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back line

British  

noun

  1. (in some team sports) the defensive players considered as a unit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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This spreading out of the back line made it hard for England to close the distance.

From BBC Jul. 2, 2026

Both Anderson and Bellingham were dragged towards Martin Baturina who dropped deep, which opened up space in the back line between Reece James and Ezri Konsa.

From BBC Jun. 18, 2026

As a big, mobile and physical central defender who had played at the top levels of European club soccer, he was just what the U.S. needed on its back line.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 10, 2026

Pochettino’s preferred formation uses a three-man back line but he has no one on the roster who can match Richards as the anchor, defensive organizer and playmaker during buildups.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 10, 2026

I swear to God, when I played, sometimes I would see Joey out there leading the back line, but it was always someone else.During our game, I could hear Doc Dad on the sidelines, cheering.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

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