Sports riddles are a fun and engaging way to test your knowledge about different sports and athletes. Riddles encourage critical thinking as you work to uncover the meaning hidden within the question. Solving sports riddles can be an enjoyable activity for all ages and skill levels.
Sports Riddles – The Questions
Baseball Riddles
1. What has 18 legs and catches flies? A baseball team
2. What do you call a baseball player who makes pancakes? A batter
3. What has four bases but can’t run? A baseball field
4. What goes from the mound to the plate but is never thrown? The baseball game
5. I start out at home plate and travel around 90 feet at a time. What am I? A baseball runner
6. I go around and around but only stop once I score. What am I? A baseball runner
7. You throw me out of the ballpark but I never leave. What am I? First base
8. I’m red, white and blue but not a flag. I’m 70 feet long but never straight. What am I? The foul line
9. Hit me hard and I’ll fly. Hit me easy and I’ll die. What am I? A fly ball
10. I’m on a field but don’t see any players. What am I? Home plate
Football Riddles
11. I come in packs of 11 and am known for scoring touchdowns. What am I? A football team
12. I can get kicked, punted, passed and carried. What am I? A football
13. I’m sometimes called a bowl but you won’t find any soup in me. What am I? A stadium
14. I’m not a player but you can find me on the field. I’m used to start and stop play. What am I? A football referee’s whistle
15. I’m worth 3 points but you can’t pick me up off the field. What am I? A field goal
16. I’m worth 6 points but only come after crossing the line. What am I? A touchdown
17. I’m thrown on the field but never get dirty. What am I? A penalty flag
18. I’m worth 1 point though kicking is not my game. Who am I? An extra point
19. I’m often called but you never want to meet me. Who am I? A blitz
20. I’m not on every play but can still change the game. Who am I? A wide receiver
Basketball Riddles
21. I go through the hoop but am not a basketball. What am I? A net
22. I’m on the court but don’t play the game. Players bounce and throw me just the same. What am I? A basketball
23. I’m not a player but I fly through the air. You’ll find me swishing if the shot was fair. What am I? A made basket
24. The game starts and ends with me being tossed. What am I? The basketball jump ball
25. I’m not clothing but I have a backboard and rim. What am I? A basketball hoop
26. I’m worth 3 points no matter where you stand. What am I? A 3-point field goal
27. I’m worth 2 points though rarely seen. What am I? A 2-point field goal
28. I’m worth 1 point though not a field goal. What am I? A free throw
29. I’m not a player but I stop the game. What am I? A basketball referee’s whistle
30. I’m taken when the foul is flagrant. What am I? A free throw
Soccer Riddles
31. I’m kicked, headed and kneed but never touched by hands. What am I? A soccer ball
32. I’m not clothing but I have a net you try to miss. What am I? A soccer goal
33. I’m trapped in bounds by sidelines and goallines. What am I? A soccer ball
34. I’m worth 1 point though not a penalty kick. What am I? A soccer goal
35. I’m worth 3 points from the farthest mark. What am I? A goal from outside the 18-yard box
36. I’m not a player but you’ll hear me whistle. When I blow, the players know to stop the action. What am I? A soccer referee’s whistle
37. I’m shown when the foul is extreme. What am I? A red card
38. I’m worth 2 points though very rare. What am I? A safety
39. I’m yellow not red and suggest you should slow down. What am I? A yellow card caution
40. I’m not clothing but players wear me on their shins. What am I? Shin guards
Hockey Riddles
41. I’m hit into a net but am not a puck. What am I? A hockey goal
42. I’m trapped on the rink by the boards and glass. What am I? A hockey puck
43. I’m worth 1 point but am not a player. What am I? A hockey goal
44. I’m frozen water but you won’t find me in the rink. I’m in the box when bad players need a timeout. What am I? The penalty box
45. I’m not clothing but hockey players wear me on their heads. What am I? A hockey helmet
46. I’m held and swung but never make contact with the puck. What am I? A hockey stick
