Knockdown
In boxing and combat sports, when a fighter is put to the canvas or otherwise ruled down and the referee administers a count.
Definition
A knockdown occurs in boxing when a fighter is sent to the canvas by a legal blow, or is held up only by the ropes, and the referee begins a count, typically to eight before allowing the bout to continue. Under the standard ten-point-must scoring system, a round in which one boxer scores a knockdown is usually scored 10-8 rather than 10-9, so knockdowns strongly influence the judges' cards.
A knockdown is not the same as a knockout: after a knockdown the fighter can beat the count and continue, whereas a knockout ends the contest. Multiple knockdowns in a round can trigger a "three-knockdown rule" stoppage in some jurisdictions, and a "flash knockdown" describes a quick fall from which the fighter rises immediately. The concept applies across combat sports that use a count, with rules varying by governing body.
Where you’ll hear “knockdown”
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Equipment
Rules
- Yellow and red cardsThe disciplinary cards a football referee shows to caution or send off a player for misconduct.
- 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.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- False startA rule breach in a race when a competitor begins to move before the starting signal is given.
- Drafting rulesRules that govern when a rider or athlete may sit in the slipstream of another to save energy.
Healthy living
- Sleep RoutineA steady rhythm of consistent timing and a calming wind-down that helps your body know when it is time to rest.
- Stretching for recoveryUsing gentle, unhurried stretching to feel loosened and relaxed after activity — an easy, calming way to wind down.
- Active Daily ChoicesThe many small choices in a day that quietly add movement — taking the stairs, standing more, and picking the more active option when you can.
- Evening Wind-DownEasing gently from a busy day toward rest, with calm movement and habits that help the body settle.
- Hydration and exerciseSensible fluid habits before, during and after activity — so you feel good and recover well without overthinking it.
Disciplines
- FreestyleFreestyle is the fastest swimming stroke, swum face-down with an alternating arm pull and flutter kick — the stroke most people picture when they think of swimming.
- Top-Rope ClimbingA roped format where the rope runs up to an anchor at the top of the route and back down, so the climber is held from above throughout the ascent.
- SprintSprint is a short-course race format decided over an individual qualifier and knockout heats, skied in either classic or skate technique.
- Parallel (Alpine)Parallel is an alpine snowboarding discipline in which two riders race side by side down gated courses, carving turns on stiffer alpine boards.
- BarebowBarebow archery is shot with a stripped-down bow that has no sights or stabilizers, relying on the archer's own aiming methods such as string walking and gap shooting.
Officiating
- TimekeeperThe timekeeper is the official who runs a contest's clock — starting and stopping time, timing rounds, races and periods, and signalling when time expires.
- AdvantageIn many sports, officials let play continue after a foul when stopping would help the offender, so the fouled team keeps the advantage it has gained.
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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