rebound: attaining the ball after a shot on offense or defense.

Referee: game official who monitors and calls all violations, field goals, fouls and issues penalties.

Reject: basketball game terms for motion to block a shot.

Release: term for exact time that the ball is released from the shooter's hands.

Restraining Circle: term for area where no other player can enter while a free throw attempt is being made until the ball
strikes the backboard, rim or net. The same rules applies when a player from each team are going for a jump ball.

Reverse Dunk: a backward dunk, over the shooter's head.

Reverse Lay Up: let's do another lay up as the first one was blocked. See lay up.

Rim: term for 18-inch ring that holds the net and is attached to the backboard.

Roll: a rapid strategic move by the challenger that avoids a defender and rolls on down to the basket.

Rookie: jargon for a 'green player' in his/her first pro season.

Roster: view of the team players.

Runner: this player is on the run and taking a shot.

Running Jumper: and this player is still running, but taking a jump shot.

Basketball Game Terms: S

Scoop Shot: underhand shot made by a scooping motion advancing to the basket.

Scorer: game official who monitors and records points, field goals, free throws and all fouls for every player and team.
The scorer also updates the referees about changes.

Screen: refers to a blocking move by an offensive player either by standing beside or behind a defender in order to free
up a teammate to shoot, receive a pass, or drive in to score.

Shooter's Roll: skillful move that bounces softly off the rim and in to score.

Shooting Guard: term for a skillful shooter who often scores 3-pointers.

Shooting Range: the point or distance that a player makes his/her shots.

Shot Clock: this clock counts down from the 24 seconds in NBA play as to when a team must shoot and hit the intended
rim or basket.

Sidelines: boundary lines running from baseline to baseline.

Sixth Man: basketball game terms for the best sub that a team plays.

Sky Hook: jargon for a shot that is released from above the level of the rim.

Small Forward: term for an agile, shorter player who can make awesome jump shots.

Square Up: stare that basket, line up the ball and shoot.

Starting Lineup: the best of the team, these 5 players start the game.

Steal: term for getting the ball from an opposing player. Now watcha going to do?
Strong Side: this is the area where the ball and the action takes place.

Substitute: a player is out and the sub is in to play.

Swing Man: jargon for versatile player who can play 2 positions.

Swish: jargon for a shot that scores without the ball hitting the rim or backboard—a thing of beauty!

Switch: term for exchanging defensive assignments with a teammate.

Basketball Game Terms: T - Z

T: abbreviation for time out or technical foul.

Team Foul: is called on the player and the team. If the team goes over the limit of these fouls, the opposing team wins
free throw(s).

Technical Foul: term for a foul called that is not physical in nature, but rather called because of verbal abuse or cursing
usually towards officials--just plain bad mouthing. Opposing team is given a free throw or throw-in. Anyone who has
watched basketball knows that a coach or other team member along with players have and can receive this type of foul.

Ten-second Line: refers to the center line when the 10-second rule is ongoing.

Ten-second Rule: refers to rule where the team in possession of the ball must take it to the centerline in 10 seconds or
take the foul.

Three-point Line: semi-circle marking out from the basket center.

Three-point Play: term for the 2-step success of a two point field score then a free throw.

Three Pointer: a field goal shot behind the three-point line, worth three points.

Three-second rule: 3 seconds is all you get within the free throw lane and that includes your feet, or you suffer a three-
second violation.

Throw-in: 5 seconds is all you get to move the ball inbound. Throw-ins result after a ball lands out-of-bounds or a
personal foul has been called not requiring free throw(s).

Timeline: the line that divides the two halves of the court.

Tip in: tap that rebound and tip it in.

Tip-off: refers to jump ball that starts the game action.

Top of the Key: location near the free throw circle just behind the free throw line.

Trail Official: game official who monitors the ball as it moves up court after a possession turnover.

Trailer: this player scoots behind his/her teammates on a fast break.

Transition: term for strategic move to focus on offense rather than defense when team has ball possession in their
backcourt.

Trap: basketball game terms for rapid double-teaming of the ball carrier.

Traveling: occurs when a player illegally moves his/her feet while in possession of the ball. Examples are moving 3 steps
without a dribble, lifting the pivot foot before dribbling/jumping and landing without releasing the ball. The penalty for
traveling is loss of possession.

Triple Double: occurs when any player achieves double digit statistics in a single game in three statistical categories (i.e.
10 points and 10 rebounds and 10 assists). Well done!

