How to Use on the ball in a Sentence

on the ball

phrase
  • Control boots are built for touch on the ball and clean finishing.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
  • With minimal pressure placed on the ball, there was barely a misplaced pass.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026
  • Diomande is quick and would add more physical presence, as well as being confident on the ball.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • Albies is an excellent contact hitter, putting the bat on the ball, and driving the ball to the gaps.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • So much of Spain’s performance was built upon their calmness and dominance on the ball.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac pounced on the ball and delivered a perfect strike to second base.
    — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Trafford pops up off the turf quickly, sets himself and then gets a more meaningful clearance on the ball with a save using his boot.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Olise is on the ball, on the French right, about to set up Kylian Mbappe with a wonderful disguised pass.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Japan battled valiantly but ultimately couldn’t spend enough time on the ball to threaten Brazil.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • Pedri chipped in behind for fellow substitute Nico Williams, who couldn’t get enough contact on the ball.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Casemiro will make Miami more dynamic and controlling on the ball.
    — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • His passing ability and confidence on the ball stem from playing in a more advanced position in his younger years.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Jacquet profiles as a front-footed, aggressive defender, strong one-on-one, and comfortable on the ball.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Mora was clean and decisive on the ball against Ecuador before exiting the match in the 59th minute.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • Not just his dazzling skill and intentionality on the ball, but off of it, too, in a pressing, high-energy team.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The 22-year-old, who stands at 6ft 3in, has pace and is comfortable on the ball, but is also has a strong aerial presence.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Kamara landed on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown that pushed Indiana’s lead to 17-7.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Ampadu’s tenacity in the tackle, composure on the ball and his long throw — an emerging weapon — all contributed to the team’s strong showings.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • With that technique putting more pace on the ball, forwards just need to redirect the ball instead of mustering their own power on a slower delivery.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Gabriel is an eye-catching attacking talent when on the ball, and confident when taking on a defender with a bit of skill or explosive burst of pace.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 23 July 2026
  • At Bayern last season, around a quarter of his chances came from that zone on the edge of the box, showcasing the value of getting him on the ball between the lines.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Riyad Mahrez was quickest to react, seizing on the ball as Mwene tried in desperation to rugby tackle him backwards.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026
  • Jaissle wants his players to have agency on the ball, but for that expression to exist within a framework and to be supported by intense defensive work.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Late in extra time, Tielemans and opponent Lamine Camara converged on the ball.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Simply put, a taker who has the luxury of focusing 100 per cent on the ball while making contact with it will kick it with more precision.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Strong in the tackle and an excellent reader of the game, Saliba also brings composure on the ball and experience.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Meanwhile in the Bronx, a no-man’s-land pop up took Jazz Chisholm into the outfield grass, while Jasson Domínguez broke in on the ball.
    — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • After Florian Wirtz crossed in from the left side of the pitch, Kai Havertz got just enough of his head on the ball to flick it into the far side of the goal.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • As well as his tempo-dictating actions on the ball, Rodri also tops the list for counter-pressing wins among all players in this World Cup.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Late in the game, Portugal were spared extra time after Croatia's second goal was ruled out for an offside detected by the faintest touch on the ball.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the ball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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