playing the ball
Hitting the sphere
Playing the ball is making contact with the ball in sports, as opposed to making contact with an opponent.
The distinction matters in soccer, rugby, and similar games where fouls depend on whether a tackle reaches the ball first: The referee ruled she was playing the ball, not the man.
In cricket, playing the ball means attempting a shot rather than letting it pass.
- dribblingBall-handling with repeated touches
- first touchOpening control of ball
- quick feetRapid pedal agility
- rollList of names
- catchSeize or snag
foul · spin · throw · possession · agility · save · penalty · block · racket · kick · control · clearance · set piece · offside · touch · glove · tennis · shoot
playing the ballplaying the man
Attacking character over argument
man-marking · body checking · shirt pulling · obstruction · personal foul
playing the ballducking out
Leaving discreetly, often early
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