American football
[noun]
a sport played by two teams of 11 players who carry, throw, or kick an oval ball on a rectangular field
Ex:
Vocabulary for IELTS (Basic) - Sports
Here you will learn some English words about sports, such as "basketball", "rugby", "kick", etc. that are needed for the IELTS exam.
review
flashcard
spelling
quiz
baseball
[noun]
a game played with a bat and ball by two teams of 9 players who try to hit the ball and then run around four bases before the other team can return the ball
Ex:
In
baseball
,
the
aim
is
to
hit
the
ball
and
then
run around
the
bases
.
basketball
[noun]
a type of sport where two teams, with often five players each, try to throw a ball through a net that is hanging from a ring and gain points
Ex:
The
coach
emphasized
teamwork
as
the
key
to
success
in
basketball
.
to catch
[verb]
to stop and hold an object that is moving through the air
Ex:
It
might
sound
a bit
strange
,
but
my
dog
loves
to
catch
a
frisbee
.
fan
[noun]
someone who has a strong interest in and enthusiasm for a particular sport, team, or athlete
Ex:
Fans
celebrated
wildly
after
their
team
won
the
championship
.
field
[noun]
a piece of land used for playing a game or sport on
Ex:
The
field
for
football
in
our
town
is
well
maintained
.
hockey
[noun]
a game played by two teams of eleven players on grass or a field, using long sticks to put a hard ball in the opposite team's goal
Ex:
The
coach
organized
a
series
of
drills
to
improve
the
players
'
passing
and
shooting
techniques
in
preparation
for
the
upcoming
hockey
tournament
.
to kick
[verb]
to strike something such as a ball with your foot, particularly in sports like soccer
Ex:
My
brother
loves
to
kick
the
ball
around
in
the
backyard
.
to score
[verb]
to gain a point, goal, etc. in a game, competition, or sport
Ex:
Our
team
scored
twice
during
the
second half
.
table tennis
[noun]
a game played on a table by two or four players who bounce a small ball on the table over a net using special rackets
Ex:
My
sister
is
the
best
table tennis
player
in
our
family
.
court
[noun]
an area where people can play basketball, tennis, etc.
Ex:
They
spent
the
afternoon
playing
volleyball
on
the
sandy
court
.
half-time
[noun]
a short break between two halves of a game or match
Ex:
The
coach
gave
an
intense
speech
at
half-time
.
qualification
[noun]
a skill or personal quality that makes someone suitable for a particular job or activity
Ex:
His
leadership
qualifications
made
him
the
perfect
candidate
for
the
role
of
team manager
.
rugby
[noun]
a game played by two teams of thirteen or fifteen players, who kick or carry an oval ball over the other team’s line to score points
Ex:
Rugby
requires
strength
and
good
teamwork
.
racket
[noun]
an object with a handle, an oval frame and a tightly fixed net, used for hitting the ball in sports such as badminton, tennis, etc.
Ex:
His
racket
broke
after
a
powerful
serve
during
the
game
.
to attack
[verb]
(in sports) to go forward and make an attempt to score a goal or point against an opponent
Ex:
The
team
attacked
with
high
intensity
,
making it
difficult
for
the
defense
to
react
.
referee
[noun]
an official who is in charge of a game, making sure the rules are obeyed by the players
Ex:
As
a
former
player
,
she
decided
to
become
a
referee
to
stay
involved
in
the
sport
she
loved
.
defense
[noun]
the team, players, or tactics whose primary role is to prevent the opposing side from scoring or gaining advantage in a game or match
Ex:
Our
club
reorganized
its
defense
after
injuries
to
two
starting
defenders
.
helmet
[noun]
a hard hat worn by soldiers, bikers, etc. for protection
Ex:
The
firefighter
’s
heavy-duty
helmet
shielded
him
from
falling
debris
.
pitch
[noun]
a flat ground prepared and marked for playing particular sports, such as soccer
Ex:
The
coach
instructed
the
team
to
gather
near
the
center
of
the
pitch
.
to shoot
[verb]
to achieve a particular score in a round of golf
Ex:
The
golfer
shot
a
68
,
setting
a
new
record
for
the
tournament
.
batter
[noun]
(in baseball) a player who is currently attempting to hit the ball
Ex:
The
coach
advised
the
batter
on
timing
and
stance
.
to defend
[verb]
(in sports) to prevent an opponent from scoring a goal or point
Ex:
She
was
able
to
defend
her
position
,
preventing
the
attacker
from
scoring
a
point
.
foul
[noun]
an act in a sport that is against the rules and is not allowed
Ex:
A
yellow card
was
issued
for
a
dangerous
foul
in
soccer
.
penalty
[noun]
(in games and sports) a disadvantage that a team or player is given for violating a rule
umpire
[noun]
an official who is in charge of a game and makes sure players obey the rules in sports such as tennis, baseball, and cricket
Ex:
Players
appealed
to
the
umpire
for
clarification
after
the
disputed
catch
.
to tackle
[verb]
to try to take the ball from the players of the other team, usually by forcing them down, in sports such as American football or rugby
Ex:
The
player
hesitated
and
was
tackled
just
short
of
the
goal line
.