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Sports Glossary
Learn the language of your game — answer-first definitions across every SwingVantage sport, each with a real example. Free to explore.
All sportsGolfTennisPickleballPadelBaseballSlow-Pitch SoftballFast-Pitch SoftballCricket Analysis Concepts
556 terms
- Rolling OverIntermediateRolling over is a swing fault where the top hand rotates over the bottom hand too early. It closes the barrel through contact, causing weak pull-side grounders.Baseball
- Rolling the Wrists (Slow-Pitch)IntermediateRolling the wrists is the top hand turning over the bottom hand before or at contact rather than after extension. The direct mechanical cause behind most rollover ground balls.Slow-Pitch Softball
- Root Cause vs SymptomIntermediateA root cause is the underlying issue that creates a swing fault. A symptom is the visible downstream result. Confusing them means practicing the wrong fix.Golf
- Rotational HittingIntermediateRotational hitting is a swing model powered mainly by hip and torso rotation, not forward weight shift. It is the dominant power model in modern baseball.Baseball
- Rotational PowerIntermediateRotational power is the energy generated by rotating the hips and torso into the swing, transferring ground-force and core energy through the arms and into the barrel.Slow-Pitch Softball
- Rules EngineIntermediateThe rules engine is the core that checks your shot data and symptoms against sport-specific target windows to find the best-fitting pattern.Analysis Concepts
- Rushing the Split StepIntermediateRushing the split step means landing from the hop before the opponent's contact. It leaves the player flat-footed, unable to react to the shot's direction.Tennis
- Sample SizeIntermediateSample size is how many swings or shots a metric is based on — small samples produce more noise and lower confidence. Larger samples produce more reliable estimates.Analysis Concepts
- Sand SaveIntermediateA sand save is an up-and-down from a greenside bunker: one bunker shot, then one putt. This harder statistic judges bunker play in particular.Golf
- Scouting Report (Player)IntermediateA scouting report is a written evaluation of a player. It grades their tools, describes current skill and physical projection, and gives a future outlook.Baseball
- ScramblingIntermediateScrambling is how often a golfer saves par or better after missing the green in regulation, in any number of strokes. It is the broadest short-game stat.Golf
- Seam BowlingIntermediateSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped so the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam. This causes it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.Cricket
- Second ServeIntermediateThe second serve is the follow-up attempt after a fault. This requires enough spin and margin to give the serve a wide safety margin while still limiting the returner's options.Tennis
- Second Serve SpinIntermediateSecond serve spin is the extra rotation a player adds to the follow-up delivery after a miss. It raises net clearance and margin for error.Tennis
- Secondary LeadIntermediateThe secondary lead is the movement a baserunner takes as the pitch crosses the plate. A walking step or shuffle that adds momentum toward the next base the moment contact is made.Baseball
- Serve and Net StrategyIntermediateServe and Net Strategy in padel means the serving pair immediately rushes to the net zone after the serve, arriving before the return so they control the net advantage from the very first rally exchange.Padel
- Serve and VolleyIntermediateServe and Volley in padel is the tactic of sprinting forward the instant the ball is away, arriving in position to strike out of the air before the receiver can lift one over your head.Padel
- Serve PlacementIntermediateServe placement is the deliberate targeting of a specific zone in the opponent's service court — deep backhand, body, or wide — to create a weaker return.Pickleball
- Serve PlacementIntermediateServe Placement in padel is the deliberate targeting of specific zones within the service box. The T, the wide corner, or the body — to create the weakest possible return and set up an easy net volley.Padel
- Serve-Plus-One PatternIntermediateServe-plus-one is a pattern where the server plans the shot after the serve before the point starts. The serve sets up a predictable, attackable ball.Tennis
- SeverityIntermediateSeverity is how much a swing fault is expected to cost you in performance. SwingVantage shows it as a priority label, such as High priority, and Motion Lab adds a Fix or Watch status.Analysis Concepts
- Shaft FlexIntermediateShaft flex describes how much a shaft bends during the swing. Ratings run from L (Ladies) through A (Senior), R (Regular), S (Stiff), to X (Extra Stiff) — matched to swing speed for optimal launch.Golf
- Shaft LeanIntermediateShaft lean is when the hands and grip end are ahead of the clubhead at impact. It reduces dynamic loft, compresses the ball, and marks good iron contact.Golf
- Shaft WeightIntermediateShaft weight is measured in grams. Lighter shafts generally allow faster swings, while heavier shafts often give faster swingers steadier tempo and control.Golf
- Shallow DownswingIntermediateA shallow downswing delivers the club too flat for the golfer's setup and swing plane. Past a useful amount, it can cause blocks, hooks, or thin contact.Golf
- ShankIntermediateA shank is when the ball hits the hosel, where the shaft meets the clubhead, instead of the face. It flies violently right (for a right-hander) at roughly 45°.Golf
- Short Backswing CompensationIntermediateShort backswing compensation means shortening the backswing under time pressure to force contact "on time," losing racquet-head speed and stored energy.Tennis
- Short HopIntermediateA short hop is a ball caught the instant it rises off the dirt. It is usually the most reliable point of the bounce, since the ball has had no room to deviate.Baseball
- Short Hop PickupIntermediateA short hop pickup is fielding a ball the instant after it hits the dirt. You take it low and out front with soft hands, not waiting for it to rise.Slow-Pitch Softball
- Shot SelectionIntermediateShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.Tennis
