play the ball

A form of play the ball and not the man — To attack the ball instead of an opponent who is usually controlling the ball. Often considered a positive action, and sometimes a requirement not to concede a penalty.

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Meanings

verbplay the ball (third-person singular simple present plays the ball, present participle playing the ball, simple past and past participle played the ball)

present singular third person plays the ball · participle present playing the ball · participle past played the ball · past played the ball

  1. alternativeAlternative form of play the ball and not the man.
Cite this entry
APA

play the ball. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20the%20ball

MLA

“play the ball.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20the%20ball. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “play the ball,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20the%20ball.

Source: play the ball on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.