What do the football phrases 'Pick that out'; 'Hug the ball' and 'spank' mean? - Football Language https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/ Learn English Through Football Discussion Board en-GB Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:19:42 +0000 wpForo 60 RE: Pick that out! Hug the ball/spank https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-1033 Tue, 13 Jun 2023 23:49:36 +0000 I think the word 'out' here adds the idea of width to the meaning - the player (Jesus) passed the ball wide (to the right) to find his team mate Foden.

]]> Football Language Learn English through Football https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-1033 RE: Pick that out! Hug the ball/spank https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-989 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:00:29 +0000 Thanks a lot for the explanation. Could you also explain what "out" means in football context? I'd really like to understand it.

Pick that out! It started when Jessus floated a pass out to Foden on the right.

]]> Football Language Hyuna27g_ https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-989 RE: Pick that out! Hug the ball/spank https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-988 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 13:12:05 +0000 Hi Hyuna27g_

Some great phrases here. When you say 'Pick that out!' it is a term that shows you think the shot and goal was hit with power, flying past the goalkeeper. All the goalkeeper can do is 'pick the ball out of the back of the net'.

'hugging the ball' is an unusual phrase, normally we'd hear hug the touch line, which means to play close to the line on the wing; to stay wide. In this case it means Foden kept the ball hugged (close/tight) to him. It is under control.

'to shift the ball' means to change the direction of the ball. Here it is inside, so away from the touch line and towards the goal.

and lastly, 'to spank' is to hit the ball really really really hard!

hope that helps!

Damon

]]> Football Language grell https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-988 What do the football phrases 'Pick that out'; 'Hug the ball' and 'spank' mean? https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-987 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:26:54 +0000 I don't understand some phrases in the following sentence. What is the meaning of the phrases "pick that out", "Out", "hug", "shift" and "spank?"

Liverpool 1-4 Man City

Pick that out! It started when Jesus floated a pass out to Foden on the right. He ran at Robertson, hugging the ball on his left foot. Then, in the blink of an eye, he shifted it inside and spanked a spectacular shot that went through the hand of Alisson. There was barely any backlift, yet Foden hit it so well that Alisson was still beaten for pace

]]> Football Language Hyuna27g_ https://learnenglishthroughfootball.com/community/football-language-football-language/pick-that-out-hug-the-ball-spank/#post-987