- Shot Selection at the KitchenIntermediateShot selection at the kitchen is choosing, ball by ball, whether to dink, reset, speed up, or lob. It is based on ball height, opponent position, and the score, not habit.Pickleball
- Shoulder TurnIntermediateShoulder turn is the rotation of the upper back (thoracic spine) and shoulders during the backswing. A full turn, near 90°, is the main source of swing arc and coil.Golf
- Showcase Camp (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA showcase camp is an in-person event where fast-pitch players do standardized skill tests in front of college coaches. Many also include scrimmages.Fast-Pitch Softball
- Showcase EventIntermediateAt a showcase event, players all do the same drills and tests for college recruiters or pro scouts. It is separate from any regular game.Baseball
- Signal vs NoiseIntermediateSignal is the real, repeatable pattern in your swing data; noise is the random variation that looks like a pattern but isn't. Distinguishing the two is what separates useful analysis from false precision.Analysis Concepts
- Situational HittingIntermediateSituational hitting is matching a hitter's approach to the count, outs, and runners. Swing decisions, target, and aggressiveness change rather than staying fixed.Baseball
- Situational HittingIntermediateSituational hitting sets the at-bat goal by game context, not always max power. It might mean moving a runner, driving in a run, or avoiding a double play.Slow-Pitch Softball
- Situational HittingIntermediateSituational hitting is adjusting your approach to the game: score, inning, count, runners, and outs. The goal is to give your team the best chance to score.Fast-Pitch Softball
- Skill AcquisitionIntermediateSkill acquisition is how practice and feedback make a movement more automatic, consistent, and robust under pressure. It is the goal of all training.Analysis Concepts
- Skill Rating System (Player Ratings)IntermediateA skill rating is a number used to place players in fair divisions for tournaments and open play. It comes from self-assessment or from rated match results.Pickleball
- Slap Approach TimingIntermediateSlap approach timing syncs a slapper's crossover footwork with the pitcher's release. The final step and swing should land together, not early or late.Fast-Pitch Softball
- Slice ServeIntermediateA slice serve adds sidespin by brushing around the outside of the ball. From a right-hander, it curves away from the deuce-side returner and stays low.Tennis
- Slice ServeIntermediateA Slice Serve in padel is an underarm serve hit with sidespin. The ball curves in the air, then skids low and wide off the bounce, drawing the receiver out of position.Padel
- SliderIntermediateThe slider is a breaking ball with lateral movement and some downward tilt, faster than a curveball and usually sharper in its late break.Baseball
- Sliding TechniqueIntermediateSliding technique is the controlled fall a baserunner uses to reach a base beneath a tag — covering the feet-first pop-up, the hook away from the glove, and the head-first dive.Fast-Pitch Softball
- Slip CatchingIntermediateSlip catching is the specialist skill of catching edges in the slip cordon, the fielders placed behind the batter on the off side. It usually takes exceptional reflexes and soft hands.Cricket
- Slog SweepIntermediateThe slog sweep is a powerful, high-risk batting stroke where the batter sweeps a short-pitched or good-length ball over deep mid-wicket, aiming to hit it out of the ground for six.Cricket
- Slow BallIntermediateA Slow Ball in padel is a deliberately softly struck shot — often with backspin — used to change the rhythm of a rally, disrupt a net-zone pair's timing, or draw opponents out of position.Padel
- Slow-Pitch Outfield AlignmentIntermediateSlow-pitch outfield alignment sets outfielders' pre-pitch depth and spacing by batter, count, and field size. The steep arc puts them deeper and wider than in fast-pitch or baseball.Slow-Pitch Softball
- Slower BallIntermediateThe slower ball is a pace bowler's variation delivery, usually 20–30 km/h below full pace. It is meant to deceive a batter expecting the standard pace.Cricket
- SmashIntermediateA smash is a powerful overhead hit downward to finish a point. Here it is often aimed at the back panel so the ball rebounds clean out of the enclosure — the signature finish of the sport.Padel
- Smash FactorIntermediateSmash factor is ball speed divided by club speed — a measure of strike efficiency. A driver smash factor near 1.50 means the ball left the face at 1.5× the clubhead speed, the practical maximum.Golf
- Soft HandsIntermediateSoft hands is the ability to absorb pace from an incoming ball by relaxing the grip slightly at impact, converting a hard shot into a controlled, softly placed return.Pickleball
- Speed Control (Putting)IntermediateSpeed control is calibrating stroke length and tempo so a putt rolls the intended distance. It is widely considered the single most important putting skill.Golf
- Speed to First BaseIntermediateSpeed to first base is how quickly a batter gets from home to first. It is usually stopwatch-timed and used to judge bunt, slap, and infield-hit potential.Fast-Pitch Softball
- Speed-UpIntermediateA speed-up is an offensive attack launched from the kitchen line during a soft dink exchange. It is a sudden hard drive at the opponent's body or shoulder, meant to force a reflex error before they can reset.Pickleball
- Spin AxisIntermediateSpin axis is the tilt of the ball's backspin axis relative to horizontal. It determines how much of the total spin curves the ball sideways, and how much keeps it flying straight and high.Golf
- Spin RateIntermediateSpin rate is how fast the ball spins after impact, in revolutions per minute. It controls how the ball climbs, holds the air, and stops on landing.Golf
- Spine AngleIntermediateSpine angle is the forward tilt of the upper body set at address by hinging from the hips. Keeping that same tilt through the swing is one of the clearest markers of consistent ball-striking.Golf
- Spine TiltIntermediateSpine tilt is a slight lean of the spine away from the target at address, especially with a driver. It promotes a positive attack angle and a lower trail shoulder.Golf
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