Many people are lifelong fans of a particular sport or team. It is often something that they inherit, becoming part of their identity.

Different people take their fanaticism to different levels, with some religiously watching each game on TV and others going as far as to travel to every single away match throughout the season.

But not everyone is like this. Other times, a fan may discover a passion for a particular competition later on in life. If you’re someone who is new to a sport, things can sometimes feel quite daunting, even though you’re excited to get stuck in.

So how can you find your feet? Here are some quick and easy tips to help you get up to speed with those life-long fans.

Learn the Lingo

Sports fans can often sound like they’re speaking a different language. Words like fumble, scrum, travelling, and offside are not generally self explanatory, so it can help to learn the lingo.

Thankfully, you’ll find guides online just for about every imaginable sport that provide definitions and even examples of when they are used.

There are also some words and phrases that are common across multiple sports, most notably when it comes to betting. For example, the point spread wager type  is used in football and basketball, so you may be familiar with it already if you already follow the NBA and then develop a penchant for the NFL.

Watch Some Movies

Almost every major sport has had movies made about it. Some are based on true stories, such as Senna (2010) and Rush (2013), while others; like Space Jam (1996) and Field of Dreams (1989) are works of fiction based around a sport.

Regardless, they can give you a better feel for how things are played; some history, basic rules, and even some player names.

Get Involved

Sometimes, it’s best to learn by doing. For those learning a new sport, this might mean physically picking up a ball; stick, or bat and playing it with friends or as part of an amateur team.

For others, it might involve volunteering as a steward, marshal; or even a first aider at games so you can get up close and personal with the goings on at such events.

Alternatively, you might choose to play a video game like NBA 2K, F1 2X, FIFA, or Madden. This allows you to explore the mechanics of each sport; learn what is allowed under the rules and what isn’t, and learn the names of players and teams; all without the pressure of trying to sound like you know it all already.