BOXIN

Alphabet Soup G
al*pha*bet soup
Definition
1. Alphabet soup is a term that is used to describe all the different boxing organizations
that govern the sport. With the number of organizations growing to over 50 during the
years, the main boxing organizations that are recognized are the WBA, WBC, IBF and
WBO. Each boxing organization has at least 17 weight divisions or titles that can be
won.

Below The Belt

be*low the belt
Definition
1. This refers to the area below a fighters belly button and above their hips where a
fighter is not supposed to hit their opponent. Hitting a fighter in this area is not allowed
in the rules and is considered unsportsmanlike.

Count
count
Definition
1. A count is refered to the amount of seconds that a referee counts out loud after a
fighter has been knocked to the canvas or ground. If a fighter is still on the ground after
10 seconds, then that fighter has lost the match and the victorious fighter has been
granted a win knockout.
Example

1. Wilson uses a combination of jabs and punches and then finishes off his
opponent with anuppercut. The fighter falls to the canvas and struggles to get to
his feet before the end of the 10-second count, therefore ending the fight.

Counterpunch
coun*ter*punch
Definition
1. A counterpunch is a boxing punch that is immediately thrown after an attack from an
opponent. The fighter will attempt to block or dodge their opponents punch, then attack the new
opening in their opponents guard.
Example
1. The champ is able to slip past a strong right cross from the challenger and immediately
counters with strong jabs to his body.

Cross
cross
Definition
1. This is a power punch thrown with the fighters dominant hand in boxing. The cross is usually
thrown by a fighter after their opponent leads with his or her opposite hand. The punch gets its
name (cross) because the punch comes over and across their opponents opposite hand.
Example
1. Hayes counters the jab with a strong right cross and knocks his opponent to the canvas.

Jab
jab
Definition
This is a type of quick punch that is used in boxing. A jab is when the fighter throws a quick
punch that starts from their chin and hits the target that is in a direct line in front of them. This is
the most common and frequently used punch in a boxing match.
Example
1. The champion keeps his opponent off balance by throwing a constant supply of jabs to his
head.

Covering Up
cov*er*ing up
Definition
1. This is a defensive tactic in boxing where the fighter holds up their hands and
forearms to help cover up their face and body against their opponents punches.
Example
1. Tyson has Jones against the ropes, who is covering up and trying to minimize any
damage Tyson inflicts upon him.

Fight Card
fight card
Definition

1. The fight card is a program or itinerary of all the boxing matches that are to take
place during one boxing event. A fight card usually contains one main event and
the undercard. A fight card is usually just referred to as the Card.
Example
1. Its going to be a great night of boxing. On the card tonight is Jones versus Hughes,
Davis versus Brown and for the main event we have Spencer versus Mason.

Glass Jaw
glass jaw
Definition
1. This is a term that is used to describe a fighter whos susceptible to an easy
knock0ut. This term does not mean that the fighter has a structurally weak jaw or chin.
Example
1. Jones showed his glass jaw once again, getting knocked out for the third time in his
last four fights.

Hook
hook
Definition
1. A hook is a type of short, inside power punch. The fighter bends their elbow and
swings from the side, usually aiming for the liver, temple, jaw or ribs of his opponent.
The arm, bent at the elbow forms a hook therefore giving it its name.
Example
1. Tyson strikes his opponent with multiple, quick jabs and finishes him off with a strong
hook to the temple for the knockout.

On The Ropes
on the ropes
Definition
1. This is a dangerous situation for a boxer where they have their back against the
ropes in a boxing ring, having little room to maneuver and escape from their opponent.
Example
1. Tyson has his opponent pinned against the ropes, launching a flurry of punches to
the bodythat leads to the fighter being knocked out.

Orthodox
or*tho*dox
Definition
1. This refers to a traditional right-handed fighter. The fighters strong and dominant
hand is their right.
Orthodox fighters stand with their left foot slightly out in front of his right, and
will jab and lead with their left side.
Example
1. Tyson is one of the most dominant orthodox boxers of all-time.

Southpaw
south*paw
Definition
1. A southpaw is a left handed fighter. This means that the fighter jabs with their right hand and
throws their power punches with their left hand. Southpaw fighters are also called unorthodox
fighters.
Example

1. Jones never felt comfortable fighting the southpaw the entire bout, and it was his opponents
powerful left hook that caught him off guard and knocking him out.

Sucker Punch
suck*er punch
Definition
1. This is a type of punch that catches the opponent off-guard, usually when they are
not prepared to defend themselves or are unaware the punch is being thrown. A sucker
punch is usually thrown while in close-range or from behind an opponent. This type of
punch is considered unethical and dirty.
Example
1. Before the bell is rung, Smith delivers a dirty sucker punch to his opponents chin.
The referee issues a warning to Smith for the punch.

Uppercut
up*per*cut
Definition
1. This is a power punch used in boxing that is aimed at the opponents chin. The
uppercut starts low around the opponents midsection, with the punch coming up from
below and usually making contact with the opponents chin or other parts of their head.
Example
1. Jones gets in close to the challenger and unleashes a massive uppercut to his
opponents chin, causing his head to fly backward.

