B 4, B 12 [PARA]: Surplus parachutes, modified for sport use.

B.S.R.s. [PARA]: Basic Safety Rules (Regulations). Rules, laws, and guidelines issued by the F.A.A., U.S.P.A., and local officials governing jumping.

Babe Ruth Baseball [BASE]: Nonprofit organization that sponsors summer baseball for youth aged 9–18.

Back [ARCH]: Side of the bow away from the string.

Back Cast [B&F]: Drawing the rod back, the first movement in the cast.

Back Court [BB]: the half of the court that a team defends.

Back Court [H&R]: the area behind the short line to the rear wall.

Back Diagonal Pass [HOCK]: to pass to a teammate across the ice on a diagonal line and behind the passing player.

Back Issue [JOUR]: any issue of a magazine or newspaper printed prior to the current date (newsstand) issue.

Back Jackknife [SWIM]: Common name for the inward pike dive (diving).

Back Off [MOTOR]: to reduce speed.

Back Shop [JOUR]: Composing room area of a newspaper.

Back Wash [SURF]: Water from a wave that is returning to sea.

Backboard [BB]: Flat 4- × 6-foot surface, suspended above and perpendicular to the floor, to which the basket rim is attached. In some cases, the backboard may be fan shaped and approximately 35 × 54 inches, with a 29-inch radius. Players may bank the ball off the backboard to score.

Backcourt [TEN]: the area of the court near the base lines, as opposed to the area near the net.

Backed Bow [ARCH]: Bow in which the back and belly are made of different material.

Backer [POOL]: Banker for a gambler. A nonplayer usually, who supplies betting money. The backer will usually cover all losses, but will take a percentage of the hustler’s winnings.

Backfield (Defense) [FB]: Consists of four players, two defensive cornerbacks, and two safeties or three defensive backs, and one safety.

Backfield (Offense) [FB]: usually consists of a quarterback, a fullback, a halfback, and a flanker back.

Backfield in Motion [FB]: on the offensive team, one player is allowed to run parallel to the line of scrimmage or back away from the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. If the back runs toward the line of scrimmage, it is a penalty for backfield in motion or illegal procedure.

Backhand [BAD]: Stroke made with the back of the hand toward the opponent’s end of the court. Usually cross-body stroke.

Backhand [FRIS]: a cross-body throw of the disc with the thumb on top of the disc and the fingers underneath.

Backhand [TEN]: Shot made with the back of the hand facing the net or opponent.

Backhand [TT]: Stroke used with the back of the hand facing the opponent.

Backing Out [SURF]: Pulling out of a wave that could have been ridden.

Backing Up [FHOCK]: Defensive play behind or outside the bully.

Backlash [B&F]: Line that becomes tangled by rolling over itself in the reel during the cast, because there is too much play in the reel. (Note some modern reels have an anti-backlash mechanism built in.)

Backloop [PARA]: Back flip done in free-fall. Completion of backloops, front loops, and barrelrolls are requirement for the U.S.P.A. “C” license and are highly recommended for good RW jumping.

Back-of-the-Book [JOUR]: Secondary articles, columns, and other material literally or figuratively printed behind the primary articles.

Backpack [PARA]: the main parachute, worn on the back and the reserve on the chest, as opposed to the piggyback or pigrig, a tandem combination of the main and reserve, both worn on the back.

Backpedal [BOX]: to retreat across the ring.

Backspin [TEN]: A stroke that imparts spin on the ball in the direction of the server.

Backspin [TT]: Stroke in which the ball spins toward the server.

Backstop [BASE]: a screen that protects spectators behind the plate from pitches that might get away from the catcher.

Backstroke [SWIM]: to swim with alternate arm strokes while on the back.

Backswing [H&R]: Beginning motion to hit the ball. Similar usage as in a golf backswing.

Back-Wall Shot [H&R]: a ball that is hit after it rebounds from the back wall.

Bad Hop [BASE]: Awkward bounce that allows a ball to get away from a fielder.

Bag Deployment [PARA]: Deployment of the main parachute from a bag, similar in size and shape to a knapsack, as opposed to a sleeve deployment. A bag will usually, although not always, allow a parachute to be packed smaller and tighter than a sleeve.

Bailing Out [SURF]: Jumping off and getting safely away from the surfboard.

Bait [B&F]: Natural or artificial lures to attract fish.

Bait-Casting [B&F]: Placing a natural or artificial lure in the area of fish by using a rod and reel.

Balance (GYM) To maintain equilibrium during a routine.

Balanced Line [FB]: Offensive line in which there are an equal number of linemen on each side of the center.

Balestra [FEN]: See jump advance.

Balk [BASE]: Illegal act by the pitcher that allows all runners on base to advance one base. A balk is technically a pause during the normal pitching motion.

Ball [H&R]: in handball, the ball is 17⁄8 inches in diameter and weighs between 2⁄10 and 3⁄10 of an ounce.

Ball [TT]: Made of celluloid, approximately 4¼ inches in diameter, hollow, and weighing 37–41 grams.

Ball Control [BB]: the ability to maintain possession of the ball through dribbling or passing.

Ball Control [FB]: to keep possession of the ball by gaining yards until a score is made. To keep gaining yards (and first downs) prevents the opposing team from gaining possession.

Ballast [B&F]: Weight, usually metal, placed low in the boat, or externally, on the keel, to provide stability.

Ballast [BAL]: Weights used to maintain a flight altitude. Now seldom found in hot air balloons.

Ballast [DIVE]: Weights used to allow the diver to sink or maintain a specific depth.

Balloon [BAL]: Lighter-than-air vehicle that obtains its “lift” from hot air or a gas such as hydrogen, helium, or methane. Also refers to the envelope itself, which contains the air or gas.

Banana Peel [WSKI]: trick or slalom ski with rounded tips, which vaguely resembles a banana peel.

Bang [BOX]: to punch hard, without finesse.

Bank [HANG]: to tip to one side.

Bank Shot [BB]: A shot that bounces off the backboard into the basket.

Bank Shot [POOL]: A shot against a cushion and then into a pocket.

Banking, Banked Turn [MOTOR]: turn that has a raised outer side to help driving control during the turn.

Barbell [WTL]: a steel bar approximately 5–6 feet long, with wheel-shaped or disc- shaped weights attached to each end for weightlifting.

Barefoot [WSKI]: Skiing barefoot, which can be accomplished by kicking the skis off while skiing 34 mph or faster.

Barge [SURF]: a huge, cumbersome surfboard.

Barograph [BAL]: A barometer that shows variations in air pressure as altitude or height above a specific point, on a paper graph.

Barrel Roll [WSKI]: a tumble off a water ski ramp during a ramp jump.

Barrelroll [PARA]: Side roll, to the left or right, done in free-fall. Also a requirement for the class “C” license and good RW techniques.

Base [PARA]: the “anchor” position in any relative work formation. The base is caught in free-fall (pinned) by the second, or pin jumper. A good base-and-pin combination is necessary to good fast stars. Without a stable base-and-pin the rest of the formation may be sacrificed.

Base Jumping [PARA]: Skydiving from an altitude high enough to be reasonably safe, but without an airplane or helicopter (without any aircraft). The sky diver may jump from a skyscraper (Building), TV Antenna, a bridge (Span), or a natural height such as a cliff (Earth). Not for the inexperienced. Jumpers usually face arrest if they jump from office buildings or other such “non- jumpable” facilities. Has nothing to do with “base-and-pin” RW jumping.

Baseball Annie [BASE]: Woman attracted to baseball players. Also known as a groupie.

Baseline [TEN]: End boundaries of the court, 39 feet from the net.

Basket [BAL]: same as gondola.

Basket [BB]: An 18-inch metal ring with a suspended cord net. Players attempt to shoot the ball through the ring to score.

Basket Catch [BASE]: Catch made with the glove held at waist level with the palm up.

Baton [T&F]: Metal, cardboard, wood, or plastic cylinder that is passed from runner to runner in a relay race.

Baton Pass [PARA]: in the earliest days of RW jumping, a baton pass between two jumpers in freefall was considered the ultimate achievement. Now no one bothers with this; everyone goes to four- or eight-man or larger stars.

Batten [B&F]: a light wooden or plastic strip inserted into a pocket in a sail to help shape it.

Battery [BASE]: the pitcher and catcher as a team.

Battery-Mates [BASE]: same as battery.

Batting Average [BASE]: Number of hits divided by the number of times at bat.

Batting helmet [BASE]: Protective hat-like helmet now required of all professional teams, to prevent injury to the head by a pitched ball. Protective helmets were first used in 1941 by the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Batwings [PARA]: Rigid or semi-rigid extensions on the jumpsuit arms and legs. Because rigid batwings made it impossible for the jumper to bend his or her arm and pull the ripcord, batwings were judged suicidal and outlawed years ago. Not to be confused with underarm additions to the jumpsuit that are cloth and flexible.

Beach Break [SURF]: A wave that breaks on the beach. 

Beam [B&F]: the width of a boat at its widest.

Bean Ball [BASE]: Ball thrown to deliberately hit (or just barely miss) a batter’s head. In 1920, a ball thrown by Carl Mayes of the Yankees hit and killed Ray Chapman, of the Cleveland Indians, which has been baseball’s only fatality. Also called brushback and knockdown pitch.

Beat the Count [BOX]: to get up before the count is over.

Beech [PARA]: twin Beech aircraft. Beeches and other aircraft capable of carrying 8, 10, or 12 jumpers (or more, in the case of aircraft like the SkyVan and the DC-3) made RW jumping possible.

Beer Frame [BOWL]: Frame during a bowling game in which the player with the lowest score buys beer for the team.

Beer Run [PARA]: In many parachute clubs, the achievement of some individual goal— first free-fall, first two-man, SCR jump, first ride under a high performance canopy, or other achievement—means that the participant buys beer for everyone; sometimes beer to drink, sometimes beer to be showered over the jumper in question. Requirements vary with each parachute club. It’s a rare jumper who hasn’t had to buy beer for everyone sooner or later.

Bell [BOX]: a bell that is rung to indicate the beginning and the end of a round.

Bells [PARA]: Jumpsuits with bell-bottomed sleeves and legs. The bells flare out in free- fall like the skin of a flying squirrel and allow the jumper greater capability for falling faster or slower and approaching a star with greater accuracy.

Belly [ARCH]: Side of the bow nearest the string.

Belly [FRIS]: the underside of a disc.

Belly Board [SURF]: A small surfboard used for body surfing.

Below the Belt [BOX]: a punch that lands below the top of the hipbones, generally in the crotch. If a low blow is deliberate, a fighter may be disqualified.

Bench Jockey [BASE]: A player who seldom plays. He “rides the bench.”

Bends (Caisson Disease) [DIVE]: Excess nitrogen in the body that expands as the body ascends.

Benefit of the Doubt [FEN]: if two side judges disagree and if the meet director has no opinion, no point is scored.

Berth [B&F]: a bunk or sleeping place in the cabin of a boat.

Best Ball Tournament [GOLF]: tournament in which the better score between members of a two-person team on each hole is used as the team score.

BHP [MOTOR]: (Brake Horse Power) Net power available at the output end of the engine. Brake refers to a dynamometer, a measuring mechanism, not the brakes of the car.

Bicycle kick [SOC]: a maneuver in which players throw their body up in the air and flip their legs overhead to kick the ball. The players’ legs twirl as if riding a bicycle. Also called a scissor kick.

Big League [BASE]: either or both professional leagues.

Billiards (or three-cushion billiards) [POOL]: A game played on a table without pockets. Billiards is played with three balls, two white and one red. Each player (only two can play at one time) uses a white ball as a cue, and shoots to strike the other two. The cue ball must touch the cushions at least three times before striking the second of the two object balls. Billiards is a very difficult game that demands a thorough knowledge of table angles and English. Billiards is played for money much less frequently than pocket pool.

Bingo Card [JOUR]: Postage-paid insert in a magazine, which readers can complete and return to begin a magazine subscription. So called because they are often the size of bingo playing cards.

Biplane [HANG]: Aircraft with two wings.

Bird [BAD]: See shuttlecock.

Birdie [GOLF]: One under par on a particular hole.

Bite [MOTOR]: tire traction on the road.

Blade [FEN]: Strong near the guard.

Blast Off [BAL]: Quick ascent.

Blast Valve [BAL]: a valve control that sends full pressure through the balloon’s burner system, to provide maximum hot air for lift.

Bleachers [BASE]: Seats in the outfield area, usually cheap seats, in an area of a stadium without a roof.

Bleed [JOUR]: to run an illustration past the margins to the edges of a page.

Bleeder [BOX]: A fighter who cuts easily.

Blimp [BAL]: A non-rigid or semi-rigid airship.

Blind [FRIS]: any throw or catch performed while looking away from the disc or target.

Blind Pass [HOCK]: to pass to a teammate without looking at that player.

Blitz [FB]: when a defensive back moves toward the quarterback before the ball is snapped, he is said to be blitzing.

Block [FB]: Offensive maneuver in which a player uses his body to keep a defensive player from the ball carrier.

Block [MOTOR]: Cylinder-containing unit of the engine.

Block [VB]: a defensive move to intercept the ball near the net.

Blocking [BB]: to impede an opponent. (Blocking is a foul.)

Blocking [H&R]: to hinder an opponent’s shot by placing all or part of the body between the opponent and the ball.

Blower [MOTOR]: Supercharged engine.

Blown [MOTOR]: two meanings a blown engine may mean (a) an engine equipped with a supercharger, or (b) an engine that has a massive failure during a race.

Blown Out [SURF]: Choppy surf, poor for surfing.

Blown Star [PARA]: Free-fall star formation broken by a jumper who approaches the star too fast or too hard.

Blue Line [HOCK]: Line that shows each team’s defensive zone. Similar to the 25-yard line to the end zone in football.

Blue-Chip [FB]: Quality college player to be selected by a professional team.

Blue-Pencil [JOUR]: Slang for editing corrections. So-named because blue pencil or ink can’t be photographed by photo-offset cameras.

Blurb [JOUR]: Short description of an article or subject.

Board [WSKI]: to climb into a boat.

Boarding Ladder [WSKI]: Small ladder to make boarding a boat easier.

Bob and Weave [BOX]: to move side to side and up and down to evade an opponent.

Bobble [FRIS]: to mishandle or juggle a catch.

Bobble [WSKI]: to lose balance but recover during skiing.

Body (of the article) [JOUR]: the core of an article; that is, material following the lead segment.

Body Punch [BOX]: Blow delivered to the body of an opponent; that is, the abdomen or ribs.

Body Roll [FRIS]: Any technique in which any part of the body is used for the disc to skip or bounce off of.

Body Surfing [SURF]: Surfing while lying prone on a belly board, or prone surfing without a board of any kind.

Bodycheck [HOCK]: to use a player’s body to stop an opponent. Generally the same usage as “block” in football.

Bogey [GOLF]: One over par on a hole.

Bolo Punch [BOX]: Punch that begins in a wide arc from below the hips swinging upward. Popularized in the early 1940s by middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia, who described the punch as comparable to the swing of a bolo knife cutting through the jungles. Now thought of as any wildly exaggerated punch that begins low.

Bolo Shot [H&R]: a shot hit with the fist, underhanded (handball).

Bomb [FB]: Long arcing pass that may be caught for a touchdown. Also sometimes called a rainbow.

Bomb Out (noun) [PARA]: Unpoised exit out the door of a jump plane. Mass exits during RW jumps are usually bomb outs.

Bone Bruise [H&R]: Deep bruise of the palm of the hand (handball).

Book [JOUR]: Industry slang for magazine. So named (perhaps) because some monthly dummies are the sizes of books.

Bookie [BET]: a person who accepts wagers on sporting events.

Boom [B&F]: a spar that is used to extend the foot of a sail.

Bootleg [FB]: a running play in which the quarterback hides the ball from the defense by holding it against his thigh, away from the defensive line. He may or may not run in the direction of the rest of his backfield.

Bottom [FRIS]: same as belly.

Bottom Board [H&R]: Lowest part of the front wall.

Bottom of an Inning [BASE]: the second half of an inning.

Bout [FEN]: Contest between two fencers.

Bow [B&F]: the forward part of a boat.

Bowl Championship Series [FB]: a selection system used to determine which top two teams will play for the NCAA national championship.

Bowls [FB]: Postseason games college teams are invited to play.

Box [BOWL]: See frame.

Box Score [BASE]: a condensed report of a game that shows the lineups for both teams, runs batted in, score, and so on. The baseball equivalent of shorthand reporting.

Boxing Out [BB]: the position of a defensive player under the basket that does not allow an offensive player a favorable position for a shot or rebound.

Brace [ARCH]: to string the bow.

Break (GYM) To stop to dampen the bounce of a trampoline.

Break [BOX]: to withdraw from a clinch when ordered to do so by the referee.

Break [POOL]: the shot that opens the rack; the first shot of a game.

Break [SURF]: when a wave crests and collapses.

Break [TEN]: to win a game served by the opponent.

Break Point [TEN]: when the score is love–40, 15–40, or 30–40, the next point will win the game.

Break Tip [FRIS]: any contact made with a disc in flight to alter its flight pattern or speed.

Breakaway [HOCK]: to skate toward the opponent’s goal with only the goalkeeper to beat for a score.

Breakaway [PARA]: See cutaway.

Breakaway Back [FB]: Offensive backfield player with enough speed and agility to elude the defense.

Breaking Ball [BASE]: A ball that curves in or out as it crosses the plate area.

Break-Off Altitude [PARA]: the altitude at which jumpers abandon RW jumping and get clear of each other for opening. With large stars (say 40 or 50 jumpers), break-off for some may well be as high as 5,000 feet.

Breaststroke [SWIM]: to swim by stroking under the water, with outward strokes beginning at the chest.

Brick Yard [MOTOR]: Common name for the Indianapolis 500.

Bridge [POOL]: the act of holding the table end of the cue stick between the index finger and the thumb. There are two kinds of bridges the closed bridge, with the index finger circling the cue, or the open bridge, with the cue sliding down the fleshy part of the hand, between the thumb and index finger. The closed bridge is more accurate and preferred. Bridge also refers to the mechanical bridge, a device used to aid the player in making shots he couldn’t normally make.

Bring in the Chains [FB]: to call time out to allow the sideline crew to bring in the 10-yard chain to determine if the team on offense has made 10 yards and thus a first down.

Broadhead [ARCH]: Arrow with large, flat point used in hunting.

Broken Play [FB]: Play that was not executed. The defense may have guessed the play, the offense may have not heard the quarterback’s count, the offense backfield players may have run into each other—any number of reasons (excuses) may account for a broken play.

Broken-Field Runner [FB]: Runner with the ability to dodge defense players in the open.

Bronx Cheer [BASE]: A “razzberry” sound made by a spectator. Usually made in contempt.

Brooklyn [BOWL]: Ball that crosses the lane and hits the 1–2 pins first, instead of the 1–3 pins.

Brush [FRIS]: to accelerate the spinning action of a disc by slapping it on the side edge.

BTB [FRIS]: behind the back.

BTH [FRIS]: behind the head.

BTL [FRIS]: between the legs.

Buck [BET]: $100 bet. Also known as a Dollar.

Bucket Seat [MOTOR]: Single seat contoured to body shape.

Bucktail [B&F]: a fly used in bass fishing.

Buddy Line [DIVE]: Safety technique in scuba diving in which two divers are linked by a safety line.

Bug Boy [HORSE]: An apprentice jockey, one who has not won 40 races.

Bullpen [BASE]: Area behind the outer fences of a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up and wait for their possible entry into the game.

Bully [FHOCK]: Action to start or restart a game. Two opposing players alternately strike the ground and each other’s stick three times before touching the ball.

Bum [BOX]: Unskilled fighter, often thought of as being punch-drunk.

Bump and Run [FB]: Occurs when an offense player bumps a defensive player to slow him down, then runs past him.

Bump Pass [VB]: An underhand pass using the forearms to strike the ball.

Bungee [PARA]: Heavy elastic bands that surround the container. When the sky diver pulls his or her ripcord, the pins and cones separate, the bungees pull the sides of the container apart, and the pilot chute emerges to begin the deployment sequence. Spring-loaded pilot chutes would probably emerge without the aid of bungees, but most old-style backpacks employ two or three bungees to ensure that the pilot chute emerges.

Bunker [GOLF]: Common name for a sand trap. Caddy Person who carries the golfer’s clubs. Can To sink a putt.

Bunt [BASE]: a ball that is not swung at. The batter holds the bat horizontally and taps the ball into the infield.

Buoy [WSKI]: Water marker.

Buoyancy [DIVE]: the upward force exerted by water or other fluids on a submerged or floating body.

Burbled Air [FRIS]: turbulent, unpredictable air.

Burner [BAL]: Heating device that mixes air and butane or propane to produce a hot flame as a heat source for lifting hot air balloons.

Burner Mount [BAL]: Frame that supports the burner unit in the gondola.

Bush League [BASE]: Minor leagues. Carries the connotation of amateurish, unprofessional, not yet top-flight.

Butt [ARCH]: target backing, usually made of a bale of straw.

Butt Strike [PARA]: A classic fall in which the jumper hits the ground tailbone first rather than feet first. May cause temporary injury to tailbone, but is usually not serious. Jumpers who land with a butt strike in front of whuffos usually injure their pride most of all.

Butterfly Snap [PARA]: Wide, butterfly-shaped flange used to connect the chest reserve parachute to the main harness.

Butterfly Stroke [SWIM]: a stroke in which the arm motion begins with each arm stretched out sideways. The swimmer then brings both arms out of the water, swinging them together and into the water past the head; the arms are then brought sideways underwater.

Button [FEN]: Small pad on the tip of a weapon to prevent injury to an opponent.

Buttonhook [FB]: a pass play in which the receiver runs downfield 10 or 15 yards, then turns back in a semicircle toward the quarterback, to catch a pass. Because many football fans don’t know what a buttonhook looks like, this play also resembles a fishhook (without the barb).

Buzzer Shot [BB]: shot that is made as the buzzer goes off, signaling the end of the first half or the end of the game.

Bye [H&R]: tournament in which some favored players are allowed to progress without playing the first rounds.

Bye [TEN]: a term used to refer to a player who does not have to play in qualifying rounds of a tournament.

Byline [JOUR]: a line of type printed before or after an article, identifying the author.

“C” Note [POOL]: One hundred dollar bill.

C.S.O. [PARA]: Club Safety Officer, who ensures safe jumping at a particular sport parachute club or drop zone.

Cactus League [BASE]: spring training league that plays in the Southwest.

Cadence [FB]: the rhythm that a quarterback has when he shouts the codes for the play and the ball snap.

Calendaring [PARA]: a process of treating fabric so that threads in the fabric are compressed and thus, less air gets through the fabric. A tighter weave results.

Call Shot [POOL]: a shot that requires the player to tell others which ball he or she intends to shoot into that pocket.

Camber (Bottom) [SKI]: the built-in arch of the ski as seen from the side. The camber is designed to distribute the skier’s weight over the complete length of the ski.

Camber (Side) [SKI]: the built-in arch on the sides of the ski. The cut is designed to allow the ski to turn.

Camber [MOTOR]: the angle at which the tires sit on the road.

Camera-Ready [JOUR]: Material that has been corrected and is ready to be photographed for photo-offset printing.

Can’t Lay a Glove on [BOX]: a boxer so clever defensively that his opponent can’t hit him.

Can-Am [MOTOR]: the Canadian-American Championship for race car drivers.

Canopy [PARA]: the fabric. The umbrella. The parachute. Does not usually include lines, risers, or capewells.

Canopy Assembly [PARA]: the parachute, sleeve, pilot chute, lines, sleeve retainer line, and sleeve. Everything ready to be packed into a container and harness.

Canopy Release [PARA]: Mechanism that will release a main parachute so that a parachutist may deploy a reserve. Formerly all metallic, although modern state-of- the-art releases may be velcro fabric.

Canopy RW [PARA]: Relative work in which parachutists “fly” two or more canopies. The upper parachute of a two-man canopy stack may fly with his feet entwined in the top of the canopy below him. Usually, although not always, attempted with square parachutes.

Canvas [BOX]: the floor of a boxing ring.

Capewell [PARA]: Canopy release made by the Capewell Manufacturing Company. Generic term for all canopy releases is “capewell.”

Caption [JOUR]: Material that explains the contents of a photograph or illustration. Sometimes called art lines or cut lines.

Carom [POOL]: a rebounding shot of one or more balls.

Carry (To Carry a Fight) [BOX]: to hold back from ending a fight to make a weak opponent look better than he is.

Cast [ARCH]: the distance a bow can shoot.

Cast [SWIM]: Imperfect entry into the water (diving).

Casual Water [GOLF]: Water on a course after a rain-storm; not part of a permanent hazard such as a pond or lake.

Cat [WSKI]: Common abbreviation for catamaran, or twin-hulled boat.

Catapult [FRIS]: to throw a disc with the fingers.

Catching a Rail [SURF]: when the tip of the surfboard cuts into the water.

Caterpillar Club [PARA]: Club for all pilots who had to make a parachute jump to save their own lives in early aircraft. Charles Lindbergh was a member. Presumably named because of the lowly caterpillar that produced the silk used for early (pre-World War II) parachutes.

Cauliflower Ear [BOX]: A deformed ear; caused by too many blows to the ear.

Caution [SOC]: Warning by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct. Because of possible language differences between teams, the referee shows this caution by waving a yellow card.

CC [MOTOR]: Cubic centimeters. Engine displacement is usually referred to in CCs.

Ceiling [BAL]: the height above ground level of a cloud base.

Ceiling Serve [H&R]: a serve that strikes the ceiling after it bounces off the front wall.

Ceiling Shot [H&R]: a shot that is hit directly to the ceiling, then the front wall, then the floor, and then rebounds to the back wall.

Cellar [BASE]: the lowest team statistically in a league’s standings is said to be “in the cellar.”

Center [BB]: the player responsible for the center jump and for playing the “pivot position” near the basket. Usually the tallest player on the team.

Center [PARA]: a commercial parachute business that rents gear, sells supplies, offers the first jump course, and offers aircraft for RW jumps. Comparable to a ski center.

Center Court Position [H&R]: the middle of the court about 3 to 5 feet in front of the short line. Ideal position for offensive and defensive play.

Center Mark [TEN]: Mark in the center of the baseline, indicating the server’s possible location. The server may stand to either side of the center mark.

Center of Gravity [HANG]: Center point of the weight of a hang glider.

Center Pull [PARA]: Reserve parachute harness with the ripcord centered, neither on the jumper’s left nor right.

Center Spread [JOUR]: the two facing pages at the exact center of a magazine.

Center Zone [HOCK]: Area between offensive and defensive zones.

“Cents” [PARA]: Centimeters away from dead center, a nearly perfect score in accuracy jumping, as in “I had a three-cent jump last time.”

Cessna [PARA]: Principal aircraft for jumping. Cessna aircraft make up 85% of the jump aircraft used for beginning and novice parachutists.

