Skip to main content
to platoon

to platoon

1 7.0
To use two players alternately in the same position in sports to gain advantage
  • verb
  • /pləˈtuːn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : alternar
  • The coach decided to platoon the two quarterbacks to maximize their strengths in different game situations.
  • platoon in left field

Examples

  • While Matthews is on pace for 28 sacks (seven through four games) this season, Perry has mostly platooned with Erik Walden on the left side.

    Blog text (18)
  • The Yanks could platoon him with Ibanez and make DH the rotating position.

    Blog text (23)
  • If Ryan Howard were making $2M per year, he'd be platooned.

    Blog text (11)
  • There is talk of platooning John Jaso against right-handers and Montero vs. lefties.

    Blog text (29)
  • He platooned with Garth Iorg and Kelly Gruber for the better portion of his Jays days.

    Blog text (34)
  • Jeff Clement was recalled yesterday, and I hope that he will platoon with Gaby Sanchez at first down the stretch, pushing Garrett Jones into an outfield platoon with Jose Tabata.

    Blog text (9)
  • In baseball, teams often platoon their players to take advantage of favorable matchups against opposing pitchers.

  • To improve their chances of winning, the team will platoon players based on their skills and the day's opponent.

Antonyms

20 3.7

To use something too often so it becomes harmful or less effective

How Often

to cycle
15 3.0
to platoon
  • Jargon
1 7.0

Surface Forms

platoon infinitive
platooned past
platooned past participle
platooning present participle
platoons third person singular

Etymology

Platoon as a coaching move comes from the idea of a 'small group' (French peloton). A helpful way to remember it is to think of swapping two players as a tiny unit you use against different opponents, which is why to platoon players is to use them alternately for advantage.