Track & Field Vocabulary
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In track and field, what is a 'false start'?
About Track & Field Vocabulary
Give your memory a workout with Track & Field Vocabulary: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 9 easy, 6 medium questions, free to play right in your browser. Sprint through this quiz about track and field terminology! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. In track and field, what is a 'false start'?
Answer: Beginning to run before the starting signal
A false start occurs when an athlete begins their running motion before the starting signal (gun). Under current rules, a single false start results in disqualification.
2. What is the 'decathlon' in track and field?
Answer: A combined event of ten different disciplines over two days
The decathlon is a combined event consisting of ten track and field disciplines (100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, 1500m) contested over two days.
3. In track and field, what is the 'baton' in relay races?
Answer: A hollow tube passed between runners during a relay
The baton is a smooth, hollow tube that must be carried and passed hand-to-hand between teammates in a relay race within a designated exchange zone.
4. What does 'PB' stand for in track and field?
Answer: Personal Best
PB stands for Personal Best, the best performance (fastest time, longest distance, or highest height) an athlete has achieved in their career in a particular event.
5. In the high jump, what is the 'Fosbury Flop'?
Answer: A technique of going over the bar backward and headfirst
The Fosbury Flop, pioneered by Dick Fosbury at the 1968 Olympics, is a high jump technique where the athlete goes over the bar backward and headfirst, arching the back.
Things you'll learn along the way
- In the steeplechase, runners must clear solid barriers (unlike hurdles, they do not fall if hit) and water jumps. The event's name comes from the original cross-country races between church steeples.
- A performance is wind-aided when the tailwind exceeds 2.0 meters per second, meaning the result cannot count as a record because the wind provided an unfair advantage.
- The hammer throw involves spinning in a circle and releasing a heavy metal ball (16 lb for men, 8.8 lb for women) attached to a steel wire and handle for maximum distance.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Track & Field Vocabulary fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Track & Field Vocabulary?
Track & Field Vocabulary has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Track & Field Vocabulary free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Track & Field Vocabulary — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Track & Field Vocabulary take?
Most players finish Track & Field Vocabulary in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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