Telegraphing (sports)

In sporting terminology, to telegraph is to unintentionally alert an opponent to one's immediate situation or intentions. The sporting use of the term telegraph draws a direct comparison with the communication device

of the same name. "Telegraphing" always refers to a reflexive physical action rather than a protracted or intentional give-away. For example, a boxer rotating his shoulders to throw a hook would be telegraphing. A rugby team betraying its line-out plays by using an easily decoded line-out code

is not telegraphing.

While telegraphing is a hazard for any sporting event, it is particularly risky at upper levels of competition where talented players are better able to anticipate and react to telegraphed actions. The ability to suppress telegraphing, and pick up on the telegraphing of other players, is often a hallmark of elite athletes.

Use in various sports

Martial arts and combat sports

The most widespread telegraph in all

unarmed combat

is to look directly at an intended target on the opponent's body. This is one of the reasons that competitors are encouraged to look their opponents in the eyes or shoulders when engaged in combat.

The term telegraph is arguably used most often in boxing. This will usually take the form of boxers moving their shoulders in a specific manner before throwing a punch. This can also refer to boxers whose overall movement is so slow that it can be anticipated by an opponent.^[1]

In

uncommitted techniques

.

Ice hockey

Ice hockey players tend to telegraph larger, more forceful actions such as slap shots or body checks. Telegraphing is not avoided as it is hoped that the forcefulness of the action is great enough to overcome its predictability.

Baseball

In

"tipping his pitches".^[2]

The split-finger fastball is one pitch that draws its success mainly by falsely telegraphing a straight fastball to the batter.

Cricket

In

batsman to see their finger position and the seam position of the ball at the time of release

.

American Football

The quarterback in American football can telegraph where he is going to throw by following a certain receiver with his eyes. He can also telegraph when he is about to throw the ball by changing his grip on the ball.

Basketball

passes if they continuously look at the intended teammate. This often results in a steal.^[3]

Poker

Poker is one of the few non-sporting events to frequently use the term. This is because those players who do betray their intentions, do so when they fail to suppress physical reflexes (such as blinking nervously when dealt a bad hand).^{[citation needed]}

External links

Dictionary.com entry for 'telegraph'

References

^ Stop Telegraphing! The Worst Habit a Fighter Can Have..., archived from the original on 2021-12-14, retrieved 2020-04-19
^ WordPress, Lucian E. Marin-Built for. "How do Pitchers "tip" their pitches to opposing hitters? at Nationals Arm Race". Retrieved 2020-04-19.
^ Basketball Passing Drills & Techniques : Avoid Telegraphing Your Basketball Pass, retrieved 2020-04-05^{[dead link]}

[1] Stop Telegraphing! The Worst Habit a Fighter Can Have..., archived from the original on 2021-12-14, retrieved 2020-04-19

[2] WordPress, Lucian E. Marin-Built for. "How do Pitchers "tip" their pitches to opposing hitters? at Nationals Arm Race". Retrieved 2020-04-19.

[3] Basketball Passing Drills & Techniques : Avoid Telegraphing Your Basketball Pass, retrieved 2020-04-05^{[dead link]}

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