Double Elimination
A knockout format in which a competitor is only out of the tournament after losing twice.
Definition
Double elimination is a bracket format where a single defeat does not end a campaign: losers drop into a second, lower bracket and can keep playing, while unbeaten entrants stay in the upper bracket. A competitor is eliminated only after a second loss, which softens the impact of one off day compared with straight knockout.
The two brackets converge in a final between the upper-bracket survivor and the team that has fought back through the lower bracket; because the upper-bracket side is still unbeaten, some formats require the lower-bracket team to win twice. Double elimination is common in esports, wrestling, and many amateur tournaments where a fairer path to the final is wanted without a full round-robin.
Where you’ll hear “double elimination”
Sports that use this term:
Baseball
A bat-and-ball team sport where two sides alternate between batting and fielding to score runs.
Wrestling
A grappling sport of takedowns and control where two athletes compete to pin or out-position each other.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
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Rules
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Ball-handling faultsVolleyball faults for catching, carrying or double-contacting the ball rather than cleanly hitting it.
Disciplines
- FoilFoil is a fencing weapon in which touches are scored only with the point on the opponent's torso, governed by right-of-way rules.
- SprintSprint is a short-course race format decided over an individual qualifier and knockout heats, skied in either classic or skate technique.
- ScullingSculling is the discipline in which each rower uses two oars, one in each hand, propelling the boat symmetrically from both sides.
- Traditional (Trad) ClimbingA lead format in which the climber places removable protection into the rock while ascending, and a partner removes it afterward, leaving no fixed gear behind.
- Standard (Olympic) DistanceStandard, or Olympic, distance triathlon pairs a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run, and is the format contested at the Olympic Games.
Techniques
- Bodyweight SquatA foundational lower-body exercise that lowers the hips by bending the knees and hips, then stands back up, using only body weight.
- Standing ClimbA cycling technique for climbing out of the saddle, standing on the pedals to add power on steep gradients.
- BackstrokeThe only competitive stroke swum on the back, using alternating overhead arm pulls and a steady flutter kick.
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
Strategies
- Playing the percentagesFavouring the higher-probability, lower-risk option most of the time to cut out unforced errors, while recognising when a calculated risk is worth taking.
- Game managementAdapting how a team or athlete plays to the scoreline and time remaining — protecting a lead, chasing a result or seeing out the closing stages.
Exercises
- Overhead pressA standing press that drives a weight from the shoulders to overhead until the arms lock out.
- LungeA single-leg movement where you step forward and bend both knees to lower your body.
- Push-upA classic upper-body pushing exercise where you lower and press your body up from the floor.
- Tricep dipA pushing exercise where you lower and raise your body using your arms on parallel bars or a bench.
- SquatA foundational lower-body movement where you bend at the hips and knees to lower down and stand back up.