Sports

Team sports

Football (Olympics 2)

• MLS
• Forward, attacker, or striker
• Midfielder (defensive, central, and attacking)
• Goalkeeper may handle the ball inside the penalty area or 18-yard box.
• Ballon d’Or
• Rivalry between Argentina and Brazil, France and Germany.
• 2022 FIFA World Cup: Argentina defeats France.
• Pele
• Lionel Messi
• Kylian Mbappe
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Megan Rapinoe
• Robert Lewandowski
• Diego Maradona

Flag football (Olympic discretionary) limits contact.

Handball (Olympics 2)

Rugby sevens (Olympics 2)

Field hockey (Olympics 2)

Racket sports: badminton, handball. Win by grounding the ball in the opponent’s court.

• table tennis (Olympics 5)
• Tennis (Olympics 5)
  • Pete Sampras
  • Federer
  • Nadal
  • Djokovic
  • Carlos Alcaraz
  • Serena Williams
• Volleyball (4): six players per team, or 2 in beach volleyball.
  • may touch the ball at most three times, alternating between players.
  • serve: an ace is an immediate win. Topspin drops the ball. A float serve has no spin and is more unpredictable.
  • pass or reception: underarm bump or overhand with fingertips. Set or assist with the second touch. A shank is an uncontrolled touch which is hard for teammates to follow.
  • attack or spike usually jumps above the net.
  • block keeps the ball in the opponent’s court. Dig or pancake is a low dive on reflex to keep the ball in play.

Cricket (Olympic discretionary)

Lacrosse (Olympic discretionary)

Squash (Olympic discretionary)

Ice hockey NHL

• Wayne Gretzky
• Alexander Ovechkin
• 1980 Winter Olympics Miracle on Ice: US defeats the Soviet Union.

Combat sports

• Armed
  • archery (Olympics 5)
  • shooting (Olympics 15)
    • trap shooting, named for pigeon traps. A high house on the left side of a range projects targets from around 10 ft. A low house on the right side projects targets from 3.5 ft.
    • skeet shooting
    • Smokeless lead shot powder e.g. Alliant Green Dot.
  • fencing
  • jousting
  • aikido
  • airsoft
  • paintball
• Close combat
• Hand-to-hand combat
• mixed martial arts (MMA)
• Grappling
  • Wrestling: leg grab, throws, trips, sweeps, takedowns, ground fighting, clinch
    • Freestyle (Olympics 12)
    • Greco-Roman (Olympics 6)
  • Submission only: locks, chokes, holds
  • Judo (Olympics 15)
  • Brazilian jiu-jitsu
• Striking
  • taekwondo (Olympics 8)
  • karate
  • Muay Thai
  • kickboxing
  • Boxing.
    • a challenger throws their hat into the ring to enter the competition.
    • a corner throws in the towel to give up.
    • Muhammad Ali is the greatest heavyweight boxer. Ali loses to Joe Frazier in the Fight of the Century in 1971, then wins in the Thrilla in Manila in 1975. Ali also wins the Rumble in the June against George Foreman in 1974. He gets Parkinson’s at 46.
    • Joe Louis: heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949.
    • 1838. London Prize Ring Rules for bare-knuckle boxing. Replaces the 1743 Broughton Rules.
    • 2019. Suspended from the Olympics effective 2028 due to corruption concerns.
• Self-defense: Israeli Krav Maga emphasizes escape or aggressive simple strikes to vulnerable points.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Grappling

Olympic sports

Aquatics (49)

• swimming (35)
  • Leon Marchand, France, 2024 gold in 200 breast, 200 fly, 200 medley, 400 medley.
  • Bobby Finke, 2024 gold, 1500 freestyle. Only US men’s to win an individual gold. The US also won the 4 × 100 free relay and the mixed 4 × 100 medley relay.
  • Pan Zhanle, 2024 gold, 100 freestyle.
  • Summer McIntosh, Canada. 2024 gold in 200 fly, 200 medley, 400 medley.
  • Katie Ledecky, 2024 gold, 800 and 1500 freestyle.
  • Torri Huske, 2024 gold in 100 fly.
  • Ariarne Titmus, Australia, 2024 gold, 400 freestyle.
• marathon swimming (2), diving (8), artistic swimming (2), and water polo (2)

Athletics (48)

• sprint (100 m, 200 m, 400 m), relay (4x100, 4x400)
• 800 m, mile or 1500 m, 5 km, 10 km, marathon
• hurdles (110 m, 400 m)
• 3 km steeplechase (obstacle course)
• cross country
• Field
  • long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault
  • shot put, javelin, discus, and hammer
  • decathlon
• 20 km racewalk

Cycling (25)

• Track (12)
• Road (4)
• Mountain biking (2)
• BMX racing (2)
• BMX freestyle (2)
• triathlon (3)

Gymnastics

• Artistic (14): balance beam, floor, vault, uneven bars.
• Simone Biles
• Sunisa Lee
• Rhythmic (2)
• Trampoline (2)

Canoe: slalom (6), sprint (10)
Rowing (14)

Sailing (10)

Weightlifting (10)

Pentathlon (2): pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200-metre freestyle swimming, show jumping, and 3.2 km cross country run.