Triple Threat: positioning that will allow a player to pass, shoot or pivot.

Turnaround Jumper: quick move by a player whose back is to the basket. This 3-step 'dance' is pivot, jump and shoot.

Turnover: basketball game terms for loss of possession.

Two-shot Foul: opposing team wins 2 free throws after this foul is called.

Upset: the bigger, better team just lost to a supposedly second-rate team or underdog.
Weak Side: the area of the court where the ball is not; therefore, not much action here.

Zone: defense where players are assigned an area to guard as opposed to a single opposing player.

Volleyball Terms

Campfire: When a ball falls to the floor between either a couple or a few players and they are caught just looking at it
as if they were circled staring at a campfire.

Volleyball Lingo: Is this "Jungle Ball"?

Tuna or Fish: This is what a player is called when they get caught in the net.

Jungle Ball: A volleyball game in which the people participating don't really know how to play volleyball.

Vegas Line: Named after Sean Rosenthal, an American beach volleyball player, when he delivered a powerful kill with
a hard-line spike penetrating his opponent's line block. He was in Vegas during this spectacular spike.

Kong Block: A one-handed block that resembles the movement of King Kong on the biplanes.

Chowder: A messy double contact on a hand set.

Prince/ Princess of Whales: A player who spikes the ball as hard as possible regardless of anyone or anything around
them.

Sizzle the Pits: A hard spike that passes under the blocker's earnest arms just grazing their arm pits.

Volleyball Lingo "Sizzle the Pits

Bringing the Heat: A tremendously hard spike!

Here Comes the Heater: This one liner may be called out among players when an especially hard server is getting
ready to serve.

Friendly Fire: When an unsuspecting player gets hit in the head by a teammate's serve.

Husband and Wife Play: When a ball drops between two players, untouched by either of them. Oops!

Redwood: A name given to a blocker who is tall but not especially quick on their feet.
Interesting Volleyball Terms

Mintonette: The original name given to the game we now call Volleyball.

Nectar: A perfect and sweet set.

Paintbrush: When a hitter swings but then barely touches the bottom of the ball, dropping it over the opposing
blocker.

Lollipop: A lollipop is an easy serve that flies high into the sky and over the net. It is not the most sophisticated serve.

Volleyball Lingo: "That's a Lollipop!"

Chester: When a player is hit hard in the chest by a serve or spike. Ouch!

Swipe or Wipe: When a ball is pushed off an opposing block by a hitter and lands out of bounds

Coach Kill: When an opponent serves the ball into the net or out of the court just after there was a substitution or a
time out.

Deep Dish: A very soft set where the ball rests in a players hands for a bit too long.

Pepper: A drill where two players partner to warm up by passing, setting and hitting the ball back and forth.

Rainbow: A soft shot over the blockers with an arc that resembles a rainbow.

Six Pack: Sometimes known as facial, this term is used when a blocker gets hit in the head or the face by a spiked
ball.

Some Common Volleyball Terms:

Bump: When the ball hits the forearms and is passed on.

Spike: A ball hit with force by an offensive player trying to hit so that the defense cannot recover the ball.

Dig: When a player passes a strongly spiked ball that is close to the floor.

Ace: An outstanding serve which is not passable by the opposing team and results in a point for the serving team.

Kill: An attack that earns the offensive team an immediate point.

Block: When one, two or three players jump in front of the opposing spiker with their arms raised to prevent the ball
from coming over to their side of the court.
 Volleyball Lingo: "Kong Block"

Assist: This is when a player sets up a teammate with a pass, set or dig so that the teammate can spike the ball and
earn a point for the team.

Free Ball: An easy ball for the opposing team to play.

Joust: When two players from opposite teams meet above the net to contact the ball.

Line Shot: A ball that is spiked right down the opposing team's sideline.,/

Shank: A bad pass that flies into the audience or anywhere that it is not supposed to.

Side-Out: When the receiving team earns the right to serve after winning a rally.

Strong Side: When a left handed hitter is hitting from the right front position or when a right handed hitter is hitting
from the left front position.

Cut Shot: When a ball travels at a very sharp angle across the net from a spike at the hitter's strong side.

Dink: A push of the ball around or over the blocker. This is totally legal.

Volleyball Lingo: "Have the been overlapping?"

