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Glite Dictionary
🛡️ Defensive players 🎸 Stage equipment
backline

backline

1 4.4
A group of players who defend behind the main line in a team sport
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌlaɪn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : defensiva
  • Clint Dempsey, finally looking like the player he did last season, rattled the bar for a second time before flicking a pass over the static West Ham backline for Gareth Bale to collect and slide into the net.
  • anchor the backline

If, if, if Hyland plays against Ozerks, he plays against Arsenal's backline.

Examples

  • He has six goals this season and will be itching to go against this Gladbach backline.

    Blog text (3)

  • Defender Leo Gonzalez's hamstring strain is also questionable, but if available, it would be a huge boost for the Seattle backline.

    Blog text (33)

  • And once one of the wingers got by the first defender into space near the backline, there was an array of options.

    Blog text (2)

  • Asking what Falcao will do against our backline is quite the distraction for me, I suppose.

    Blog text (12)

  • She played there earlier this year and would conceivably add some security to the backline.

    Blog text (24)

  • She will relish testing herself against a Maryland backline that looked so fragile against Virginia.

    Blog text (25)

  • In talking with Malakai, the faith in his ability, tested in the scholarship at Wesley, is the same belief that has made him a staple in the Auckland backline.

    Blog text (20)

  • Last season, Levante had one of the oldest backlines and goalkeeper combinations in First League history—a total of 170 years between the 5 players.

    Blog text (12)

  • Gareth Bale then pulled a goal back for Tottenham, having to go it alone due to their disorganized midfield and poor passing, running at the Arsenal backline before slamming a shot past Szczesny.

    Blog text (9)

  • Miller has made 24 starts this year and has become a reliable option for Portland on the backline.

Synonyms

defense
vsbackline
  • US
423 2.0

Players who try to stop the other team from scoring

is the players positioned behind the main line acting mainly as defenders
secondary
vsbackline
  • Jargon
25 7.7

A group of defensive players who stop the other team from catching passes

is the group behind the main line usually focused on defense not only pass coverage

Antonyms

front line
29 4.3

The main place where people do the most important and risky work

Surface Forms

backline singular
backlines plural

Morphology

backline = back + line (transparent) = back + line

The meaning is directly derivable as the 'line' positioned at the 'back' of a formation; this is a straightforward compound for learners.

Etymology

Backline comes from the simple parts back ('rear') and line ('row' or 'formation'). It names the row of players at the back of a team who protect the goal and stop attacks, so a strong backline is important for a good defence.