This is part 2 of my quest to present sports gamerisms not just for your interest and amusement, but also to provide an opportunity to impress your fellow sports players and fans. Whether new to the game or a lifelong fan, you are sure to enjoy the play on words that sports gamerisms brings to the conversation.

For this installment of the unique lingo, jargon and phrases defining the language of sports, the focus is on the three diverse sports of rugby, volleyball and football–US style.

Albeit, 3 mini-glossaries, they are designed to peak your interest to explore further and most importantly impress others with the clever banter of sports gamerisms.

Afterwards, there are additional resources to discover the language of sports by passionate players and fans.

1) Let’s begin with rugby that not only is a unique entry in the sports world, but also enjoys global popularity. Rugby fans and players prefer that their game not be compared to US football or any other sport, but rather that the game stand on its own-as it deserves!

There are 2 types of rugby games Union Rugby, the more popular version and League Rugby. The primary differences between the two types are the number of players per team, scoring points and the end-result of a tackle.

Blindside: the weak side of the field.

Charge Down: a block made against a kick by an opposing player.

Chip Kick: a short shallow kick designed for delivery over the head of an oncoming defender.

Dummy: a fake pass meant to deceive an opponent who is about to tackle the ball holder.

Fixture: term for a game of rugby

Grubber: a kick that causes the ball to roll and bounce along on the ground.

Hospital Pass: a luckless pass for the catcher because after they receive the ball, they are tackled hard by one or more challengers.

Pill: lingo the ball used in rugby widely used in the southern hemisphere.

Tunnel: the gap between the front rows in any given scrum.

2) Spike up your Volleyball lingo, stay on the attack and pick up that beach dig with these sports gamerisms.

Ace: bullet serve that quickly scores a point. A whizzer!

Beach Dig: receiving the ball with an open hand.

Campfire Defense: when a ball hits the floor amid defenders who look like they are standing around a campfire, amazed that the ball has hit the ground and not defended.

Dig: retrieving a ball that has been spiked or hit low to the ground resulting in a successful pass to a teammate. A very smooth move.

Dink: push of the ball around or over opposing blockers.

Fish or Tuna: player who is entangled in the volleyball net.

Friendly Fire: being hit in the head by a teammate serving behind you.

Heater: a hard deliberate spike. A pounder!

Lip: a successful dig and a sure crowd pleaser.

Power Tip: ball hit with maximum force by opposing player.

Yips: bad case of nerves making it difficult to play well. This phrase can be applied to several sports games.

3) Football is best described as a BIG game, both on and off the field. US football is closely guarded by both players and fans as \’their game\’. These sports gamerisms capture that passion.

Beat: a player maneuvers past an opposing blocker/tackler. Oh yeah!

Bump and Run: when a defensive player hits the receiver at the line of scrimmage to obstruct the receiver\’s route.
Buttonhook or Curl: route run by a receiver where he runs straight down the field and abruptly turns back toward the quarterback.

Chain Gang: the officials who move the first down and line of scrimmage markers on the sidelines.
Clothesline: tackle where a defender hits an opponent high on the body in order to bring them down. Do I hear an ‘Ouch’ and a penalty call?

Flood: play where all players go to one side of the field.

Going for It: decision to attempt a first down on the next play instead of punting. Win or lose, this play makes for exciting football.

Gunner: special teams players whose primary job is to catch up and tackle the player returning a punt or kickoff.
Pooch Kick: a short, high kick.

Squib kick: short kick that remains close to the ground in which a return is not possible.

You can’t talk passion and football without mentioning Super Bowl: the Championship game in the NFL–one big parteeee!

Additional resources: There are 10 sport games glossaries and corresponding quiz series at gamerisms.com, each of which includes an introduction and a learning games section for new players and fans.

I plan to return with more gamerisms for sport, casino, skill and video game players worldwide or as I like to call them–gamerists.

Author Bio: Gayle Mitchell is the publisher/webmaster at gamerisms.com, the games glossary-quiz site for passionate sports, casino, skill and video game players. There are comprehensive rugby, volleyball and football glossary/quiz units at the site. Subscribe to gamerisms sports and games blog to receive updates.

Category: Sports
Keywords: sports, sport games, glossary, rugby, volleyball, football, lingo, jargon, languarge of sports