Surfing (2)

• Beaches with a steep slope can have backwash and shorebreak waves or high surf, which can cause deadly trauma. Frequent in Hawaii since it doesn’t have a continental shelf.

Equestrian: Dressage (2), Eventing (2), Jumping (2)

skateboarding (4)
climbing: speed (2), bouldering (2)

• Janja Garnbret

Golf (Olympics 2)

• PGA, masters
• A links course is the oldest style, built on sandy coastland. Scottish origin.
• Scottie Scheffler, randy smith
• false front
• pin
• target, feel, create
• Tiger Woods. Cheated on his wife.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Golf

Winter Olympics: skating, skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh, luge, curling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_sport_federations

American football (NFL)

There are 11 players per side. The offense has at least 7 players on the line of scrimmage: five offensive linemen (center, two guards, and two offensive tackles) and two eligible receivers. There are four backfield players: a quarterback, full back, half back or running back RB, and a wide receiver WR. The quarterback can choose to run or pass. The five offensive linemen (numbers 50 to 79) are not eligible receivers until an eligible receiver or defense touches the ball, and cannot advance more than two yards. A tight end is on the offensive line but is an eligible receiver. Linemen start in the three-point stance to increase speed. Only one offensive player (a WR or RB) can be in motion at the snap, and cannot be moving forward.
The defense contains four defensive linemen and three linebackers (4-3), two cornerbacks, and two safeties. The defensive line consists of 1-2 defensive tackles (the nose tackle if just 1) and two defensive ends. Linebackers are middle and outer (OLB), and target tight ends and running backs. The goal is to tackle the ball carrier (a sack for the quarterback). A blitz involves extra players attacking the quarterback.
There are four 15-minute quarters. Edge rushers are on the outside of the defensive line.
The winner of the coin toss decides to receive, defend, or defer (let the other team choose). There is also a kickoff after each score, where the kick return will receive the ball and run as far as possible.
The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards. They are called as nth down and m yards to go. A turnover on downs allows the other team to take over at that spot. On the fourth down, teams may choose to score a field goal for 3 points, or punt the ball. Most drives end with a punt, since a 4th-and-8 has 34% success rate. The returning team can muff the punt if they touch the ball but the other team steals it. A turnover also happens on an interception or fumble, where the defense lands on the ball before it goes out of bounds.
A down starts with a snap or free kick. The line of scrimmage cannot be contested, meaning neither team can touch the neutral zone, except for the center or long snapper.
A touchdown is worth 6 points, and is followed by the Point After Attempt, where teams can kick an extra point (same as a field goal) or run a two-point conversion from the two-yard line. A safety is when a defense tackles an offensive player in their own end zone.
The special teams handle kick attempts (extra point or field goal attempt/block) and punts (kickoff or punt kick/return). The long snapper is a center who snaps 8 yards for field goals and 14 yards for punts.
Zone defense: Cover 0 is pure man coverage. Cover 1 has one safety for deep defense. Cover 2 has free safety and strong safety for deep defense. Tampa 2 is Cover 2 with the middle linebacker covering medium to deep middle. Cover 3 has two corners and free safety for deep defense, while the strong safety plays as a linebacker. Cover 4 is a prevent defense to run out the clock, allowing short gains and preventing long passes.
A sweep is when a running back runs parallel and then runs up through the alley. A jet sweep is when the wide receiver runs with the ball.
Punts visualized https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9H9LwGmc-0
https://www.geekwire.com/2021/punt-go-aws-latest-analytics-nfl-helps-fans-second-guess-4th-play-calls/

In the 2008 Super Bowl, the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots with the helmet catch.

Tom Brady

Mahomes

Basketball (NBA)

• Five players per team.
• NBA and college football, plus 4 Olympics events, including 3x3 basketball.
• Traveling is taking multiple steps without dribbling.
• Defense positioned between man and hoop.
• Jump for every ball, and dive for every ball on the floor. Fight for free throw rebounds.
• Offensive play
  • The triple threat position against a defender is knees flexed with both hands on the ball, allowing a dribble, jump shot, or pass.
  • In a jab step or side step, the non-pivot leg jerks forward, forcing the defender to fall back.
  • A pump fake is a feigned pass or shot.
  • A blind or no-look pass is risky.
• A field goal is a non-free throw goal.
  • Highest probability shots are dead center to the hoop, and 45 degrees to the side. Amateurs should never shoot from outside the free throw line.
  • A bank shot is high probability. Aim for center mass of the backboard.
  • The layup is the most basic shot. Jump from below the basket and use one hand to bounce the ball off the backboard. An undefended layup is a high percentage shot.
  • A hook shot keeps the arm extended as it sweeps from the side to over the head. Uses the arm further from the basket. Hard to master and hard to block.
  • Jump shot. Hand facing up to support the ball above the head. Elbow and wrist cocked. Shoot by pushing the ball with a slight spin.
    • A fadeaway is shot moving away from the basket to create space.
  • Slam dunk. Shove the ball directly through the basket. Highest percentage shot.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_moves