Chain Crew [FB]: team of officials who stand along one sideline and measure whether a team has gained 10 yards in four plays, from the first down. The chain crew will move onto the field to measure, if they are not certain from the sidelines that a team has gained 10 yards. A time out is called during the measure.

Chalk [HORSE]: the odds-on favorite to win—as in “the chalk horse.”

Chalk [POOL]: Dry lubricant for the cue tip. Without frequent chalking, scratches (missed shots) are likely.

Chalk Talk [FB]: teaching session, usually at half-time, in the locker room, by a coach, often illustrating what the team is doing wrong, by the use of X’s and O’s on a chalkboard or blackboard. Sometimes an assistant coach will briefly conduct a chalk talk on the sidelines for a small group of players, the defensive line, for instance, when the offense has the ball.

Challenger [BOX]: A fighter who fights a reigning champion.

Champagne [BAL]: Sometimes carried in a gondola to celebrate a first flight, or a solo flight, or sometimes given to a farmer to placate him for a forced landing in a farm field.

Change of Pace Shot [H&R]: Any shot that changes the tempo of the game, either faster than normal or slower than normal.

Changeover [TEN]: A pause in a match when the players change sides of the court after odd-numbered games. They also have a chance to rest, cool off, and have something to drink.

Charger [MOTOR]: Aggressive driver.

Charging [BB]: Contact against an opponent by a player with the ball. (Charging is a foul.)

Charging [SOC]: attempting to unbalance a player in possession of the ball.

Charity Line [BB]: Free-throw line. Cliché that should be avoided.

Charity Shot [BB]: Free throw. Cliché that should be avoided.

Charley Horse [BASE]: a slight muscle pull or strain, usually in the leg muscles. Also appropriate in football, track and field, and other sports.

Chassis [MOTOR]: Underside part of the car, usually consisting of frame and axles, brakes, wheels, engine, transmission, driveline, and exhaust components.

Cheating [WTL]: to lift weights by using muscle groups not appropriate to that event, or to use a body position not appropriate to that event.

Check (GYM) To slow or stop body revolutions during a trampoline routine.

Check Back [HOCK]: to skate toward the player’s goal to help the goalkeeper.

Checklist [BAL]: a list of safety items to check before ascent, to make sure the balloon is airworthy. Also applies to airplane safety.

Cheek [FRIS]: inside rim of a disc.

Chicane [MOTOR]: Barriers added to an existing road to make the turns tighter or to add a turn or series of turns to an existing straight road.

Chip [SOC]: a kick that rises above a player.

Choke (verb) [BASE]: to be unable to play to the best of a player’s ability because of fear or tension.

Choke [TEN]: to hold the racket toward the face (strings); to shorten the grip.

Chop [TEN]: a ground stroke that applies downspin to the ball.

Chop [TT]: Stroke hit with a downward stroke of the paddle, giving the ball backspin.

Choppy [SURF]: Rough water.

Chord [HANG]: Length of a wing, measured from tip to back, or trailing edge.

Christi [SKI]: a ski turn in which both of the skis are parallel.

Christmas Tree [MOTOR]: Series of vertical lights that act as a “countdown” to the start of a drag race. There is a green “Go” light; a yellow “Warning” light, and a red “Foul” light, which means the driver jumped the start. The Christmas trees is positioned so that the driver can see it at the start of a drag race.

Chuting Up [PARA]: the act of putting on and checking one’s parachute gear prior to boarding the aircraft.

Circuit [MOTOR]: Course used for racing in which drivers repeat the same route.

Circular Tackle [FHOCK]: An attempt to take the ball from an opponent on the player’s right side.

Circulation [JOUR]: the number of copies of a magazine or newspaper printed, distributed, or sold during a specific period.

Circus Catch [FB]: A catch made by a receiver that shows great ability and dexterity—usually made one-handed.

Claiming [HORSE]: a race requiring owners to state their horses’ values before the race. The horses then can be bought, or “claimed,” for that price before the race.

Class [WTL] Group of contestants as determined by weight. In U.S. powerlifting, the classes are:

• Bantam Weight: 123 pounds
• Featherweight: 132 pounds
• Lightweight: 148 pounds
• Middleweight: 165 pounds
• Light Heavyweight: 181 pounds
• Middle Heavyweight: 198 pounds
• Heavyweight: 220 pounds
• Light Super Heavyweight: 242 pounds
• Super Heavyweight: Unlimited

These divisions are the same for International Powerlifting, except that there is no Light Super Heavyweight division. These are also the same for Olympic weightlifting, except that there is no Light Super Heavyweight division.

Clean [BOX]: To lift the barbell to shoulder height before it is jerked overhead. First action in a Clean & Jerk competition.

Class [BOX]: same as division.

Clay Court [TEN]: tennis court with a service of clay or that resembles clay.

Clean Break [BOX]: to separate from a clinch.

Clean Copy [JOUR]: Pristine text, unmarred by many editing symbols. Opposite of dirty copy.

Clean-Up [BASE]: the fourth position in the batting order.

Clear [BAD]: High shot that falls near the back line.

Clearance [SOC]: Kicking or heading the ball away from the goal area. The goalkeeper may throw the ball to clear it.

Clear-and-Pull [PARA]: Five second (or less) free-fall delayed opening. Same as hop- and-pop.

Clearing the Puck [HOCK]: Moving the puck away from the team’s own goal.

Cleats [FB]: Small knobs or stubs on the bottoms of the player’s shoes to help them gain traction. Sometimes a cleat will catch in the turf and a player may break or sprain an ankle.

Clew [B&F]: the lower aft corner of a fore-and-aft sail or either corner of a spinnaker.

Clinch [BOX]: to hold an opponent with both arms so neither fighter can score cleanly.

Clipping [FB]: to illegally block an opponent by hitting the backs of the legs and knees. Very risky and potentially injurious.

Clock [PARA]: before general use of the altimeter, parachutists used a stopwatch to gauge time and height in free-fall. A jump from 12,500 feet to an opening point of 2,500 feet was a 60-second-jump: Because of the clocklike face, altimeters are now often called clocks. Sky divers who formerly used both an altimeter and a stopwatch now generally use only the altimeter.

Close (Closing date) [JOUR]: the deadline for all material for a newspaper or magazine to be on the press.

Closed Event [MOTOR]: Race in which spectators or unauthorized drivers are not admitted.

Clothesline [BASE]: Baseball hit in such a straight line that clothes could be hung on the level.

Clothesline Tackle [FB]: to tackle an opponent by thrusting a stiff arm out to catch the opponent by the neck.

Cloverleaf [PARA]: Ripcord handle with general shape of three-leaf clover.

Club Fighter [BOX]: A small-time boxer with mediocre skills; a fighter who fights mainly in local clubs.

Club Player [TEN]: tennis player who plays regularly at a tennis club, rather than a tournament professional.

Club Race [MOTOR]: Race for members of a particular sports car club; usually refers to an amateur race.

Clutch Player [BB]: Player who can be depended on to score in a crucial moment.

Coach [FB]: the equivalent of a teacher or professor, the coach teaches the team fundamentals, his methods, and playing philosophy. It is said that a football coach “has to be smart enough to teach the game, but dumb enough to think that it’s important.”

Cock Feather [ARCH]: Feather of a different color than the rest, which is set at right angles to the arrow head.

Coffin Corner(s) [FB]: to kick into either corner of the defensive end of the field so the ball goes out of bounds and leaves the defense to begin an offensive series of plays within their own 10-yard line.

Cold [BB]: A player or team temporarily unable to score.

Cold Type [JOUR]: Material prepared for printing without old-fashioned hot metal; that is, without Linotype machines.

Coldcock [BOX]: to knock out an opponent with one blow.

Collapse [BB]: when two defensive players converge on an offensive player the moment he receives the ball.

Color Man (Color Commentator) [FB]: tV announcer who adds feature material to the commentary of a game.

Colors [HORSE]: Also called “silks” these are the distinguishing jackets and caps worn by jockeys.

Columbia Round [ARCH]: for women 24 arrows shot at 50, 40, and 30 yards each.

Combination [BOX]: two or more punches in rapid succession.

Combination Shot [POOL]: a shot in which the cue ball strikes one or more balls. The object ball finally is hit by one of the other balls. A “chain reaction” type of shot.

Commission [JOUR]: same as to assign an article.

Competition [FEN]: Contest with one type of weapon.

Composite Bow [ARCH]: Bow that has pulleys at the top and bottom ends, which lessen the pull as the string is drawn back. State-of-the-art in archery.

Compressor [DIVE]: Machine that is used to fill air tanks for scuba diving.

Con [POOL]: the art of making a bet, that is, “to con.” From the criminal’s lexicon: “the con game.”

Cone [PARA]: Cone-shaped piece of hardware, pierced to allow a pin to be inserted. The pin-and-cone lock the parachute pack closed. When the ripcord is pulled, the pins pull out of the cones, allowing the container to open and the sleeve or bag to emerge, thus beginning the development sequence. 

Conference [PARA]: Multistate subdivision of the United States for administrative purposes, by the U.S. Parachute Association.

Conical [PARA]: One type of reserve parachute, usually 26 feet in diameter.

Connector Links [PARA]: Metal hardware that connects the risers and the suspension lines.

Consolation [H&R]: Round of a tournament in which first-time losers face each other.

Consolation [TEN]: Rounds of a tournament in which first-time losers continue to play other losers.

Contact Hitter [BASE]: a player known for an ability to hit the ball regularly for base hits, although probably unspectacular ones.

Contacted Ball [VB]: a ball that has been touched by any part of a player’s body.

Container [PARA]: the part of the parachute pack that holds the parachute. The container is joined to the harness, which is fitted to the parachutist.

Contender [BOX]: A fighter good enough to be a challenger. Popularized in a speech by Marlon Brando in the film On The Waterfront, “I cudda been a contenda …”

Contents Page [JOUR]: Page usually near the front of a magazine that lists the contents of the issue.

Control [H&R]: the ability to hit a ball to any specific spot.

Control Bar [HANG]: the bottom end of a metal triangle suspended beneath the wing of a hand glider. The pilot holds this bottom end and uses it to control the flight of the flighter.

Control Lines [PARA]: same as steering lines.

Controlled Air Space [PARA]: the sky above Air Force bases, cities, and other areas where parachuting is generally not allowed.

Conventional Rig [PARA]: Parachute system with an old-style, chest-mounted rig is considered conventional. New rigs are pigrigs.

Conversion [BB]: A successful free throw.

Conversion [FB]: the opportunity that a team has, after scoring a touchdown, of gaining additional points by running or passing the ball over the goal line again, or by kicking it over the goalposts.

Cool-Off Lap [MOTOR]: Extra lap after a course that is driven at a slower speed than the race, to ensure that the engine parts cool slowly.

Co-oping [FRIS]: two or more players sharing the same disc; usage similar to team play in other sports.

Copy [JOUR]: all written material in manuscript form that will eventually be considered for publication.

Copy editor [JOUR]: Person who reads and corrects all copy prior to publication.

Copyright [JOUR]: the legal ownership of a manuscript.

Cork Arbor [B&F]: the part of the reel to which the line is attached.

Corn Snow [SKI]: Granular, rough snow, usually develops in the spring.

Corner [BOX]: Any of the four corners of a boxing ring, or, the particular corner assigned to each fighter.

Corner Kick [SOC]: Kick made by the attacking team from a corner arc; this is awarded when the ball goes across the goal line without resulting in a score, and when the ball was last touched by a defensive player.

Corner Men [BB]: Forwards who are key rebounding players.

Cornerback [FB]: Defensive backfield player who has the responsibility of stopping an offensive play once the ball-carrier reaches the “corners” (sides) of the defensive backfield.

Cornerman [BOX]: one of the assistants allowed to be in a fighter’s corner between rounds.

Count [BASE]: the number of balls and strikes a player has when he is batting.

Count [BOX]: Counting 10 seconds after a fighter has been knocked down. If a fighter does not arise after the 10 count, the opponent wins the fight by a knockout.

Counter [BOX]: to respond to an opponent’s punch by returning a punch.

Counterpuncher [BOX]: A boxer who prefers to wait for an opponent’s punch to deliver a punch.

Course Rating [GOLF]: the difficulty of a particular course.

Court [H&R]: a standard handball court is 40’ by 20’ by 20’.

Court [SHUF]: a shuffleboard court is 6 feet wide and 52 feet long, with a concrete or terrazzo surface.

Court [VB]: Playing court should be 59 feet by 29 feet, 6 inches, with a center line under the net.

Cousteau [DIVE]: Jacques Cousteau, famous explorer, co-inventor (with Emile Gagnan) of the Aqualung, in 1942.

Cover (noun) [JOUR]: the outside front page, inside front page, inside rear page, and outside rear page of a magazine or to cover (verb): To gather all the facts necessary for an article.

Cover Up [BOX]: to protect the body and head from an opponent’s punches, with the arms.

Cover Up [HOCK]: to guard an opponent near a team’s own goal to prevent a score or attempted score.

Covering [FHOCK]: to guard the goal—usually refers to a player away from the action on the field.

Cowling [B&F]: a cover over the engine of a boat.

Crab [HANG]: to move through the air sideways to the wind.

Crabbing [PARA]: Steering a parachute sideways to the wind for accuracy in landing. If the wind is north-to-south, the parachutist will crab by facing east or west.

Crackback Block [FB]: Run by an offensive player that ends with a block at the back by a defensive player. Like a clip, it too, is potentially very dangerous to the defensive player, who may not be watching or know the offensive player is about to block.

Crawl Stroke [SWIM]: commonly known as freestyle. The swimmer’s arms are brought forward one at a time over the shoulder and into the water; as one arm is pulling through the water, the other arm is entering the water, after being thrown over the swimmer’s shoulder.

Crawling [FB]: to gain added yardage when the play is over by crawling with the ball at the bottom of a pile of tacklers.

Creeper [BOWL]: A ball that rolls slower than normal.

Creeping [ARCH]: Letting the hand slowly inch forward momentarily before the arrow is shot. Will likely ruin the accuracy of the shot.

Crest [SURF]: the top of a wave.

Crop [JOUR]: to mark unwanted sections of a photograph or illustration.

Cross [BOX]: a punch delivered over and above an opponent’s lead, such as a right cross.

Cross Connector Links [PARA]: a set of lines connecting the risers on some reserve parachutes.

Cross Pull [PARA]: A ripcord that is across the body from the hand and arm used to pull; that is a cross pull for a right-handed parachutist would be a ripcord on his left side.

Crossbar [T&F]: Metal or wood bar about 16 feet long that serves as an obstacle that the high jumper or pole vaulter must cross without knocking down.

Cross-Body Stroke [BAD]: A shot, in which the player’s arm crosses in front of the torso.

Cross-Body Throw [FRIS]: any throw on the left for a right-handed player and vice versa.

Cross-Country Flight [BAL]: Flight between two points.

Cross-Court [TEN]: a shot made from one side of the court diagonally into the opposite court.

Cross-Court Shot [BAD]: any shot that crosses the net on a diagonal path.

Crosscourt Shot [H&R]: A shot that is hit diagonally across the court.

Cross-Kick [RUG]: An attacking kick across the field of play.

Crossover [SURF]: when a surfer moves one leg ahead and in front of the other.

Crotch [H&R]: Any place where two surfaces meet wall-wall, wall-ceiling, or wall-floor.

Crowding [H&R]: Playing too close to the opponent.

Crown [BAL]: same as apex.

Crown [FRIS]: top of the disc.

Crown Lines [PARA]: Lines across the apex of the ParaCommander or other similar parachute. Used to create tension during packing and help straighten the apex.

Cue [SHUF]: a stick no longer than 6 feet, 3 inches, used to propel discs toward the target.

Cue Ball [POOL]: the plain white ball that is hit into the numbered balls.

Cue Stick [POOL]: the instrument of the game. Sticks usually weigh between 15 and 21 ounces and average 55 inches long. Pros and hustlers prefer a heavier cue, usually 20–21 ounces.

Cue Tip [POOL]: the leather end-piece of the stick that is chalked.

Cup [FB]: same as in the pocket.

Cup of Coffee [BASE]: a brief visit to the major leagues by a minor league player. He is said to have visited the majors just “long enough for a cup of coffee.”

Curve [BASE]: A ball thrown in such a way that it curves in flight toward the batter’s box.

Cushion [POOL]: the cloth-edge of the table rails.

Cut (noun) [JOUR]: a metal engraving of an illustration. Or to cut (verb): To edit material.

Cut [POOL]: to hit an object ball so that it will angle.

Cut Back [FB]: Offensive play by a receiver who runs down the side of the field and cuts back toward the center of the field.

Cut Man [BOX]: Assistant in a fighter’s corner who is responsible for stopping cuts or bleeding.

Cut off the Ring [BOX]: to move sideways across the ring to reduce the room an opponent can maneuver in.

Cut Stroke [TEN]: a shot in which the racket hits the ball at an angle to apply spin to the ball.

Cutaway [PARA]: the act of activating the capewells to jettison a malfunctioning main parachute so a reserve may be deployed without opening into the main. The parachutists’ first cutaway is usually an awesome and memorable occasion.

Cutaway [SWIM]: Common term for an inward dive.

Cutlines [JOUR]: same as caption or art lines.

Cut-Off Point [MOTOR]: a location before a turn at which point the driver takes his foot off the throttle and brakes the car for the turn.

Cutthroat [H&R]: a game for three players in which two play against the server.

Cy Young Award [BASE]: an award made annually to the pitcher who has made an outstanding record that year. Voted by the Baseball Writers Association.

Cylinder [DIVE]: same as tank.

D Rings [PARA]: Metal rings, shaped like the letter “D” to which the chest-mounted reserve is attached.

D.O. Jump [PARA]: Delayed Opening. Free-fall of 10 seconds or more.

Daily Double [HORSE]: a wager in which the player attempts to pick the winners of two races on the day’s card.

Dance [BOX]: to use rapid footwork.

Data Card [PARA]: Card carried inside the reserve container providing the name of the owner, type of canopy, and particularly, when the reserve was last packed and by which rigger.

Dateline [JOUR]: Line on an article, giving the location and date that the article originated; such as, Washington, Feb. 23.

DC-3 [PARA]: the Douglas workhorse of World War II, still in operation on some drop zones.

Dead [JOUR]: Material that has been killed; that is, material that will not be printed.

Dead Ball [FB]: after a play is over and when the referee blows his whistle to indicate that the play is over. Any foul after that is a dead ball foul.

Dead Ball [H&R]: Ball that is not in play.

Dead Ball [RUG]: Play is dead when the referee blows the whistle.

Dead Ball [TT]: Called when the ball bounces twice on the table, or after a point.

Dead Disc [SHUF]: Disc that remains on (or returns to) the court after striking an object other than a live disc.

Dead Heat [T&F]: tie finish between two or more runners.

Dead in the Air [PARA]: A jumper without horizontal speed; one who is simply moving down. Can be compared to a stalled ship that is “dead in the water.”

Deadline [JOUR]: time when all material to be published must be written, copyedited, and ready for the press.

Decision [BOX]: to win a fight based on the number of points scored by judges witnessing a fight, in which there is no knockdown or technical knockdown.

Decompression [DIVE]: to lessen the pressure underwater; to ascend to the surface.

Deep Water Start [WSKI]: a ski tow that begins in water too deep for the ski ends to touch bottom.

Defending Team [RUG]: team on defense in its own half of the field.

Defensive Boards [BB]: the backboard of a defending team’s basket.

Defensive Hit [FHOCK]: a free hit toward the goal from 15 yards away.

Defensive Zone [HOCK]: Area of the team’s own goal.

Degree of Difficulty [SWIM]: Rate for a dive. Each dive has a rating from 1.2 to 2.9 depending on its difficulty.

Deke [HOCK]: to fake a defender or goalie.

Delay [FB]: to hold a position at the line of scrimmage momentarily to confuse an opposing lineman.

Delay [PARA]: any free-fall skydive in which the jumper opens his own parachute after leaving the jump plane. Delays are usually 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, and over 60 seconds.

Delay of Game [FB]: the offensive team has 30 seconds to begin a play. If the play has not begun in 30 seconds, the referee may call a delay of game penalty.

Delivery [FRIS]: A player’s complete throwing motion.

Delta [PARA]: a free-fall body position in which the jumper’s head and torso are lower than the legs. This allows the jumper to move diagonally downward and forward through the sky. RW jumpers who wish to become expert in their sport must master the Delta and Track. 

Demo Jump [PARA]: any jump made off the usual drop zone, for spectators; usually at a county fair, circus, or other similar event. Only qualified jumpers can make Demo jumpers because of the added hazard of roads, power lines, buildings, spectators, and other obstacles.

Department [JOUR]: Specific section of a magazine or newspaper, involving special features or area of interest.

Deployment [PARA]: the act of the canopy opening after the jumper pulls his or her ripcord.

Deployment Bag [PARA]: an alternative to the sleeve.

Depth Chart [FB]: A coaching chart showing the No. 1 player at each position, then No. 2, then No. 3, and perhaps even No. 4 at some positions.

Designated Hitter [BASE]: A player who comes to bat for a team, but who does not field. Allowed in the American league, but not in the National League. Allowed during AL home games in the World Series. Abbreviated DH.

Detroit Iron [MOTOR]: Uncomplimentary term used by sports car elitists to describe most Detroit-made vehicles.

Deuce [TEN]: when each player has won three points or when the score is tied after three points.

Deuce [TT]: when the score is tied 20-all. Winner must score two consecutive points.

Dial In [MOTOR]: to make adjustments to an engine. To “fine tune” it.

Diamond [BASE]: the infield part of a baseball field.

Diamond Defense [FB]: Defensive formation with seven men on the line, then one back (fullback) then two backs behind him (halfbacks), then one back (safety) behind them. Called a diamond because from above, the backfield formation would have the shape of a diamond.

Die [H&R]: a ball that hits the front wall without much bounce.

Differential [MOTOR]: Gear-drive mechanism that transfers power from drive shaft to wheel. Differential refers to different speed of each wheel in a turn.

Dig [H&R]: to return a low shot before it reaches the floor.

Dig [HOCK]: to fight for the puck; to take it away from an opponent.

Dig [SURF]: Paddle actively.

Dig [VB]: Underhand pass made near the floor level.

Dime [BET]: $1,000 bet.

Dime Defense [FB]: Six defensive players (one more than the nickel, or five-man defense).

Ding [SURF]: Blemish in a surfboard.

Dink [TEN]: Soft shot that barely clears the net.

Dip [FRIS]: Any sudden drop in the flight of a disc.

Direct Free Kick [SOC]: Awarded after a severe personal foul. Similar to a free throw in basketball.

Dirigible [BAL]: An aerostat that can be steered.

Dirt Dive [PARA]: Rehearsal by all jumpers of a planned RW jump on the ground at the DZ.

Dirty copy [JOUR]: Material that has been heavily copy edited, such that it is illegible. Opposite of clean copy.

Disabled List [BASE]: a player who is injured and cannot play is placed on the disabled list. Also appropriate in football.

Disc [PARA]: target for accuracy jumpers.

Disc [SHUF]: Shuffleboard discs are made of wood and are 6 inches in diameter and ¾ to 1 inch thick. Four are red and four are black.

Discwork [FRIS]: Any movement or motion to control a disc.

Displacement [MOTOR]: Volume in cubic measure of a cylinder or engine.

Disqualification [WTL]: to void a lift or other action because of a rules violation.

Distance [BOX]: the maximum number of rounds in a fight. (To go the distance, to fight 12 rounds in a 12-round fight.)

Dive [HANG]: to descend steeply through the air.

Dive [PARA]: a head-down position used to catch a star or other formation. Also refers to the jump.

Dive [VB]: a low attempt to block a ball from hitting the floor.

Dive Play [FB]: Offensive play in which the ball carrier literally dives over the line of scrimmage.

Division [BOX]: a category of fighters based on weight. In general, the professional divisions are:

• Flyweight: 112 pounds
• Bantamweight: 118 pounds
• Featherweight: 126 pounds
• Junior Lightweight: 130 pounds
• Lightweight: 135 pounds
• Junior Welterweight: 140 pounds
• Welterweight: 147 pounds
• Junior Middleweight: 154 pounds
• Middleweight: 160 pounds
• Light Heavyweight: 175 pounds
• Heavyweight: Unlimited

Divot [GOLF]: Ground cut up by the club head during a swing.

DL-7 [PARA]: Specific modification in which the steering modifications look like the letter “L” (there are two) and are seven panels apart.

DNF [MOTOR]: Did Not Finish. Started the race, but did not complete it.

DNS [MOTOR]: Did Not Start. Entered the race, but did not start.

Dock Start [WSKI]: Ski tow that begins with the skier sitting on the edge of a dock.

Docking [PARA]: the art of approaching a star and entering by breaking the grip of two jumpers previously in the star, and thus widening the circle, or completing the formation, if not a round star.

Doctor [BASE]: to secretly treat a baseball to gain an advantage.

Doctored Bat [BASE]: to treat a bat so it is not of regulation weight, for an advantage to the batter. A doctored bat is usually made lighter by drilling a hole in the bat and covering the hole so the doctored area cannot be seen.

Dodge [FHOCK]: to elude an opponent while controlling the ball.

Dog-Leg [GOLF]: Hole that has a sharp bend to the left or the right from tee to green.

DOHC [MOTOR]: Double Over-Head Camshaft cylinder head.

Door Exit [PARA]: Exiting the aircraft at the door, rather than on the strut.

Dope Rope [PARA]: See static line. Uncomplimentary term.

Double [BOWL]: two strikes in succession.

Double Block [VB]: A block at the net by two team members.

Double Dribble [BB]: A dribble that is resumed after having once been stopped; this is a rules violation. The ball goes to the opposite team.

Double Eagle [GOLF]: three strokes under par for any particular hole.

Double Elimination [TEN]: tournament in which no player is eliminated until he or she has lost twice.

Double Figures [BB]: to score 10 points or more during a game.

Double Foul [BB]: when two players on opposite teams foul each other at the same time.

Double Handles [WSKI]: twin handles on the end of a ski rope, so two skiers can be towed behind one boat.

Double Play [BASE]: two consecutive outs during the same play.

Double Round [ARCH]: Round shot twice.

Double Team [BB]: to guard one offensive player with two defensive players at the same time.

Double Team [FB]: Occurs when two offensive players block one defensive player.

Double-Dip [BASE]: two games played in one day, a doubleheader.

Double-Ended [SURF]: Surf board that has similar shape on both ends.

Doubles [H&R]: a game in which two players oppose two other players.

Doubles [WSKI]: two skiers behind the same boat.

Double-Spread [JOUR]: two facing pages treated as one unit.

Down and In [FB]: an offensive play in which a receiver runs down the field and in toward the center of the field.

Down and Out [BOX]: to be knocked down and be unable to rise.

Down and Out [FB]: an offensive play in which a receiver runs down the field then out, toward the sideline.

Down Court [BB]: the end of the court that a team is defending.

