SportsMonkie.com

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.

Featured games

Free games we built ourselves

Draft an all-time roster through a randomized spin, then simulate a season and see how close you get to a perfect record. No account, no app download.

Cricket guides

View all →

Latest updated

Baseball
Baseball

How Do the MLB Playoffs Work? (12-Team Format)

The MLB playoffs are a 12-team bracket: six per league — three division winners and three wild cards — through the Wild Card Series, Division Series, LCS and World Series.

Baseball
Baseball

How Does the MLB Wild Card Work?

MLB's wild card gives each league three playoff berths to the best non-division winners. The lower seeds meet in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.

A star volleyball player spiking the ball during an international Nations League match
Records & Rankings

VNL Best Players: Top Stars of the Nations League

The best VNL players include Italy's Paola Egonu and France's Earvin N'Gapeth. See the standout stars and recent MVPs of the Volleyball Nations League.

International volleyball teams competing in a packed arena during the Nations League

What Is the Volleyball Nations League (VNL)?

The Volleyball Nations League is FIVB's top annual national-team tournament, with 16 men's and 16 women's teams playing a group stage and a Finals each summer.

NFL quarterback throwing, illustrating how passer rating is calculated
NFL

How Is Passer Rating Calculated? The NFL Formula

NFL passer rating comes from four capped components — completion %, yards, TDs, and INTs per attempt. Here is the full formula and a worked example.

Quarterback under center, illustrating the difference between passer rating and QBR
NFL

Passer Rating vs QBR: What's the Difference?

Passer rating is the traditional 0–158.3 box-score formula; ESPN's QBR is a 0–100 situation-adjusted metric that adds rushing. Here is how they differ.

Basketball player shooting, illustrating true shooting percentage (TS%)
Basketball

True Shooting Percentage Explained (TS% Formula)

True shooting percentage measures scoring efficiency across 2s, 3s, and free throws in one number. Here is the TS% formula, an example, and what is elite.

Hockey player taking a shot, illustrating Corsi shot-attempt differential
Ice Hockey

What Is Corsi in Hockey? Shot-Attempt Differential Explained

Corsi counts all shot attempts for and against as a proxy for puck possession. Here is the formula, a worked example, and what Corsi For % tells you.

NFL teams at the snap, illustrating defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA)
NFL

What Is DVOA in Football? Defense-Adjusted Value Explained

DVOA measures a team's success per play against a league baseline, adjusted for opponent, where 0% is average. Here is what it means and how to read it.

Latest articles

How Do the MLB Playoffs Work? (12-Team Format) How Does the MLB Wild Card Work? VNL Best Players: Top Stars of the Nations League What Is the Volleyball Nations League (VNL)? How Is Passer Rating Calculated? The NFL Formula Passer Rating vs QBR: What's the Difference? True Shooting Percentage Explained (TS% Formula) What Is Corsi in Hockey? Shot-Attempt Differential Explained What Is DVOA in Football? Defense-Adjusted Value Explained What Is Effective Field Goal Percentage? eFG% Explained What Is EPA in Football? Expected Points Added Explained What Is FIP in Baseball? Fielding Independent Pitching What Is OBP in Baseball? On-Base Percentage Explained What Is Player Efficiency Rating (PER) in Basketball? What Is OPS+ in Baseball? OPS Plus Explained What Is Slugging Percentage in Baseball? SLG Explained What Is Usage Rate in Basketball? USG% Explained What Is wRC+ in Baseball? Weighted Runs Created Plus What Is xG in Soccer? Expected Goals Explained 12-Team Fantasy Football Draft Strategy Dynasty Fantasy Football Explained Fantasy Baseball Scoring Explained: Roto, H2H, Points Fantasy Football Auction Draft Strategy Fantasy Football Defense Scoring, Explained Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: A Complete Guide Fantasy Football Scoring Formats Explained Fantasy Football Trade Strategy: How to Win Trades Keeper vs Dynasty Fantasy Football: The Difference PPR vs Standard Fantasy Football: Which Is Better? Snake vs Auction Draft: Which Should You Choose? Zero-RB Strategy in Fantasy Football, Explained The 10-Point Must System Explained Boxing Weight Classes in Order: All 17 Divisions How Does MMA Scoring Work? Judging Explained How Long Are Boxing Rounds? Length & Rest Times How Many Rounds Are in a UFC Fight? How Many Rounds Are in a Boxing Match? Kickboxing Rules: Rulesets and Allowed Strikes MMA Weight Classes Explained: Full Division List Muay Thai Rules: The Art of Eight Limbs Explained Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What's the Difference? TKO vs KO: What's the Difference? UFC Weight Classes Explained: All 12 Divisions Weight Cutting in Combat Sports Explained Women's UFC Weight Classes: All Four Divisions Beach Volleyball Rules: Two Players, Sets to 21 How Snooker Scoring Works: Points, Breaks and Frames How to Play Snooker: A Beginner's Guide How Volleyball Scoring Works: Rally Scoring Explained Libero Rules in Volleyball: What They Can and Can't Do Snooker Ball Values: Colours and Points Chart Snooker Fouls Explained: Penalties and the 4-Point Rule Snooker Rules Explained: The Full Ruleset Volleyball Rules Explained: The Full Ruleset What Is a Dig in Volleyball? The Defensive Save Highest-Scoring Game in NFL History (113 Points) Overtime Rules in the NFL: How OT Works (2026) What Is a Challenge Flag in Football? NFL Replay Rules What Is a Safety in Football? The 2-Point Score What Is an Eligible Receiver in Football?