Ace

VOLLE
YBALL

Volleyball, Tennis & Other Racket Sports

1. This refers to a serve that goes untouched, therefore resulting in a point for the
serving team.
Examples
1. And for Game 1 of the NLDS, both teams with have their aces starting on the mound.
2. The golfer tees off on the 12th hole and makes a miraculous ace in the hole!
3. The player puts up a monster serve that speeds past the receiving player, untouched.
And with that ace, the player wins the match.

Attack Block
at*tack block
Definition
1. This is when a defender, or receiver, tries to block a spike from an attacking player
before it crosses over the net.
Example
1. The defensive player stuffs the outside hitters spike attempt for a textbook attack
block.

Back Row Attack

back row at*tack
Definition
1. This is an attack from a back row player that occurs from behind the 1o foot line, or
three meter line. If a back row player jumps on or past the 10 foot line before take off on
the attack, then it is an illegal attack.

Example
1. The kill was called off and the point did not count because the back row attack was
deemed illegal when the player stepped on the line before they leaped.

Dig
dig
Definition
1. This refers to when a player prevents the ball from hitting the ground on their side of
the net after an opponent has spiked or served the ball towards them.
Example
1. With the game on the line, the libero makes a diving dig to keep the play alive.

Dink
dink
Definition
Volleyball
1. This is when the attacking player lightly taps the ball over the net to an area on the
opponents side of the court that is not being guarded or occupied by a defensive player.
The intent of this soft, legal push of the ball is to get it past the blockers.

Double Block
dou*ble block
Definition

1. A double block occurs in volleyball when two defensive players approach the net and
jump in unison to deflect or block an attack attempt by the hitter back onto the
opponents side of the net.
Example
1. Jones and Peterson time the attack perfectly and get the double block on the hitters
unsuccessful attempt at a kill.

Flare
flare
Definition
1. This is an offensive move in volleyball when an offensive player uses an insideoutside path to attack an outside set. Commonly, a teammate approaches the set
quickly and fakes a spike, when then the attacker hiding behind the faking teammate
comes out, or flares out, to attack the ball.
Example
1. Jones shoots the set to the outside, where Jennings flares out and spikes the ball
home for thekill. The defense was caught off guard by the fake attack done by Williams.

Flipper
flip*per
Definition
1. This is a method of contacting the ball in volleyball, when a receiving player extends
their arm and hand with the their palm facing down and uses an upward flip motion to hit
the ball.
Example
1. The ball seems just out of reach at first, but the player is able to extend their arm and
hit the ball with a flipper motion.

Kill
kill
Definition
1. This is a spike, or attack, in volleyball that cannot be returned by the defensive team
therefore resulting in an immediate point for the offensive team.
Example
1. The outside hitter spikes the ball past the diving defender and now has 12 kills on
the night.

Kong
kong
Definition
1. This is a type of block in volleyball that occurs when the defender blocks a spike
attempt, or attack, with only one hand. A kong usually occurs when they defender is late
to get into an affective blocking position and uses one hand as a last resort. The kong
block was made popular by legendary beach volleyball player Randy Stoklos, who
nearly perfecting this blocking method. The kong block gets its name from King Kong,
as this blocking method closely resembles the movie character swatting at airplanes.
Example
1. Johnson appears to look out of position and with no chance of stopping the spike,
but stuffs the attacker with a powerful kong block.

Let Serve
let serve
Definition

1. A let serve in volleyball is a serve that makes contact with the net, but still rolls over
in-bounds onto the opponents side of the net. When the ball rolls over, in-bounds onto
the receiving teams side of the net, the ball is considered in play. If the ball hits the net
and falls on the servers side of the net, the ball is then considered dead.
Example
1. Mays gets lucky with that let serve and earns a point for her team. When the ball hit
the net, it threw the defenders timing off, therefore causing her to miss the dig to keep
the ball alive and in-play.

Overkill
o*ver*kill
Definition
1. An overkill occurs in volleyball when a free ball or overpass is attacked by the
opponent and they are then granted with a kill. The ball must be close enough to the
net and out of reach of the attacking team in order for the opponent to get a successful
overkill. In addition, since the ball is free floating near the net, and they defending team
spikes the ball, it is not considered a block.
Example
1. The setter misses her target, with the ball floating freely in the air near the net,
allowing the defender to spike the ball and get the overkill.

Side Out
side out
Definition
1. This occurs in volleyball when the team who served the ball does not win the rally,
therefore not winning a point and the opposing team is now allowed to serve.
Examples

1. Johnson serves the ball to their opponent, who puts up a perfect set for the outside
hitter who then slams the ball down for a kill. Johnsons team has committed a side out
and will now lose their opportunity to continue serving.
1. Johnson jump serves the ball to the receiving team who immediately returns the ball
back over the net. The libero misplays the ball and hits it out of bounds, causing a side
out and her teams opportunity to continue serving.

Spike
spike
Definitions
Volleyball
1. This is a form of attack in volleyball when the ball is hit with force with the intention of
it hitting the opponents side of the court without the chance of it being defended.

Sprawl
sprawl
Definition
1. This is a term used to describe a type of dig in volleyball where the receiving player
places their hand on the ground and leans forward in order to make contact with the
ball, instead of diving.
Example
1. Jones misplays the sky ball serve and sprawls forward before the ball hits the
ground.