Down for the Count [BOX]: same as down and out.

Downing the Ball [FB]: on a kickoff, a player on the receiving team may catch the ball in the end zone. He may elect not to run the ball out of the end zone. In that case, he downs the ball, by touching one knee to the ground. The next play begins on the offensive team’s 20-yard line.

Downtown [BASE]: a home-run ball that clears the outfield fences and flies into the seats is said to have gone downtown.

Downwind [BAL]: Flying in the same direction as the wind is blowing.

Downwind Landing [PARA]: Landing the parachute in the same direction as the wind is blowing increases the parachutist’s landing speed. Not usually recommended.

Draft [FB]: the act of choosing eligible college players, on a team-by-team basis. The worst team in the professional league has the first chance at eligible college players, to (in theory) equalize the teams in terms of player-by-player ability.

Drafting [MOTOR]: same as slipstreaming.

Drag [HANG]: Resistance through the air created by the hang glider.

Drag Line [BAL]: Line formerly used with dirigibles and blimps. The line was held by crew members on the ground to prevent premature ascent.

Draw [BOX]: same as tie.

Draw a Foul [BB]: to behave so as to deliberately be fouled by an opponent.

Draw or Reverse English [POOL]: Stroking the cue ball below its center will cause it to “draw” (spin) back toward the player.

Draw Play [FB]: an offensive play in which the quarterback drops back from the line of scrimmage as if he is going to pass, then hands the ball to a runner, who may gain substantial yardage through the defense, which was expecting a pass.

Drawing Your Man [RUG]: to make an opponent commit himself to attack the ball carrier, rather than to attack a player about to receive a pass.

Dribble [BB]: to control the ball by bouncing it repeatedly on the floor.

Dribble [FHOCK]: Series of strokes used to control the ball while moving it down the field.

Dribbling [RUG]: to control the ball with short kicks, often with the shins or with the instep of the foot.

Dribbling [SOC]: to control the ball with the player’s feet.

Drift [ARCH]: Inaccurate shot because of crosswinds between the archer and the target.

Drift [BAL]: a flight away from a specific target designation, caused by crosswinds along the flight path.

Drift [HANG]: to move sideways through the air.

Drift [MOTOR]: Controlled slide, using engine power to keep the car on the road.

Drive [BAD]: Hard shot that crosses the net horizontally.

Drive [BB]: Powerful effort toward the basket.

Drive [FHOCK]: Hard stroke with a backswing to propel the ball downfield.

Driven Clear [BAD]: any drive that goes to the back court, but not high enough for the opponent to kill.

Driver [GOLF]: No. 1 wood, usually only off the tee.

Driver’s School [MOTOR]: Special school for race drivers, using a closed race course to teach time trials, racing, and so on.

Drop [BAD]: a shot that falls close to the net.

Drop [FRIS]: a missed disc catch that hits the ground.

Drop a Guard [BOX]: to lower the gloves; to leave face or body unprotected.

Drop Back [FB]: Occurs when a quarterback receives the ball from the center and moves away from the line of scrimmage to pass, or to hand the ball to a runner.

Drop Ball [SOC]: to put the ball in play by the referee by dropping it between two opponents. The ball is in play when it touches the ground.

Drop Kick [RUG]: the ball is dropped to the ground and kicked on the rebound. Similar to old usage in American football.

Drop Kick [SOC]: A ball that is put in play by being dropped on the ground; it is kicked on the bounce. 

Drop Pass [HOCK]: to stop the puck and allow a teammate to pick it up.

Drop Shot [TEN]: a shot that barely clears the net and that has more vertical bounce than bounce across the court.

Drop Shot [TT]: Shot played so that it dies before the opponent can return it.

Drop-Out [RUG]: Method of starting play from behind the 25-yard line, when an attacking team kicks, passes, or knocks the ball into the in-goal without a score. A drop kick is also used to begin play again from the center of the field after an unsuccessful conversion attempt.

Dry Fly Fishing [B&F]: Casting a fly so it resembles an insect on the water.

Dry Suit [DIVE]: Waterproof rubber suit worn by scuba divers.

Dugout [BASE]: An area where team benches are located, usually slightly lower than the spectator’s seats so as not to block the view of the field. One is located on the first base side of the field, the other on the third base side.

Dumbbell [WTL]: Short barbell, 10–20 inches long, used for hand and arm lifts.

Dummy [JOUR]: Planning or proof pages for an issue that has not yet been printed; a checking copy to make sure changes and corrections have been made to a particular issue.

Dummy [RUG]: to pretend to pass the ball.

Dummy Ripcord [PARA]: Handle with a colored “flag” attached. Novice jumpers must make several good, precise dummy ripcord pulls before they can graduate to free-fall jumping. The dummy ripcord pull occurs when the parachutist is still on the static line.

Dump [PARA]: to pull the ripcord and begin the development sequence, as in “I forgot where I was and dumped at 5,000 feet.”

Dump Pass [FB]: to quickly throw the ball to the closest eligible player to avoid a loss in yardage (or an embarrassingly inept play).

Dumping [POOL]: a game that a hustler deliberately loses to fool spectators who have bets on the match. Not a common practice. No hustler wants a reputation as a “dumper.”

Dunk [BB]: to jump up and push the ball through the basket from above.

DZ [PARA]: Drop Zone. Where parachuting and skydiving is permitted.

Eagle [GOLF]: two under par for a particular hole.

Earned Run [BASE]: Run that scores as a result of base hits, stolen bases, sacrifice hits, walks, hit batter, wild pitches, or balks and before fielders have had a chance to retire the side.

Eat the Ball [FB]: to down the ball with a loss of yardage, to prevent a more substantial loss of yardage. Usually involves embarrassment to the ball carrier.

Edge [FRIS]: Bottom surface of the disc rim.

Edge Set [SKI]: Steel edges of the ski that “bite” into the snow.

Edition [JOUR]: same as issue.

Editor [JOUR]: Person who reads, changes, or verifies all material and makes it ready for publication, in a newspaper or magazine.

Editor’s Note [JOUR]: Material that helps explain an article or author or a position that a publication has taken on an issue.

Editorial Content [JOUR]: All non-advertising material in a newspaper or magazine; the literary contents of a publication.

Editorialize [JOUR]: to express a position or opinion on behalf of the publication, as in an editorial or publisher’s or editor’s column.

Eight-Ball [POOL]: Mostly an amateur’s game. Players pocket either the low balls (numbered 1–7) or the high balls (numbered 9–15), then call the shot on the eight ball to win.

Elevator [HANG]: Hinged, horizontal tail surface of a hang glider that will force the nose up or down.

Elimination Bout [BOX]: One of a series of matches to determine an eventual champion.

Embolism [DIVE]: Presence of air bubbles in the diver’s circulation system.

Empennage [HANG]: all tail parts of a hang glider or airplane.

End Around [FB]: Offensive play in which an end runs in an arc through his own backfield, receives the ball and carries it into the defense at the other end of the field. The end must have superior speed to make much yardage on an end around play.

End Zone [FB]: teams score points by running, passing, or kicking the ball into the end zone. It is 10 yards deep; there is one at each end of the playing field.

English [POOL]: the art of adding spin to the cue ball to make it swing to the left or right after hitting the object ball. An essential part of a position game.

Engraving [JOUR]: same as cut.

Entry [SWIM]: How the diver enters the water.

Envelope [BAL]: the fabric part of the balloon that holds the hot air or gas.

Epee (Dueling sword) [FEN]: Weapon generally similar to the foil, but with a heavier handle and heavier guard.

Error [BASE]: is charged against a player when a misplay (ball that is dropped, etc.) causes the play to continue, when without the error, the play would have been over.

Error [H&R]: the inability to return a playable ball.

Esses [MOTOR]: Winding curves on a race course.

ET [MOTOR]: Elapsed Time. Drag racing term for a timed ¼-mile straight run.

Exacta (also called Perfecta) [HORSE]: A wager in which the player attempts to pick the winner and second-place finisher in order.

Exchange Zone [T&F]: Area of race track approximately 20–22 yards long where a baton pass must be made.

Exhibition Jump [PARA]: same as demo jump.

Exit [PARA]: to leave the aircraft; may be either a poised exit or bomb out.

Exotics [BET]: a bet other than a straight bet or parlay.

Expert [PARA]: Sky diver with a “C” or “D” license.

Extra Innings [BASE]: a game that goes beyond the normal nine innings to break a tie.

Extra Points [FB]: Awarded after a touchdown; on a play from scrimmage, two points are awarded if the ball is run or passed successfully over the goal line; one point if the ball is kicked between the goal posts.

F.A.I. [PARA]: Federal Aeronautique Internationale; internationalgoverning body that controls international sky diving, hang gliding, soaring, and other sky sports. The U. S. Parachute Association licenses sky divers in this country on behalf of the F.A.I.

F.P.S. [PARA]: Feet-per-second.

Face Mask [DIVE]: Mask used by scuba divers and skin divers that allows a clear view under water.

Face Mask [FB]: Metal cage that prevents injury to the player’s face. May be grabbed by an opponent and still cause injury to the player’s neck. A penalty results if an official catches a player grabbing or holding another player’s face mask.

Face of the Wave [SURF]: the concave shape of a wave as it faces the shore.

Face off [HOCK]: when the puck is dropped between two opposing players to start or restart play.

Facing Stance [FRIS]: Any stance taken to the disc in which the thrower faces the target.

Fade Back [FB]: Occurs when the quarterback takes the ball from the center and retreats from the line of scrimmage to pass the ball or hand it off to another back.

Fade-Away Shot [BB]: to shoot while moving away from the basket.

Fair Ball [BASE]: A hit ball that remains inside the playing area of the field.

Fair Catch [FB]: A player may make a fair catch on a kickoff, return kick, or kick from scrimmage by raising his hand clearly above his head. If he is tackled after a fair catch signal, a penalty results. He may not take more than two steps after catching the ball. The ball is put in play at the point of the catch. If the player drops or fumbles the catch, it is a fair ball and may be recovered by the defense.

Fairway [GOLF]: Ground between the tee area and the putting green, excluding any hazards.

Fake [FB]: any movement or motion intended to fool the opposing team.

Fall Line [SKI]: Shortest distance down a hill.

Falling on the Ball [RUG]: a player may fall on the ball usually by turning his back to the opposing team. The player may not hinder the play by doing so and may not handle the ball in falling on it.

Farm Team [BASE]: a minor league team associated with a major league team is said to be a farm team because that’s where major league players are “grown” or developed.

Fast Ball [BASE]: A baseball thrown at 100 mph or more.

Fast Break [BB]: to drive toward the basket before the defensive team has a chance to set up in position to block the drive or the shot.

Fathom [DIVE]: approximately 6 feet.

Fault [BAD]: a violation of the rules that involves the loss of a point or the loss of a serve.

Fault [H&R]: illegally served ball. Generally similar usage as in tennis.

Fault [TEN]: an error, usually during the serve.

Feather [SURF]: Splashes of water from the top of a wave.

Feature (noun) [JOUR]: A human-interest article, or to.

Feature (verb) [JOUR]: to emphasize or give permanence to.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [BAL]: the federal government agency that regulates air traffic.

Feeding [HOCK]: to pass the puck to a teammate.

Ferrules [B&F]: Metal connections between sections of a take-apart rod.

Fiberglass [SURF]: Composition of most surfboards.

Field [RUG]: a rugby field is 110 yards long from in-goal line to in-goal line; 75 yards wide.

Field Goal [FB]: A kick over the crossbar and between the goal posts that results in three points for the kicking team.

Field Horses [HORSE]: two or more horses grouped together for betting purposes. A bet for one field horse is a bet for all in that group.

Field Packing [PARA]: immediate rolling or stowing the canopy in the pack for the trip back to the DZ, in the case of a missed spot or for packing later, if the parachutist wishes to repack at home.

Fielder’s Choice [BASE]: when a defensive player chooses to retire a base runner previously on base, rather than the batter who hit the ball. It is considered an at-bat and works against the hitter’s batting average.

Fielding [FHOCK]: to control an approaching ball before passing it or moving it downfield.

Fielding Average [BASE]: Put-outs, assists, and errors, divided into put-outs and assists.

Fifteen [TEN]: the first point won by a player.

Fight Card [BOX]: Series of bouts on the same program.

Filler [JOUR]: Incidental (usually short) material that is used to complete columns or pages.

Films [FB]: Films of an opponent’s previous games are studied by a coaching staff to prepare a team for an upcoming game.

Fin [HANG]: Vertical section of tail assembly.

Fin [SURF]: Keel of a surfboard.

Finger Spin [TT]: Spin imparted by the server’s fingers during the serve. Illegal technique.

Fins [DIVE]: Rubber froglike “feet” that aid in scuba diving and skin diving.

Fire Out [FB]: to move from the line of scrimmage offensively when the ball is snapped.

Fire Suit [MOTOR]: Protective fire-resistant suit worn by drivers.

Fireman [BASE]: A relief pitcher who wins games in the late innings by putting out the opposition’s “fire.”

First Down [FB]: An offensive team has four tries to gain 10 yards. If they gain 10 yards within the four tries, they have a first down and are then eligible to gain 10 more yards in another four tries.

Five [TEN]: A scoring term used to indicate the number of games won or the number of the set. Used unofficially as an abbreviation for fifteen.

Five-Point Must System [BOX]: a method of scoring in which the winner of a round is given five points, the loser, less than five. In the case of a tie round, both fighters are given five points.

Five-Point System [BOX]: A method of scoring in which the winner of a round is given one to five points and the loser is given fewer, usually less than one point difference. In the case of a tie, neither fighter is awarded any points for the round.

Five-Yard Scrum [RUG]: if a defending player kicks, passes, or knocks the ball out of the field of play or over his own goal line, the referee may call a scrum on the 5 yard line on the opposite side of the field from where the ball went into the in-goal area. The ball is given to the attacking team.

Flag [FB]: Penalty marker used by officials.

Flag [GOLF]: Banner on top of a metal pole inserted in the cup, to indicate the hole, to golfers at a distance from the green.

Flag [JOUR]: the name of a newspaper or magazine recognizable not only by name, but also by design; for example, the Gothic flag of The New York Times.

Flag Football [FB]: a non-tackle form of football in which players wear (usually) two streamers of cloth. The play is stopped when a defensive player grabs one or both flags from an offensive player’s waist.

Flags [MOTOR]: Flags used in motor racing carry the following meanings:

• Black: Return to pits.

• Blue (motionless): another car is following you closely.

• Blue (waved): another driver is trying to pass you—make room.

• Checkered (black and white): driver has completed the race.

• Green: start the race.

• Red: stop—clear the course.

• White: emergency vehicle on the course.

• Yellow (motionless): no passing, caution.

• Yellow with red stripes: caution—oil on the course.

Flagman [MOTOR]: Official responsible for displaying various flags to drivers.

Flak Jacket [FB]: Padded protective vest worn under their uniforms by quarterbacks (and occasionally by others) to prevent rib, abdomen, or kidney injury. Named after the similar jackets worn by World War II airmen to prevent injury by anti-aircraft fire.

Flake (verb) [PARA]: to flake a parachute is to fold the panels for packing into the container, prior to jumping. A flake (noun) is a psychologically unreliable person to jump with. Most every DZ has its own local flakes.

Flake [BASE]: a psychologically unreliable ball player.

Flamingo [FRIS]: any catch a player makes close to the ground, on one leg.

Flanker [FB]: A backfield player who is positioned away from the rest of the linemen.

Flare/Flarepoint [PARA]: Point at which the jumper ends a dive and raises his head to approach the formation.

Flat [SURF]: Water with no waves for surfing.

Flat Circular [PARA]: Particular type of reserve canopy. 

Flat Four [MOTOR]: Horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (old VWs had flat four engines).

Flat Out [MOTOR]: Racing at maximum speed.

Flat Pass [FB]: a pass thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage and with a flat trajectory.

Flat Serve [TEN]: a serve that has no spin.

Flat Six [MOTOR]: Horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine (the Corvair had a flat six engine).

Flat Spin [PARA]: an uncontrolled spin, caused by inadequate body position and worsened by centrifugal force. Usually encountered by novice free-fall jumpers. If not stopped in time, can lead to blackouts and possible death.

Flat Turn [PARA]: Controlled turn. Jumpers in free-fall can turn left or right by using their shoulders, arms, and legs like rudders.

Flea Flicker Play [FB]: An offensive play in which the quarterback fakes a pass, then laterals to an offensive back, who then passes to a third offensive player; a risky play because the ball may be fumbled or the pass intercepted.

Fleche [FEN]: Running attack. Illegal in college fencing, women’s fencing, and public school fencing.

Fletching Jig [ARCH]: Small mechanical machine to attach feathers to arrow.

Fletchings [ARCH]: Feathers attached to arrow to help it “fly” smoothly and accurately through the air.

Flex [SKI]: the bending properties of a ski.

Flex Defense [FB]: in this defense, as the ball is snapped, the ends drop away from the line and become additional linebackers.

Flick [FHOCK]: Stroke with no backswing.

Flies [B&F]: Artificial lures that resemble insects.

Flight [T&F]: One lane of hurdles.

Flight Arrow [ARCH]: Used for long-distance accuracy shooting; has small feathers.

Flight Line [PARA]: where the jump planes and other aircraft are fueled. No place to pack or dirt dive.

Flight Shooting [ARCH]: Competition to shoot flight arrows the farthest.

Flip [MOTOR]: to turn over or to roll over.

Floater [FRIS]: A throw that hovers in the air.

Floater [H&R]: a ball that travels so slowly that the opponent has time to set up a return shot.

Floater [PARA]: An RW jumper who, because of weight or jumping ability, exits before the base and pin (often by hanging on the edge or outside of the aircraft door) and floats (waits) for the base and pin to establish the beginning of the formation.

Floater Serve [VB]: a serve that travels erratically.

Flotation Gear [DIVE]: Life vests and other buoyant material that allow the diver or swimmer to float.

Flotation Gear [PARA]: Used when a DZ is dangerously close to a body of water deep enough to drown in. Flotation gear comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, but is usually kidney-shaped or basketball-size inflatable balloons. Some jumpers believe that water gear that size is unreliable in keeping an adult afloat for any length of time.

Flutter Kick [SWIM]: Quick up-and-down kick of the feet, to accompany a swimming stroke.

Fly Kick [RUG]: a wild kick.

Fly Pattern or Fly Pass [FB]: Play in which an end runs (“flies”) past the defense and hopes to score by simply outrunning the defense and catching a pass for a touchdown.

Fly Shot [H&R]: a shot that is returned before it hits the floor.

Fly-Casting [B&F]: Placing a fly in the area of fish by using a rod and reel.

Flyer [PARA]: RW jumper who exits the aircraft last (or nearly last) and has to dive considerable distances to reach the base and pin, substantially lower than he was on exit.

Flying Start [MOTOR]: a “running start,” passing the starting line at race speed, or nearly race speed.

Foil (French Foil) [FEN]: Weapon approximately 35 inches long, with a flexible four-sided blade, and cup guard for the hand, weighing about 17.5 ounces. The tip has a small guard or button to prevent injury to the opponent during a bout.

Follow [ARCH]: tendency of some bows to “warp” to their strung shape.

Follow Shot [POOL]: Stroking the ball above its center will cause it to follow the object ball. Follow shots are also used in position games.

Follow-in [BB]: to follow the progress of the ball to be position for a rebound.

FoMoCo [MOTOR]: Parts made by Ford Motor Company.

Foot Fault [TEN]: a serve declared illegal because of the placement of the feet during the serve.

Foot Launch [HANG]: take off accomplished by the pilot without mechanical aids.

Foot of Court [SHUF]: the end opposite the Head.

Football Championship Subdivision [FB]: formerly known as Division I-AA. This division has a playoff to determine its national champion. Teams competing are in conferences such as the Big South, the Ivy League, the Ohio Valley Conference, and the Southern Conference.

Foot-Up [RUG]: any member of the front row of either team in a scrum who advances either foot before the ball goes into play. A penalty results.

Footwork [BOX]: the movement of the feet during a fight.

Forced Landing [BAL]: Landing accomplished in an emergency situation.

Fore [B&F]: toward or at the bow of a boat.

Fore [GOLF]: Signal shouted to indicate to those on the course that a golfer is about to take a stroke.

Fore-and-Aft [B&F]: in line from bow to stern; on, or parallel to, the centerline.

Forebody [SKI]: the part of the ski ahead of the bindings.

Forechecking [HOCK]: to check an opponent in his zone of the ice.

Forecourt [TEN]: usually refers to the area of the court near the net.

Forehand [BAD]: a shot made with the palm of the hand facing the opponent; a shot that is not a cross-body shot.

Forehand [H&R]: Shot made from the same side of the body as the playing hand.

Forehand [TT]: opposite of backhand. Stroke with the palm of the hand facing the opponent.

Foresome or Foursome [GOLF]: Match in which two players play against two other players, or all four play against each other.

Form [ARCH]: the archer’s stance and technique.

Format [JOUR]: the size, design, and appearance of a magazine.

Forty [TEN]: the third point won by a player.

Forward [BB]: Player who operates to the side of the offensive back and who is usually a good rebounder.

Forward Cast [B&F]: Forward movement of a rod that places the lure into the water. Final step in back cast-forward cast movement.

Foul [BB]: Violation of a rule, which results in a free throw by the opposing team. Fouls generally include blocking, charging, pushing, holding, tripping, illegal substitution, and delaying the game.

Foul [BOWL]: to go beyond the foul line during the approach.

Foul [BOX]: Any illegal action or blow during a prizefight, usually a blow to the back of the head or neck, a blow below the belt, wrestling or head butting, or punching after the bell.

Foul [FB]: Any violation of the rules.

Foul [FHOCK]: Violation of the rules.

Foul [RUG]: a foul results in rugby when a player strikes an opponent, tackles early or late, kicks or trips another player, or holds or pushes an opponent without the ball.

Foul [VB]: Illegal play.

Foul Ball [BASE]: Ball that rolls off the field of play before reaching first base or third base, or lands off the field of play past first or third base.

Foul Line [BOWL]: Line that marks the end of the approach and the beginning of the lane. To step over the line during the approach results in a foul.

Foul Tip [BASE]: A batted ball that fields directly into the catcher’s mitt and is caught by the catcher. This is a fair ball.

Four Color [JOUR]: Pages that are printed in the colors of red, yellow, blue, and black inks.

Four Wheel Drive [MOTOR]: Mechanism that allows power to be distributed to all four wheels.

 “Four Yards and a Cloud of Dust” [FB]: Famous Ohio State techniques, used by coach Woody Hayes, of using a fullback down after down to gain “four yards” (and a cloud of dust) into the line, without passing each down.

Frame [BASE]: an inning.

Frame [BOWL]: Box in which the scores are marked 10 frames make a game.

Franchise Player [FB]: a single player so valuable to a team he is said to be able to “save a franchise,” financially, by himself.

Frappe [PARA]: to go in, a fatality.

Frappe Hat [PARA]: Lightweight leather hat worn by RW jumpers. Non-rigid. Officially not recommended for novice jumpers.

Free Agent [BASE]: a player not under contract to any club and who can negotiate a contract with any club in the league.

Free Ball [FB]: a ball that is not in possession of either team.

Free Hit [FHOCK]: A play following a violation of the rules. Taken by the team that was fouled.

Free Kick [RUG]: A kick for a score that may be made after a fair catch.

Free Lance [JOUR]: Person who contributes articles, photographs, or any other material without the security of a staff salary.

Free Safety [FB]: Defensive backfield player who plays in the deep defensive and has no specific man-to-man responsibilities.

Free Throw [BB]: Opportunity to score one point unhindered from the foul line as a result of a foul by the opposing team.

Free-Fall Jump [PARA]: A delay of 10 seconds or less. More than 10 seconds is a delayed opening jump.

Freestyle [SWIM]: usually refers to the crawl stroke, but may be any stroke the swimmer wishes to use, during a freestyle (choice) event.

Freeze [BB]: An attempt to keep possession of the ball by one team, to maintain a lead in the score, or to dribble to kill time on the clock.

Frisbee [FRIS]: trade name for a specific plastic flying saucer, now a generic term for all plastic flying saucers.

Frisbee Golf [FRIS]: a game played with discs similar to golf. In Frisbee golf, players aim toward a large basket, instead of a small golf hole.

Frog [PARA]: Basic body position in free-fall. The body is relaxed and this is modified stable position. The frog is an accepted position for jumpers past the novice class. The head is slightly raised, chest slightly raised, arms bent at 45 degree angles. May be tightened into more compact position for greater vertical descent. So called because the basic position looks slightly like a frog at rest.

Frogmen [DIVE]: Scuba divers trained for underwater demolition, exploration, and so on.

Front Court [BB]: the half of the court that contains the team’s own basket. Opposite of back court.

Front Four [FB]: the two tackles and two guards on the offensive line.

Front Loop [PARA]: Front flip in free-fall. Must be mastered for a class “C” license.

Front-and-Back [H&R]: Doubles play in which one partner covers the front court and the other partner covers the back court.

Front-of-the-Book [JOUR]: Articles of primary importance literally or figuratively printed at the front of the magazine.

Fuel Cell [MOTOR]: Special rubber-like container for gasoline, built so that it will not be split open during a crash. Might be called a “safety gas tank.”

Full Bore [MOTOR]: Driving at maximum throttle.

Full Draw [ARCH]: a bow is said to be at full draw when the archer pulls the arrow back completely, just before releasing.

Fullback [FB]: Offensive player who lines up behind the quarterback and who usually has the job of gaining short yardage in tough situations.

Full-Court Press [BB]: same as all-court press.

Fumble [FB]: to lose control or possession of the ball.

Fun Players [POOL]: Lambs. Tournament winners. Amateurs.

Fundamentals [FB]: Basic skills that any football player should know. Also applies in other sports.

Fungo Bat [BASE]: Lightweight bat used by coaches or managers to hit infield practice.

Funneled Star [PARA]: Star that breaks apart and falls into its own center.

Funny Car [MOTOR]: Drag race car that has had unorthodox modifications. Generally, a funny car has a one-piece body, is powered by a supercharged engine and has a driver’s compartment behind the engine. The engine is completely exposed, rear wheels are wide, and front wheels are bicycle-type. Often contains a parachute-stopping device.

Furl [B&F]: to roll a sail and secure it to its yard or boom.

Furlong [HORSE]: Either 220 yards or 1⁄8 mile.

Fuselage [HANG]: Body of a hang glider.

Futurity Race [HORSE]: a race for 2-year-olds scheduled far in advance, sometimes before the horse is born.

FWD [MOTOR]: Four Wheel Drive.

“G” [POOL]: One thousand dollars.

G Force [HANG]: the total force on the surface of a hang glider, measured in terms of the force of gravity.

Gaff [B&F]: Small hook used to bring fish on board a boat.

Gainer (GYM) A backflip in which the performer lands ahead of the take-off spot.

Galley Proof [JOUR]: Vertical column of material typeset for checking purposes.

