halfback
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See also: half-back
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From half + back, in reference to position on the field of play; compare fullback.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
halfback (plural halfbacks)
- (field sports) Any of various positions on the field of play between the forwards and the fullbacks.
- (field sports) A player who occupies one of these positions.
- (American football) An offensive back whose primary jobs are to carry the ball on running plays and to serve as a receiver or blocker on passing plays.
- (Canadian football) A defensive back whose primary jobs are to cover the slotback on passing plays and prevent running plays from going to the outside.
- (field hockey) A player in the halfback position, with both offensive and defensive roles.
- (Australian rules football) One of three players (the centre halfback and two halfback flankers) on the line between the centre line and the fullback line.
- (rugby) The player who feeds the ball into the scrum, and receives the ball as it emerges from the back of the scrum.
Derived terms[edit]
Verb[edit]
halfback (third-person singular simple present halfbacks, present participle halfbacking, simple past and past participle halfbacked)
- To play in the position of halfback.