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Sports Explainers, Records, Rules & Schedules

Sports, explained clearly — rules, records and how-to guides you can actually trust.

Clear, accurate sports explainers, records, rankings and how-to guides for cricket, football, tennis and more.

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Basketball

Era Ball

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82-0

Spin. Draft Five. Chase Flawless.

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20-0

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17-0

Spin. Draft Nine. Chase a Perfect Regular Season.

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162-0

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98-0

Spin. Draft Twelve. Chase a Perfect 98-0.

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32-0

Spin. Draft Five. Chase a Perfect Season.

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38-0

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24-0

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Cricket guides

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A cricket umpire signaling dead ball on the pitch
Cricket

What Is a Dead Ball in Cricket? Rule and Common Situations

A dead ball is a delivery from which no runs score and no batter is out. Learn when the ball goes dead, who decides, and why it matters in a tight finish.
A rain-covered cricket pitch with covers on, representing a DLS-affected match
Cricket

DLS Method in Cricket Explained: How Rain Targets Are Set

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method resets targets in rain-hit limited-overs cricket using overs and wickets left. Here's the logic, with examples.
A cricket batter celebrating a big six in a T20 international match
Cricket

Highest Score in T20I Cricket: Team and Individual Records

The highest team total in men's T20Is is Zimbabwe's 344/4 and the top individual innings is Aaron Finch's 172. See the full record list here.
A cricket ball mid-air with its seam visible, illustrating conventional versus reverse swing bowling
Cricket

Conventional vs Reverse Swing in Cricket: The Difference

Conventional swing moves the new ball toward the shine; reverse swing makes an old ball curve the opposite way at pace. Here's what separates them.
A vintage-style cricket bat and ball on a classic pitch, representing early Indian cricket history
Cricket

C.K. Nayudu: India's First Test Cricket Captain

C.K. Nayudu captained India in its first Test in 1932 and became the first cricketer to win the Padma Bhushan. Meet the tiger of Indian cricket.
A cricket DRS review screen showing ball-tracking and edge detection technology
Cricket

What Is DRS in Cricket? Decision Review System Explained

DRS lets teams challenge an umpire's call using ball-tracking, edge detection, and Hot Spot. Here's how reviews work, how many you get, and umpire's call.

Latest updated

Golf
Golf

3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which Fairway Wood Do You Actually Need?

3 wood vs 5 wood: the 5 wood's extra loft makes it easier to hit off the deck, and most amateurs get similar distance. Here is the data.
Golf
Golf

The Average Cost of a Round of Golf in 2026

The average US public round costs about $41 (NGF), $25-$40 at a muni and $100-$250+ at a resort. Real 2026 US, UK and AU green fees plus twilight tips.
SportsMonkie

Best Lacrosse Mesh: Types, Brands and How to Choose

The best lacrosse mesh for most players is a semi-soft performance mesh. How the mesh types compare, the top brands, and how to pick the right pocket feel.
Golf
Golf

Blade vs Mallet Putter: Which Suits Your Stroke?

Blade vs mallet putter: mallets add forgiveness for a straight stroke, blades reward an arc. See the data and which one suits your stroke.
Golf
Golf

Can You Ground Your Club in a Bunker? The Rule Explained

No, you cannot ground your club in a bunker right behind the ball. Here is USGA and R&A Rule 12.2, the penalty, and exactly what you can and cannot do.
SportsMonkie

Cross-Checking in Lacrosse: Legal or Penalty?

Is cross-checking legal in lacrosse? It's a penalty in men's field but a core tool in box lacrosse. Learn the rule, penalty, and difference by version.
Golf
Golf

Draw vs Fade: The Difference and Which to Play

Draw vs fade in golf: a draw curves right-to-left for distance, a fade left-to-right for control. Which shot shape you should play, and why.
Golf
Golf

The Embedded Ball Rule: When You Get Free Relief

The embedded ball rule (Rule 16.3) gives free relief when your ball plugs in its own pitch-mark. When it applies and how to take your drop.
SportsMonkie

Faceoff Lacrosse Heads: What Makes Them Different

Faceoff lacrosse heads use flexible plastic and an aggressive scoop for the clamp. What separates them, the legal rules, and the top heads compared.