Game [H&R]: When 21 points are scored by one player or team.

Game [RUG]: Consists of two halves of 35 minutes each (40 minutes in an international game). There is a 5-minute period at halftime, but no player is allowed off the field.

Game [SHUF]: Based on 50, 75, or 100 points. Match play is best 2 out of 3 games.

Game [TEN]: a player has won a game in tennis when he or she has four points and is two points ahead of the opponent.

Game [TT]: the winner in table tennis is the player who first scores 21 points, or two consecutive points after deuce.

Game [VB]: Volleyball games are won when a team first reaches 15 points with a 2- point advantage.

Game Plan [FB]: Strategy devised by the coaches to cover general offensive plans and general defensive plans.

Game Point [H&R]: Point that will win the game for a player or team, if it is won.

Gamer [BASE]: A player who plays with an injury.

Gang Tackle [FB]: to tackle the ball carrier by two or more players at the same time.

Gap [FB]: Real or imaginary hole between two players in correct position.

Garbage Shot [BB]: Any easy or uncontested shot.

Gate [WSKI]: Entrance to a slalom course.

Gatefold [JOUR]: a page in a magazine that is larger than the normal page and that must be folded to fit inside the magazine; for example, the Playboy Playmate-of-the-Month pages.

General Magazine [JOUR]: Any magazine edited and published for a wide reading audience, all ages, interests, religions, and so on. Life and The Saturday Evening Post are examples. Opposite of special-interest magazine.

Genoa [B&F]: a larger jib used in light breezes.

Get Set [T&F]: to hold the starting position in a running race; the command just before “Go.”

Getting a Tow [MOTOR]: same as slipstreaming.

Ghost Writer [JOUR]: Person who writes material that will eventually be published under the name of another person.

Gimbal [B&F]: a device consisting of a pair of rings pivoted on axes at right angles to each other so that one is free to swing within the other A ship’s compass will keep a horizontal position when suspended in gimbals.

Give and Go [BB]: to pass to a teammate and drive to the basket to await a return pass, which would set up a scoring opportunity.

Giveaways/Takeaways [FB]: the relationship between fumbles lost by Team A and recovered by Team B to fumbles lost by Team B and recovered by Team A; a relatively new NFL statistic.

Glassy [SURF]: Smooth water.

Glide [HANG]: to coast along the wind, in flight.

Glide Angle [PARA]: the angle in which the parachute moves forward or the angle in which the parachutist approaches the target in accuracy jumping.

Glide Ratio [HANG]: Ratio of glide distance to height lost because of weight.

Glider [HANG]: Motorless aircraft that depends on gravity and winds for flight.

Go [T&F]: the command to begin a running race.

Go against the Grain [FB]: to run away from the traffic flow; for example, if all the offensive backfield is running to the right, the ball carrier runs to the left.

Go Down Looking [BASE]: to take a called third strike for an out without swinging.

Go Down Swinging [BASE]: to swing and miss at a third strike and be called out.

Go into the Tank [BOX]: to intentionally lose a fight.

Goal [FHOCK]: Score made when the ball crosses the goal line after being touched by a player inside the striking circle.

Goal [HOCK]: in hockey, the goal is 4 feet high and 6 feet wide and made of net. When the puck enters the net, one point is scored.

Goal [RUG]: A successful kick that results in 3 points.

Goal [SOC]: is scored when the ball passes over the goal line, between the uprights and under the crossbar.

Goal Kick [SOC]: Kick-in by a member of the defending team from the goal box. A goal kick results when the ball crosses the goal line without a score and when it was last touched by an offensive player.

Goalkeeper [SOC]: Player who guards the goal. In soccer, the goal keeper may carry the ball in the penalty area, or may throw it or kick it.

Goal-Line Defense [FB]: Special defense when the offensive is within the 10-yard line and is close to a touchdown. Generally, defensive players will be closer together, as they have less field to cover.

Goaltending [BB]: Any interference with the ball when it is in its downward arc above the rim of the basket, or trapping the ball against the backboard.

Goat [BASE]: Nickname for a player who loses a crucial game.

Golden Glove Award [BASE]: An award made every year to the fielders with the best performance at each position.

Golden Gloves [BOX]: a program of locally sponsored amateur fights that lead to the National Golden Gloves Tournament.

Golden Knights [PARA]: Nickname for the U.S. Army parachute exhibition team, headquartered at Fort Bragg, NC.

Gondola [BAL]: the lightweight basket that contains the crew and instruments for a flight. Formerly wicker, now usually aluminum.

Goofy Foot [SURF]: Position on a surf board with the right foot forward.

Graf (or Graph) [JOUR]: Short for paragraph.

Grand Slam [BASE]: a home run hit with the bases loaded, thus scoring four runs.

Grapefruit League [BASE]: spring training league, played largely in Florida.

Green [GOLF]: Manicured grass area where each hole is located.

Gremmies [SURF]: Rude group of surfers.

Grid [MOTOR]: Position for cars at beginning of race. Also refers to markings on a track.

Gridiron [FB]: Common name for the football field.

Grind it Out [FB]: to make yardage in short gains, as in Woody Hayes’ “Four Yards and a Cloud of Dust” system.

Grip [PARA]: Hold that the jumper has on another jumper to cement a formation. A double grip is a tandem grip by two jumpers on each other’s arms, legs, or torsos.

Groove [SKI]: the indentation that runs along the bottom of the ski to improve stability. Similar in nature to the tread on a tire.

Ground Effect [HANG]: A cushion of air under the wing when the glider is in flight close to the ground.

Ground Loop [HANG]: to roll a hang glider end-over-end on the ground.

Ground Speed [BAL]: the speed of a craft in flight, as measured in relation to miles per-hour on the ground.

Ground Speed [HANG]: the speed of a glider rated in miles per hour.

Grounding the Ball [FB]: if a passer cannot find an eligible receiver, he may throw the ball over the heads of all receivers. This is called grounding the ball or intentional grounding. The passing equivalent of eating the ball.

Grounding the Ball [RUG]: a player grounds the ball by falling on it or holding it on the ground to score a try, which is somewhat similar to a touchdown in American football.

Ground-rule double [BASE]: A hit that bounces over the outfield fence, allowing a batter to automatically go to second base.

Groundstroke [TEN]: a stroke that is made after the ball has bounced off the ground, as opposed to a volley, which is a stroke when the ball is in the air.

Groups [SWIM]: Categories for all various dives. Forward, backward, reverse, inward, twist, and arm stand groups.

Grubber Kick [RUG]: A kick that bounces along the ground.

Guard (To Guard) [BOX]: to hold the gloves close to the face or body to protect from an opponent’s punches.

Guard [BB]: Usually a small player who brings the ball into the forecourt and passes to the forwards or the center for a shot.

Guard [FEN]: the standing position when two fencers face each other momentarily prior to the bout.

Guides [B&F]: Small loops on the rod. The line runs through these guides.

Gunner [BB]: Player who shoots obsessively at the basket.

Gut [TEN]: the stringing in a racket.

Gut Check [FB]: A crucial situation; team members pause to check their courage. Do they have enough to win the game? Variations: gutting it up, and so on.

Gutter [BOWL]: Channel on each side of a bowling lane in which balls can drop and roll into the pit without touching any pins.

Gutter [JOUR]: the inside margins of pages.

Gutter Ball [BOWL]: Ball that drops into side gutter without hitting any pins.

Gym Fighter [BOX]: A fighter who looks good in the gym, but bad during a bout.

Gymkhana [MOTOR]: Competition for best time on a Chicane-type course.

Gyre [FRIS]: a wobbling motion in a disc in flight caused by a bad throw, turbulent air, or a warped disc.

Hacking [RUG]: to fly kick the ball.

“Hail Mary” Pass [FB]: Long bomb, usually thrown in a desperate situation. When the pass is in the air, the quarterback (and coach) pray that some offensive player will be under it and catch it for a touchdown. Doug Flutie of Boston College threw a Hail Mary and defeated The University of Miami 47–45 in the last second of the game during the 1984 collegiate season.

Hairpin [MOTOR]: Ultratight turn on a race course.

Hairy [MOTOR]: Frightening occurrence.

Hairy [SURF]: Big wave, difficult to surf successfully.

Half-and-Half [H&R]: same as side-by-side play.

Halftime [FB]: A 30-minute pause between the second and third quarters of a football game. Allows teams to rest and regroup and allows TV networks a chance for commercials.

Halfway Line [RUG]: Similar to the 50-yard line in American football.

Halfway Line [SOC]: A line that runs across the field at mid-field. Similar to the 50- yard line in American football.

Halyard [B&F]: A rope, wire, or chain by which a sail, flag, or yard is hoisted.

Hand Track [PARA]: A method of moving forward in the air by vectoring air with the arms and hands. Usually an ineffective way to build or sustain horizontal speed toward the objective.

Handicap [BOWL]: Bonus score or adjustment to an individual’s score or team score, based on averages.

Handicap [GOLF]: a number that represents a golfer’s playing ability based upon previous performance. A lower number (2 handicap) is better than a larger number (10).

Handicap [HORSE]: Weight added to superior horses to make a race more even.

Handicap [TEN]: a system of equalizing competition between players of unequal ability.

Handicapper [HORSE]: the person who assigns the amount of weight to be added to a horse. More commonly, the term refers to someone who rates horses and their chances of winning.

Handle [ARCH]: Midsection of the bow, which the archer grips.

Handler [BOX]: someone who helps train a fighter or acts as a cornerman during a fight.

Hand-off [FB]: An offensive play in which one player (usually the quarterback) hands the ball to a second player.

Hand-Out [BAD]: the loss of a serve.

Handout [JOUR]: Publicity release.

Hang Five [SURF]: to dip five toes over the front edge of a surf board.

Hang Glider [HANG]: An unpowered single- or dual-seated vehicle whose takeoff and landing capability is dependent on the pilot and whose flight characteristics are generated by air currents only.

Hang Ten [SURF]: to dip ten toes over the front edge of a surf board.

Hang Time [FB]: the seconds of time a kick stays in the air. A longer hang time will allow the kicking team a chance to get downfield and stop the receiving team from advancing the caught ball.

Hard Pull [PARA]: Ripcord pull that takes more than normal effort (more than about 22 pounds pressure). Packing problems usually account for hard pulls. A claim of a hard pull by a novice free-fall jumper is often attributable to unfamiliarity with the gear.

Hardship Case [BB]: A college basketball player who enters the professional basketball draft before his college eligibility is used up, pleading that family poverty necessitates an early entry into professional basketball. Also called poverty case.

Harness [PARA]: the part of the parachute system that the jumper tightens to form a cradle for his body. Usually the harness attaches at the chest, legs, and lower belly. The F.A.A. issues regulations regarding the strength of webbing used in the harness. A tight but comfortable harness lessens opening shock; a loose harness distorts opening shock and may cause injury to the jumper, especially in the groin.

Hat Trick [HOCK]: three goals in one game by the same player.

Hat Trick [SOC]: three goals in one game by one player. Same usage as ice hockey.

Haymaker [BOX]: a knockout punch.

Hazard [GOLF]: in golf, any bunker, water (except casual water), trees, brush, or other natural obstacles.

Hazards [PARA]: anything that can cause injury or death to the jumper. Notably, large and deep bodies of water, electrical wires and power lines, buildings and other obstructions, manmade and natural.

Head [B&F]: toilet on board a ship.

Head [GOLF]: the part of the club that strikes the ball.

Head [JOUR]: Headline.

Head Dip [SURF]: when a surfer dips his or her head into a wave.

Head Hunter [FB]: Player who willfully looks for an opportunity to injure an opponent.

Head of Court [SHUF]: the end where play begins to start a match.

Head Pin [BOWL]: No. 1 pin.

Headgear [BOX]: Padded headpiece that is used during training to protect the head.

Heading [SOC]: Method of directing the ball with the head. A skill that highly rated players have.

Hear Footsteps [FB]: to hear (but not see) an opponent moments before a tackle.

Heart [POOL]: Courage. “That player has real heart.”

Heat [T&F]: Preliminary set of races in which the winners qualify for semifinal or final races.

Heavy Bag [BOX]: Large stuffed canvas bag, approximately 1–1½ feet in diameter and at least 3 feet long, hung from the ceiling of a gym, that a fighter punches to help strength, power, and technique.

Hedge [BET]: to bet opposite original wager to reduce the action on a game.

Heel Hold [WSKI]: to hold the ski tow bar with one heel.

Heisman Trophy [FB]: Award given annually to the best collegiate player in the country.

Held Ball [BB]: when two opposing players each hold the ball and neither can gain complete possession.

Helicopter Spin [WSKI]: Complete 360º spin in the skis after jumping from a ski ramp. The skis resemble the blades of a helicopter in flight.

Helm [B&F]: the steering apparatus.

Helmet [PARA]: required by all jumpers. Many RW jumpers are using hockey helmets and frappe hats instead of the usual rigid motorcycle helmet. Old cliché and rule of thumb “If you have a $5 brain, use a $5 helmet.”

Hemi [MOTOR]: Car with hemispherical combustion chambers.

Hen Feathers [ARCH]: Feathers other than the cock feather.

Herringbone [SKI]: a method of climbing up a hill with skis.

Hesitation [PARA]: Deployment sequence slower than the usual 1½ to 3 seconds. Hesitations are usually caused by the failure of the pilot chute to clear the jumper’s back quickly enough.

Hesitation Shot [SHUF]: a shot in which the player pauses momentarily during the shot. Illegal.

High Board [SWIM]: the 3-meter board.

High Performance [PARA]: usually defined as a ramair or wing-type parachute. Rates of forward speed for the three basic chute types are rag chute or cheapo, up to 7 miles per hour forward; ParaCommander or PC-type, up to 17 mph; wing-type chute, 23 mph and faster.

High Run [POOL]: the number of balls consecutively pocketed before missing, in one game or tournament.

Highway Surfer [SURF]: Surfer who spends all his or her time out of the water, “talking big waves.”

Hill Climb [MOTOR]: Race for the best clock time up a prescribed hill course.

Hinder [H&R]: to accidentally interfere with an opponent.

Hip [SKI]: the widest part of the rear end of the ski.

History [MOTOR]: same as totalled.

Hit [BASE]: Ball hit in such a way that the batter may reach base safely or preceding base runners may reach an additional base or bases safely.

Hit It [WSKI]: Command from skier to boat to accelerate to begin a ski tow.

Hit on the Break (To Hit on the Break) [BOX]: to punch during the break period, as required by a referee.

Hockey Helmet [PARA]: Used by RW jumpers, who think they get a better “feel of the air” with a lightweight helmet. Officially not recommended for novice jumpers.

Holding [ARCH]: Keeping the arrow at full bowdraw momentarily before shooting.

Holding [BB]: to prevent an opponent from moving freely. Usually a foul, if caught by the officials.

Holding [FB]: to illegally impede an opponent by grabbing the uniform, arm, leg, or any other available part of the opponent.

Holding [PARA]: Facing the wind, under canopy. If the prevailing wind is coming from the north at 10 mph and if the jumper is using a canopy with a “built-in” forward speed of 10 mph, facing into the wind will give him a speed of zero, thus he is holding. Turning with the wind or running, would, in this case, give him a forward speed of 20 mph (wind speed plus built-in speed of the parachute).

Holding the Whistle [FHOCK]: When a play continues after a whistle by an official, when, in the opinion of the official, it is better to allow the play to continue than to stop it and award a penalty.

Hole [GOLF]: in golf, the hole is 4¼ inches deep and 4 inches in diameter. The hole may be anywhere on any particular green, and may be moved from time to time.

Hole High [GOLF]: An approach shot that is on the green as far as the hole, but to the right or the left.

Hole in One [GOLF]: A drive shot from the tee that hits the hole.

Hole Out [GOLF]: to sink a putt.

Home [GOLF]: the green.

Honey Shot [FB]: Shot of cheerleader or other pretty girl during a televised game.

Honor [GOLF]: the first person or the first team to drive from the tee is said to have the honor. Generally, those who have the honor are those who won the previous hole.

Hook [BOWL]: Ball that breaks to the left for a right-handed bowler.

Hook [GOLF]: a shot that curves in flight from the right to the left, for a right-handed golfer.

Hook Shot [BB]: high arcing shot made by swinging the arm from behind the back, up over the shoulder.

Hook Slide [BASE]: to slide into second or third base or home plate while avoiding a player’s tag, but while keeping one foot pointed toward the base.

Hooking [HOCK]: a penalty when a player uses his stick to prevent another player from moving.

Hooking the Fish [B&F]: Setting the hook in the fish after it takes the bait or lure.

Hop [H&R]: to put spin on the ball by snapping the wrist (handball).

Hop-and-Pop [PARA]: same as clear-and-pull. An exit and free-fall of less than 10 seconds. Usually 5 seconds or under. The jumper hops off the step or door of the aircraft and pops open his parachute.

Horizontal Magazine [JOUR]: same as general magazine.

Hot Corner [BASE]: third base.

Hot Dog [FB]: Player who deliberately shows off for the opposition, audience or TV cameras.

Hot Dog [WSKI]: Showing off. Similar to Surf usage.

Hot Dogging [SURF]: “Jus’ showing off.”

Hot Hand [BB]: Player who temporarily has a high shooting average.

Hot Type [JOUR]: Material prepared with hot metal; that is, Linotype machines. Opposite of cold type or photo-offset composition.

House Ad [JOUR]: Advertisement that promotes the same newspaper or magazine that published it.

House Organ [JOUR]: Publication issued by a commercial firm to promote interest in the firm by employees, stockholders, or the public.

Hover [FRIS]: a throw in which the disc drops to the ground slowly, with little or no forward glide.

HTK [JOUR]: Head to Come; headline not yet ready.

Huddle [FB]: Brief meeting before a play. The quarterback announces the play and the count to the rest of the team.

Hugging the Rail [POOL]: Stroking action that will cause the cue ball or the object ball to roll down the rail along the edge of the table.

Hull [B&F]: the frame or body of a ship, excluding the spars, sails, and rigging.

Human Interest [JOUR]: Feature article with emotional appeal to the reader; different than straight news, which is presumably toneless in content.

Hump [SURF]: a large wave.

Hungry [BOX]: a fighter who financially or professionally desperately needs a win.

Hurdle [SWIM]: the jump at the end of the diver’s approach to the end of the board.

Hurdle [T&F]: Wooden or metal obstacle that a runner must leap over in a steeplechase or hurdles competition.

Hustler [POOL]: A lion. A money player. Not an amateur.

Hyperoxia [DIVE]: Excess oxygen in body tissues.

Hyperventilation [DIVE]: Breathing rate higher than normal.

Hypoxia [PARA]: Lightheadedness, giddiness, lack of motor control and reasoning ability caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Jumpers above 12,000 feet (mean sea level) should be aware of the problems and potential dangers of hypoxia. The F.A.A. has set guidelines regarding use of oxygen at high altitudes.

I Formation [FB]: Offensive backfield formation in which the halfback is behind the quarterback and the fullback is behind the halfback. So called because the backfield formation looks like the letter I.

I/E [PARA]: Instructor/Examiner. Qualified by the U.S.P.A. to certify instructors. 

Iceman [BASE]: A relief pitcher who can “ice” an opponent’s “hot streak.” Same as fireman.

Icing [HOCK]: when a player shoots the puck down the ice from his zone across the opping team’s goal line. The result is a stoppage in play and a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the icing.

IFS [MOTOR]: Independent Front Suspension.

Impact Player [FB]: a player whose presence can make a significant difference to a team’s win/loss record. Similar to franchise player.

Impound Area [MOTOR]: Area where cars may be required to be taken after a race so that officials can inspect them to make sure they have satisfied entrance requirements.

In Gear [WSKI]: Command from skier to boat to shift from neutral just prior to “Hit it” command.

In the Bag [BOX]: Fight that has been decided before it has begun.

In the Hole [BASE]: Unfavorable position for the batter. If the batter has two strikes against him and no balls called, he is said to be in the hole. Also, the batter positioned behind the on-deck batter.

In the Money [HORSE]: Gamblers can win on three positions win, place, and show. The horse owners, however, take a portion of the purse for running fourth, or “in the money.”

In the Tank [BOX]: Fighter who deliberately loses a fight.

In the Trenches [FB]: Offensive and defensive linemen at work doing their jobs at the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

In Your Face [BB]: Player who is guarding his opponent in a close and intimidating manner. Often refers to schoolyard tactics.

Inboard [B&F]: Motor mounted inside the boat or ship.

Inboard Pull [PARA]: Ripcord handle that is inside the left or right shoulder, rather than on the outside of the harness.

Indirect Free Kick [SOC]: a free kick in which a score can result only after the ball has struck another player.

Individual Medley [SWIM]: A four-course swimming competition in which a butterfly stroke is used in the first quarter; a backstroke used in the second quarter; a breaststroke in the third quarter; and freestyle in the last quarter. 

Ineligible Receiver [FB]: Player (usually a lineman) who may not catch the ball.

Infield Fly [BASE]: Fly ball with runners on first and second, or on first, second, and third, that is hit into the infield and that can be handled by the infielders for an out.

Infighter (Infighting) [BOX]: Fighting close to an opponent.

Inflator [BAL]: Gas or electric blower that forces hot air into the balloon envelope on the ground, to inflate the envelope.

In-Goal Area [RUG]: Equivalent to the area behind the goal line in American football.

Inning [H&R]: one complete round of play in which each player or each team has the opportunity to gain or lose the serve.

Inquiry [HORSE]: A review of a race by track officials, who look for violations of racing rules.

Insert [JOUR]: Material that has to be added to the inside of a previously completed article, or a specially prepared advertising supplement to a newspaper or magazine.

Inside [SURF]: the side of a wave toward the shore.

Inside Edge [SKI]: the right side of a left ski and the left side of a right ski.

Inside Game [BB]: Refers to maneuvers close to the basket.

Inside Man [BB]: the center of the team, usually the tallest player, who plays with his back to the basket, then jumps for a rebound.

Inside Ski [SKI]: the ski that is inside a turn. The right ski on a right turn; the left ski on a left turn.

Instep Kick [SOC]: Kick made with the instep or inside of the foot. Instep soccer kickers are now highly prized in American football because of their accuracy.

Instructor [PARA]: Person who has passed all qualifying tests offered by the U. S. Parachute Association and is thus qualified to teach the first jump course and to instruct novice jumpers.

Intentional Grounding [FB]: When the quarterback passes the ball during an offensive play, the officials may call intentional grounding if they decide that there was not a receiver near the play and that the quarterback simply threw the ball away to avoid a loss. A penalty results.

Interception [FB]: Occurs when a defensive player catches a ball intended for an offensive player.

Interception [FB]: Pass caught by a defensive player that was intended for an offensive player.

Interference [FB]: Penalty for illegally blocking the action of a player or a play.

Intermediate Canopy [PARA]: Paracommander or PC-type parachute.

Inventory [JOUR]: Material on hand in a magazine or newspaper office that may be used at any time.

Invitation [FEN]: to invite an attack by moving toward an opponent.

IRA [H&R]: International Racquetball Association.

Iron [GOLF]: a golf club with a metal lead, used for medium shots toward the green.

Iron Mike [BASE]: Pitching machine that is used during batting practice.

Irons [HORSE]: the stirrups. A jockey is said to be “in the irons” when he races.

IRS [MOTOR]: Independent Rear Suspension.

Issue [JOUR]: same as edition.

Italic [JOUR]: Script type that slants to the right, like handwriting. Italic type is often used to emphasize or highlight material.

Jab [BOX]: Direct punch used to bother an opponent or keep him off balance. Usually not a knockout punch.

Jackknife [SWIM]: Common name for the forward pike dive.

Jammed [FB]: A running play that is stopped at the line of scrimmage is said to have been jammed.

Jaw [POOL]: When the object ball hits the sides of the pocket and bounces back and forth without dropping, it is said to have “jawed.”

Jet Dragster [MOTOR]: Drag racer powered by a jet engine.

Jib [B&F]: A fore-and-aft triangular sail, set forward of the mast.

Juice [BET]: a bookmaker’s commission.

Juiced [BASE]: Slang for on steroids or human growth hormone.

Jump [JOUR]: to continue a story from one page to another or from one section to another.

Jump Advance [FEN]: A lunge in which both feet leave the ground at the same time and meet the floor at the same time.

Jump Ball [BB]: to put the ball in play by tossing it in the air between two opposing players; the one who can jump up highest for it takes possession.

Jump Head [JOUR]: Headline over the second or continued part of a story.

Jump Run [PARA]: Straight and level flight at the correct altitude toward the exit point. The jumpmaster may, during the jump run, offer course corrections to the pilot.

Jumper [PARA]: Informal slang for all sky divers.

Jumpmaster [PARA]: Qualified leader in an aircraft full of static line or novice parachutists. The jumpmaster will decide the jump run, coordinate it with the pilot, decide on the exit point and generally take command of the aircraft, subject to the flying decisions of the pilot. A jumpleader acts as leader in an aircraft full of expert jumpers.

Junk Man [BASE]: Pitcher who relies on junk pitches for effectiveness.

Junk Pitch [BASE]: An unorthodox pitch or slower than normal pitch.

Jury [FEN]: Usually four judges and a meet director.

L/D (Lift to Drag) Ratio [PARA]: the relationship between the lifting characteristics of the parachute as opposed to the resistance by air on the forward speed of the canopy and the drag of gravity. Applied in generally the same way to airplanes.

La Mans Start [MOTOR]: a start in which drivers run from a starting line, get into their cars and drive away.

Lamb [POOL]: An innocent; an amateur.

Landing Speed [HANG]: the rate in miles per hour of the landing.

Lane [BOWL]: Bowling alley 41 inches wide and 60 feet long from the foul line to the head pin, usually made of wood. An additional 16 feet, consisting of the bowler’s approach to the foul line and from the head pin to the end of the lane, is made of maple, the lane of pine. Formerly called alley.

Lane [T&F]: Path marked on a track. A runner must stay in his own lane during a specified part of a race or a complete race.

Lanyard [B&F]: a short line or rope used to attach one object or item to another.

Lap [MOTOR]: One complete circuit of a race course.

Lap [SWIM]: from one end of a swimming pool to the other end.

Laying off [BET]: when a bookie gets too much “action” or wagering, he will pass some of the action off to another bookie to reduce the financial risk.

Layout [JOUR]: the design of a page including textual material, or art that will later be published.

Layout [SWIM]: Diving position in which the body is extended without any flexing.

Lay-Up Shot [BB]: A shot made close to the basket that bounces off the backboard into the basket.

Lead [BASE]: A few steps away from a base taken by a runner toward the next base.

Lead [BOX]: the first in a series of punches.

Lead [FRIS]: to throw ahead of another player who is running so that that player can catch the throw without breaking stride.

Lead or Lede [JOUR]: beginning segment of an article.

Leader [B&F]: Material that connects the lure or hook to the line.

Leader Board [GOLF]: a billboard-size chart, generally located near the clubhouse, which shows the leader of a tournament. Lowest scores (below par) are at the top of the board, followed by par, then above par.

