loose ball
loose ball — noun
1. in sports such as American football, basketball, or rugby, a ball that no player
in sports such as American football, basketball, or rugby, a ball that no player is holding or in control of, so that any player from either team can take it.
Joshua grabbed the loose ball and ran forty yards for a touchdown.
collocation: grab a loose ball
In basketball, a loose ball near the basket often starts a fast break.
a/the + loose ball + verb
The coach told his players to fight for every loose ball during the second half.
Folake spotted the loose ball on the floor and passed it to her teammate.
- uncontrolled ball
less common; used as a technical description rather than an established sports term
- possession
when a team is in control of the ball — not a single-word antonym but the opposite concept
文法句型
a/the loose ball
loose ball + verb (as subject)
用法筆記
Appears with verbs describing quick physical actions: 'grab', 'pick up', 'recover', 'fight for', or 'chase'. The term is most common in American football, basketball, and rugby commentary.