Sports Terms — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. The racket used to hit the ball

A paddle (or bat) is the small racket used by players to strike the lightweight celluloid or plastic ball. It is usually made of wood covered with rubber on one or both sides. Different rubber textures allow players to put various types of spin on the ball.

Correct Answer: D. Golf

In older golf rules, a 'stymie' occurred when an opponent's ball blocked the path of the player's ball to the hole. The player had to putt around or over the blocking ball. This rule was abolished in 1952, but the word remains in common language meaning 'to block'.

Correct Answer: B. A specialized defensive player

A Libero is a defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey and cannot attack the ball or serve. They can substitute in and out for back-row players without following standard substitution rules. Their primary role is to excel in ball control and digging.

Correct Answer: A. The white ball that is struck by the stick

The cue ball is the white ball that the player hits with their cue to strike other object balls. It is the only ball that a player should hit directly with their stick. Accidental contact with other balls using the cue is considered a foul.

Correct Answer: D. The final runner of the team

The 'anchor leg' is the final position in a relay race, usually given to the team's fastest runner. Their job is to maintain or gain a lead to secure the victory at the finish line. Legendary athletes like Usain Bolt have famously served as anchors for their national teams.

Correct Answer: D. Football

A free kick is awarded in Football after a foul is committed by an opponent outside the penalty area. Depending on the foul, it can be 'direct' (one can score immediately) or 'indirect'. Defenders often form a 'wall' 10 yards away to block the shot.

Correct Answer: A. A pass that leads directly to a made basket

An assist is credited to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads directly to a score. It is a key statistic used to measure a player's playmaking ability and unselfishness. Point guards are typically the leaders in assist counts.

Correct Answer: D. Ice Hockey

In Ice Hockey, a 'body check' is a legal move where a player uses their shoulder or hip to hit an opponent who has the puck. It is used to separate the player from the puck or disrupt their momentum. Checking is a significant physical aspect of the game.

Correct Answer: B. The final point needed to win the entire match

Match point occurs when the leading player or team needs only one more point to win the game and the match. It is a moment of extreme pressure for both the server and the receiver. In tennis, this is often the most dramatic point of the contest.

Correct Answer: A. The long-handled hammer used to hit the ball

A mallet is the long, flexible stick with a wooden head used by polo players to strike the ball while riding. It is usually made of bamboo or composite materials. Players must always hold the mallet in their right hand for safety reasons.