Leading Edge [HANG]: the front edge of a wing.

Leech [B&F]: the aftermost edge of a fore-and-aft sail; both side edges of a square sail.

Left [BOX]: A punch thrown with the left hand.

Legal Age [PARA]: Usually 18 to parachute, but may vary by locality. Check with your local DZ.

Lemoning [POOL]: Winning in an amateurish fashion or deliberately losing a game.

Let [BAD]: a shot that hits the top of the net, but falls on the opponent’s side of the court.

Let [TEN]: Play in which the ball touches the top of the net and falls into the correct court. The point is replayed, as in table tennis.

Let [TT]: Means “play the point over” and occurs if the ball touches the top of the net and falls into the opponent’s court after a serve.

Libel [JOUR]: a defamatory statement or representation published without just cause, expressed in print or by pictures, that exposes the subject to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule.

License [PARA]: Documentation issued by the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA) according to experience

“A” License [PARA]: Beginning license issued by the U.S.P.A.

“B” License [PARA]: Second license issued by the U.S.P.A.

“C” License [PARA]: Third license issued by the U.S.P.A. 

“D” License [PARA]: an advanced parachuting license.

Lie [GOLF]: the position of the ball on the fairway or green.

Lift [HANG]: the upward or “carrying” capability of wing surface.

Lift [PARA]: an airplane load of parachutists. As in, “I’ve signed up for the next Beech lift.”

Limbs [ARCH]: Upper and lower parts of the bow, with the handle in between.

Line [BOWL]: Complete game scored on a scoring sheet.

Line [MOTOR]: the best path through a race course.

Line Drive [BASE]: a ball hit in a straight line.

Line of Scrimmage [FB]: An imaginary line or vertical plane passing through the ball and parallel to the goal lines, marked by the nearest yard number (line of scrimmage, 35-yard line). There is a line of scrimmage for each team and the area between the two is the neutral zone. Any player who enters the neutral zone before the ball is snapped is guilty of being offside.

Line-out [RUG]: a line formed by two teams parallel to the touch line waiting for the ball to be thrown in between them.

Line-Over [PARA]: a malfunction in which one (or more) suspension lines has looped over the canopy.

Linesman [TEN]: an official in tennis who observes the game and decides if the balls are in the court or not.

Lineup Card [BASE]: Card given by the manager to the umpire that lists all the players to be used during a game by their position in the batting order.

Linked Turns [SKI]: Series of turns in opposite directions; that is, left-right-left or right-left-right. 

Linotype [JOUR]: trade name for a keyboard-operated typesetting machine that produces a line of type in the form of a metal slug.

Lion [POOL]: a hustler.

Lip [FRIS]: outside rim of a disc.

Little League [BASE]: a minor league for youngsters that plays on a field that is one third smaller than normal. Now headquartered in Williamsport, Pa., the Little League plays a World Series every year.

Little Magazine [JOUR]: Small circulation magazines, often less than 8½ “× 11”, that contain poetry, fiction, or avant garde material. Because of lack of advertising or subscription base, little magazines often die quickly. They are the publishing equivalent of the Mayfly.

Live Ball [SOC]: A ball in play after a free kick or throw-in or after it has been touched by a player, or has touched the ground after a drop.

Load [PARA]: generally same as lift.

Load the Bases [BASE]: to have runners on first, second, and third base at the same time.

Lob [H&R]: Ball that hits the front wall high then rebounds in a high arc toward the back wall.

Lob [TEN]: to hit a ball in a high arc.

Lobster Tail [PARA]: Color combination seen on many ParaCommanders and other similar canopies. Front and side panels are one color, back panels a contrasting color, thus making the canopy appear like a lobster tail.

Localize [JOUR]: to stress the local angle of a story.

Locks [RUG]: the second line of players in a scrum.

Locksmiths [POOL]: Hustlers who specialize in playing lock-up games.

Lock-Up [POOL]: a game that can’t be lost, because of inferior opponents. A cinch.

Loft [BAL]: a balloon repair shop.

Loft [BOWL]: to loft a ball means the bowler releases it too late; the ball arcs into the air and hits the lane heavily, instead of sliding onto the lane from the bowler’s grip.

Loft [PARA]: Rigger’s shop, where parachute repairs and sales are made. Lofts must maintain certain standards as required by the F.A.A.

Lofting [BAL]: the act of landing in which the gondola hits the ground, bounces into the air, then hits the ground again.

Log [SURF]: a heavy surf board.

Logbook [BAL]: A pilot’s book of all flights taken. Also applies to flying, sky diving, and boating.

Logbook [HANG]: Record of all flights.

Logbook [PARA]: Record book kept by all serious jumpers. The log will usually list all jumps in sequence, and has space for date of jump, location of the jump, aircraft type, jump type (static line, free-fall, or delayed opening), altitude, delay in seconds, total free-fall time, distance from target, wind speed, parachute type, reserve type, maneuvers during jump (four-man RW, eight-man RW, etc.), comments, and a space for a signature by a licensed parachutist, a jumpmaster, or instructor who witnessed the jump, or the jump pilot. New RW logbooks have space to diagram each jump. Logbooks must be kept for licenses, qualification of 12-and 24-hour free-fall awards, 1,000 jump awards, and other qualified and earned ratings.

Logo [JOUR]: same as flag or masthead.

Long Count [BOX]: Any count that takes longer than a strict 10 seconds. Usually is a controversial count.

Long Reliever [BASE]: Relief pitcher who can pitch five innings or more.

Look In [FB]: A pass play in which a receiver runs diagonally down the field and “looks in” (looks back toward the quarterback) for the pass.

Loose [ARCH]: to release tension on the bow; to shoot the arrow.

Loose Ball [BB]: A ball that is in play but not in possession of either team.

Love [TEN]: No score.

Love Game [TEN]: Game in which a player or team fails to score a point.

Love Set [TEN]: Set in which a player or team fails to score a point.

Low Blow [BOX]: A blow below the hip-line, usually to the crotch and usually a foul.

Low Board [SWIM]: the 1-meter board.

L-type hurdle [T&F]: Hurdle and base that resemble the letter L.

Lunge [FEN]: Key offensive movement in fencing; a long reach with one leg, preceded by a thrust with the foil. In a successful lunge, the fencer’s whole body follows the arm and leg thrust instantly.

Lunge [FHOCK]: Play used to take the ball from an opponent on the opponent’s left.

Lures [B&F]: Artificial or natural bait used to attract fish.

Lying Deep [RUG]: in attack, the backs adopt a deep formation to allow themselves running room. Somewhat similar to the backfield formation in a kick return in American football.

Lying on the Ball [RUG]: there is a penalty for stopping play by lying on the ball.

Lying Shallow [RUG]: in defense, the backs adapt a formation closer to their opponents.

MA-1 [PARA]: a 36” spring-loaded pilot chute. Used on ParaCommander and other similar parachutes and on many standard backpacks. The new “throw-away pilot chutes” are rapidly replacing the spring-loaded pilot chute.

Mae West [DIVE]: Life jacket for use on the surface of the water.

Mae West [PARA]: Malfunction caused by a suspension line over the canopy. So called because the parachute looks like a large bra, instead of like a round canopy. 

Magazine [JOUR]: regularly issued publication that contains fiction, nonfiction, and art, and that is aimed at a specific reading public. Carries the original definition of powder magazine, that is, storehouse.

Magic Number [BASE]: the number of games that a particular team must win to win a divisional race and thus qualify for playoffs leading to the World Series.

Mags [MOTOR]: Wheel rims made of magnesium; used because magnesium is very light.

Maiden [HORSE]: A horse that has not won a race.

Main [PARA]: Principal canopy, as opposed to the reserve.

Main Event [BOX]: the most important and the last bout during a boxing program.

Major League [BASE]: Refers to either or both the National League or the American League.

Major Penalty [HOCK]: Five minutes (or more) in the penalty box.

Majority Decision [BOX]: a decision made by two of three boxing judges.

Make the Weight [BOX]: to gain or lose pounds to enter a specific weight class, for a fight in that class.

Makeup [JOUR]: the consistent design of a total publication.

Making a Game [POOL]: Setting up some action or betting.

Malfunction [PARA]: any problem with the main canopy that may require a cutaway and deployment of the reserve. Malfunctions come in two types: A total malfunction occurs when the main parachute does not come off the jumper’s back. Often called a pack closure. A partial malfunction may be either a streamer, which occurs when the sleeve deploys but the parachute does not emerge from the sleeve, or a Mae West. If the jumper has a total, he activates his reserve; if he has a partial, he does a cutaway, using his capewells and then activates his reserve. Failure to cutaway may mean that the reserve tangles with the partially open main above him, thus offering the jumper a nearly zero chance of safe recovery and descent.

Mandatory Eight Count [BOX]: A rule that indicated that when a fighter has been knocked down, the referee must count to eight before the fight can proceed, to protect the downed fighter.

Manifest [PARA]: to sign up a complete load or lift of jumpers. Many jump centers require a complete manifest and tickets before jumpers can board the aircraft.

Man-to-Man [BB]: Defensive play in which each defensive man has a special offensive player to guard.

Man-to-Man [FB]: Defense in which each player is responsible for one specific offensive player.

Mark [BOWL]: a strike or spare in a particular frame.

Mark [RUG]: a fair catch from a kick or an intentional throw forward. The player must shout “mark.” Similar to a fair catch in American football.

Mark [T&F]: the spot where the broad jumper, discus, hammer, javelin, or shot lands.

Mark up [JOUR]: to edit copy and make corrections on galley proofs.

Market [JOUR]: the audience for a magazine or publication.

Marking [FHOCK]: Defensive position close to an opponent. Similar to guarding in basketball.

Mask [FEN]: Mesh protector for the competitor’s face.

Mass Exit [PARA]: In large-star RW, a nearly simultaneous exit, in which all the jumpers fall out the door like a line of dominos. Mass exits are an art; the best stars are put together when the mass exit is tight.

Massé [POOL]: Extreme English on the cue ball. Perhaps the most difficult shot in the game. The cue stick must be held almost straight up and down.

Mast [B&F]: a pole or system of attached poles, placed vertically on a vessel, used to support the sails.

Masters [H&R]: in singles competition, players must be over 40 years of age; in doubles, one must be at least 40 and the partner at least 45 (racquetball).

Masthead [JOUR]: Material usually printed toward the front of a magazine that lists title, editors and staff members, address, and subscription rates.

Match [FEN]: Contests between two teams with one type of weapon.

Match [H&R]: two out of three games.

Match [SOC]: a game.

Match [TEN]: two out of three sets or three out of five.

Match Play [GOLF]: Competition in which the winner is decided by the total number of strokes taken for each hole. A team may win a hole, lose a hole, or halve a hole (take the same number as the opposition).

Match Point [TEN]: A point which, if won by the player, will make him or her the winner of the match.

Maul [RUG]: Action surrounding a player with the ball.

Measure [BOX]: to hold a gloved hand against a stunned fighter to guide a knockout blow.

Medal Play [GOLF]: Competition in which the total number of strokes by a player is used in determining the winner.

Medley [SWIM]: A swimming event in which the swimmer must use the butterfly, backstroke, breast-stroke, and freestyle.

Meet [FEN]: Contests between two or more teams in which more than one type of weapon is used.

Messenger [FB]: Player who enters the game with a specific play from a coach.

Middle [FEN]: center section.

Mid-Field [FB]: the 50-yard line.

Mid-majors [BB]: term used to describe conferences that are not part of the six BCS conferences in college football. The 31 mid-major conferences include the Missouri Valley, the Mid-American, and the Atlantic 10.

Minor League [BASE]: Any league other than the two major leagues.

Minor Penalty [HOCK]: two minutes in the penalty box.

Miscue [POOL]: the scratch or miss shot, caused by inaccurately stroking the cue ball.

Misdirection [FB]: Play in which the “flow” of the backfield misdirects the defense away from the path of the actual ball carrier.

Mixed Doubles [TT]: Male and female player as a team.

Modification [PARA]: any change in the basic characteristics of a parachute made by the factory or by a qualified rigger. Modifications may be a removal or change in a parachute panel, or change in the suspension or steering lines. Only qualified riggers and parachute factories are allowed to make major modifications. The F.A.A. has issued guidelines about which types of modifications may or may not be made outside the factory.

Mogul [SKI]: Small mound of snow created by skiers turning in the same place on a hill.

Momentum [FB]: Enthusiasm working for a particular team. Momentum can “flow” from one team to another depending on the game, score, or players.

MoPar [MOTOR]: Parts made by Chrysler Corporation.

More [JOUR]: Used at the bottom of a page, often in parentheses, to indicate that there are additional pages to the article.

Morgue [JOUR]: Newspaper or magazine library, archives or files.

Morning Line [HORSE]: Odds set by a handicapper on the morning of race day before bets are taken. Generally not considered a good basis on which to place a bet, because ratings are based on past performance only.

Mouse [BOX]: a swelling around the eye.

Mousetrap [FB]: Offensive play in which a defensive player is allowed past the line of scrimmage after the ball is snapped, then blocked (mousetrapped) so he may not reach the ball carrier.

Mouthpiece [BOX]: Protective rubber guard worn inside the mouth to protect the teeth and lips of a fighter.

Move [FRIS]: any motion used to throw or catch a disc.

MPG [MOTOR]: Miles per gallon.

Ms. [JOUR]: Manuscript.

Mule [MOTOR]: Unattractive prototype automobile, made for testing or demonstration purposes only, usually without finishing touches, such as chrome.

Multiple Foul [BB]: two or more fouls committed at the same time.

Multiple Set [FB]: Offensive plays that can’t be predicted. A variety of possible plays.

Mushy [HANG]: Inadequate hang glider response to pilot control.

Must [JOUR]: Material so marked has a high priority and should be printed.

MVP [BASE]: Most Valuable Player. Award given to the outstanding player in each league each year. Awarded by the Baseball Writers Association.

Nameplate [JOUR]: same as flag or logo.

Narcosis (Nitrogen narcosis) [DIVE]: Illness that results when the diver dives too deep and nitrogen in the diver’s air supply has a narcotic effect. Divers have been known to spit out their scuba mouthpiece and drown.

NASCAR [MOTOR]: National Association for Stock Car Racing.

Nassau [GOLF]: Another alternate method of scoring one point for the first 9 holes, one point for the second 9, and one point for the entire 18 holes.

National League [BASE]: one of two professional major leagues, now divided into three divisions. In the East Division are Atlanta, Florida, New York (Mets), Philadelphia, and Washington. In the Central Division are Chicago (Cubs), Cincinnati, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. In the West Division are Arizona, Colorado, Los Angeles (Dodgers), San Diego, and San Francisco. Abbreviated NL.

National Round [ARCH]: for women 48 arrows shot at 60 yards, 24 at 50 yards.

Natural [POOL]: A simple shot; a lock-up shot.

NB-6, NB-8 [PARA]: Surplus parachutes, Navy issue.

NBA [BB]: National Basketball Association.

Net [B&F]: Mesh device on a metal frame to pull fish out of the water.

Net [BB]: the mesh sleeve that is attached to the basket rim.

Net [TT]: table tennis net is mesh. The top of the net is 6 inches above the table.

Net [VB]: top of net should be 7 feet, 11¾ inches for men; 7 feet, 4½ inches for women.

Net Game [TEN]: an individual’s style of play near the net.

Netting [VB]: Making contact with the net while the ball is in play. Offending team loses possession of the ball or the loss of one point.

Neutral Corner [BOX]: either of the two corners of a ring not assigned to a particular fighter and his cornermen.

Neutral Zone [HOCK]: Center area of the ice from one blue line across the red line to the other blue line. Roughly similar to the area from the 25-yard line across the 50-yard line to the opposite 25-yard line in football.

NFL [FB]: National Football League.

Nickel [BET]: $500 bet.

Nickel Defense [FB]: A pass defense in which the coaches insert an extra defensive backfield player—the fifth back; thus the name.

Night Jump [PARA]: officially described as a parachute jump made from at least 5,500 feet, 1 hour after official dark until 1 hour before official dawn.

Nightcap [BASE]: Second game of a doubleheader, often played at night.

Nine-Ball [POOL]: A hustler’s game, because it is fast and because bets can be made on individual balls, usually the five ball and the nine ball. Only the first nine balls are racked. They are pocketed in rotation (1–9) and the game is won by pocketing the nine. The nine can be pocketed on a good break shot or by shooting it from another ball, such as, cue ball to three ball to nine ball to pocket.

No Contest [BOX]: An act of ending a fight by a referee because of problems not directly connected to the two fighters, such as a power blackout.

No Knockdown [BOX]: A rule by a referee during a fight that a fighter who was on the canvas was not there because of a knockdown, but rather a slip or a push.

Nock [ARCH]: Groove in the end of the arrow opposite the point; the bow string is inserted in the nock.

Nocking Point [ARCH]: Point on the bow string where the nock is placed. Usually marked by archer.

No-hitter [BASE]: a game in which a pitcher does not allow any base hits by the opposing team.

Nonfiction [JOUR]: Material based on facts; not fiction.

Nordic Events [SKI]: Ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

North Pole [BAL]: same as apex.

Nose [FRIS]: the leading edge of a disc in flight.

Nose [SURF]: the front of a surf board.

Nose Tackle [FB]: Defensive player whose position is in the center—the nose—of the line.

No-Side [RUG]: the end of the game.

Novice Jumper [PARA]: one who has made one or more parachute jumps but not yet qualified by a class “A” license.

Number of Players [RUG]: there are 15 on each side in amateur rugby, 13 in professional play.

Numbering System [FB]: In the NFL, numbers from 1–99 are assigned to particular positions, in this system:

1–9:      Quarterbacks and kickers

10–19:                   Quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, and kickers

20–49:                   Running backs and defensive backs

50–59:                   Centers and linebackers

60–79:                   Defensive and offensive linemen

80–89:                   Receivers and tight ends (or 40-49 if those numbers are taken

90–99:                   Defensive linemen and linebackers

Numbering System [RUG]: there is no set numbering system for players as there is in American football.

Nutcrackers [FB]: Drills or exercises during training camp in which coaches hope to find the toughest players.

O.D. [PARA]: Olive drab. The color of most surplus parachutes (no one in his or her right mind would buy a new parachute in olive drab).

O.P.M. [POOL]: Other People’s Money, which hustlers prefer to play with.

Obit [JOUR]: Obituary; biography of recently deceased person.

Objection [HORSE]: a complaint filed by a jockey as soon as a race ends; leads to an inquiry.

Obstruction [FHOCK]: to interfere with an opponent by placing any part of the body between the opponent and the ball. A foul results.

Off the Ball [FB]: how quickly a lineman can react when the ball is snapped.

Off The Ball [SOC]: Players who do not have possession of the ball.

Off the board [BET]: a game where no bets are being accepted.

Offensive Boards [BB]: the backboard rebounding area of a team’s offensive basket.

Off-Hand [H&R]: the left hand if the player is right-handed, and vice versa.

Offset [JOUR]: Printing process in which an inked impression is made on a rubber “blanket” and then transferred or “offset” to paper.

Offside [FB]: A penalty when one player—offensive or defensive—moves across the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

Offside [FHOCK]: A foul when a player receives the ball while in an illegal position.

Offside [HOCK]: When a player precedes the puck into the attacking zone.

Offside [RUG]: this occurs when a player is ahead of the ball, when it was last touched by a member of his team. No penalty except if the player obstructs an opponent, plays the ball himself, or is within 10 yards of an opponent who is waiting to play the ball.

Offside [SOC]: Refers to the position of a player in relation to the opponents when a ball is put in play. A player may not kick a ball to a teammate if the teammate is positioned behind all of the defenders (except for the goaltender).

Offside Lines [HOCK]: same as blue lines.

Off-Speed Pitch [BASE]: Slower than normal pitch.

Off-Speed Spike [VB]: A slow spike.

OHV [MOTOR]: Over Head Valve.

OK for Press [JOUR]: Notation meaning “Can now be printed.”

On Deck [BASE]: Player waiting to bat next.

On Spec (On speculation) [JOUR]: Any material written and submitted for publication without prior financial agreements with a magazine.

On the Mark [T&F]: Command to take a starting position behind the scratch line, prior to a running race.

On the Ropes [BOX]: Leaning helplessly on the ring ropes; usually means the fighter cannot defend himself.

On the Same Page [FB]: everyone knowing what to do and going out on the field and doing it; being in sync with the playbook.

“On the Step” [PARA]: Novice static line or novice free-fall student poised on the step of a Cessna or other similar jump plane, ready for the “Go” from his jumpmaster.

 “On the Wrists” [PARA]: in a star and flying with other “skygods.”

One Atmosphere [DIVE]: Air pressure at sea level; 14.7 pounds per square inch.

One-and-One [BB]: a rule in college basketball in which a player receives the right to a second foul shot if the first foul shot is successful. This rule is also used in women’s and high school basketball.

One-Back Offense [FB]: Formations that involve only one offensive backfield player, other than the quarterback. This back, usually the biggest and the most powerful, is used in running situations.

One-on-One [BB]: A situation in which a specific offensive player is guarded by a specific defensive player, or when a specific offensive player challenges a specific defensive player.

One-Pocket [POOL]: Another hustler’s game. Each player shoots into one corner pocket of the table.

One-Shot Book [JOUR]: Magazine that has only one planned issue. One-shot books are often published after the death of a president, the Pope, or other famous or notorious people. There were a variety of one-shot books published after the death of Elvis Presley.

On-Sale Date [JOUR]: Date on which a particular issue is available for sale throughout the publication’s circulation area.

On-Side Kick [FB]: A kick that is deliberately short—10–15 yards, so that the kicking team can recover it immediately if the receiving team fumbles it.

Op-Ed Page [JOUR]: the right-hand page opposite, or facing, the editorial page. Many metropolitan newspapers use the Op-Ed page as a continuation of editorials, essays, letters-to-the-editor, and other allied material.

Open [BB]: a player who is not guarded by an opponent or who has an unguarded path to the basket.

Open [GOLF]: a tournament that allows both amateurs and professional golfers to play.

Open Frame [BOWL]: Frame in which the bowler has made no strike or spare.

Open Modifications [PARA]: Modification not covered by mesh. Open modifications are potentially hazardous because a pilot chute may entangle through the modification and cause a partial malfunction.

Opening Altitude [PARA]: Altitude when the jumper should have a good canopy over his head. Usually this is 2,500 to 2,800 feet above ground level. Could be higher for mass jumps—large star attempts.

Opening Shock [PARA]: the quick stop that the jumper comes to when the parachute deploys fully. The velocity goes from 120 mph at terminal to 10 mph within 2 or 3 seconds as the parachute opens. Opening shock used to be a major problem in military jumping, but since the advent of new generations of gear since the late 1940s and early 1950s, opening shock is no longer a real problem, although some jumpers are prone to complain about it. Faulty body position (head down) may lead to a hard opening shock when the harness flips the jumper into an upright position.

Option [FB]: a play in which the quarterback has the choice, depending on the offense and the defense, of keeping the ball or passing it.

Out [BOX]: Knocked out.

Out [TEN]: a ball that lands out of bounds.

Out In Front Of [BASE]: to swing too early at a pitch.

Out of Bounds [VB]: Ball is out of bounds if it strikes any object out of the court, or if it strikes the antenna.

Outboard [B&F]: Motor attached to the stern of a vessel.

Outboard Pull [PARA]: the ripcord handle under the left or right shoulder blade, but outside the edges of the webbing, rather than inside, over the jumper’s chest.

Outfield [BASE]: that part of a baseball field beyond the base paths that connect first, second, and third bases.

Outlet Pass [BB]: Player who grabs a rebound and passes to a teammate to establish a fast break.

Outline [JOUR]: topic-by-topic skeleton of an article.

Out-of-Date [PARA]: Reserve that needs to be repacked because it is past the deadline for legal use. U.S. Parachute Association members now need to repack every 120 days.

Outpoint [BOX]: to win a fight with the highest number of points awarded by the judges.

Outside [SURF]: the side of a wave toward the open sea.

Outside Edge [SKI]: the left side of a left ski and the right side of a right ski.

Outside Shooter [BB]: A player who has the ability to make long shots.

Outside Ski [SKI]: the ski that is outside on a turn. The left ski on a right turn; the right ski on a left turn.

Oval [MOTOR]: Oval-shaped track.

Over the Falls [SURF]: over the top edge of a breaking wave.

Over/under [BET]: a figure representing the total points scored in a contest. The bettor can bet on the actual total being greater or less than the predicted total.

Overbowed [ARCH]: Using a bow that has a pull too strong for the archer.

Overhand Pass [VB]: Pass made with both hands held head-high.

Overhead [TEN]: Shot to return a lob, usually with an arm motion over the head. Also called “smash shot.”

Overhead Kick [SOC]: A player who kicks the ball over his own head.

Overhead Shot [BB]: a two-handed shot in which the ball is released over the player’s head.

Over-Head Stroke [BAD]: Shot made over the player’s head.

Overset [JOUR]: Material that has been set in type but not used by a newspaper or magazine.

Over-the-Transom [JOUR]: Unsolicited material that is submitted to a magazine, that must be sorted, read, bought, or returned. (Some magazines will not read over-the-transom material because of the costs of staff member’s time to read and reply to it.) Over-the-transom material becomes part of the magazine’s slush pile.

Overtime [BB]: A 5-minute period of play to decide a game that is tied at the end of regulation time. Abbreviated OT.

Oxygen [PARA]: needed for high altitude jumps. Consult your A.S.O. or drop zone operator for specifics in your locality. The F.A.A. sets guidelines for oxygen use by high altitude sky divers.

“Peas” [PARA]: target for accuracy jumpers usually made of pea gravel, plastic fiber, sawdust, or other similar material.

“Pencil-Packing” [PARA]: to repack a reserve parachute illegally by simply changing or adding a new “date of repack” to the data card.

Pace [T&F]: a runner’s speed, as in slow pace, fast pace.

Pace Car [MOTOR]: Vehicle used to pace racers at the start of a race.

Pack (Noun) [PARA]: the pack is the jumper’s complete parachute system; to pack (verb) is to flake and stow the parachute to make ready for jumping.

Pack Journalism [JOUR]: the tendency of journalists to deliberately or accidentally write like each other. The press that covers Washington, D.C., has been accused of pack journalism, as have many sports writers.

Packing [PARA]: the act of flaking the parachute, stowing the lines and closing the container, to make the equipment jump-ready.

Packing Card [PARA]: See data card.

Packing Mat [PARA]: Protective canvas, plastic, or other material used to protect the parachute from dirt, oil, or anything else while packing on the ground.

Packing Table [PARA]: Protective table used when conditions are not suitable for packing on the ground. Some DZ’s make packing tables from old diving boards, which are the right width; several dovetailed together will make a packing table the right length.

Pad [JOUR]: to lengthen with additional materials.

Paddock [HORSE]: the enclosure where horses are saddled immediately prior to a race.

