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backheel

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noun back·heel \ ˈbak-ˌhēl \

Definition of backheel

1 :a method of tripping a wrestling opponent by getting a foot behind the opponent's heel and pushing the body backward; also :a throw made in this way
2 soccer :a kick of the ball backward with the heel
  • She never makes the simple pass when she can get away with a backheel.
  • —Mia Hamm,  quoted in ESPN,  28 June 1999

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Origin and Etymology of backheel

3back + heel

back-heel

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verb, transitive + intransitive \ ˈbak-ˌhēl \

Definition of back-heel

back-heeled; back-heeling; back-heels
1 T :to trip (someone) by getting a foot behind the heel and pushing the body backward
  • He tried to push me off then but I stepped in fast and back-heeled him and he went down hard …
  • —Louis L'Amour,  Lando,  1962
2 T/I :to strike (something) with the heel using a backward kick
  • He turned and back-heeled the door closed.
  • —Robin Pilcher,  An Ocean Apart,  1999
; especially,  soccer :to kick (a ball) backward with the heel
  • … back-heeled the ball to his Brazilian countryman …
  • —John Haydon,  Washington Times,  19 Mar. 2008
  • He took a touch before back-heeling for his Argentine strike partner …
  • —Paul Fraser,  Northern Echo,  29 Oct. 2007

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First Known Use of back-heel

1883

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