Startlage

Startlage is a German term that denotes the starting or initial position from which a task, activity, or process begins. It is formed from the words Start, borrowed from English, and Lage, meaning position or situation. As a general concept, Startlage is used across different fields to describe how elements are arranged or organized at the outset.

In games, sports, and competitive activities, Startlage refers to the arrangement of pieces, players, or resources at the moment the action starts. In board games or strategy games, it describes the initial placement of units or game pieces. In team sports or track events, it can describe the chosen starting formation or the positions of competitors at the starting signal. The precise meaning and terminology can vary by domain, and in some contexts more common terms are used (such as Ausgangsstellung, Startposition or Startaufstellung), but Startlage may still appear in descriptive texts or translations.

In computing, project planning, and strategy contexts, Startlage can be used metaphorically to indicate the initial state of a system, project, or scenario before any actions are taken. This includes the baseline conditions, resources, constraints, and goals established at the outset, which guide subsequent decisions and developments.

See also: Ausgangsstellung, Startposition, Startaufstellung, Startphase. Startlage is primarily a descriptive term in German and does not denote a single standardized concept, but rather a general notion of the initial setup applicable to multiple disciplines.