Paddock [MOTOR]: Area near the track where cars are worked on. Usually similar to pits.

Palooka [BOX]: An unskilled fighter.

Pancake [HANG]: to fall to the earth flatly is “to pancake in.”

Panel [PARA]: One portion of a parachute. Parachutes have different shaped panels for different portions of the parachute.

Pap [PARA]: Short for Papillion, a French-designed parachute similar to the ParaCommander.

Par [GOLF]: Average shot for a particular hole.

Parachute [PARA]: From the French words para (to guard against) and chute (to fall): Thus parachute means literally “to guard against a fall.” 

Parachutist [PARA]: A jumper who has achieved a Class “A” license. A free-fall jumper. In the eyes of the public, parachutist and daredevil are still synonymous.

Pari-Mutuel [HORSE]: a system of odds-making determined by the bettors, based on the amount of money wagered on each horse. Means “between ourselves” in French.

Parlay [BET]: the coupling of two or more bets as one larger bet. For example, a bettor would pick the winners of three games on a wager. He wins if all three teams win (often against the spread).

Pass [BB]: to move to the ball to a player on the same team by throwing it across the court.

Pass [FEN]: a touch that would not inflict a puncture or wound.

Pass [PARA]: Straight and level flight at the right altitude toward the exit point. One aircraft may have multiple passes at various altitudes “Give me one pass at 2,500, one at 4,500, and one at 7,500 on this lift,” the jumpmaster may say to the pilot.

Pass [WSKI]: Straight run over a ski course.

Pass Shot [H&R]: a shot that is hit out of reach of the opponent.

Passed Ball [BASE]: a call charged against the catcher when he drops the ball or loses possession of it and that loss causes a runner to advance a base or bases. Called an error if the catcher drops a called third strike; the player is allowed to advance to first base.

Pay the Price [FB]: to play while injured as a condition of keeping the job; to receive an injury while playing; a masochistic macho image of a football player who will play while hurt without complaining or without leaving the game. Considered a complimentary term by most players. Also applied to other contact sports.

PC [PARA]: ParaCommander. Since 1964, when it was first introduced, the ParaCommander has been the most popular and generally best received parachute in sport parachuting.

Pearl (verb) [SURF]: to nose the board over, in the water.

“Peas” [PARA]: target for accuracy jumpers usually made of pea gravel, plastic fiber, sawdust, or other similar material.

Penalty [FB]: A loss of yards as a result of a foul.

Penalty Box [HOCK]: Seat off the ice that a player must sit in to serve time for a foul.

Penalty Kick [RUG]: this is awarded to a team after a rules violation by the opposing team.

Penalty Kick [SOC]: Direct free kick made from the penalty mark; this kick is awarded to the offensive team for a foul committed by the defense within its own penalty area.

Penalty Stroke [GOLF]: one stroke added to the total for a violation of the rules.

Penalty Time [HOCK]: Specified time that a player must spend in the penalty box.

Penalty Try [RUG]: if a try would have scored (in the opinion of the referee) without a foul, a team that has been fouled may attempt a try.

“Pencil-Packing” [PARA]: to repack a reserve parachute illegally by simply changing or adding a new “date of repack” to the data card.

Penetration [FB]: Moving into the opponent’s part of the field, either defensively or offensively.

Pennant [BASE]: A league divisional champion team. So called because the team is allowed to fly the league flag or pennant during the next season.

Perfect Game [BASE]: a game in which a pitcher allows no opposing players to safely reach base.

Perfect Ten (GYM) Redundant phrase. Ten is the top score that any gymnast can receive.

Period [FB]: A 15-minute segment of a 60-minute football game. Also known as quarter.

Periodical [JOUR]: Publication issued at regular intervals longer than one day; that is, for example, magazines, not newspapers.

Personal Foul [BB]: Rules violation when a player contacts an opponent when the ball is in play.

Personality Piece [JOUR]: Biography on a person in magazine form.

Phase [FEN]: Continuous action during a bout. Similar to a tennis volley.

Photo Finish [HORSE]: A race so close at the finish that a final decision is withheld until a photograph taken at the wire can be developed.

Pick (or Pick’em) [BET]: a game where neither team is favored.

Pick Off [BASE]: to throw a runner out with a quick throw to a fielder who tags the runner out, off base.

Pick up a Wave [SURF]: to catch a wave for a ride toward shore.

Pics or Pix [JOUR]: Pictures.

Piece [JOUR]: Slang for article.

Pigeon [GOLF]: Easy mark. Victim.

Pigrig [PARA]: tandem main-reserve parachutes worn on the jumper’s back. The Wonderhog and other similar systems are the latest “state-of-the-art” in pigrigs. The front reserve is quickly becoming passé in sport parachuting because of increased bulk and inferior flying characteristics.

Pike [SWIM]: Diving position in which the body is bent at the hips and the legs are kept straight.

Piling On [FB]: Jumping on or tackling the ball carrier after the play is officially ruled ended.

Pilot Chute [PARA]: Small parachute that leaves the parachutist’s container first. The jumper’s weight pulling against the fully deployed pilot chute pulls the rest of the assembly out of the container and off the jumper’s back. In England, the pilot chute is sometimes called the Extractor chute.

Pilot Error [PARA]: in aviation, any crash, injury, or fatality caused by mental lapses or mistakes on the part of the pilot. Many jumping injuries or fatalities are similarly caused by “pilot error” on the part of the jumper.

Pin [PARA]: the pin (noun) is a metallic prong that slips into the cone, to lock the parachute container closed until the parachutist pulls the ripcord. To pin (verb) is the act of catching the base jumper in free-fall to establish the base- pin section of a free-fall formation.

Pinch Hit [BASE]: to hit in place of another player; to substitute for.

Pinch Run [BASE]: to run in place of another player.

Pin-Check [PARA]: a last-minute safety check performed before the parachutist boards the aircraft. Another jumper, a jumpmaster, or instructor checks the complete main and reserve to see that the pins and cones are set properly; that the reserve is in date; that all latches are properly snapped and; in general, that the main and reserve parachutes are properly set for the jump. A pin-check also includes calibrating a Sentinel, if the parachutist wears one.

Pit [BOWL]: Area behind the lane where all pins are scooped for resetting.

Pit [FB]: Offensive and defensive linemen “in the trenches,” at or near the line of scrimmage, are said to be “in the pit.”

Pit [MOTOR]: an off-the-track area where a driver can get gas, minor repairs during the race, tire changes, and advice from crew members.

Pit Lane [MOTOR]: Lane that drivers use to enter and exit the pit area to and from a race course.

Pit Stop [MOTOR]: Stop made during race for fuel, minor repairs, and so on.

Pitch [HANG]: Nose-up or nose-down flying characteristics.

Pitch Out [BASE]: a pitch that is thrown wide of the plate so a catcher can throw to put out a runner who is off base.

Pitcher of Record [BASE]: the pitcher who is officially charged with winning or losing a game.

Pitcher’s Duel [BASE]: a close game in which opposing pitchers have both performed well.

Pitcher’s Mound [BASE]: A slightly elevated part of a playing field that the pitcher throws from. Generally elevated 10 inches higher than normal ground level.

Pitchout [FB]: An underhanded toss of the ball from the quarterback to another player.

Pivot [BB]: to take one or more than one step with one foot, while in possession of the ball. The other foot must remain stationary.

Place [H&R]: to hit the ball accurately to a particular part of the court.

Place Kick [FB]: to kick a football when it is held motionless by a player or when it rests on a kicking tee.

Place Kick [RUG]: a kick made from a ball on the ground.

Plane [B&F]: to gain hydrodynamic lift as the boat lifts up on its bow wave.

Plane [WSKI]: the action of skis riding on the surface of the water.

Planting Box [T&F]: Slot at the immediate front of the pole vaulting pit, where the vaulter places or plants the pole for a vault.

Play for One [BB]: to possess the ball and to shoot when there is time for only one shot.

Play up [JOUR]: to emphasize.

Playbook [FB]: a team book of possible plays, offensive and defensive, that team members usually memorize during summer camp. Highly guarded by team coaches, even though most plays are no longer secret.

Play-by-Play [BASE]: A running account of a game in progress.

Player [BET]: someone who places bets, legally or with a bookie.

Player [HORSE]: anyone who bets on horses.

Player Ordered Off [RUG]: Player has been thrown out of the rest of the game for a rules violation.

Playoff [BASE]: Games conducted at the end of a season to determine a league championship.

P.L.F. [PARA]: Parachute Landing Fall. The best way to encounter the ground. The P.L.F. is taken with the legs together, knees bent, arms and hands in. The jumper is prepared to roll sideways (never straight forward onto his face or straight back, which may cause a whiplash). The jumper takes the ground shock on the side of his legs, side, shoulders, and does a complete roll, if necessary. The P.L.F. is elementary and necessary; the stand-up is a landing in which the jumper takes all the ground shock in his legs. It sometimes feels as if the jumper’s knees are going through his spine and skull. The P.L.F. and stand-up are generally approved methods, the alternative is a crash-and-burn, in which the jumper encounters the ground with other parts of his or her anatomy, not at all gracefully and often painfully.

Plug a Hole [FB]: to fill a gap in the line, during a play.

Poaching [TEN]: to play in a partner’s side of a doubles court.

Pocket [BOWL]: between the 1 pin and the 2–3 pins.

Pocket [FB]: Protective screen of players around a quarterback, who is getting ready to pass. A quarterback who is “out of the pocket” has inadvertently outrun or been chased away from his protective cover of players.

P.O.D. [PARA]: Pack Opening Device. Similar to a bag system of packing and deployment.

Point Blank [ARCH]: target distance so short that there is no allowance for trajectory of the arrow.

Points spread [BET]: the predicted difference in score between the favored team and opponent. Also called the Line or Spread.

Poised Exit [PARA]: An exit from the aircraft step or door in which the parachutist is ready seconds or minutes prior to the actual exit. Poised exits are required of novice jumpers, to learn correct positions and reactions. Later they graduate to bomb outs (unpoised exits).

Poke Check [HOCK]: to stab at the puck with the stick.

Pole [T&F]: the inside lane of a running track; or the vaulting pole used in pole vaulting.

Policy [JOUR]: Official viewpoint of a magazine as stated in editorial columns or other features; such as “The Playboy Philosophy,” a series in Playboy written by publisher Hugh Hefner.

Pommels (GYM) The curved iron handles of a side horse.

Pooch Kick [FB]: Short- or medium-range kick, usually soft and high. Similar to an approach shot to the green in golf. A finesse kick. The pooch kicker may not be the same as a field goal kicker or a kick-off specialist.

Pool [FEN]: Fencers or teams in a round-robin tournament.

Pop Fly [BASE]: a high fly ball.

POPS [PARA]: Organization for “senior citizen” parachutists. Stands for Parachutists Over Phorty. Its insignia shows a worried Father Time, jumping in a rocking chair, pulling his ripcord with a walking cane, his fingers crossed for good luck. Membership is open to parachutists over phorty—or, forty.

Porosity [PARA]: the amount of air that can get through a material. Parachute fabric is classified either low porosity or high porosity. LoPo parachutes generally drop slower and let the jumper down softer.

Porpoising [HANG]: a series of nose-up and nose-down maneuvers, resembling a swimming porpoise.

Port [B&F]: Left side of a ship when looking forward.

Portsider [BASE]: same as southpaw.

Position [POOL]: the arrangement of the balls on the table. A good player can keep all balls on one-half of the table, thereby enabling him or her to shoot short shots and stay alive in the game.

Post [BB]: same as post man.

Post Man [BB]: Player who stands in a particular position on the court. The high post is near the free-throw line; the low post is close to the basket. He coordinates offensive plays from that position. Also called pivot man, because his play is crucial to the play.

Post Pattern [FB]: a pass pattern in which the receiver runs toward the goalpost.

Post time [HORSE]: all horses are in the gates and ready to race. Signals the end of betting.

Power Back (power runner) [FB]: Offensive back who can gain yardage because of his superior size or speed.

Power Serve [H&R]: a ball that is hit low off the front wall and bounces toward a rear corner (hand-ball).

Power Sweep [FB]: an offensive play in which the ball carrier runs around the end of the line of scrimmage and has at least two players ahead of him blocking.

Preflight [BAL]: Inspection before ascent to check that all parts of the envelope and gondola are airworthy. Also applies to airplanes.

Preliminaries [T&F]: same as heats.

Preliminary Bout [BOX]: One bout on a boxing program before the main event.

Press [BET]: to bet a larger amount than usual, often when trying to make up for previous losses.

Pressing Defense [BB]: Defense that attempts to break an offensive drive by closely guarding the ball.

Prevent Defense [FB]: Defense that will give up small yardage but that will not give up extensive yardage. Often, if time is running out, the defense will go into a prevent defense, willingly giving up small gains by the offense, but not yielding a touchdown.

Profile [JOUR]: Personality article.

Promotion [JOUR]: Active campaign to enhance the acceptance and sale of a newspaper or magazine.

Prone Harness [HANG]: Harness used to enable the pilot to lie flat in a hang glider.

Prone Out [SURF]: to end a ride by lying down on the board.

Proof [JOUR]: Copy of material used for checking and correction purposes.

Proofread [JOUR]: to check such material prior to publication.

Prop Blast [PARA]: turbulence caused by the aircraft propeller. Jumpers often become unstable on exit when they hit the prop blast, or, as it is sometimes called, prop wash.

Prototype [MOTOR]: test model of a new car.

Provisional Ball [GOLF]: Ball played when a previous ball was hit out of bounds or lost.

Psyched Out [SURF]: Afraid.

Pugilism [BOX]: the art of boxing, from the Latin pugunus, fist, and pugil, boxer.

Pull [SWIM]: the part of a swimming stroke in which the arm motion is exerting the most power.

Pull a Punch [BOX]: to land a punch without full force.

Pulled Shot [GOLF]: a shot that is straight, but to the right of the green (or hole) for a right-handed golfer.

Pulling Guard [FB]: an offensive guard who “pulls” away from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, to help protect the quarterback or ball carrier.

Pulp [JOUR]: Magazines printed on cheap newsprint; often carries the connotation of sensational material.

Pump Fuel [MOTOR]: Fuel that is “consumer quality,” that is, that can be obtained at any gas station.

Punch-Drunk [BOX]: to suffer the effects of taking too many punches to the head. A punch-drunk fighter is said to slur his speech and generally give the impression of being drunk on alcohol.

Punched Out [BOX]: tired from throwing too many punches.

Punt [FB]: a kick on fourth down by the offensive team when it cannot get a first down on the next play.

Punt [RUG]: a kick made before it touches the ground. Similar usage to American football. This is a tactical movement in rugby, but does not score.

Purse [HORSE]: the prize money awarded in a race.

Push [SWIM]: the final part of a swimming stroke.

Push Over Try [RUG]: when the ball is in a scrum and the defending team is pushed into its own in-goal area, a push over try is scored when a member of the attacking team falls on the ball.

Push Shot [TT]: Ball is stuck with a pushing motion of the paddle so there is no spin on the ball.

Pushing Out [SURF]: Paddling out through the breaking waves to get in position to surf in toward the shore.

Push-Pass [FHOCK]: Quick pass without any backswing on the stroke.

Push-Shot [GOLF]: a shot that is straight, but to the left of the green (or hole) for a right-handed golfer.

Put Away [BOX]: to knock out an opponent.

Put to Bed [JOUR]: to put on press; to close an issue.

Put-Out [BASE]: Credited to fielder who handles a ball in a play that results in an out for a baserunner.

Putt [GOLF]: a delicate stroke on the green to roll the ball toward the hole. Rough Weeds or other natural hazards at either side of the fairway. Shank To hit the ball with the heel of the club.

Pyrometer [BAL]: Device that measures the temperature of air or gas inside the top of the envelope. The pyrometer will warn if the inside temperature is getting too high—above 250º to 300º (Fahrenheit). Excessive heat will damage the envelope fabric.

Qualify [T&F]: to survive the heats and enter final races.

Qualifying Times [MOTOR]: trials used to determine race position based on best time during trials.

Quarter [FB]: same as period.

Quarterback [FB]: Offensive team leader who calls the plays in the huddle, then takes the ball from the center to begin the play. He either runs with it, passes it, or hands it off to another.

Quarterback Sneak [FB]: Short yardage play in which the quarterback takes the ball from the center and follows the forward motion of the center, into the line of scrimmage.

Query Letter [JOUR]: Letter from a freelance writer outlining an article idea and asking for an acceptance from a publication on the idea.

Quick Count [BOX]: A count that takes less than 10 seconds.

Quinella [HORSE]: Similar to the Exacta, but bettor wins no matter which of his two chosen horses finishes first and second.

Quiver [ARCH]: Receptacle for holding arrows, usually leather, often decorated.

Quote [JOUR]: Quotation.

R2’s, R3’s [PARA]: Generic name for any surplus round parachute. Same as cheapo.

Rabbit [T&F]: Runner who may lead the field during the early stages of a long race, but who may set a pace too fast to continue the lead to the finish.

Rabbit Ball [BASE]: A ball that bounces or hops in a lively manner.

Rabbit Punch [BOX]: An illegal punch to the back of the opponent’s head.

Racehorse [FB]: Pass receiver with exceptional speed through the defensive backfield.

Rack [POOL]: the triangular arrangement of balls on the table before the game begins. Also refers to the wooden triangle used to form the balls into this shape prior to the game.

Rail [HORSE]: the fence around the infield. A horse running the shortest route is said to be “on the rail.”

Railroad [PARA]: to strike a free-fall jumper hard enough to cause possible injury, to destroy a formation, or to knock a sky diver out of position. At the least, to railroad a fellow jumper is discourteous; it can cause a possible fatality if the jumper is knocked out and does not wear an automatic opener, such as a Sentinel.

Rails [SURF]: Side edges of a surf board.

Rain Check [BASE]: A ticket stub that can be used again if a game is rained out and replayed later.

Rain Out [BASE]: to rain hard enough to cause a game to be postponed.

Rally [BAD]: to return the shuttlecock several times without scoring a point.

Rally [MOTOR]: Race organized to test navigational skills of driver and navigator. Contestants are given a route map and must check in at various predetermined points to obtain their time from point to point. Best time wins.

Rally [TEN]: Prolonged exchange of shots by both players or by members of a doubles play.

Ram-Air [PARA]: New square type parachute. So called because the air flows into the front of the parachute cells and out the back; similar in concept to the intake and exhaust of a jet engine. Ram-air parachutes have the advantage of increased forward speed in the air (25–30 mph), but are also more difficult to handle and are generally regarded as the “sports cars” of the parachute world. Common ram-air parachutes are the StratoStar, StratoCloud, Cobra 10, ParaFoil, and others.

Ramp [WSKI]: Incline plane used for water ski jumping.

Range Finder [ARCH]: Mechanical device used to determine distance to target.

Ranking [TEN]: Listing of players by their ability and records of past play.

Reach [BOX]: a measure of arm length. Generally speaking, a boxer with a longer reach than his opponent will have an advantage in the ring.

Reach [SWIM]: the lift of the arms and the legs during the take-off from the board.

Read the Defense [FB]: to know what defensive men will do in a play because of their positions (or keys) at the line of scrimmage.

Read the Offense [FB]: to know what offensive men will do in a play because of their positions (or keys) at the line of scrimmage.

Readability [JOUR]: the ease with which a story can be read; visually, pertains to legibility and design of article or layout.

Readership [JOUR]: Surveyed or estimated audience of a magazine; not the same as circulation.

Ready Position [H&R]: the stance taken by a player to receive a serve.

Rebound [BB]: to attempt to gain possession of the ball when it has bounced off the basket or the backboard without going through the net.

Receiver [BAD]: Player who receives a serve.

Receiving Line [H&R]: a line 5 feet in back of the short line. Players waiting for the serve must stand behind this line until the ball is served.

Recompression [DIVE]: treatment for decompression illness by the use of a compression chamber that reduces compression levels at a safe rate.

Red Dog [FB]: same as blitz.

Red Line [BAL]: Warning line on a pyrometer that shows when the inside temperatures of the envelope are too hot.

Red Line [HOCK]: Line that separates the ice into two halves. Similar to the 50-yard line in football.

Red Shirt [FB]: to hold a player out for a season, usually to allow an injury to heal.

Redoubled Attack [FEN]: a lunge, followed by a second lunge.

Reel [B&F]: Mechanical device that winds or unwinds line for fishing.

Reel Set [B&F]: Part of the rod handle to which the reel is attached.

Referee [BOX]: the official in the ring who controls the action during a fight, watches for fouls, and separates fighters in a clinch. Sometimes called the third man.

Referee [FB]: senior official during a football game. He stands behind the offensive backfield before each play.

Referee [RUG]: Sole rules judge on the field during play.

Reflex Box [ARCH]: Bow whose tips curve toward bow back when unstrung.

Regional Advertisements [JOUR]: Advertisements that appear in issues of a magazine for a particular region.

Regulator [DIVE]: Mechanical device that governs the flow of air from the scuba tanks to the scuba diver.

Regulator Valve [BAL]: Adjustable valve that controls the fuel flow through the burner system.

Rejection Slip [JOUR]: Small letter sent to freelancers with articles that a publication has decided not to buy.

Relative Wind [PARA]: an aviation concept, introduced to the world of sky diving by Pat Works in his book The Art of Freefall RW. Relative wind is the wind that always comes at the jumper from the direction toward which he is moving.

Relative Work [PARA]: See RW.

Relay Leg [T&F]: One runner’s part of a relay race.

Relief Pitcher [BASE]: A pitcher who does not start a game, but who comes in to relieve the starting pitcher in late innings.

Rematch [BOX]: a bout in which two fighters who have fought each other previously fight again.

Remise [FEN]: a delayed riposte.

Repack Cycle [PARA]: the dates on which the reserve parachute must be opened, checked and repacked. Repacking now is due every 120 days for U.S. P.A. members. For years, the repack cycle was 60 days.

Repetition [WTL]: to repeat a lift or action.

Reprint [JOUR]: Article printed separately and sent to readers or advertisers after the article has first appeared in print. Scholarly magazines often sell reprints to authors for their own distribution. Or, an article that had appeared previously in another publication.

Researcher [JOUR]: Editorial staff member who supplies facts necessary for an article or who verifies facts in an article. Slang term for researcher is checker, in news magazines.

Reserve [PARA]: the parachutist’s second parachute.

Résumé [JOUR]: Summary of education and experience, sent by individual to prospective employers.

Retire a Number [FB]: to honor a player by holding a ceremony and officially declaring that the number he wore during his playing days will never again be used by the team.

Retire the Side [BASE]: to put out three batters to end an opposing team’s turn at bat.

Retreat [FEN]: to move away from an opponent.

Return (Riposte) [FEN]: to advance after a successful defense.

Reverse [FB]: a running play in which the ball carrier hands the ball to another back, running in the opposite direction.

Reverse Grip [WTL]: a grip in which the knuckles of one hand are under the bar and the knuckles of the other hand are over the bar.

Rewrite [JOUR]: to write manuscript again.

Rhubarb [BASE]: A noisy argument.

Ribbie [BASE]: Abbreviation for Runs Batted In. Important offensive statistic for ball players.

Riding the Board [SWIM]: the act of riding the spring of the diving board for maximum upward thrust.

Rig [B&F]: the form in which a vessel’s mast, spars, and sails are arranged.

Rig [PARA]: the parachutist’s complete outfit, ready to jump. Same as gear.

Rigger [PARA]: F.A.A. licensed parachute repairman and repacker (in the case of reserves). Only riggers may repack reserves, and the rigger must sign the data card, giving his name, F.A.A. license number, and the dates. Junkyard riggers are those who make repairs, or equipment with spare parts or cheap equipment. A good rigger is your best friend when you need to use a reserve in the air. Many jumpers have been known to give their rigger a bottle of his or her favorite liquor when the reserve opens promptly as needed during a malfunction or cutaway. Needless to say, an inept rigger is nobody’s friend.

Rim [BB]: Metal hoop, 18 inches wide, through which the ball must fall to score. The net is attached to the rim.

Rim [JOUR]: Edge of copy desk, where editors check material.

Ring [BOX]: An elevated 18- to 20-foot square area surrounded by three ropes attached to vertical posts at each corner. Sometimes called the squared circle.

Ring Savvy [BOX]: Knowledge of the tricks and techniques of boxing.

Rip Cord [BAL]: A cord that is attached to the balloon envelope that allows a slit to open to vent hot air or gas, so the balloon can deflate.

Ripcord Housing [PARA]: Steel conduit that protects the ripcord.

Ripstop [PARA]: Nylon that resists tearing. Ripstop nylon is also used for sailboat sails, as well as parachute fabric.

Risers [PARA]: Webbing that begins at the capewells and extends over the jumper’s head, where suspension lines are connected to the risers with connector links. Risers and most webbing on the parachute harness should withstand 5,000 pounds of pressure before splitting or breaking.

Roadrunner [H&R]: Player whose specialty is retrieving (racquetball).

Roadwork [BOX]: Running that is part of a boxer’s training and conditioning.

Rogallo Wing [HANG]: triangular or V-shaped wing developed by Francis Rogallo.

Roll Bar [MOTOR]: Safety bar that protects the driver in the case of a roll-over accident. Sometimes called headache bar for obvious reasons.

Roll-In [FHOCK]: Method of putting the ball in play after it has gone out of bounds.

Rookie [BASE]: An inexperienced player, a novice.

Rookie [FB]: Novice member of a football team. A player recently out of college on a professional team.

Rookie of the Year [BASE]: an award made by the Baseball Writers of America to the outstanding first-year players in the American and National Leagues.

Rope [BOX]: Ropes that are strung at 2-foot, 3-foot, and 4-foot heights around a boxing ring.

Rosin Bag [BASE]: A bag that contains powdered rosin. This is handled by the pitcher between pitches to allow him to keep a firm grip on the ball.

Rotation [BASE]: the regular order in which pitchers are used by a team.

Rotation [POOL]: Shooting the balls according to numerical sequence.

Rotation [SKI]: to turn the skier’s body in the direction of a turn.

Rough [JOUR]: Full-size sketch of layout.

Roughing the Quarterback (Roughing the Catcher, Roughing the Kicker, etc.) [FB]: Hitting the player unnecessarily hard, or after the play is over, perhaps with an intent to injure. Calls for a penalty if the officials see the incident.

Round [ARCH]: shooting a determined number of arrows at a target at a specific distance.

Round [BOX]: Any 3-minute period during a boxing match.

Round [SHUF]: playing all discs from one end of the court is a round.

Round Robin [TEN]: type of tournament in which all players play all other players.

Roundup [JOUR]: Article that is largely summary in nature.

Ruck [RUG]: a loose scrum.

Rudder [B&F]: Movable underwater part of a vessel used for steering and to prevent side-slipping.

Rudder [HANG]: Hinged panel attached to the rear edge of the tail fin. Controls yaw in flight.

