Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
runback

runback

1 6.5
A play where a player runs a ball taken from the other team toward the opponent's goal
  • noun
  • /ˈrʌnˌbæk/
  • Jargon
translation icon : retorno
  • yard runback
  • punt runback

Examples

  • The 49ers had no long runbacks.

    Blog text (27)

  • Although it appeared to be about a 64-yard runback, the official yardage was 57 yards.

    Blog text (6)

  • He made an impressive runback of 70 yards after intercepting the pass.

  • During the game, the player executed a swift runback, scoring a touchdown.

  • The kickoff resulted in a spectacular runback that brought the team close to the end zone.

Synonyms

return
vsrunback
61 3.1

An action of hitting or running the ball back in sport

is a specific play returning a kicked or intercepted ball by running it forward

Surface Forms

runback singular
runbacks plural

Morphology

runback = run + back (semi-transparent) = run + back

The components 'run' and 'back' are clear, but the specific sports-related meaning is not directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Runback comes from the simple parts run ('move quickly on foot') and back ('return toward the other team'). So it means when a player returns a kicked or taken ball by running toward the other team's end.