What does the expression, 'take the ball down (on their chest)' mean? - Football Language

RE: What does the expression, 'take the ball down (on their chest)' mean?

Learn English through Football — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:11:16 +0000

In the 2022 Europa Conference League final between Roma and Feyenoord, the opening goal was scored by Nicolo Zaniolo who controlled the pass on his chest before firing home. So we can say that he took the ball down with his chest. Another way of saying this would be to 'bring the ball down'.

So to take the ball down (take down the ball) means to control a ball or pass that has arrived at a height.

RE: Take the ball down (on their chest)

grell — Fri, 27 May 2022 00:08:57 +0000

Hi @hyuna27g

The use of 'would' here is because we are talking about a hypothetical (imaginary) situation and offering advice or a recommendation.

We are imagining a situation where you want to say 'take the ball down' in another way and giving a recommendation. Eg.

If we say it in another way, we would say 'bring the ball down'.

Note that if we say,

'Another way of saying this could be 'bring the ball down'.

The slight difference here is that could infers there are several more options. But this is a very small distinction in the context of this post.

RE: Take the ball down (on their chest)

Hyuna27g_ — Thu, 26 May 2022 22:35:34 +0000

Posted by: @admin

Another way of saying this would be to 'bring the ball down'.

Hello. Could you please explain the use of "would" in your sentence?

What does the expression, 'take the ball down (on their chest)' mean?

Learn English through Football — Wed, 25 May 2022 19:52:09 +0000

What does the expression, 'take the ball down (on their chest)' mean?