A cricketer who bowls a wide concedes at least one run. A rugby union player who accidentally boots the ball out of play at kick-off concedes possession. A snooker player who fails to hit the reds with the opening shot of a frame concedes at least four points. A golfer who shanks his drive out of bounds is penalised. In many sports, the mere act of putting the ball in play is a precise skill which, when mastered and done correctly can immediately put one's opponent or opponents on the back foot.