47. I cover the goalie’s hands but am not a glove. What am I? A goalie’s blocker
48. I’m flashed on the scoreboard when a goal is disallowed. What am I? No goal
49. I’m dropped at a faceoff to start play again. What am I? The puck
50. I’m worth 2 points and light the lamp. What am I? A hockey goal scored with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker
General Sports Riddles
51. I can be hit, kicked, thrown or swung but will never actually do anything. What am I? A ball
52. I’m not clothing but athletes wear me on their feet when playing. What am I? Athletic shoes
53. I’m transparent so you can see the action but keep out of bounds objects contained. What am I? The glass around a hockey rink
54. I’m cold, refreshing, and sometimes spilled when a big play happens. What am I? Sports drinks
55. I’m not a coach but athletes listen when I blow. I make sure the rules are followed. What am I? A referee’s whistle
56. I’m red, yellow, black, or blue and thrown when rules are broken. What am I? A penalty flag
57. I’m worth 3 points but you’ll only find me in basketball. What am I? A 3-point field goal
58. I’m worth 2 points in basketball but 6 in football. What am I? A score
59. I’m snuck in for snacks though I’m not officially part of the game. What am I? Food smuggled into a sporting event
60. I’m clear so fans can see the action but keep out of bounds objects contained. What am I? The glass around a hockey rink
Olympics Riddles
61. Every four years athletes compete for me around the world. What am I? Olympic gold
62. I have rings but am not jewelry. What am I? The Olympic rings
63. I’m lit but never extinguished. What am I? The Olympic torch
64. I’m opened but never closed. What am I? The Olympic games
65. I’m a display of unity though I wave high in the sky. What am I? An Olympic flag
66. I’m given to the best in the world every four years. What am I? An Olympic medal
67. I’m a contest but no one loses. What am I? The Olympics
68. I’m a competition but winning is not my aim. What am I? The Paralympic Games
69. I’m global games for athletes with disabilities. What am I? The Paralympics
70. I’m scored but no one is keeping track. What am I? The Special Olympics
Extreme Sports Riddles
71. I’m jumped and flipped but have no legs. What am I? A skateboard
72. I’m a board with wheels that races downhill at extreme speeds. What am I? A longboard
73. I’m rock climbing without any ropes. What am I? Free solo climbing
74. I’m two-wheeled daredevil stunts pulled in mid-air. What am I? Freestyle motocross
75. I’m an airborne snowboard not a sled. What am I? A snowboard
76. I’m waterskis for your feet, not a boat. What am I? Wakeboarding
77. I’m parachuting with an engine not a canopy. What am I? Base jumping
78. I’m mountain biking down risky trails and terrain. What am I? Downhill mountain biking
79. I’m cliff diving from extreme heights. What am I? High diving
80. I’m a winged jumpsuit for daredevils. What am I? A wingsuit
Winter Sports Riddles
81. I’m on your feet for speed though I have no engine. What am I? Ice skates
82. I’m cold, hard, and slide down hills really fast. What am I? A sled
83. I’m not a horse but I can take you for a ride through snow. What am I? A snowmobile
Conclusion
Sports riddles are an entertaining brain teaser for all ages! They encourage critical thinking as you work to solve the hidden meaning in each puzzle. The riddles can reveal interesting insights about sports equipment, rules, players and venues. Solving sports riddles can be a fun way for fans to engage with their favorite athletics and expand their knowledge.
From baseballs to hockey pucks, referee whistles to penalty flags, sports riddles cover it all! The Olympics and extreme sports also provide excellent subject material. Consider using these sports riddles for game nights, parties, road trips or classroom activities. Adults and kids alike will appreciate the challenge.
Next time you want to mix up trivia night or entertain family and friends, give sports riddles a try! The playful questions are sure to activate your mind and bring out friendly competition. Learning while having fun is always a win.