Players

• 1956. Bill Russell, center, Boston Celtics. 1958, 1961-1963, 1965 MVP.
• 1959. Wilt Chamberlain, center. Single-game scoring record of 100 points. 1960, 1966-1968 MVP.
• 1969. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, center. Milwaukee Bucks and LA Lakers. 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 MVP. Famous for his skyhook.
• 1974. Moses Malone, center, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers. 1979, 1982, 1983 MVP.
• 1992. Olympic dream team. Head coach Chuck Daly teaches the team that they can be beaten by throwing a game against NCAA players with bad substitutions.
  • 1979. Larry Bird, forward, Boston Celtics. 1984-1986 MVP. Retires after getting HIV in 1991.
  • 1984. Charles Barkley, power forward, Philadelphia 76ers. 1993 MVP.
  • 1979. Magic Johnson, point guard, LA Lakers. 1987, 1989, 1990 MVP.
  • 1984. Michael Jordan, shooting guard / small forward, Chicago Bulls. 6-time NBA champion. 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998 MVP.
  • 1987. David Robinson, center, San Antonio Spurs. 1995 MVP.
  • 1985. Karl Malone, power forward, Utah Jazz. 1997 and 1999 MVP.
• 1996. Steve Nash, point guard, Phoenix Suns. 2005 and 2006 MVP.
• 1997. Tim Duncan, power forward, San Antonio Spurs. 2002 and 2003 MVP.
• 1995. Kevin Garnett, power forward, Minnesota Timberwolves. 2004 MVP.
• 1996. Kobe Bryant, shooting guard, LA Lakers. 2008 MVP. Marries at 22 and cheats on his wife. Dies in a helicopter crash in 2020.
• 1992. Shaquille O’Neal, center. Powerful dunks. 2000 MVP.
• 2002. Yao Ming, center. Famous in China, though not a MVP.
• 2003. LeBron James, small forward / power forward, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020 MVP.
• 2009. James Harden, shooting guard. 2018 MVP. Plays with the LA Clippers since 2023. 2018 MVP with the Houston Rockets.
• 2009. Steph Curry, point guard, Golden State warriors. 2015, 2016 MVP.

1. Point guard is the best ball handler and shortest. Orchestrates plays.
2. Shooting guard: shoot.
3. Small forward: shoot, rebound, and defend.
4. Power forward: rebound, score inside, post moves.
5. Center: defend and post moves.

Baseball

• MLB and the World Series. Olympic discretionary.
• Played on a baseball diamond. Traditionally nine innings.
• Softball is played with underhand pitches, a larger ball, and a smaller field.
• Fielding positions: pitcher, catcher, bases, shortstop between second and third, and three outfielders.
• The strike zone is above home plate between the knees and torso. A ball is a pitch that misses the strike zone and the batter does not swing.
• The batter walks to first base due to base on balls (BB) or penalties like hit by a pitch (HBP) or interference.
• Advances can also happen due to a wild pitch (WP), a passed ball missed by the catcher, or a fielding error.
• Strikeout: three strikes and you’re out.
• A fair ball is batted within the foul lines.
• A line drive stays low above the ground, 70% successful.
• A fly ball arcs to outfield, and is only 25% successful. A sacrifice fly allows a teammate to score a run.
• A bunt loosely taps the ball to place it far from the fielders.
• A knuckleball has minimal spin and an erratic motion.
• Runners are forced to advance if a ball is not caught. If there are runners at first and second base, the infield fly rule prevents the defense from intentionally failing to catch a ball to score a double play.
• Batting average (BA): hits by at-bats, which are plate appearances excluding walks.
• Run batted in (RBI) correlates mostly with the offensive team.
• Earned run average (ERA): earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched.
• Fielding average: putouts + assists / total chances.
• Cy Young
• Babe Ruth: Yankees slugging outfielder.
• Mickey Mantle: Yankees slugging center fielder.
• Ty Cobb: Detroit Tigers center fielder.
• Lou Gehrig: Yankees first baseman.
• 1919 World Series Black Sox Scandal. Jewish mob boss Arnold Rothstein pays the Chicago White Sox to throw the game.

Other sports

Playground sports

• Parachute
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_chairs
• pin-the-tail on the donkey
• Duck duck goose
• Heads Up 7 Up
• Cornhole or bean bag toss
• Tetherball
• Wall ball
• Four Square
• Tug of war
• Sharks and minnows
• Dodgeball
• Capture the flag

Jump rope. Double Dutch: two long ropes spinning in opposite directions.

Foosball
Mini golf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_shuffleboard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_hockey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skee_ball
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_sports

• Pool or pocket billiards
• Snooker

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throwing_sports
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_sports

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darts

Motorsports
Auto racing: NASCAR

• Indy 500: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest sports venue with 250,000 seats.
• 1955 Le Mans disaster kills 83 spectators and driver Pierre Levegh. Teammate John Fitch pioneers better safety including Fitch barriers to absorb impact and a predecessor to the HANS device to prevent basilar skull fracture.

Curling: skip makes calls. sweepers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_game

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls
• bocce
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquet
• pétanque
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoes_(game)
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuffleboard