play-the-ball

British

noun

rugby league a method for bringing the ball back into play after a tackle, in which the tackled player is allowed to stand up and kick or heel the ball behind him or her to a team-mate

"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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From the play-the-ball, Alan Hunte, Goulding and Phil Clarke worked possession right to Betts, who fed Davies on the halfway line with a long way to go.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

At the other end Amir Bourouh was sin-binned for slowing the play-the-ball, Martin kicked the penalty, and Lisone's strength did the rest.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2024

Bosc kicked a second penalty on the hour after St Helens prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook was punished for interference at the play-the-ball to keep his side on the front foot.

From The Guardian • Apr. 13, 2013

And they got it when visiting full-back Roberts was sent to the sin bin for delaying a play-the-ball.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2010

He appeared heavily dazed following a routine drive from dummy half, and after stumbling over at the play-the-ball, was quickly withdrawn by the Crusaders medical staff, receiving warm applause on his departure.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023