Appeal
A request to a match official to make or reconsider a ruling, most formally in cricket where fielders must appeal before a batter can be given out.
Definition
An appeal is a formal request for an official to rule on an event. It is most strongly codified in cricket, where the fielding side must ask the umpire, traditionally with the cry of 'How's that?', before most dismissals can be given; without an appeal, the umpire will not rule a batter out even for a valid dismissal. The umpire then responds by raising a finger for out or stating not out.
More broadly, an appeal is any legitimate, rule-governed request to review or apply a decision, distinct from simply protesting a call. In some sports players may appeal to trigger a technology-based review, while in others an appeal is a channelled way to question an outcome. Because it is a permitted procedure, an appeal differs from dissent, which is an improper protest against a decision already given.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Cricket
- A fielding side's request, calling 'How's that?', asking the umpire to decide whether a batter is out; required before most dismissals can be given.
- Tennis
- A player's challenge to a line call, historically resolved by the officials and now often through electronic review.
Where you’ll hear “appeal”
Sports that use this term:
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Appeal in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Commonly confused with
Close enough to be mixed up — the distinction is worth knowing.
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Rules
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- Badminton serve rulesThe rules for how a badminton serve must be delivered and where it must land.
- False startA rule breach in a race when a competitor begins to move before the starting signal is given.
- Tennis serving rulesThe rules governing how a tennis point begins, including where the server stands and where the serve must land.
- 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.
Officiating
- Out-of-Bounds CallAn official's ruling that the ball or a player in possession has left the legal playing area, stopping play and handing a restart or possession to the opponent.
- 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.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
- 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.
Exercises
- Jumping jackA rhythmic cardio move where you jump the feet out and swing the arms overhead, then back in.
- Kettlebell swingA dynamic hinge where you swing a kettlebell to shoulder height using a snap of the hips.
- High kneesA running-in-place cardio drill where you lift the knees high with a quick rhythm.
- Goblet squatA squat variation where you hold a single weight close to your chest for balance and control.
- Wall sitA holding exercise where you sit against a wall with no chair, holding a squat position still.
Knowledge
- Sport vs smoking: building healthier routinesHow sport and movement can support a smoke-free routine — with honest, careful guidance on where to get real help.
- The best sports for beginnersThe most beginner-friendly sports to try first — why they are easy to start, what you need and how to take the first step.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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