Sports Terminologies & Vocabulary
Delhi Police Exams - GK Section
Introduction
Each sport has its own unique vocabulary or technical terms that describe gameplay, rules, and scoring. Knowing these terms is vital for sports-related GK, especially for exam MCQs.
Memory Trick: C–F–T–B–A–H → Cricket, Football, Tennis, Badminton, Athletics, Hockey.
Cricket – The Gentleman’s Game
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LBW (Leg Before Wicket) | Batsman out if leg prevents a ball that would hit the stumps |
| Maiden Over | Over with zero runs conceded |
| Yorker | Ball bowled at the batsman's feet |
| Powerplay | Restricted fielding period in ODIs/T20s |
| Duck | Batsman scores zero runs |
| Hat-trick | Bowler takes 3 wickets in 3 balls |
Trick: LBW–Maiden–Yorker–Power = Cricket Power Combo.
Football – The World’s Game
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Offside | More advanced than ball/defender at play moment |
| Penalty Kick | Free kick from penalty spot after a foul in area |
| Goalpost | Goal structure for scoring |
| Corner Kick | Awarded when defender last touches ball out over goal line |
| Dribble | Skillful ball control and movement with feet |
| Yellow Card / Red Card | Yellow = Warning; Red = Expulsion |
Offside, Penalty, Corner – Football’s OPC Rule.
Tennis – The Game of Sets and Serves
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Deuce | 40–40 score; win by 2 consecutive points |
| Ace | Unreturnable serve |
| Break Point | Receiver’s chance to win on opponent’s serve |
| Set | Unit of scoring: first to 6 games, 2-game lead |
| Love | Zero score |
| Volley | Hitting ball before it bounces |
Deuce–Ace–Break–Set–Love → Tennis Terms DABSL.
Badminton – The Fastest Racket Game
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Drop Shot | Shot just clearing net, lands close to it |
| Smash | Powerful overhead shot |
| Shuttle | Projectile used in badminton |
| Rally | Continuous play until point is scored |
| Net Shot | Delicate shot played close to net |
Drop–Smash–Shuttle = Badminton’s 3D Formula.
Athletics – The Track and Field Domain
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Marathon | Distance race (42.195 km) |
| Relay | Team race passing baton |
| Hurdle | Race with jump barriers |
| Decathlon | Combined event – 10 events |
| Sprint | Short-distance race (100/200/400 m) |
MRH – Marathon, Relay, Hurdle = Athletics Basics.
Hockey – India’s Pride Game
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dribble | Skillful ball movement with stick |
| Push | Passing ball on ground with stick push |
| Penalty Corner | Awarded for defensive foul in circle |
| Scoop | Lifting ball over opponent’s stick |
| Flick | Quick wrist shot |
Dribble–Push–Corner – Hockey’s DPC Rule.
Mixed Quick Reference – One Question, One Answer
| Term | Sport |
|---|---|
| LBW | Cricket |
| Yorker | Cricket |
| Powerplay | Cricket |
| Offside | Football |
| Penalty Kick | Football |
| Deuce | Tennis |
| Ace | Tennis |
| Smash | Badminton |
| Shuttle | Badminton |
| Marathon | Athletics |
| Relay | Athletics |
| Dribble | Hockey / Football |
| Penalty Corner | Hockey |
Shortcut: C–F–T–B–A–H → Cricket, Football, Tennis, Badminton, Athletics, Hockey.
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
The term "Deuce" is used in which sport?
A) Badminton B) Tennis C) Hockey D) Football
Show Answer
B) Tennis
What does “LBW” stand for in cricket?
A) Long Ball Wicket B) Leg Before Wicket C) Low Bat Width D) Left Bowler Wicket
Show Answer
B) Leg Before Wicket
“Powerplay” is a term related to —
A) Tennis B) Badminton C) Cricket D) Hockey
Show Answer
C) Cricket
The term “Offside” is used in —
A) Football B) Basketball C) Tennis D) Volleyball
Show Answer
A) Football
“Penalty Corner” is a term associated with —
A) Hockey B) Football C) Volleyball D) Kabaddi
Show Answer
A) Hockey
The term “Smash” is used in —
A) Tennis B) Badminton C) Football D) Hockey
Show Answer
B) Badminton
The term “Marathon” is associated with —
A) Boxing B) Swimming C) Athletics D) Football
Show Answer
C) Athletics
“Dribble” is a term used in —
A) Cricket B) Hockey C) Tennis D) Archery
Show Answer
B) Hockey
The term “Ace” is used in —
A) Lawn Tennis B) Golf C) Volleyball D) Shooting
Show Answer
A) Lawn Tennis
“Santosh Trophy” is related to —
A) Hockey B) Football C) Kabaddi D) Cricket
Show Answer
B) Football
Summary Table – Sports & Their Key Terms
| Sport | Key Terms |
|---|---|
| Cricket | LBW, Maiden Over, Yorker, Powerplay |
| Football | Offside, Penalty Kick, Goalpost, Corner Kick |
| Tennis | Deuce, Ace, Break Point, Set, Love |
| Badminton | Drop Shot, Smash, Shuttle, Net Shot |
| Athletics | Marathon, Relay, Hurdle, Sprint |
| Hockey | Dribble, Push, Penalty Corner, Scoop |
Each sport speaks its own language — learn the key terms to decode it!
Final Concept Recap
- Cricket: LBW, Yorker, Powerplay
- Football: Offside, Penalty Kick
- Tennis: Deuce, Ace, Set
- Badminton: Smash, Drop, Shuttle
- Athletics: Marathon, Relay, Hurdle
- Hockey: Dribble, Push, Penalty Corner
One-Line Memory: Every sport has a term — learn them, and the exam can’t trick you!
Master Sports Vocabulary for Exam Success!
Practice terminologies and MCQs at Courage Library for a winning edge.
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