Rugby league/rugby union [RUG]: the two main branches of organized rugby. The main difference between the two involves contesting for possession of the ball. Rugby union allows players to contest the ball after tackles in scrums, line-outs, etc.

Run [POOL]: consecutively pocketing as many balls as possible (see high run).

Run [WSKI]: two passes over the same course in competition.

Run Batted In [BASE]: A run that scores because of a hit by another player. Also known as an RBI or ribbie.

Run Down [BASE]: to chase a runner between bases and tag him for an out.

Run to Daylight [FB]: Run to an open part of the field.

Run-and-Gun [BB]: Aggressive type of play in which a team frequently runs the length of the court for a fast break. Also called run-and-shoot.

Run-Around Shot [H&R]: A shot that hits one side wall, the back wall, and a second side wall.

Running [PARA]: the act of facing a parachute in the same direction the wind is blowing, for maximum advantage and speed. To run is to add the wind speed and the built-in forward speed of the parachute for maximum velocity. Opposite of holding.

Running Back [FB]: Offensive ball carrier other than the quarterback.

Running Head [JOUR]: Headline that gives magazine title, date, volume, and page, printed at the top of magazine pages.

Running Squeeze [BASE]: Runner on third base begins running toward home plate, as the ball is pitched, hoping that the batter will bunt safely and allow him to score.

Running Story [JOUR]: Story that is continuing and that may demand follow-up articles on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis.

Rushing [FB]: to gain yardage by running with the ball.

RW [PARA]: Relative work. To make a free-fall sky dive with others; to jump relative to someone else. The act of completing (or attempting) a multi-person formation using hand-holding or other physical connections to establish a formation in free-fall. Most jumpers believe that RW is the best part of sky diving. RW techniques have changed the face of sport parachuting. Only a few years ago, a baton pass between two jumpers in free-fall was considered expert jumping. Now RW techniques involve 50 (or more) jumpers connected in various “megaformations.” See Pat Works’ The Art of Freefall RW.

S.C.R. [PARA]: Star Crest Recipient. The most respected and generally most sought-after earned award in sky diving. The S.C.R. is awarded to any member of an eight- man (or larger) free-fall formation held together for five seconds or 1,000 feet. Formerly awarded by the Bob Buquor Memorial Star Crest Association.

S.C.S. [PARA]: Like the S.C.R., but awarded to the eighth, or following jumpers in a free-fall formation. Stands for Star Crest Soloist.

Sabre [FEN]: Weapon similar to the foil in size and weight, but with a two-sided blade, instead of the four-sided blade of the foil.

Sack [BASE]: the first, second, and third bases.

Sack [FB]: to tackle the quarterback for a loss.

Sacrifice Bunt [BASE]: Batter bunts the ball to advance a baserunner and is called out while the baserunner advances safely.

Sacrifice Fly [BASE]: Ball hit to the outfield that results in an out for the batter, but a successful advance for a runner on base.

Saddle [PARA]: the portion of the harness on which the parachutist sits. A split-saddle harness is one with separate leg straps individually connected.

Safe [POOL]: to shoot so as not to leave your opponent room to shoot. “Playing it safe.”

Safety [FB]: is scored when a ball carrier is tackled behind his own goal. A safety scores two points for the defense.

Safety Binding [SKI]: Locking device that releases the skis from the skier’s boots in the case of a fall, to prevent injury to the skier’s ankle or leg.

Safety Squeeze [BASE]: Runner on third heads for home plate when the ball is bunted. Slightly different than running squeeze.

Sandlot Ball [BASE]: School yard baseball, or any other informally organized game.

Sarah [FB]: Coaching code for a strongside formation or play.

SASE [JOUR]: Self-addressed stamped envelope. Many magazines require a writer to enclose a SASE to receive an answer to a query. The writer pays the return postage.

Save [BASE]: when a relief pitcher wins a game begun by a starting pitcher, he is said to have saved the game.

Save [HOCK]: Defensive play by the goalie that prevents a score.

Save [SOC]: Play made by the goalkeeper to prevent a score.

Saved by the Bell [BOX]: A boxer who is about to be counted out is said to be saved by the bell when the bell to signal the end of a round is rung before the count is up. No fighter can be saved by the bell during the final round of a bout.

SCCA [MOTOR]: Sports Car Club of America.

Schuss [SKI]: to ski down the fall line, usually too fast to be in complete control.

Scissors Kick [SWIM]: a kick used in swimming side-stroke. The cycle is begun with the legs together; one leg is then thrust forward and one backward, on a plane parallel with the surface of the water. The knees are bent during the return portion of the cycle. The scissors kick is somewhat like the opening and closing of a pair of scissors.

Scoop (noun) [JOUR]: Exclusive material, or to scoop (verb): To beat the competition.

Scoop [FHOCK]: Short pass in which the ball is lifted with the front end, or toe, of the stick.

Scorecard [BOX]: a card on which an official keeps score of rounds won or lost by each fighter.

Scoring [SHUF]: One 10-point area, two 8-point areas, two 7-point areas, and one 10-off area.

Scoring [VB]: One point is awarded for each score. Only a serving team may score a point.

Scratch [HORSE]: a horse that has been withdrawn from a race.

Scratch [POOL]: a playing error in which the cue ball falls into a pocket. Some hustlers scratch deliberately to fake incompetence.

Scratch Line [T&F]: a line that runners or jumpers must not cross before the race begins. Similar to the line of scrimmage in football.

Screen [BB]: to protect a teammate in the act of shooting by standing between him and an opponent.

Screen [H&R]: Ball that passes too close to a player’s body for it to be seen clearly by the opponent.

Screen Pass [FB]: a pass that is thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or a pass that is completed behind the line of scrimmage. Or, a pass that is thrown to a receiver who is screened (blocked) from the defensive by another offensive player.

Scrimmage [FB]: the line on which a play takes place.

Scrummage [RUG]: a scrum is formed by players from each team prior to the start of play. The front row of each team in a scrum is composed of three players. The ball is thrown into the scrum and the players fight to control the ball with their feet. When one team controls the ball, the scrum is wheeled and opened and field play begins.

Scuba [DIVE]: Stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Seamless 558 [H&R]: Ball used for racquetball. Ball is 2½ inches in diameter and weighs approximately 1.4 ounces.

Seasonal Story [JOUR]: An article emphasizing a season, holiday, or celebration. Must be prepared well in advance, sometimes as much as a half-year in advance for monthly magazines.

Second [BOX]: One man who is allowed in a boxer’s corner between rounds to advise him.

Secondary [FB]: Defensive positions behind the line of scrimmage.

Seeded [T&F]: to place the fastest runners in separate heats so they do not meet until the final races.

Seeding [TEN]: Placing top tournament players in a tournament in such a way that they will not compete against each other until the final rounds.

Sentinel [PARA]: Automatic barometric- and speed-computer that will fire the parachutist’s reserve open if the parachutist falls through the last 1,000 feet without having a good canopy over his head. The most popular automatic opening device in sport parachuting. Manufactured by S.S.E. Inc., Pennsauken, NJ.

Sequential RW [PARA]: Relative work jump in which several different free-fall formations are completed. A four-man RW team might go from a Skirmish line to a four-man star to a Murphy star during one jump, for instance.

Serve [H&R]: to put the ball in play.

Server [BAD]: Player who puts the shuttlecock in play.

Service Box [H&R]: 18”-wide boxes at each end of the serving line. Non-serving partners must stand in one of these boxes while the other partner serves the ball.

Service Court [H&R]: Area in which the ball must land after hitting the front wall.

Service Line [H&R]: Line 5 feet in front of and parallel to the short line.

Service Line [TEN]: the line drawn across the court 21 feet from the net and parallel to the net.

Service Zone [H&R]: where the server must stand when serving the ball.

Serving [VB]: the act of putting the ball into play by propelling it over the net and into the opponent’s court.

Set [TEN]: the first player to win six games provided that the player is at least two games ahead of the opponent (6–3, 6–4, 7–5, etc.).

Set [VB]: An overhead pass designed to allow a teammate to spike the ball.

Set [WTL]: a predetermined number of repetitions.

Set Down [BASE]: same as retire the side.

Set Play [BB]: A play in which offensive positions are deliberately taken; opposite of run-and-gun play.

Set Point [TEN]: a point that, if won by the player, gives him or her the set.

Setting the Game [BAD]: deciding how many further points will win the game, when it is tied.

Setup [POOL]: An easy shot. Same as “natural.”

Seventh-Inning Stretch [BASE]: Spectators’ tradition of standing and stretching before the home team comes to bat in the seventh inning. Spectators usually go to the restrooms, get a beer, or otherwise take a break.

Shaft [ARCH]: Main part of the arrow.

Shake off a Sign [BASE]: Occurs when a pitcher refuses to pitch a specific type of ball that the catcher signals him to pitch.

Shank a Kick [FB]: to miskick a ball so that it travels only a few yards (football equivalent of hooking a golf ball).

Sharp Angle Serve [H&R]: a shot that hits the front wall close to the floor and bounces at an angle to the right side wall and back toward the server.

Shave Points [BB]: to illegally limit the number of points scored, to affect a bet on a basketball game.

Sheet [B&F]: the line attached to the clew of a sail, used to trim it. When the sheets are brought in and made fast they are said to be sheeted together.

Shelter Books [JOUR]: Magazines related to the home.

Ship [B&F]: Vessel large enough to carry its own life-boat or lifeboats.

Shoestring Catch [BASE]: Catch of a ball made at the shoe level. Also appropriate in football.

Shoestring Catch [FB]: to catch a football at the ankle (shoestring) level.

Shoestring Tackle [FB]: to tackle a ball carrier below the knees.

Shoot the Tube [SURF]: to ride under the crest of a wave.

Shooters [H&R]: Players who rely on kill shots (racquetball).

Shooting Glove [ARCH]: Glove that protects the two fingers that hold the arrow nock on the bowstring.

Short Line [H&R]: Line in the middle of the floor from side to side halfway between the front and back walls. The serve must carry over this line from the front wall.

Short Reliever [BASE]: Relief pitcher used for only a few innings, or a relief pitcher who is effective for only a few innings.

Short Serve [BAD]: Serve that barely clears the net, but lands in the opponent’s court.

Short-handed goal [HOCK]: when a player scores a goal while his team has fewer players on the ice than the opposing team due to penalty

Short-lining [PARA]: in static line jumping, a jump-master will short-line a static-line jumper by pulling in the static line to prevent the jumper from being entangled in the line or to begin the deployment sequence faster than normal. To short-line a canopy is to trim (shorten) the suspension lines to alter the flying characteristics of the parachute.

Shortstop [POOL]: A player who can be beaten only by the top players.

Shot Bag [PARA]: Weighted pouch used to hold down a parachute during packing.

Shot Clock [BB]: Clock that indicates that the team with the ball has a time limit to take a shot.

Shotgun [FB]: Offensive formation in which the quarterback stands to receive the snap a few (5–10) yards behind the center. This gives the quarterback slightly more time to find his receivers for a pass.

Shovel Pass [FB]: Pass that is thrown underhanded to a receiver.

Showboating [SURF]: same as hot dogging.

Shrouds [B&F]: Wires that support the mast on either side; part of the standing or permanent rigging.

Shut Out [BASE]: to prevent an opposing team from scoring through an entire game. Sign Signal shown to the pitcher by the catchers to indicate what kind of ball to throw next. First base and third base coaches may also signal to runners and batters, and the manager may signal to his team from the dugout.

Shut the Gate [MOTOR]: to block a driver’s path during a race.

Shuttlecock [BAD]: Feathered object—now usually plastic—that is batted back and forth across a net in the game.

Siamese Catch [FRIS]: any catch made by two (or more) players at the same time.

SID [JOUR]: Sports Information Director. The promotion-and-publicity arm of a college or university’s athletic department.

Side Out [VB]: Exchange of serve after a previous serving team fails to score.

Sidebar [JOUR]: a short feature that accompanies a longer article. The sidebar usually focuses on one aspect of the larger article; an aspect that the larger article may have only touched on.

Side-by-Side [H&R]: Doubles play in which partners stand side-by-side, as opposed to front-and-back.

Sideslip [SKI]: to ski diagonally down a hill.

Silk [PARA]: what parachutes were made of before rip-stop nylon, pre-World War II. The phrase still remains, “Hit the silk,” a reference to early military paratroop jumping. Modern jumpers have never even seen a silk parachute, much less jumped with one.

Single Handle [WSKI]: One towing handle at the end of a tow rope.

Sink [HANG]: to lose altitude in the air.

Sink Rate [HANG]: the rate of descent.

Sinker [BASE]: Pitch that drops vertically as it crosses the plate.

Sister Publications [JOUR]: Magazines that are published by the same firm: Time, Life, Fortune, Money, People, and Sports Illustrated are all sister publications, published by Time, Inc.

Sitting Up [PARA]: the jumper sits up in free-fall to stop. He literally raises his torso, arms, and head.

Sitzmark [SKI]: a hole or mark left in the snow by a skier who has fallen. Snowplow To form the point of a V with the tips of the skis to slow down.

Six-Beat Crawl [SWIM]: a version of the crawl in which there are six beats of the legs in a flutter-style kick to one full arm cycle. Most common version of the crawl.

Skin Diving [DIVE]: Diving, generally on the surface of the water without scuba tanks, and usually with a snorkel.

Skirt [BAL]: Fabric around the bottom edge of the balloon.

Skirt [PARA]: the bottom edge of a parachute canopy.

Skirt the End [FB]: to run offensively around the defensive end.

Sky Hook [BB]: High hook shot that is impossible to block.

Skygod [PARA]: Expert free-fall jumper, usually with an SCR, SCS, or other RW experience and achievements. The skygod is sometimes a less-than-complimentary term, meaning a jumper who demands an ideal position on the load, or first lift, to the exclusion of others. An inconsiderate RW jumper, obsessed with his or her own perceived importance and abilities.

SL Jump [PARA]: Static Line jump, in which the parachutist’s canopy is pulled open by a static line, an unbreakable line that runs from the backpack to an anchor in the airframe of the aircraft. The novice graduates from an automatic static line to a self-actuated free-fall parachute rig.

Slalom [WSKI]: Zig-zag course between obstacles, similar in nature to a slalom run on snow skis.

Slam Dunk [BB]: Hard dunk shot.

Slant [JOUR]: to emphasize a particular aspect of a story.

Slapshot [HOCK]: a shot on goal in which the players winds up and violently slaps the puck.

Sleeper [BOWL]: A standing pin hidden from the bowler’s view.

Sleeve [PARA]: Long cloth protection for the canopy; the sleeve holds the canopy in the container and acts to slow the deployment sequence during opening. The sleeve also has room on the outside for stowing bands—rubber bands used to keep the suspension lines. In some containers and some systems, the sleeve has been replaced by the bag or P.O.D. (Pack Opening Device). The sleeve is one of the new innovations that make sport parachuting comfortable at opening shock time.

Slice [GOLF]: a shot that curves from left to right for a right-handed golfer.

Slice [TT]: a late stroke so the ball spins away from the paddle.

Slice [TT]: Stroke with the paddle so that the ball spins away from the server.

Slick [JOUR]: a magazine printed on high-gloss heavy paper. Common industry term for mass circulation consumer magazines.

Slider [FRIS]: a throw that makes the disc skid across the ground.

Slingshotting [MOTOR]: to drive around the lead car after slipstreaming.

Slip [BOX]: to dodge a punch.

Slipstreaming [MOTOR]: to drive slightly behind another driver during a race to take advantage of reduced air resistance.

Slipstreaming [T&F]: to run slightly behind another runner so the second runner does not have to fight the wind. Also appropriate in motor sports, where one car will slipstream another.

Slots [PARA]: Positions in an RW formation. Near-side slots are positions on the side of the formation nearest the aircraft; far-side slots are on the side of the formation opposite the aircraft. Far-side slots presume more flying ability on the part of RW jumpers to reach the other side.

Slow Court [TEN]: a court with a rough surface on which the ball bounces slowly or clumsily.

Slow Track [HORSE]: Refers to a wet track, which slows down the horses.

Slug [BOX]: to punch hard.

Slug [JOUR]: Abbreviated headline used to identify each story. In hot metal composition, a line of type.

Slugger [BASE]: Hitter known for many hits and runs.

Slugger [BOX]: A fighter with little finesse.

Slush Pile [JOUR]: Unsolicited manuscripts that arrive at magazine editorial offices and that must be sorted, read, and accepted or returned.

Smash [BAD]: Powerful overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock over the net and in a downward arc.

Smash [TEN]: a stroke used to return a lob, usually powerfully.

Smoke (noun) [PARA]: Smoke, in the sense of a smoke grenade, worn on the boot, helps spectators locate a sky diver during a free-fall exhibition, such as a county fair. A smoke grenade will also be dropped on the peas by a competition director to indicate to an aircraft approaching jumprun that winds on the ground have become too hazardous for safe landings. Jumpers will also watch for smoke from “natural” situations such as chimneys and fires, to gauge wind direction during canopy control toward the DZ. “To smoke it in” (verb) means to drop in free-fall below the generally accepted altitudes of 2,500 to 2,000 feet. Smoking it in during competition such as a conference meet or a turkey meet may be cause for grounding.

Smurf [FB]: In the NFL, a “midget,” that is, a player under 6 feet tall and under 180 pounds.

Snap [FB]: to start a play, the center throws the ball upwards between his legs to the waiting hands of the quarterback.

Snookered [POOL]: a bad position, that is, one in which the player cannot shoot a straight shot.

Snorkel [DIVE]: J-shaped breathing tube that allows the skin diver to view under water (face down) while breathing surface air, without inhaling water.

Soar [HANG]: to fly without power and without loss of altitude.

Soccer Kicker [FB]: to kick the ball with the instep of the foot, instead of with the point of the toe. Soccer kickers are said to have more accuracy than regular kickers. Soccer kickers are often Europeans who learned their technique by playing soccer first, then football.

Sock [HANG]: Wind indicator used to indicate direction of winds on the ground.

SOHC [MOTOR]: Single Over Head Cam engine.

Solicit [JOUR]: to commission an article, photographs, or other material from contributors.

Solo [BAL]: Single flight; flight without passengers.

Soup [SURF]: the foam a wave makes. 

Southpaw [BASE]: Left-handed player. Usually refers to left-handed pitcher.

Span [HANG]: Length of wing, tip-to-tip.

Spar [B&F]: Long wooden beam, generally rounded and used for supporting or extending the sails of a ship.

Spar [BOX]: to box in practice.

Spare [BOWL]: all pins knocked down on two balls.

Sparring Partner [BOX]: An opponent during a sparring match.

Spear [FB]: to hit an opponent using the top of the helmet as a weapon. It is illegal and calls for a penalty when caught by the officials.

Spear Guns [DIVE]: Pressure power guns used underwater to stun or kill marine life.

Special Teams [FB]: Players assigned to a kickoff team, for instance, or a prevent defense team or a nickel back team.

Special-Interest Books [JOUR]: Magazines that are edited for a special subsection of the population; those interested in a hobby, craft, or other particular subject.

Speed Bag [BOX]: Lightweight punching bag used for coordination.

Speed Gun [BASE]: Portable radar unit used to determine the speed of a pitched ball.

Speed or True Speed [POOL]: the player’s ability.

Spike [FB]: to energetically throw the ball down after a touchdown. Many players make a real show of spiking the ball. Too much spiking (or dancing) in the end zone after a touchdown is now a penalty.

Spike [VB]: a ball hit hard into the opponent’s court.

Spiker [VB]: Player who performs a spike.

Spin [HANG]: Downward corkscrewing action.

Spin Serve [VB]: Serve that has spin imparted by wrist action.

Spine [ARCH]: the relative stiffness of an arrow.

Spinnaker [B&F]: a lightweight three-cornered sail, set flying from the masthead and controlled by sheets from each clew.

Spinner [B&F]: Artificial lure that spins as it is drawn through the water.

Spitball [BASE]: Illegal pitch caused by the pitcher adding some foreign material, such as spit or Vaseline, to the ball.

Split Decision [BOX]: Decision of the judges in which two judges vote for one fighter, and the third judge votes for the opponent.

Split Run [JOUR]: a press run that is stopped to change an advertisement.

Split Saddle [PARA]: Harness with separate leg straps.

Split the Uprights [FB]: to accurately kick an extra point or field goal straight through the goalposts.

Spoons [B&F]: Artificial bait that generally resemble kitchen spoons.

Sports book [BET]: Wagering specifically on the outcome of sports games. Can be professional leagues or college teams. Sports books are illegal in most areas, but is the main source of betting for bookies.

Sports Car [MOTOR]: Racing automobile with high performance characteristics.

Sporty Car [MOTOR]: Car that is promoted as a sports car but because of mediocre characteristics, is really not a sports car.

Spot [BOWL]: Aiming point on the alley.

Spot [PARA]: the art of determining the opening point, to get parachutists back to the general area of the DZ. Inept spotters often receive a chilly reception when the load of jumpers ends up “in the boondocks”—acres or miles away from the DZ, especially on a hot day. Spotters who jump square parachutes are also occasionally received badly because their parachutes can get them back to the DZ when round jumpers may be stuck off where the weeds are high and uncut. Spotters who take separate passes are stuck with their own spot, of course.

Spot [POOL]: to give away points or balls to one’s opponent; that is, to handicap.

Spotter (GYM) Guard who stands beside a trampoline to catch the gymnast if he or she bounces or falls off the trampoline bed.

Spring Snow [SKI]: same as corn snow.

Spring Training [BASE]: time before the start of major league season in which players regain playing abilities lost during the off season. Major leagues also test minor league players during this time. Generally starts in March and ends just prior to the season.

Sprint [HORSE]: a short race designed for fast horses with less endurance.

Squares [BET]: Illegal but rarely enforced by the police, football squares allow participants to pick a square off a grid of 100 squares, each corresponding to a possible quarter, half or final score from a football game.

Squib Kick [FB]: A kick that is hard to catch because it is wobbly or bouncing.

Stability [FRIS]: the “flying properties” of a plastic disc.

Stability [HANG]: Ability of an airworthy hang glider to fly in a controlled position if the pilot lets controls loose.

Stability [PARA]: the art of achieving a poised position in free-fall, usually face-to- earth. A stable position is a necessary achievement for all free-fall formations.

Stabilizer [HANG]: Fixed horizontal tail panel.

Stabilizer Panel [PARA]: Panels at the bottom of the sides of parachutes such as the ParaCommander and at the bottom edge of squares.

Staffer [JOUR]: Magazine staff member, writer, researcher, editor, and so on.

Stakes Race [HORSE]: A race for superior horses that have owners who must nominate them far in advance and must pay an assortment of high fees, assuring a big purse.

Stall [BB]: to keep possession of the ball to maintain a lead or to keep the opposing team from gaining control of the ball. Usually occurs when a team is trying to run out the clock.

Stall [FRIS]: Occurs during the flight of a disc when forward motion dies.

Stall [HANG]: Loss of air flow caused by an excessive angle of attack (excessive wing up or wing down).

Stall [SURF]: to slow down to attempt to stop.

Stalling [PARA]: pulling down steering lines or risers to alter the forward drive of the parachute.

Stalling [POOL]: occasionally losing a game to keep an opponent betting.

Stand on It [MOTOR]: to hold the throttle pedal completely on the floor.

Standing Eight Count [BOX]: A count of eight given by the referee when a boxer has been hurt. In professional boxing, this is a knockdown.

Standing Start [MOTOR]: Race start with all cars motionless, with drivers ready and engines idling.

Stand-Up Double [BASE]: A hit that allows the runner to reach second base without sliding.

Stand-Up Landing [PARA]: A landing done skillfully, with the shock taken by the knees; as opposed to a P.L.F.

Stand-Up Triple [BASE]: A hit that allows the runner to reach third base without sliding.

Star [PARA]: Formation achieved by linked free-fall jumpers. Because later formations have involved diamonds, triangles, lines, and other geometric symbols, the star is now sometimes called a round.

Starboard [B&F]: the right side of a vessel when looking forward.

Starter [MOTOR]: Official who controls the start of a race.

Starting Blocks [T&F]: Objects that a runner uses to keep correct foot position before a race begins.

Static Line [PARA]: Unbreakable line that opens the parachutist’s container automatically. Static lines are usually 15 feet long—long enough to clear the tail of the aircraft. Military paratroop jumps are almost always static line jumps; most novice jumpers learn on the static line and most of their gear is military surplus. 

Steering Lines [PARA]: Lines that end in toggles on the jumper’s risers. The parachute can be steered to the left or right by pulling down on the left or right toggle, which alters the flying configuration of the parachute. Sawing, or rapid alternate pulling of the toggles, usually does little good and only scares the novice when not much happens to the parachute.

Step Back [BOX]: to separate from a clinch.

Stern [B&F]: the aftermost part of a vessel.

Steroids [WTL]: Drugs used by some weightlifters, football players, and other athletes to build muscle bulk. The use of steroids is certainly controversial and potentially harmful.

Steward [HORSE]: a race official, usually on horse-back, who monitors the race, horses, jockeys, and trainers for any improprieties.

Stick [HANG]: Control bar used to move ailerons and elevator.

Stick [PARA]: Military slang. A partial or complete load of static-line paratroops dropped on the same DZ.

Stick Side [FHOCK]: the player’s right side.

Sticks [FHOCK]: Foul committed when the player raises the stick shoulder high or higher at the beginning or end of a stroke.

Stiffener [PARA]: Metallic plate at the top of the ripcord housing used to prevent a pack closure by a stuck ripcord. Used on old-style containers. Containers that employ the throw-away pilot chute have no need for a stiffener because the ripcord (the bridle line for the pilot chute) is velcroed to the harness.

Still Fishing [B&F]: Fishing with bait held motionless in the water.

Stirrup [PARA]: Elastic band holding the leg of the jumpsuit tight to the foot of the jumper.

Stock [MOTOR]: Automobile that has not been modified since being delivered from the factory.

Stoked [SURF]: Excited.

Stolen base [BASE]: Runner advances successfully without the aid of a base hit, put-out, walk, force-out, fielder’s choice, passed ball, wild pitch, or balk.

Stop a Fight [BOX]: the act of a referee to end a bout, when one fighter cannot continue.

Storke Play Same as medal play.

Stowing Band [PARA]: Rubber band used to tuck away the suspension lines neatly and to aid in a neat, clean deployment of the lines during the opening sequence.

Straddle Ball [H&R]: Ball that moves between the legs of a player.

Straight Kill Shot [H&R]: Ball that hits the front wall and returns on the same line.

Straightarm [FB]: A defensive play in which the player uses a locked arm to thrust an opponent away from a tackle.

Straight-Up Fighter [BOX]: A boxer who does not bob or weave.

Streamer [PARA]: Malfunction in which the sleeve elongates, or the bag clears the jumper, but the parachute does not emerge (or emerge fast enough). Usually means a cutaway.

Street Legal [MOTOR]: Automobile that has been modified for race use, but has to be remodified for safety (street) purposes.

Stride [T&F]: One step in a running race.