Overlap: This term refers to the positions of the players before contact with the ball while serving.

Forearm Pass: When a player bumps the ball with the fleshy part of their forearms.

Key: To predict a team's next play by watching how they have played so far.

Overhand Pass: A pass that is controlled by the fingers and thumbs with both hands open taking place just above the
forehead.

Doubles: A game with four players involved, two on each side. We see this mostly played outdoors, on the sand or
grass.

Rotation: The movement of the players clockwise around the court and through the serving position.

Tagged: A player gets tagged when they cannot move fast enough out of the way of a hard hit ball.
 Volleyball Lingo: "Tagged, Facial or Six Pack"

Approach: A fast run toward the net before he jumps into the air to spike the ball.

Beach Dig: Also called a "deep dish" this is when the ball is received with open hands.

Dump: When an opponent uses a soft hit by the net instead of a spike so as to throw off the other team.

Power Alley: A cross court spike that reaches the farthest end of the court.

TABLE TENNIS

 Anti-topspin - a rubber type that deactivates spin and speed, returning a "dead" ball
 Backhand - a stroke done directly in front of the body, with the racket turned so that the back of
the hand faces the opponent
 Backspin - a type of spin where, if struck with a normal racket position, the ball would not make it
over the net
 Block - a defensive shot done mostly against loops and smashes, where the racket is in a closed
position to keep the ball on the table
 Chop - a defensive shot that carries a tremendous amount of backspin
 Closed - a racket angle that allows the top of the ball to be struck
 Dead ball - a ball returned without any spin. Very difficult to execute, read, and return
 Doubles - a format in table tennis where two people play on each side and must alternate turns at
striking the ball
 Drive - an offensive shot used mostly as a setup or in rallies, where the racket is in a normal
position and the ball is struck at a medium pace
 Drop shot - a surprise shot where the ball is placed precisely near the net
 Expedite rule - after a time limit (10 minutes) has expired during a single game, the receiver
automatically wins the point if he/she returns the ball successfully 13 times in a row. This forces
the server to change his rallying tactics.
 Forehand - a stroke done to the right-front (for right-handers) of the body, with the racket in a
normal position (palm of hand facing opponent)
 International Table Tennis Federation - the international governing body for the sport of table
tennis
 Inverted - See pips-in
 Let - a stoppage of play as a result of a serve hitting the net or interference from outside the
playing court
 Lob - a defensive shot used against high-speed balls, where the ball (usually with unpredictable
spin) is returned very high in the air, causing difficulty in timing and technique
 Long pips - a rubber type whose surface consists of fairly long pimples. Produces unpredictable
spin.
 Loop - an offensive shot that carries a tremendous amount of topspin
 Match - a competition format with the winner winning two of three or three of five games
 Medium-long - a serve whose second bounce, given the opportunity, would bounce near the very
end or just off the table. Difficult because the opponent cannot execute a good attacking stroke
 Open - a racket angle that allows the bottom of the ball to be struck
 Penhold - a grip where the racket is held exactly as it sounds, with the racket handle held straight
up and down
 Pips-in - a rubber type whose surface is smooth yet gripping. Produces much spin and in many
cases better speed. Also known as inverted rubber
 Pips-out - a rubber type whose surface consists of many tiny pimples. Produces much control and
speed, but little spin
 Push - a defensive shot used to successfully return backspin shots, where the racket is open to lift
the backspin over the net
 Receive - return of service, usually done tactically to set up an attack
 Seemiller - Name of 5 time US champion Dan Seemiller. Also the name of a table tennis grip
 Serve - the beginning of a point where one player strikes the ball after tossing it. Usually used
tactically to set up a strong attack
 Set - one game to 21 points in a match
 Shakehands - a grip where the racket is held exactly as it sounds but with the middle, ring, and
pinky fingers wrapped around the handle
 Short - a serve that, given the opportunity, would bounce at least twice on the table. Difficult
because the opponent cannot execute a good attacking stroke
 Sidespin - a type of spin where, if struck with a normal racket position, the ball would travel either
to the right or left without landing on the table
 Skunk - an informal rule in table tennis that says that a player wins a game at a score of 7-0 or
11-1
 Smash - an offensive, high-speed shot used against high balls, where the racket is in a normal
position to generate the most speed possible. Also called a kill
 Topspin - a type of spin where, if struck with a normal racket position, the ball would travel over
the opposite side of the table without hitting the surface