Basketball Terms
Assist
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket.
Backspin
A shot such that the ball rotates backwards (as though rolling back towards the player) after it is hit.
Balance
A biological system that enables us to know where our bodies are in the environment and to maintain a desired position.
Ace
A botched serve after which the opponent is awarded a point.
Catcher
When a batter takes his/her turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher.
Flagrant Foul
There are two types of flagrant fouls in the NBA: Flagrant Foul 1, in which contact is considered unnecessary, and Flagrant Foul 2, in which contact is considered unnecessary and excessive. When a player commits a Flagrant Foul 1 twice, the player is ejected from the game.
Divot
A piece of turf that is cut out of the ground in the course of playing a stroke.
Cardiovascular Endurance
The ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement.
Block Solo
Credited when only one player at the area of contact blocks the ball onto the opponent's court or deflects the ball off an opponent out-of-bounds leading directly to a point.
Change Up
The staple off-speed pitch, usually thrown to look like a fastball but arriving much more slowly to the plate.
Free Throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free throw line (informally known as the foul line or the charity stripe), a line situated at the end of the restricted area. Free throws are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team.
Driving Range
An area where golfers can practice their golf swing. It can also be a recreational activity itself for amateur golfers or when enough time for a full game is not available.
Coordination
The organization of the different elements of a complex body or activity so as to enable them to work together effectively.
Bump
A common term for forearm passing.
Cleanup Hitter
The fourth hitter in the lineup. They are the ones with the most power in the team and their most important job is to bring runs in, the cleanup hitter “cleans up the bases” meaning that if there are runners on the bases the cleanup hitter scores them in ergo the name.
Illegal Screen
In basketball and lacrosse, the offensive player setting the pick must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender, and allow the defensive player a "reasonable opportunity" to avoid the screen; a screen is illegal if the screener moves in order to make contact, and obtains an advantage.
Follow Through
Carry a stroke to completion after striking the ball.
Goal Scoring in an Activity
Scoring and getting points.
Counter Rotate
The act of rotating counter-clockwise.
Closer
A relief pitcher who specializes in getting the final outs in a close game when his team is leading.
Jab Step
A jab step is when you fake that you drive to one direction towards the basket, then drive towards the opposite direction or shoot the ball.
Mid Irons
The irons from 5 to 7 are typically called the "mid irons", and are generally used from the fairway and rough for longer approach shots, between 130-210 yards depending on the club, player and course.
Isometric Muscle Action
A type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction (compared to concentric or eccentric contractions).
Cross Court Shot
An individual attack directed at an angle from one end of the offensive team's side of the net to the opposite sideline of the defensive team's court.
Cutter
A type of fastball that breaks toward the pitcher's glove-hand side, as it reaches home plate.