Strike [B&F]: when a fish grabs the bait or hook.

Strike [BOWL]: all pins knocked down on the first ball.

Strike Zone [BASE]: the area that the pitcher must throw in to successfully throw strikes. Generally from the hitter’s armpits to his knees, when he is in a normal batting position.

Striker [SOC]: An offensive player.

Striking Circle [FHOCK]: inside the curved line that is the goal-shooting area.

Stroke [POOL]: the act of hitting the cue ball. “To find my stroke,” is to develop a good swing. The stroke is as important as the golfer’s swing.

Stroke [SWIM]: the arm action during swimming.

Stroke [TEN]: the movement of hitting the ball with the racket.

Strongside [FB]: the side of an offensive line having more players than the opposite side of the same line.

Strut [HANG]: Wing brace.

Strut [PARA]: Diagonal brace between the wing of a Cessna or other similar aircraft and the bottom of the fuselage. Novice jumpers are told to hold the strut until the jumpmaster gives the command “Go!” All jumpmasters have stories about novice jumpers who fail to let go of the strut on command and are either pushed or thrown off the step.

Student Body Right or Student Body Left [FB]: a running play in which the entire team, plus coaches, cheerleaders, and trainers seem to be running in the same direction to protect the ball carrier. Established at the University of Southern California.

Student Jumper [PARA]: Person who has gone through the ground school but hasn’t yet made his or her first jump.

Stuff [BASE]: A pitcher’s effectiveness; either he has good stuff or not.

Stuffed [FB]: same as jammed.

Stunting [FB]: Defensive formation in which players are out of their usual place, to fool the offense.

Style [JOUR]: A writer’s individual expression through the special use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and point of view.

Style [PARA]: the art of acrobatics (front loop, back loop, barrelroll) in free-fall done as quickly and as smoothly as possible in competition. Slowly falling out of favor; most jumpers with experience are working toward RW competition.

Style Tuck [PARA]: Compressed position roughly similar to a “cannonball” position in diving, with the face down. The style tuck allows the sky diver to complete the style series in minimum time.

Submarine [FB]: to hit a ball carrier low.

Substitute [FB]: a player who is not a starter, sent in to play because another player has to leave the game. Also appropriate in other team sports.

Substitutions [RUG]: Players may not be substituted in rugby except when they are injured so badly that they are unable to continue. In special matches or international matches, now more than two players may be substituted for medical reasons and the injured player may not return to the game.

Sucker [POOL]: the object of the hustler’s attention; a loser.

Sudden Death [FB]: a period after the normal four quarters of play. If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, the game goes into sudden death and the first team to score wins. There is no additional play after a score in sudden death.

Suicide Squads [FB]: Kickoff and kickoff return teams in which individual players are assumed to sacrifice themselves for the team. Usually a thankless job, but a position in which a rookie can prove himself worthy of a permanent job on the team.

Summary Lead [JOUR]: A lead that generally covers most of the “5 W’s and the H:” Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.

Summer Rules [GOLF]: Playing the ball as it lies anywhere on the course.

Super Bowl [FB]: the championship game of the National Football League. Played at various locations at the end of the regular season.

Super Six [HORSE]: a wagering opportunity in which the player is asked to pick the winners of six consecutive races.

Supercharger [MOTOR]: Engine that has been modified by a mechanism that blows exhaust air back into engine at a higher rate than air entering the engine from the outside. Gives a power boost to the engine.

Supine position [WTL]: Lifting position lying down.

Surfing Knots [SURF]: Bumps and abrasions that a surfer receives during surfing. Usually on the knees, usually from repeated contact with the board.

Surplus [PARA]: Army, Navy, or Air Force equipment used largely for novice jumping.

Suspension Line [PARA]: the lines connecting the canopy to the harness, at the risers, with connector links.

Suspension Lines [BAL]: Lines that connect the balloon envelope to the gondola.

Sweep [FB]: Running play in which the offensive line swings toward a sideline and the ball carrier follows that protective wall.

Sweep [SKI]: a check of the complete skiing area of a mountain by members of the ski patrol to make sure all skiers are down the mountain for the night.

Swell [SURF]: a wave that has not yet crested or broken.

Swing Pass [FB]: Short pass thrown by the quarterback toward the sideline.

Swing Seat [HANG]: Suspension system that allows the pilot to sit upright to pilot a hang glider.

Switch Hitter [BASE]: Player who bats both right- and left-handed.

Syndicate [JOUR]: Organization that sells photographs or textual material to a variety of publications. A journalism wholesaler.

T Formation [FB]: Offensive formation in which members of the offensive backfield are lined up parallel to the line of scrimmage and behind the quarterback. So called because the backfield formation looks like the letter T.

T.S.O. [PARA]: technical standard Order. Government authorized gear. Equipment must be T.S.O.’d for use in national competition.

T-10 [PARA]: a surplus main parachute. Originally non-steerable.

Taboo [JOUR]: Words, phrases, or subjects that cannot be published for moral or legal reasons.

Tach (Tachometer) [MOTOR]: Meter that measures engine speed in revolutions per minute.

Tack (noun) [B&F]: the forward lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail. Or to tack (verb): To turn the bow of a boat through the wind so that it blows across the opposite side.

Tacking [FRIS]: when a disc holds its course without deviations across a wind.

Tackle [ARCH]: Archery equipment. Similar in usage to fishing tackle.

Tackle [B&F]: Fishing gear—rod and reel.

Tackle [FB]: to stop a ball carrier and throw him to the ground.

Tackle [RUG]: a player holding the ball may be tackled so the ball is on the ground or so that he is not free to continue play.

Tackling [SOC]: An attempt to kick the ball away from an opponent. Players may not be held in tackling.

Tactile Flight [HANG]: Flight control through the use of the senses. Opposite of instrument control in aircraft flight.

Tail [SKI]: the rear end of the ski.

Tailback [FB]: Running back in the offensive backfield farthest from the line of scrimmage.

Take [JOUR]: One page of copy. As more and more publications are written and edited on computers, take is likely to fade from writers’ vocabularies. Originated (perhaps) in earlier years when a fast-breaking story was taken page by page from the writer to the backshop.

Take a Dive [BOX]: to deliberately lose a fight.

Take the Count [BOX]: when a boxer allows himself to be counted out.

Takedown [POOL]: the amount of money won on the tables.

Take-Off Board [T&F]: Board that a broad jumper uses to begin his jump from.

Tale of the Tape [BOX]: a boxer’s measurements reach, chest, weight, and so on.

Tanks [DIVE]: Metal containers used to contain the scuba diver’s air supply.

Tape-Measure Homer [BASE]: Long home run that might be measured for a record.

Target [PARA]: Center disc used in competition. Generally 3–15/16 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter.

Target Face [ARCH]: Front of a target.

Tarmac [HORSE]: the paved outdoor viewing area near the finish line.

Taxi Squad [FB]: Players good enough to keep on the team but not exceptional enough to use regularly. So named because an early professional team owner used them to man his fleet of taxi cabs to give them work and also keep them available for the team. Now used for any group of non-regular players.

Tear Sheet [JOUR]: Articles or advertisements torn from a published newspaper or magazine and sent to writers or advertisers to verify that the material (article, ad) was published.

Teaser [JOUR]: Headline or blurb printed on the front cover of a magazine to interest readers in the magazine’s content.

Technical Draw [BOX]: termination of a bout because of an accidental injury to one fighter.

Technical Foul [BB]: Foul committed by a player not in possession of the ball, or a foul committed by a coach, or an unsportsmanlike call while the ball is dead. Often abbreviated T.

Technical Knockout [BOX]: the end of the fight as ruled by the referee when one fighter is unable to continue. Abbreviated on fight cards as TKO.

Tee [GOLF]: Small wooden peg that a ball is placed on before being driven.

Temperature Differential [BAL]: Difference between temperature inside the envelope and outside.

Temporary Locking Pins [PARA]: Used during the packing of a reserve; must be removed before use.

Ten Point Must System [BOX]: A method of scoring a bout in which the winner of a round is given 10 points and the loser of the round about 2 points less. In the case of a tie, both fighters receive 10 points.

Terminal [PARA]: the ultimate and faster drop rate in free-fall. A trade-off between the pull of gravity and the drag of the jumper’s gear and body position. Usually around 120 mph. A reserve opening at terminal is an awesome experience because the reserve opens faster than a main (usually) and thus exposes the jumper to a harder opening shock. Most RW formations are attempted at terminal because of the momentum that the jumper can use to change positions, and to move across the sky. Nonterminal RW offers the sky diver little leverage with which to work.

Terminations [FRIS]: Any movement on the part of a player that stops the flight of a disc.

Tether [BAL]: Line used to hold a balloon near the ground.

Texas Leaguer [BASE]: Fly ball hit just over the head of the shortstop or second baseman, just barely into the outfield.

The Pack [RUG]: the forwards.

The Sweet Science [BOX]: A famous book on boxing by the late boxing critic A. J. Liebling.

Think Piece [JOUR]: Interpretative article or essay slanted to make a reader think about the subject. Sometimes condescending term referring to such issues as oil production, taxes, and other hard-to-explain subjects.

Thirty (30) [JOUR]: Used on the last page of an article to indicate the end.

Thirty [TEN]: A scoring term; the second point scored by a player.

Thirty Second Clock [BB]: same as shot clock.

Thoroughbred [HORSE]: a specific breed of horse developed in England from the Arab, Turkish, and other breeds.

Three and One [BASE]: three balls and one strike on the batter. Tools of Ignorance Mask, glove, and pads used by a catcher.

Three Hundred (300) [BOWL]: Perfect game.

Three Knockdown Rule [BOX]: if a fighter is knocked down three times in one round, the fight is over and he loses. Not a universal rule.

Three Point Play [BB]: Foul committed during the act of successfully scoring; the player then gets one foul shot after the basket.

Three-point shot [BB]: a basket made from behind the three-point line.

Three-Point Stance [FB]: Stance that the linemen assume before the ball is snapped. They have both feet on the ground, are crouched low to the ground, and have one hand touching the ground.

Three-Sixty [WSKI]: Complete 360º turn while being towed by a ski boat.

Throw In [BB]: Act of beginning play by throwing the ball into the court from an out-of-bounds position.

Throw in the Towel [BOX]: A fighter’s cornermen concede defeat by throwing a towel into the center of the ring from the corner.

Throw into a Crowd [FB]: to throw toward more than one receiver. Usually a Hail Mary pass will be thrown toward a crowd.

Throw It Away [FB]: when a quarterback deliberately throws a pass over or past a receiver so that he will not risk having the pass intercepted.

Throw-Away Pilot Chute [PARA]: Pilot chute designed without coil spring. Made to be folded up like a pocket handkerchief and stowed in a pocket along the harness. In free-fall, to deploy the main, the jumper pulls the throw-away airstream; the pilot chute is attached to a bridle cord, which pulls the bag or pod out of the container. The advantages of the throw-away pilot chute are (a) without a coil spring it packs smaller, and (b) because the sky diver throws the pilot chute to his side, it enters clear air beside him and thus offers little chance for a hesitation in the turbulent air over the jumper’s back. New, state-of-the-art design (introduced about 1976–1977).

Throwing Section [T&F]: Area in which a thrown object (javelin, discus, etc.) must land.

Thrown Ball [VB]: Judgment by an official that the ball was momentarily caught or came to rest. Penalty results.

Tidal Volume [DIVE]: the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs during normal breathing.

Tie-Down Straps [PARA]: Straps that connect the reserve with the jumper’s harness to prevent the reserve from bounding around in free-fall, which can be annoying, if not dangerous.

Tight [JOUR]: Issue that has little room for any additional material.

Time Out [FB]: to stop the clock that marks the 60 minutes of the game.

Time Trials [MOTOR]: Laps on a specific course for the fastest speed.

Timekeeper [BOX]: Official at ringside who keeps track of the time of the rounds and the time between rounds.

Tip [B&F]: Smallest end of the rod.

Tip [SKI]: the front end of a ski.

Tip Sheet [HORSE]: Any number of supposedly authoritative printed sheets bearing the names of horses given the best chances of winning.

Tip-Off [BB]: the jump ball used to begin play.

Tipping [FRIS]: to control the disc by repeatedly touching the underside of the disc.

Title [BOX]: Highest level of any weight class.

Title [JOUR]: same as headline.

TK [JOUR]: Indicates material to come; not yet ready.

To choke up on a bat [BASE]: to hold it higher than the normal grip position.

Toe Hold [WSKI]: Holding the two line with a toe.

Toeboard [T&F]: Board that a shot-putter must not step on or across during the act of putting the shot.

Toggles [PARA]: wooden pegs used to aid the jumper’s hold on the steering lines.

Top [FRIS]: the upper side of a disc.

Top of the Inning [BASE]: the first half of an inning.

Top of the Order [BASE]: the first batter in the batting order.

Topping [GOLF]: to hit the top of the ball, thus causing it to roll along the ground without any loft.

Topspin [TEN]: to hit the ball to impart spin away from the server.

Torque [B&F]: a force that produces a twisting, rotating, or spinning motion.

Torsion [SKI]: the amount that a ski can twist.

Torsion Bar [MOTOR]: Rod in a suspension system attached to prevent side slipping of the automobile.

Toss Serve [BAD]: to throw the shuttlecock into the air so it comes down to be served across the net. Similar to a tennis serve.

Toss-Up [BB]: A jump ball.

Total [PARA]: Pack closure. No parachute comes off the sky diver’s back after a ripcord pull.

Totalizator (or Tote Board) [HORSE]: Big computer board that “totes” the odds on each horse and figures payoffs.

Totalled [MOTOR]: completely wrecked.

Touch [FEN]: a hit on the opponent that would inflict a puncture or wound if the tip of the blade was not padded.

Touch Football [FB]: Informal game in which the play is stopped when the ball carrier is touched with two hands of an opponent.

Touch-and-Go [BAL]: Series of landings and takeoffs without a complete stop on the ground.

Touchback [FB]: Occurs when a ball is dead off the field behind the goal line in possession of the offense, when the ball was downed or the ball carrier was downed by the defense. Different than a safety, which occurs on the field of play behind the goal lines; a touchback occurs off the field of play behind the goal line. The ball is put into play at the nearest 20-yard line.

Touchdown [FB]: Scores 6 points for the offensive team when the ball is carried or passed over the goal line.

Touch-Down [RUG]: not a score. This occurs when a player downs the ball in his own in-goal area.

Touch-Lines [RUG]: Similar to sidelines in American football.

Touchlines [SOC]: Side boundary lines in soccer.

Tournament [FEN]: Series of competitions with one or more types of weapons, organized on an individual or team basis.

Tout service [BET]: a business that sells opinions on sporting events.

Tow Line [WSKI]: Line used to pull water skiers. Usually made of polyethylene or nylon.

Tower [BB]: See tree.

Toxic [DIVE]: Poisonous.

Track [PARA]: Body position with the head and torso lower than the legs; allows the sky diver to pick up extensive distance. The sky diver makes his body into a wing and extends his “forward glide.”

Track [SKI]: a warning to a skier in front that a second skier may not avoid a collision.

Track and Field [T&F]:

Trail [FRIS]: Any movement to catch a disc by grabbing the back edge as it passes the player.

Trail [T&F]: One attempt in field events; one javelin throw, and so on.

Trailer [BB]: Player who follows behind a player with the ball.

Trailing Edge [HANG]: Rear edge of a wing.

Trajectory [ARCH]: Path of an arrow in flight toward the target.

Transaxle [MOTOR]: transmission and rear axle mounted as a single unit.

Trap [FB]: to allow a defensive player to cross the offensive line, then block him from the ball carrier once he has crossed into offensive territory.

Trap [FRIS]: to catch a disc with two parts of the body both hands, hand and a leg, and so on.

Trap [GOLF]: a bunker, a sand trap.

Trapeze [B&F]: A support used by the crew of a racing boat to enable them to move their weight outboard.

Traveling [BB]: to take more than the maximum steps allowed while in possession of the ball at the end of a dribble.

Traverse [SKI]: to ski across a hill.

Tree [BB]: a center who is so tall and powerful that he cannot be moved or out-rebounded.

Trial Heat [T&F]: same as heat.

Trick Riding [WSKI]: Any fancy maneuver that can be accomplished while water skiing.

Tricking [FRIS]: Performing disc routines.

Tri-Conical [PARA]: type of reserve canopy design.

Trifecta [HORSE]: Wagering requiring player to pick first-, second-, and third-place finishers.

Trim [B&F]: the adjustment of the sails of a vessel.

Trim [HANG]: the balance of a hang glider in flight.

Trimming (or) Trimming the Board [SURF]: Settling into the correct position so the board rides smoothly in the water.

Triple [BASE]: a hit that allows the batter to reach third base successfully.

Triple Play [BASE]: A play in which three baserunners are put out on one batted ball.

Triple-Threat Player [FB]: Player who has the ability to run, pass, and kick the ball well. Because college and professional football is so complex, there are few triple-threat players. Most are happy to specialize in just one aspect of the game.

Trolling [B&F]: to fish with a moving line.

Try [RUG]: a score in the goal area. Counts 4 points in rugby league and five points in rugby union.

Tube [SURF]: the hollow or semi-hollow part of a wave.

Tuck [SWIM]: Position in which a diver is curled into a ball.

Turbulence [HANG]: Unpredictable and “bumpy” air currents.

Turk [FB]: Nickname for assistant coach or other member of the coaching staff who has the job of telling players in training camp that they have been cut from the team. So named because of the image of a Turkish fighter with a broad sword.

Turn In [FB]: Pass pattern in which the receiver runs downfield then turns toward the middle of the field to catch a pass.

Turnover [BB]: to lose the ball to the opposition because of a mistake, a foul, or a stolen ball.

Twenty Point Must System [BOX]: A method of scoring in which the winner of each round is awarded 20 points and the loser a lesser number. In the case of a tie, both fighters are awarded 20 points.

Twilight Doubleheader [BASE]: a doubleheader with the first game scheduled about twilight.

Twin Bill [BASE]: same as doubleheader.

Two against One [BB]: two offensive players playing against one defensive player, or vice versa.

Two-Five [PARA]: Common abbreviation for altitude (2,500 feet). Jumpers will abbreviate all altitudes; as in, “I’m booked for a 7,5 (7,500 feet) jump, then a 12,5 (12,500 feet) jump in the Beech.”

Two-Minute Drill [FB]: Special exercises to take advantage of the last 2 minutes before the end of the first half or before the end of the game.

Two-Minute Warning [FB]: Special warning given to each coach by the officials that there is 2 minutes left before the end of the first half or before the end of the game.

Two-Time [BB]: same as double dribble.

Two-Way Player [FB]: Player who can play offense and defense. Because of the specialization of football, there are as few two-way players as there are triple-threat players.

Typo [JOUR]: typesetting mistake.

Vane [ARCH]: the feather of an arrow.

Variometer [BAL]: Device that measures that rate of rise and descent of a balloon.

Vault (GYM) A leap or jump aided by the gymnast’s hands.

VDT [JOUR]: Video Display Terminal. Typewriter keyboard and television-type screen that allows a writer to compose his story on the keyboard, view it on the screen, edit it, and enter it into a computer for storage and retrieval. Electronic storage and publication is said to constitute the third stage of communications, from mechanical to electric to electronic.

Veer Offense [FB]: Complicated offense in which the quarterback can either (a) run with the ball; (b) give it to the fullback; (c) run toward the sidelines and pitch to a running back; or (d) pass. The veer takes advantage of the fact that the defense may react quickly to one of these options, thus allowing the quarterback to quickly execute another of these four options. How to prevent the success of the veer? Down the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he gets a chance to execute the veer.

Vertical Magazine [JOUR]: same as special interest magazine; not necessarily a magazine that is vertically designed.

Volley [H&R]: same as fly shot.

Volley [SOC]: to kick the ball while it is in the air.

Volley [TEN]: to return a ball to the opponent by hitting it before it bounces on the ground.

Volley [TT]: Illegal stroke of the ball while it is in the air, and before it has touched the table.

W.S.C.R. [PARA]: Women’s Star Crest Recipient.

W.S.C.S. [PARA]: Women’s Star Crest Soloist.

Waggle [GOLF]: to wiggle the body, arms, or legs, when the golfer addresses the ball.

Waiver [PARA]: Legal release that most parachute clubs ask jumpers to sign relieving the club of responsibility in case of injury. Note In many states, the waiver is of little good (to the club) except to warn the prospective parachutist that he or she may be engaging in a risky participatory sport. Some states do not allow anyone to sign away responsibility for injury or death.

Wake [WSKI]: turbulence caused by the boat propeller.

Walk [BASE]: to be awarded first base because of four balls pitched by the pitcher.

Wallpaper Ball [H&R]: Ball that hugs the wall so closely that it is hard or impossible to return (racquetball).

Wanda [FB]: Coaching code for a weakside formation or play.

Warning [BOX]: a statement by the referee that a boxer has fouled his opponent and points will be subtracted from his score.

Water Jump [PARA]: Deliberate jump into a body of water (lake or river) for a demo jump or for U.S.P.A. license purposes.

Water Skis [WSKI]: Invented and patented October, 1925 in the U.S. by Fred Waller, motion picture inventor (who later invented “Cinerama”).

Wave-Off [PARA]: a safety measure, especially when other jumpers are in free-fall in the immediate area. Before pulling his or her ripcord, the sky diver waves his or her arms energetically horizontally across the chest to warn other sky divers that he or she will very soon pull the ripcord. A wave-off is done to avoid sky diver–canopy collisions. 

Wax [SURF]: Paraffin used to make the board less slippery.

WBA [BOX]: World Boxing Association.

WBC [BOX]: World Boxing Council.

Weak [FEN]: tip end.

Weakside [FB]: opposite of strongside. The side of the offensive line with the fewest players from the center.

Wedge [GOLF]: Heavy club used for hitting out of sand.

Weigh Off [BAL]: Slow ascent of a balloon.

Weigh-in [BOX]: Ceremony before a bout to ensure that boxers’ weight is within the class designations.

Weight [ARCH]: the pull of a bow in pounds or the weight of an arrow in grams.

Weight [POOL]: Points of ability. To “give away weight,” is to give away points in a handicap game. “A heavyweight,” is a top-flight player.

Weight Division [BOX]: See division.

Wet Suit [SURF]: like a scuba diver’s suit, this suit protects the surfer from water that is too cold.

Wheel [RUG]: when the ball is in a scrum, the scrum turns and breaks open and the team possessing the ball advances.

Whiff [GOLF]: to miss the ball completely during a swing.

White Hope [BOX]: A White boxer who is a contender for a title held by a Black boxer.

White Space [JOUR]: Blank spaces on a page, left blank for design purposes.

Whuffo [PARA]: any spectator not acquainted with the pomp and glories of skydiving. So named after an apocryphal farmer who watched sky divers and then asked, “Wha’ fo’ you jump outta them airplanes, fo’ ”?

Wide [ARCH]: Arrow that misses the target on either side.

Wide Receiver [FB]: formerly known as the split end, a lineman eligible to catch passes, whose position on the line of scrimmage separates him from the rest of the line.

Wightman Cup [TEN]: trophy awarded to the winner of the annual tournament between the top women’s team from the U.S. and the top women’s team from England. Held alternately in the U.S. and England.

Wild Card [FB]: team eligible for playoffs in the National Football League that did not outright win its division race toward the Super Bowl.

Wild Pitch [BASE]: Pitch thrown so that the catcher cannot control it.

Wimbledon [TEN]: the All England Lawn Tennis Championship played annually in the summer at the All England Tennis and Croquet, Wimbledon, London. Begun in 1877, it became an open event in 1968. The tennis equivalent of the Super Bowl in professional football.

Win on Points [BOX]: to win by a decision.

Win, Place, and Show [HORSE]: First, second, and third placers.

Winch [B&F]: a crank with a handle.

Wind [PARA]: sometimes a hazard to jumpers.

Wind Line [PARA]: a direct line from the opening point to the target. Because of their forward drive capabilities, square parachutists are seldom worried about the wind line.

Wind Sheer [HANG]: A sudden and dangerous “waterfall of wind” that often accompanies thunder-storms and that can knock small or large aircraft from the sky.

Windage [ARCH]: Effect of wind on the arrow in flight.

Windlass [B&F]: a device used for hauling or hoisting, usually for sails.

Wind-Up [BASE]: the motion of a pitcher prior to releasing the ball.

Wing [PARA]: Square or ram-air parachute, called a wing because of its appearance and flying capabilities.

Wing Loading [HANG]: the total weight of the hang glider and pilot divided by the total wing footage.

Winners [H&R]: Kill shots (racquetball).

Winter Ball [BASE]: Organized baseball played during the off season.

Winter Rules [GOLF]: to drop the ball for an advantage if it is in the rough during play.

Wipe-out [SURF]: to fall from the board.

Wire [HORSE]: the finish line.

Wire-to-Wire [HORSE]: Refers to a horse that leads a race from start to finish. Reprinted by permission of The Dallas Times Herald.

Wishbone [FB]: Offensive formation in which the quarterback lines up behind the center and the three other backs are behind him; seen from well behind the line and from above, the formation looks like a Y or like a chicken wishbone. The quarterback may keep the ball with two of the backs blocking ahead for him, or he may pitch out to one of them; similar in general respects to the option-style play of the veer offense.

Wonderhog [PARA]: One type of tandem system sold under that name.

Wood [GOLF]: a golf club with a wood head, used to hit distance shots from the tee.

Work-For-Hire [JOUR]: Writing that is assumed by a magazine to be done as staff work. Freelancers who sell material on a “work-for-hire” basis generally lose all other further legal rights to the work.

World Series [BASE]: a best-of-seven game series played by the champion teams of the American and National Leagues.

Wrist Mount [PARA]: Velcro band used to attach an altimeter on the jumper’s wrist where it is visible.

X’s and O’s [FB]: Chalkboard symbols for offensive and defensive players and strategy. It’s a compliment to a coach if it is said, “He really knows his X’s and O’s.”

XX-rated [PARA]: Jumper who has been in a 20-man formation.

XXX [JOUR]: Used in copy to indicate facts to come (or needed); “There are XXX automobiles in Russia this year.” Newsmagazine usage.

Yacht [B&F]: Vessel used for private cruising, racing, or other noncommercial purposes.

Yaw [HANG]: to turn flatly on the vertical axis.

Z’s [FRIS]: the spin that a disc has in flight.

Zamboni [HOCK]: Machine that rebuilds and smoothes the ice. To suggest that a player skates “like a Zamboni” would hardly be a compliment.

Zapped Out [PARA]: a jumper who became unstable out the door (or) who broke up a formation.

Zebras [FB]: Because of their black-and-white striped jackets, officials are sometimes called zebras (also true in basketball).

Zone [BB]: Particular area of the court.

Zone Defense [BB]: type of play in which each player is responsible for a particular part of the court and responsible for the play when the action enters that zone.

Zone Press [BB]: type of play in which a player is responsible for close man-to-man coverage when the action is in his zone.