A head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in the competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome. Depending on the situation, a head start may be inherent, obtained by special privilege, earned through one's accomplishments, or granted mercifully by an opponent. While not guaranteeing success, a head start will increase such chances.

In sports

In competitive sports, such as a race, a head start refers to a start ahead of other competitors, allowing a shorter distance to the

finish line A finish line may refer to: Sports * The line denoting the physical ending point for a sport, as in racing Art, entertainment, and media Films * Finish Line (1989 film), ''Finish Line'' (1989 film), a television film starring Josh Brolin * Fini ...

. The idea of a head start may seem unfair. But in some cases, a head start is an advantage that may be earned by one more of the competitors. Also, adults who are racing against children may provide children with a head start, knowing the children are slower, and wanting to allow them a chance to win. In multiple-event or multiple-day competitions, such as the

modern pentathlon The modern pentathlon is an Summer Olympics, Olympic sport consisting of fencing (sport), fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, show jumping, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running. The event is inspired by t ...

, the final event may use a head start where the leader of the competition starts first over his opponents based on the time or points advantage. In modern pentathlon, the points leader after the first four events takes a head start in the 3,000-meter cross country event based on his lead over his opponent. The first competitor to the finish line wins.

In baseball

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding ...

, base runners who are attempting to steal bases or advance more bases in the event of a hit may attempt to get a head start off their base before the

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...

throws his pitch. This may be risky, as the pitcher could throw the ball to the respective

infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field. Standard arrangement of positions In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles. ...

, and if the runner cannot get back before the ball arrives in the hands of the infielder, the runner may be

picked off ''Picked Off'' is an American reality-competition television series on History. The series premiered on July 11, 2012, and is hosted by Keith Neubert. The judges are collectibles experts Todd and Ethan Merrill. Gameplay Four teams of two people ...

In cricket

cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by st ...

, a nonstriker can leave his

ground Ground may refer to: Geology * Land, the surface of the Earth not covered by water * Soil, a mixture of clay, sand and organic matter present on the surface of the Earth Electricity * Ground (electricity), the reference point in an electrical c ...

early to run to the other ground more quickly for the purpose of scoring runs. This can be countered by the bowler " mankading" the nonstriker i.e. hitting the

wicket In cricket, the term wicket has several meanings: * It is one of the two sets of three stumps and two bails at either end of the pitch. The fielding team's players can hit the wicket with the ball in a number of ways to get a batsman out. ...

in the nonstriker's ground with the ball to run the nonstriker

out Out may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Out'' (1957 film), a documentary short about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 * ''Out'' (1982 film), an American film directed by Eli Hollander * ''Out'' (2002 film), a Japanese film ba ...

. A similar thing can occur to the striker, who can be

stumped Stumped is a method of dismissing a batsman in cricket, which involves the wicket-keeper putting down the wicket while the batsman is out of his ground. (The batsman leaves his ground when he has moved down the pitch beyond the popping crea ...

by the wicketkeeper if he leaves his ground in order to hit the ball, or more quickly run to the other ground. In either case, the relevant batsman will not be out if they return to their ground before the wicket in that ground has been hit.

In traffic

traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of the road include traffi ...

, at a red light, many motorists will start to inch up in anticipation of the light turning green (watching the signal of the perpendicular traffic). This will give them a ''head start'' on other motorists on the

road A road is a linear way for the conveyance of traffic that mostly has an improved surface for use by vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) and pedestrians. Unlike streets, the main function of roads is transportation. There are many types of ...

In achieving a goal

A head start could be an improved start in an attempt to achieve some goal, such as in one's education or the completion of a task. In such cases, the head start is usually earned by working harder or by using more efficient means of reaching that point.

References