How to Use on the defensive in a Sentence

on the defensive

phrase

• Despite being on the defensive for most of this match, Japan is now in front!
  — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
• The Wizards need someone who can help on the defensive glass and protect the rim.
  — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 June 2026
• And Dunham appears to be no higher than fourth on the defensive end depth chart.
  — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
• One area where Okot is still developing is on the defensive end.
  — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
• The only issue with being oversized would be on the defensive end.
  — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
• Indiana’s offense wasn't the problem, but the team looked tired on the defensive end at times.
  — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
• Both players are expected to be a major presence on the defensive line this season.
  — Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2026
• Missed a few turnover ops early on on the defensive side, and gave them an opportunity to continue their drives.
  — Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026
• Simply finding playing time on the defensive side of the ball during the preseason will be a challenge.
  — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
• Their biggest offseason additions were all on the defensive side of the ball, including their first three draft picks.
  — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
• The first-team defense’s three straight three-and-outs could have contributed to no one else getting time on the defensive line or at outside linebacker.
  — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
• But for a team with 20 transfers on the defensive side, cohesion will be crucial to carrying out their plans.
  — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 3 Sep. 2026
• Watch the reigning Super Bowl champs dominate on the defensive side.
  — Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
• Richard averaged nine points a game in Las Vegas, but made his biggest impact on the defensive side of the floor.
  — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
• During the regular season, though, James conserves energy, and much of that shows up on the defensive end.
  — Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 July 2026
• However, age is quite a bit of a concern here, especially on the defensive side of the ball, so the bottom could certainly fall out.
  — Austin Mock, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
• The Bucs responded with a housecleaning that also swept out four assistants on the defensive coaching staff.
  — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
• The position group takes a step back overall, but the experience on the defensive line masks some of the linebacker’s limitations.
  — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026
• With a host of new faces both on the defensive line and at linebacker in a shutout of Missouri State, A&M looked much sharper this time.
  — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
• Weaknesses include defensive line The Hawkeyes are starting over on the defensive line.
  — John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
• Factory managers were often on the defensive, since raising vision problems could sound like a critique of their management.
  — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
• And the rookie is already emphasizing the importance of switchability on the defensive end of the court.
  — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
• Carter is a core player with Davis on the defensive line, with Mitchell and DeJean next in line for record-setting deals after the season.
  — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 July 2026
• He is expected to be an integral piece of any possible improvement on the defensive side of the ball in 2026 and beyond.
  — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026
• Because his offensive responsibility went down, his energy on the defensive end went up.
  — Tony Jones, New York Times, 30 July 2026
• The films also rolled into being at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and anti-Israel fervor over the Gaza war has put Jews on the defensive.
  — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
• Head coach Carlos Queiroz has become well known for his tactical knowhow on the defensive end and will look to thwart Colombia’s many offensive talents.
  — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
• The incident itself simultaneously highlights the dangers of a lack of guardrails on the offensive side and the limitations of too many guardrails on the defensive side.
  — Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
• Rising Secondary Michigan’s secondary was overshadowed a bit by the defensive front in the preseason, but no one should be sleeping on the defensive backs.
  — Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
• Deal is one of several returning starters on the defensive line, along with senior Ansel Din-Mbuh and junior Paul Oyewale.
  — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026