In various games: The player who is to ‘strike’; occasionally the player who has made a stroke. In Association Football and Hockey, a forward…

Sport. A player who kicks the ball; spec. (esp. in American Football and Rugby) a player whose designated role in the team is to do this, in order to…

Sport. A player who does not strike the ball; (Cricket) the batter who is at the bowler's end at the time of a delivery, and who therefore does…

One who or that which supplies material for consumption or elaboration. The player who tosses the ball to the batter (in ‘Rounders’ and similar…

A person who stops (see the senses of the verb). A player whose office it is to stop balls; in Cricket, a wicket-keeper.

Sport. Any of the members of a team whose role is to prevent the opposition from scoring or otherwise gaining an advantage; a person who plays in…

The person who is serving the ball. Cf. hand-out, n.1 2.

Real Tennis, Rackets, and Squash. The person to whom the ball is served. Cf. hand-in, n.

Football. One of the players stationed behind the ‘forwards,’ e.g. ‘half-back,’ ‘three-quarter back’; the duty of the simple ‘back’ is to defend the…

Sport. A member of a team whose role is to be part of the attack; a forward. Also more generally: a competitor who is attempting to score or…

(a) a general who commands troops on the field of battle; (b) (in extended use) a person who organizes and directs a sports team on the field of…

a player who handles the ball in an offensive play, or whose role is to do this.

a player whose role is to manoeuvre the ball toward the goal, basket, etc.

(in team ball sports) a player who is adept at taking possession of the ball from the opposing team.