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Football (Soccer) vocabulary · Match Actions & Skills

Through ball

Meaning in football (soccer), with examples

/ˈθruː bɔːl/nounCommon term

In football (soccer), through ball means: A forward pass played between or behind defenders into space, so that a teammate can run onto it and go through on goal.

In Turkish: ara pası, derin pas

How it is used

Playmakers play, thread or slide a through ball. A well-timed run and a through ball are the classic way to beat a high line. Commentators say a player was "played through" or is "through on goal".

Example sentences

  1. She threaded a through ball between the centre-backs, and the striker finished calmly.

  2. Look for the through ball as soon as their line steps up.

Common collocations

  • thread a through ball
  • perfect through ball
  • play a through ball
  • through on goal
  • passA kick, header or throw that sends the ball to a teammate. As a verb, to pass means to send the ball to a teammate in this way.
  • assistThe final pass or touch that sets up a teammate to score a goal.
  • high lineA defensive set-up in which the back line stays far up the pitch, keeping the team compact and catching attackers offside, but leaving space behind.
  • playmakerA creative player, often a midfielder, who directs the team's attacking play and creates chances with clever passes and vision.

More terms: Match Actions & Skills

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