Everyday English · Sports practice, teams and competition
Sports Practice & Team: 18 Everyday English Words
Learn core English for practices, coaches, teammates, equipment, races, games and competition-day instructions.
What to do
These words appear around pools, gyms, fields and team practices.
Public practice starts with 18 high-frequency words. Family mode expands to 60 words, including swim-meet and competition vocabulary.
Core everyday words
practice
noun · PRAK-tisorganized time spent improving a skill
Example: We have swim practice after school.
coach
noun · KOHCHa person who teaches and guides a team or athlete
Example: The coach explained the drill.
team
noun · TEEMa group working or playing together
Example: Our team warmed up together.
teammate
noun · TEEM-mayta person on the same team
Example: I passed the ball to my teammate.
uniform
noun · YOO-nuh-formspecial clothing worn by a team
Example: Wear your uniform to the game.
equipment
noun · ih-KWIP-menttools or gear needed for an activity
Example: Put the equipment back after practice.
warm-up
noun · WORM-upeasy activity that prepares the body
Example: We start with a ten-minute warm-up.
drill
noun · DRILa repeated exercise used to practise a skill
Example: The passing drill was difficult.
stretch
noun · STRECHto lengthen muscles gently
Example: Stretch after the warm-up.
lap
noun · LAPone complete length or circuit of a course
Example: Swim four easy laps.
lane
noun · LAYNa marked strip used by one swimmer or runner
Example: Stay in your lane.
whistle
noun · WIS-uhla small device that makes a sharp sound
Example: The whistle signalled the start.
score
noun · SKORthe number of points in a game
Example: What is the score?
referee
noun · ref-uh-REEan official who applies game rules
Example: The referee stopped play.
substitute
noun · SUB-stuh-toota player who replaces another player
Example: A substitute entered the game.
bench
noun · BENCHa seat for players who are not currently playing
Example: The players waited on the bench.
tournament
noun · TOOR-nuh-menta series of games or contests
Example: The tournament is on Saturday.
sportsmanship
noun · SPORTS-mun-shipfair and respectful behaviour in sport
Example: Good sportsmanship matters after a close game.
Quick Check
Quick Check
Recognize common practice words.
1. Who teaches and guides athletes?
- coach
- referee
- teammate
- captain
2. What prepares your body before hard exercise?
- warm-up
- bench
- score
- uniform
3. What is one complete length or circuit called?
- lap
- lane
- set
- heat
4. Who applies the rules during a game?
- referee
- coach
- substitute
- teammate
In the Scene
In the Scene
Use the words in realistic practice situations.
5. The coach says, 'Stay in your ___.'
- lane
- bench
- score
- roster
6. You repeat a skill exercise several times. What is it called?
- drill
- uniform
- whistle
- tournament
7. You are not playing right now and sit with other players. Where are you?
- bench
- lane
- final
- position
8. Fair, respectful behaviour toward opponents is called what?
- sportsmanship
- score
- substitute
- equipment
Quick-check answers
- 1. coach
A coach leads training. - 2. warm-up
A warm-up prepares the body. - 3. lap
A lap is one completed length/circuit. - 4. referee
The referee enforces the rules. - 5. lane
A lane is the marked strip for one swimmer or runner. - 6. drill
A drill is repeated practice. - 7. bench
The bench is for players currently out of play. - 8. sportsmanship
Sportsmanship means respectful fair behaviour.