Competition & Strategy Vocabulary

a series of games to determine a championship

“The team clinched a spot in the playoffs.”

a competitor thought to have little chance of winning

“The underdog defeated the reigning champions.”

an unexpected victory by a weaker opponent

“The upset shocked the sports world.”

ranking competitors to determine tournament matchups

“The top seed receives a favorable draw.”

a tournament structure showing matchups and progression

“March Madness brackets drive office pools nationwide.”

additional playing time when scores are tied

“The game went into triple overtime.”

a game in which one side fails to score

“The pitcher threw a complete-game shutout.”

a game with a lopsided score

“The blowout was over by halftime.”

the psychological advantage from a series of successes

“The comeback gave them all the momentum.”

a team that dominates its sport for an extended period

“They built a dynasty with five consecutive titles.”