Latest articles

3 Wood vs 5 Wood: Which Fairway Wood Do You Actually Need? The Average Cost of a Round of Golf in 2026 Best Lacrosse Mesh: Types, Brands and How to Choose Blade vs Mallet Putter: Which Suits Your Stroke? Can You Ground Your Club in a Bunker? The Rule Explained Cross-Checking in Lacrosse: Legal or Penalty? Draw vs Fade: The Difference and Which to Play The Embedded Ball Rule: When You Get Free Relief Faceoff Lacrosse Heads: What Makes Them Different Golf Ball Compression Chart by Swing Speed Golf Club Distances Chart: How Far Each Club Goes Golf Shaft Flex Chart: Regular, Stiff or Senior Graphite vs Steel Iron Shafts: Which to Play? The Highest-Paid Lacrosse Players: Salaries & Earnings How Long Does 18 Holes of Golf Take? Real Times How Many Clubs Are Allowed in a Golf Bag? The 14 Rule How Much Do Caddies Make? Club to PGA Tour Pay How Much Do Golf Carts Cost? New & Used Prices 2026 How Much Does the Driving Range Cost? Bucket Prices How to Break 100 in Golf: The Strategy That Actually Works How to String a Lacrosse Head: Step-by-Step Lacrosse Ball Massage: Why It Works and How to Do It What Is a D-Pole? Long Poles vs Short Sticks Lacrosse Defenseman Guide: Role, Skills and Stick Setup Lacrosse Drills for Beginners: Skills That Transfer Lacrosse Midfielder Guide: The Two-Way Grind Explained The Lacrosse Offsides Rule Explained Simply Lacrosse Rebounders: Are They Worth It and Which to Buy Lacrosse vs Field Hockey: Key Differences Explained Over the Top Golf Swing: Why It Causes Your Slice PLL vs NLL: The Two Pro Lacrosse Leagues, Compared The Single Plane Golf Swing: Moe Norman's Method Smash Factor Explained: What It Is and a Good Number Stack and Tilt Golf Swing: The Method Explained Strong vs Weak Golf Grip: What Each Does to Ball Flight What Is a Condor in Golf? The Rarest Score in the Sport What Is a Good Golf Score? Benchmarks by Skill & Age What Is a Scratch Golfer? Plus Handicaps Explained What Is an Eagle in Golf? How Rare It Really Is Wedge Bounce Explained: Pick the Right Bounce What Percentage of Golfers Break 100? The Real Data Why Do Golfers Wear One Glove? (And Which Hand) Why Is Golf So Expensive? Where the Money Goes Women's Professional Lacrosse: Leagues, Teams & Pay Winter Rules in Golf: Lift, Clean and Place Explained What Is a Bagel in Tennis? 6-0 Sets Explained What Is a Chicane in F1? Corners That Slow Cars Free NFL Player Guessing Games: No Sign-Up, Unlimited Guess the NBA Player: Poeltl and the Games That Actually Run It Guess the Soccer Player: The Real Daily Football Guessers NFL Immaculate Grid: Rules, Rarity Score and Real Strategy How to Win NFL Player Guessing Games: A Strategy Guide NFL Wordle: Every Real Game in the Genre, Ranked What Is Seeding in Tennis? How Seeds Work What Is a Wildcard in Sports? Meaning Across Leagues 17-0 Alternatives: NFL and Cross-Sport Roster Games 17-0 Daily Challenge: How Shared Draws and Leaderboards Work 82-0 Alternatives: Era Ball, Daily82, Ball IQ and More Compared 17-0 vs 20-0: NFL Perfect-Season Games Explained 82-0 Classic vs. Hoop IQ: Which Mode Should You Play?