share the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "share the ball" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sports, particularly basketball, to encourage players to pass the ball to teammates rather than keeping it to themselves. Example: "In order to win the game, we need to share the ball and work together as a team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They share the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

"Play aggressive defensively, share the ball offensively.

The New York Times

"They share the ball real well.

The New York Times - Sports

They share the ball and work deliberately for open shots.

The New York Times - Sports

"We just share the ball," Purdue Coach Sharon Versyp said.

The New York Times - Sports

We didn't move the ball well, share the ball well".

The Guardian - Sport

Would it have hurt Patty to share the ball a little with her teammates?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though his Hawks playbook was derided as isolation-heavy, Woodson actually favors the share-the-ball mentality preached by Holzman.

The New York Times - Sports

In D'Antoni's share-the-ball offense, Anthony was averaging 21.3 points and shooting 40 percent from the field, while taking 18.3 shots per game.

The New York Times - Sports

Jackson, as tranquil as Doug Collins was hyperkinetic, brought out qualities in Jordan that none of his other pro coaches could tap, most notably a team-first, share-the-ball (occasionally) mentality.

The New York Times

"We really shared the ball well".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "share the ball" in sports contexts to emphasize the importance of teamwork and distributing opportunities for scoring or advancement among team members. This encourages a collaborative rather than individualistic approach.

Common error

Avoid using "share the ball" metaphorically in situations where literal teamwork isn't involved. Choose more appropriate phrases like "delegate tasks" or "distribute resources" to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share the ball" functions as an imperative, often used to encourage teamwork and collaboration within a sports context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and association with team dynamics. It acts as a direct instruction or recommendation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "share the ball" is a common phrase, mostly used in a News & Media context, meant to encourage teamwork and collaboration, particularly in sports. It is grammatically sound and well-recognized, per Ludwig AI. While its primary application is in sports, it can metaphorically extend to other areas emphasizing the distribution of resources or opportunities. When using the phrase, consider the audience and ensure the context aligns with its core meaning of teamwork and cooperation to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass the ball around

Emphasizes the action of passing the ball, suggesting a dynamic movement and distribution.

distribute the ball

Focuses on the act of spreading the ball among different players.

play as a team

Highlights the collaborative aspect of sports, moving away from individual focus.

collaborate effectively

Broader term applicable in various contexts, emphasizing working together efficiently.

work together

Simple and direct, underscoring the importance of cooperation.

promote teamwork

Highlights the importance of promoting team-based performance and goals.

ensure equal opportunity

Shifts the focus to fairness and equitable access.

foster collaboration

Focuses on creating an environment that encourages teamwork.

equitable distribution

Emphasizes the fairness of sharing a resource between members of a team or group.

decentralize possession

More technical term, suitable for strategic sports discussions.

FAQs

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

You can use "share the ball" to describe a team's offensive strategy: "The coach emphasized that the team needed to "share the ball" more to improve their scoring opportunities." You can also use it to point to the overall teamwork.

What does "share the ball" mean in a team setting?

In a team setting, "share the ball" means that players should pass the ball to each other, creating opportunities for multiple players to contribute rather than relying on a single player to dominate the game. It promotes teamwork and balanced play.

What can I say instead of "share the ball"?

You can use alternatives like "pass the ball around", "distribute the ball", or "play as a team" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "share the ball" only used in sports?

While primarily used in sports, especially basketball and soccer, "share the ball" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where resources or opportunities are distributed among a group. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion.