backline
/ˈbæklaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbæklaɪn/ (ame, ipa)
backline — noun
1. A painted or marked line at the far end of a sports field or court that shows th
A painted or marked line at the far end of a sports field or court that shows the boundary of the playing area.
Ana's serve landed just inside the backline, so the point was hers.
inside the backline
The referee checked whether the ball had crossed the backline before blowing the whistle.
A faded white backline still ran across the old basketball court behind the school.
Players on defence must keep both feet behind the backline until the attack begins.
The new turf field has a bright yellow backline that is easy to see from the stands.
- front line
the forward boundary of a playing area; less common as a marked line
文法句型
the backline
a backline
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions such as 'inside', 'behind', 'across', or 'over' to describe position relative to the boundary.
常見錯誤
2. In rugby, the set of players positioned across the field behind the forwards, wh
In rugby, the set of players positioned across the field behind the forwards, whose main job is to run with and pass the ball during open play.
Coach Okafor selected his fastest players for the backline ahead of the final match.
the backline
The scrum-half passed the ball to the backline, and they moved it quickly toward the try line.
Injuries to two experienced players have left the national team's backline looking thin.
Siya fired the ball to the backline, and three quick passes sent Cheslin over the try line.
The visiting team's backline struggled against the home side's powerful forwards all afternoon.
- backs
shorter, everyday term for the same group of rugby players
- three-quarters
a narrower term that excludes the scrum-half and fullback in some rugby systems
- forwards
the players who form the scrum and line-out, distinct from the backline
文法句型
the backline
a strong backline
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in rugby contexts. In rugby union, the backline typically includes the scrum-half, fly-half, centres, wings, and fullback.
常見錯誤
3. The group of defensive players in sports such as soccer, ice hockey, or field ho
The group of defensive players in sports such as soccer, ice hockey, or field hockey who line up nearest their own goal to stop the opposition from scoring.
The home team's backline held firm through ninety minutes of constant attacking pressure.
backline held firm
Coach Rivera told the backline to push higher up the field during the second half.
With a slow backline, the team conceded two goals on counter-attacks before halftime.
A backline of four slid across the penalty area as Kim blocked the cross.
The goalkeeper shouted instructions to the backline before the corner kick was taken.
- defensive line
more common in American football; interchangeable in soccer and hockey contexts
- defence
broader term that includes the entire defensive unit, not just the line across the field
- rearguard
formal or journalistic term for a defensive unit, especially in soccer match reports
- forward line
the attacking players positioned near the opponent's goal
- attack
the offensive side of the team as a whole
文法句型
the backline
a backline of [number] players
用法筆記
The backline in soccer and hockey is also called the 'defensive line'. Unlike the rugby sense, these sports do not distinguish a forward pack from a backline — all outfield players can defend.