ball control

noun

: an offensive strategy (as in football) in which a team tries to keep possession of the ball for extended periods of time

Examples of ball control in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The Raiders had beaten the Cavaliers 57-54 before Christmas and showed improved ball control in the rematch. Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026 But Miami excels on defense and ball control. Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026 The Chargers are a ball control team with a strong, physical defense. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026 The emphasis will be on ball control, field position and avoiding mistakes. Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ball control

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ball control was in 1910

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ball control.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20control. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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