controlling the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controlling the ball" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, particularly when discussing a player's ability to manage or manipulate the ball during play. Example: "The midfielder excelled at controlling the ball, allowing him to create opportunities for his teammates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was controlling the ball a lot better," Agassi said.

The New York Times - Sports

Nadal is dominating almost every point, controlling the ball masterfully.

The New York Times

It created some problems for us controlling the ball.

Independent

He has mastered the art of controlling the ball and running with it.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think Kei does really well controlling the ball," Federer said.

The Guardian - Sport

Normally, he is an inside midfielder, charged with controlling the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

The Greyhounds were more cautious on offense, careful with their rare opportunities in controlling the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Both Barcelona and Spain dominate opponents by controlling the ball and stringing together intricate passing sequences.

The New York Times - Sports

They are more capable of controlling the ball on offense, and not rushing through anything".

The New York Times - Sports

Plus, i do think the players we have are capable, deep down, of passing and controlling the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Messi produced a trademark run in the 14th minute, controlling the ball on the right wing and beating Raul Meireles.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's strategy, use "controlling the ball" to highlight their focus on possession and dictating the pace of the game.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is "controlling the ball". Instead of "The ball was controlled", specify "The midfielder controlled the ball" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

Controlling the ball functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun in many sentences. It often describes an action or ability related to sports. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "controlling the ball" is a grammatically correct and very common expression, primarily used in sports contexts to describe a player's ability to manage and direct the ball. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. It frequently appears in news and media sources, with neutral register. When writing about sports, using "controlling the ball" effectively conveys a player or team's focus on possession and strategic play. Alternative phrases include "maintaining possession" and "managing the ball". However, be mindful of using active voice to clearly attribute who is performing the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mastering ball control

Focuses on achieving a high level of skill and expertise in managing the ball.

keeping the ball under control

This alternative puts more emphasis on maintaining a secure hold and preventing loss of possession.

managing the ball

This phrase is a more general way of referring to handling the ball with competence, changing the verb and adding the article.

maintaining possession

This alternative focuses on keeping the ball within one's control, emphasizing the aspect of retaining ownership.

handling the ball with precision

This alternative stresses accuracy and skill in how the ball is handled, focusing on the quality of ball control.

maneuvering the ball

This emphasizes skillful movement and navigation of the ball, highlighting agility and tactical play.

dictating play

This alternative emphasizes the ability to influence the game's direction through skillful ball management.

exerting ball control

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the effort and dominance in managing the ball.

commanding the ball

This emphasizes a strong, authoritative control over the ball, suggesting a higher level of dominance.

orchestrating the ball movement

This focuses on skillfully coordinating the ball's trajectory, emphasizing planning and execution.

FAQs

How can I use "controlling the ball" in a sentence?

You can use "controlling the ball" to describe a player's ability to manage the ball during a game, such as "The player is skilled at "controlling the ball" in tight spaces."

What are some alternatives to "controlling the ball"?

Alternatives include "maintaining possession", "managing the ball", or "handling the ball with precision" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "controlling the ball" or "controls the ball"?

"Controlling the ball" is a gerund phrase often used to describe an action, while "controls the ball" is a verb phrase indicating that someone is actively performing the action. The correct phrase depends on the sentence structure.

What does it mean to "dominate possession" versus "controlling the ball"?

Dominating possession implies having the ball for a large portion of the game, while "controlling the ball" focuses on the skill and technique used when a player has the ball.