General Sports Vocabulary
Short for 'statistics'; numerical data used to measure player or team performance.
Stats
The leader of the offense who throws or hands off the ball
Quarterback (QB)
Throwing the ball to a teammate
Pass
The player trying to hit the pitch
Batter
Winning by rendering the opponent unconscious
KO (Knockout)
A system where teams take turns selecting new players, usually from college or amateur ranks.
Draft
A player who runs with the ball during offensive plays
Running back (RB)
The hoop where points are scored
Basket
A pitch the batter misses or doesn't swing at in the strike zone
Strike
When the fight is stopped because one fighter can't continue
TKO (Technical Knockout)
A team or player expected to lose, but who may surprise by winning.
Underdog
Scoring 6 points by reaching the opponent's end zone
Touchdown
A shot made from behind the 3-point line
Three-pointer
The throw from the pitcher to the batter
Pitch
Bringing the opponent to the ground
Takedown
'Most Valuable Player' - awarded to the top performer on a team or in a league.
MVP
A player who catches passes from the quarterback
Wide receiver (WR)
Losing possession of the ball
Turnover
A pitch the batter misses or doesn't swing at in the strike zone
Strike
Physically tapping to signal submission
Tap out
A result in which both teams or players finish with the same score.
Tie
To bring down the player with the ball
Tackle
Illegal contact with another player
Foul
When a batter accumulates three strikes
Strikeout
Divisions that group fighters by body weight
Weight class