Game Learn Hub
Home /Glossary

Glossary (A–Z)

A clear dictionary for sports strategy learners. Written-only, for adults (18+), with zero financial risk.

Written Lessons Searchable Lesson Links

Search the Glossary

Tip: try “anchor”, “Powerplay”, “match-ups”, “variance”.

A

Anchor

Batter who stabilizes the innings by facing many balls and rotating strike. Reduces volatility. See Beginner B3.

All-Rounder

Contributes with both bat and ball, providing multiple paths of impact. Great for captaincy logic.

Algorithm (Personal)

Your repeatable pre-match checklist (roles → conditions → captaincy). Keeps choices consistent.

Advantage (Match-Up)

When a player’s style naturally suits an opponent (e.g., wrist spin vs certain right-handers).

Anchor vs Finisher

Anchor = stability early/middle; Finisher = late-overs impact with higher variance. Balance both in XI.

B

Balance (Safe vs Brave)

Mix stable picks with a few context-driven upside plays. See Intermediate I3.

Balls Faced Share

Amount of deliveries a batter faces on average; a direct measure of opportunity. See I2.

Boundary Rate

Percentage of balls hit for 4s/6s; useful for judging finishing strength on small grounds.

Brave Pick

Higher-variance selection justified by conditions (e.g., lower-order hitter on flat pitch). See I3.

Bench Alternative

Backup option if toss or line-ups change expected roles at the last minute.

C

Captaincy Logic

Reasoning for choosing a focal player; multi-path contributors (all-rounders) are safer captains. See B3.

Case Study

Worked scenario to apply roles, conditions, and balance. See I4 / A4.

Context Fit

How well a player’s role aligns with pitch, venue, weather, and opposition.

Control (Bowling)

Restricting runs with dot-balls and accuracy; raises value in certain formats. See I2.

Clustering Risk

Stacking too much variance in one role/slot; spread upside carefully. See I3.

D

Death Overs

Final phase of an innings; high scoring potential and pressure on bowlers; finishers thrive.

Dew Factor

Evening moisture making the ball slippery; can favor chasing and reduce spin grip.

Dot-Ball %

Share of deliveries that concede no runs; proxy for pressure created by bowlers. See I2.

Differentiation

Logical uniqueness in selection to avoid crowded choices. See A2.

E

Economy Rate

Average runs conceded per over; matters most in control-oriented roles/formats.

Edge (Repeatable)

Advantage you can apply consistently (role + context), not a one-off hunch. See A1.

Exposure Mix

Your ratio of stable vs context-driven choices across practice lineups. See I3.

F

Finisher

Lower-order batter who attacks at the end; higher variance; context matters (venue size, bowling at death).

Form vs Role

Short-term performance vs expected responsibility; role stability often predicts opportunity better. See B2.

Fresh Pitch

New surface with pace/bounce; can aid new-ball seamers and top-order stroke play.

G

Game Theory (Education)

Thinking about common choices and where logical uniqueness is sensible. See A2.

Ground Dimensions

Boundary size/shape; impacts boundary rates, bowler plans, and finisher value.

Guided Outline

Checklist for structured scenarios: roles → conditions → balance. See I4.

H

High-Variance Pick

Outcome swings widely; only choose with a clear context reason (venue, role, match-up).

Hype Bias

Letting trends override role/conditions; fix by verifying facts. See B4.

I

Innings Phases

Powerplay, middle, death overs — each phase changes role value and selection logic.

Intermediate Goals

Define stability vs upside before selection; part of disciplined planning. See I1.

Input Sources (Reliable)

Official squads, pitch/weather reports, toss info; avoid rumors. See B1.

J

Journaling (Learning)

Write reasoning before/after matches to spot patterns and improve decisions. See A5.

Justification Note

One-line reason attached to each brave pick to prevent random choices.

K

Key Roles

Opener, anchor, finisher, strike bowler, all-rounder — foundation of team building. See B3.

Knowledge Check

Short quiz after lessons to confirm understanding. Go to Quizzes.

L

Learning Pillars

Clarity, fairness, balance — ensure safe learning for 18+ audiences only.

Line-ups (Official)

Confirmed XI; always check before finalizing roles. See B4.

Long-Term Edge

Advantages that persist (e.g., role consistency at certain venues across seasons).

M

Match-Ups

Performance patterns vs pace/spin types or specific bowlers; informs selection. See I2.

Moderation (Study)

Planned breaks and limits to keep learning healthy. See A7.

Middle Overs

Overs between powerplay and death; spin control and rotation are key.

N

New-Ball Value

Fresh seam movement aids wicket-taking; boosts opening bowlers’ upside.

Neutral Venue

Reduces home advantage; check travel fatigue and conditions more closely.

O

Opener

Batter facing the new ball; more balls faced (opportunity) but early wicket threat exists.

Opportunity Share

How much of the innings a player usually participates in (balls faced or overs bowled).

P

Powerplay

Early overs with fielding restrictions; favors aggressive batters and new-ball swing bowlers.

Pace vs Spin Preference

Some batters fare better against certain types; check match-up history. See I2.

Q

Quality of Opposition

Strength of rival bowling/batting impacts expected role output; adjust expectations.

R

Risk Management (Learning)

Plan boundaries for time, selection mix, and post-match review. See A3.

Role Stability

Player’s job stays consistent across games; often more predictive than short-term form.

S

Safe Pick

Role-consistent player with steady opportunity; anchors, reliable bowlers, or multi-path players.

Spin Control

Spinners restricting scoring in middle overs; rises on dry surfaces.

Strike Bowler

Bowler selected for wicket-taking ability; can be used early or at key moments.

T

Toss Impact

Bat/field decisions change role value (dew, chase pressure, new-ball swing). Verify before finalizing.

Team Stack (Balanced)

Using more players from one side; avoid blind stacking — keep diversification unless context is strong.

U

Upside (Context-Based)

Potential for a selection to exceed average output due to conditions or role change.

V

Variance

Natural up-and-down in outcomes even with good logic; accept it and focus on repeatable edges. See A1.

Venue Adjustment

Tweak picks by ground size, altitude, and typical scoring patterns.

W

Wind Direction

Affects hitting zones and swing; can guide finisher choice on big square boundaries. See A4.

Workload (Bowling)

Recent overs and schedule; informs fatigue and expected role on the day.

X

XI Balance

Overall composition of your side (anchors, finishers, strike bowlers, all-rounders) matched to venue/conditions.

Y

Yield (Learning)

How much clarity or improvement you get per study session; improved by notes and reviews.

Z

Zone (Power/Timing)

Player’s preferred hitting or bowling zone (e.g., square leg for power-hitter); align with wind/ground shape.